NYC record stores

[PatriFisher]

Posted: 2/19/17 at 10:33am

Hi, I'm looking for record stores in NYC to find cast recordings on vinyl. Any recommendations? Thanks!

Updated On: 2/19/17 at 10:33 AM

[Alessio2]

Posted: 2/19/17 at 3:16pm

honestly your best bet is to look online..I have had lots of luck finding older cast recordings on vynil~

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 2/19/17 at 4:09pm

Sadly, most of the great record stores (both in NYC and London) that had a large inventory of stage related recordings have folded. One of the last great spots was Bleeker Street Records, which had a wonderful inventory of foreign cast recordings. I was saddened just yesterday when I popped by on my way to see Sweeney Todd on Barrow Street, to discover it just very recently closed. 

 Truly, your best bet is to go online. The cast album database is a wonderful reference tool to let you know what recordings were made, and most frankly can be found through various vendors on the web. It's not as fun as the old days of rifling through the stacks, but it's likely your best option.

 

EDIT:  I did find an article online that said the inventory from Bleecker Street records will be moved to Generation records on Thompson Street. They might be worth checking out. 

http://vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/2016/10/bleecker-street-records.html?m=1

This article saddens me a bit. Walking around Greenwich Village yesterday, I couldn't help but notice how many for lease signs there were.  The rents have risen to such outrageous heights, that fewer and fewer of the kinds of novelty stores the put the neighborhood on the map can afford to stay open.

 

 

Updated On: 2/19/17 at 04:09 PM

[eponine88]

Posted: 2/19/17 at 8:02pm

While it doesn't have *anywhere* near the volume that Bleeker did, I do love rummaging through Westsider Records on 72nd.  In spite of its small size, the fact that most of their costumers seem to trade in classical, soundtracks, and cast recordings has helped me find some more obscure options coming in and out of there!  

[somechrysanthemumtea]

Posted: 2/19/17 at 9:03pm

All of the Bleecker St stock have gone to Generation Records on Thomson Street. I was also incredibly sad to see that Bleecker St had closed when I made my first trip to the city in Nov 2016. It had always been one of my top things to see in the city. But I guess thats just the cyclical nature of NYC, no?

I agree that Westsider Records has a good collection. 

[Marianne2]

Posted: 2/19/17 at 10:45pm

Rough Trade is a short subway ride away in Brooklyn.  You may want to call and check about what they sell because it looked like a lot of rock when I was there.  On the otherhand,  I was there for a record signing and meet and greet with Lil Bub,  a cat from the Internet. So, I'm not 100% of everything they sell.

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 2/20/17 at 2:26am

All these years later and I'm STILL mourning the loss of Footlight Records' physical store down in the East Village. When I lived in the city my best friend and I made weekly pilgrimages down to shop there. Loved it!!!

[MyFavoriteBrunette]

Posted: 2/20/17 at 5:12am

Broadway Bob* said: "All these years later and I'm STILL mourning the loss of Footlight Records' physical store down in the East Village. When I lived in the city my best friend and I made weekly pilgrimages down to shop there. Loved it!!!

=(  They used to be across the street from home and my husband was so sad when it closed. As a fan of Big Band and Doo-Wop, he spent so much time in there looking for records.  One of our fondest memories was of a Meet and Greet with Connie Francis where she signed my husband's laser disc copy of Where The Boys Are.  He was so excited.  Afterwards we headed to the Yankees '96 World Series Game 6.  It was a great day and evening for us.  I've lived in the area half my life and yes, the landscape has changed and many vacant businesses for rent.  Even my in-laws who owned a business near Irving Place were glad to retire a few years back.  Keeping up with the escalating rents would have been tough.

If I recall correctly, there's a small record store on 12 St maybe near Broadway.  It's a second hand store and think it's called Second Hand Rose Music.  And there's Academy Records on 18 St between 5th and 6th Ave.

 

Updated On: 2/20/17 at 05:12 AM

[ALittleFallofRain]

Posted: 2/20/17 at 11:38am

Sidenote, but related -- Have you guys seen Robert Sean Leonard's bio in the Sunday in the Park... playbill?

"ROBERT SEAN LEONARD (Jules / Bob). After I saw the original production of the musical I went directly to Colony Records, purchased the tape, and then wore it out in my Walkman. I am deeply honored to be here. Oh how I wish you too would (and could) stop at Colony on your way home tonight."