Checked into our accommodation the previous night – a fantastic Bed and Breakfast called The Gardens.
The next day visited:
- The Grove Shopping Centre – shops and watching the filming of “Extra”
- The largest camera store in the USA (which didn’t have the lens cap size we needed)
- The Farmer’s Market
- Nikki went shopping while I went to the Record Collector (see below) and cruised the nearby streets.
The Record Collector – 1 million records – all sorted in the mind of the slightly crazy owner and his equally eccentic sidekick. They ask you what you are looking for as soon as you go in. If you don’t reply, they are likely to kick you out. So be prepared!
Sadly they didn’t have the 80’s LPs I was looking for, and I declined to buy a Rolling Stones LP for $30 – which caused the owner to launch into a 30 minute diatribe about how I was symbolic of everything that was wrong with the recording industry. Well, apparently I was in there for 90 minutes (actually just 10) using up the time of 50% of his staff (he only has one) to help me identify where the records were (there’s no catalogue system so you have to ask them). This was cause enough to launch into a long manifesto about his store – why it was built – how they have never sold anything but vinyl since 1974 and how digital music and cds have destroyed the music industry. Actually that’s true, but it wasn’t really my fault.
![Canters Bakery in LA](https://yesanothertravelblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/california-096.jpg?w=584&h=438)
Canters Bakery in LA
I won some slight points back by referencing a book on the history of recorded music (Perfecting Sounds Forever – which is brilliant) and agreeing with him that digital music is a bad thing. So if you’re ever in LA and actually want to buy some records (make sure you have a list and aren’t looking for anything post 1982) this is the place for you. Don’t mention CDs, or Amoeba Records (the other amazing CD and record store in Hollywood). It is apparently too “commercial” which I think means they have: a. staff, b. an ability to not abuse their customers, c. A concept of customer service, and d. prices. The Record Collector have no prices, they just make them up when you return your items to the front – and then get offended if you don’t want to buy them.
Overall though, it is an amazing shop – perfect for the music nerd.
After this walked down some interesting LA streets complete with Jewish bakeries, thrift shops, old diners and Canters – an iconic LA Bakery open 24 hours, once the venue for some amazing late night music jams with Jakob Dylan, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Johnny Depp and others.
Dinner at one of the hip new restaurants in LA – Son of a Gun. The Lobster Rolls and blackened Cod were amazing!
Quote of the Day – “If you can’t feel it, it’s not music” (Crazy owner of The Record Collector)
Food of the Day – Lobster Roll at Son of a Gun
![The Record Collector](https://yesanothertravelblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/california-097.jpg?w=584&h=438)
The Record Collector in LA. This is not a shop for browsing. Be prepared!