Entertainment For Lively Minds
In praise of record libraries
My college in London, in the early ‘80s, had a small but diverse record library – actually mostly cassette tapes (records were probably too fragile for the student hordes; CDs were yet to come). I won’t go as far to say that my musical tastes were formed there, but – gosh – they were certainly broadened. I’m sure their copy of Sandy Denny’s The North Star Grassman and the Ravens must have been rendered transparent by our flat’s primitive cassette recorder.
Later on, the record libraries at Edinburgh’s George IV Bridge, Hertford, and Hatfield’s central library were sources of rich pickings – not necessarily in rock/pop, which tended often to the mainstream, but classical, jazz and folk. What’s more, all for a modest fee, at a time when I wasn’t exactly flush.
Does anyone else share my gratitude for record libraries, and are there any particular gems you were exposed to therein?
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Yes
I suppose it's largely due to that situation that it's hard to recall now that if you didn't know if you wanted to buy an album and a friend didn't own it then you were pretty stuffed without the record library. I used to tape stuff and I think I've probably gone on to buy 90% of it either on CD or as downloads since. I had a C90 that had Lone Justice on one side and The Long Ryders on the other courtesy of Watford library that was just played and played.
Langside Library, Glasgow
I joined the record library when I was 12, and listened to lots of music that I wouldn't otherwise have heard - some that stick out include John Coltrane "Giant Steps", Miles Davis "Sketches Of Spain" and Hawkwind "Warrior On The Edge Of Time" - picked for the fantastic cover.
They also had some great Creedence Clearwater Revival, including "Live at the Albert Hall".
I was delighted when in 1990 I found that they had a copy of my band's album (The Beat Poets - "Totally Radio").
Yes, splendid institutions.
Cumbernauld Library in the 80s was brilliant.
It was an oasis of taste smack in the middle of a dreadful town. Run by a guy called Barry it was where I first obtained music by Joy Division, The Pixies, Sly and the Family Stone, Marvin Gaye, The Smiths, Planxty, The Beach Boys, Nick Drake and countless others. I lived in there practically the whole time I lived in Cumbernauld and I can say it was where I educated myself away from the heavy metal and U2 which everyone seemed to be listening to at the time.
I paid a quick visit when I was home at Christmas. It's still pretty good. I have no idea if skint teenage music geeks still depend on it, but I'm happy its still there.
Gosport Library
Was my haunt in the early 80's
Yes, I fondly recall those albums that I would not have risked my hard-earned Saturday job earnings on but was happy to have a 25p punt that I then grew to love - 'Bop til you drop' by Ry Cooder comes to mind - but i have a softer spot for those sad ones that were always there, you always flicked past them, and noone ever borrowed.
In Gosport, Maria Muldaur did not go down a storm
Sutton Library
Sutton Library was always a wonder. Rumour was that it was the largest public library in Europe. Five floors made that believable.
Bowie and Vangelis were some of my discoveries back then. It also had a fairly good smattering of quite current material - Sister Feelings Call and Sons and Fascination from Simple Minds was there pretty early on, from memory. Stacks of taped albums, most of which are now bought and paid for - some many times over on different formats.
And, after Absolute Beginners came out as a movie, some very funky explorations into 50s jazz with Charlie Mingus ("Scenes in the City" still rings in my ears).
College placement
1984 Manchester record library - up near the Uni. Worked there for a few weeks. New members had to bring in their stylus or cartridge to get it checked - microscope & cleaning tools job. Terrible kerfuffle sending them away empty-handed if the tip had been ground into a stump by over-zealous use of coins & blu-tak!! Also had to unpack and label new stock, while obviously listening to it on a neat transcription turntable in the storeroom - that's where I discovered Tom Waits. Not literally. Not Tom in the storeroom. Officially the best job I never actually had.
Late 80's
it was a truly magical place. Many a morning I'd stagger up Oxford Road with a Random Hold LP, Danny Thompson's "Whatever" or the Walker Brother's "Nite Flights" under one arm and books for the days lectures under the other. Heard so much great stuff at just the right age. It taught me the value of just listening with an open mind!
Tom Waits!
Also Cumbernauld Library to thank for that. You really do forget in the pre download era, how much risk a person on hardly any money took when buying music; especially the stuff you didn't hear on the radio. I sometimes wonder if aging or sheer availability has made me value music less than I did? I certainly don't have the time to listen like I did. Would I if I didn't just look things up online?
Eternally grateful for Hamilton* record library
I'd had a miserable first year away at university in the late 70's, but that summer, I was introduced to my little sister's latest "find" from our local record library (she'd been rummaging around in the old stuff).
From the moment I heard Peter Gabriel's voice on "Looking For Someone" (and the rest of "Trespass"), depression lifted and I made the leap from Top 40 to whatever new old music I could lay my hands on, including old prog.
And so started a trail which led to a Word subscription.
*What is it with all these Scottish record libraries - an unsung national treasure, eh?
More Scottish libraries
Grangemouth had a fine collection; many LPs I took home and put on tape. Then, when I finally got a CD player, I took their CDs home and put them on mini-disc.
I distinctly remember getting Steve Earle's "Train a Comin'" and The Pretenders "Isle Of View" and putting them on mini-disc. At that time I had 2 very young boys and no disposable income. These 2 albums still remain in my all time favourites.
I still use the service now and again....and it can all be done online!!
Falkirk District (of which Grangemouth is a part) has 7 libraries and I can use any/all of them!!
"Libraries gave us power" ......well, music at least!
add me to the list
Rutherglen Library
I had three months of unemployment c.82 and I was never out the place (except for the sabbath when they were of course shut). I was such a regular that I got very friendly with one of the librarians and I took her out for a few drinky-poos as a thankee. She gave me The Sisters FALAA before it had been put on the rack, I nipped up the road, taped it and brought it back. I walked there and back, these days I have to park my car in the disabled space round the back. Wire were/was my big find in that library, they had Pink Flag, Chairs MIssing and 154 with the 7" heady days! Japan, Prince, The Blue Nile, The Pretenders, Danse Society and on it goes. Then I got a job but I still frequented, then I got another job as a designer with Falkirk Libraries & Museums so I have been in the bowls of Grangemouth library Big Stevie (the stores were actually out in Bo'ness, I blagged many an obscure and ruined ellpee from there, some I still have Trout Mask being the first to spring to mind). Back in the 80s where I lived was within the Glasgow boundary so I did shop around once I learned to drive - Cambuslang, Langside and the one in Allison St. (citation needed from the Badjin) were all within my catchment. Then I got a job in Cumbernauld!
But that's a story in its own.
great thread, happy days
And another...
Clarkston Library
I was still at school, and it was the first opportunity to hear Shostakovich symphonies, Beethoven late quartets, Bartok, Trout Mask Replica - stuff I'd been reading about but been too nervous to spend actual money on...in case I hated it! Also responsible for my enduring love of 1950s BlueNote vinyl.
Haven't thought about the place in years...
Allison St = Govanhill Library
Just the facts, ma'am.
ah ken'd
ye noe let us down
Respeck!
Wood Green library
This library used to have (possibly still does) comprehensive classical and jazz collections. Without access to this resource my knowledge of these two musical forms would be negligible. However in the 1980's I was frequent visitor and ending up spending a small fortune of casettes.
Nothing to add but more praise
I think music libraries were the saving grace of us pre-download music fans.
My local library in the early 90s had a huge range of dusty cds. Mainly garbage to be honest, but for some reason they seemed to have a lot of progressive rock. I definitely got into Yes through my library card anyway.
And even yer basic mainstream stuff: greatest hits of Elton John or Tommy or Electric Ladyland etc. I saved a fortune taping all this from borrowed cds, meaning I had money to spare for more experimental purchases.