My vintage record collection

Where to Buy Vintage Records + My Vintage Record Collection

Life / Thursday, April 16th, 2020

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I could spend all day browsing vintage records at my local record stores! I’m sharing some favorites from my vintage record collection in honor of Record Store Day, which was originally scheduled for April 18 but has moved to June 20. The holiday may have been postponed but I’m still planning on celebrating by turning up my records at home!

My record collection isn’t large but there sure is variety; sometimes I’m in the mood for vintage jazz records with the high energy of 1930s big bands and other times it’s a laid-back 1960s vintage record with the sounds of Brazil that makes my day. I listen to my vintage records on a record player similar to this one that was a gift from my guapo one year after I subtly hinted (several times) that I’d like a record player for Christmas.

When is Record Store Day 2020?

Record Store Day was originally scheduled for April 18 but has since moved to June 20. Every Record Store Day there are special events at record stores and exclusive releases from artists of all music genres. See the full list of U.S. special releases here.

The holiday was created in 2007 by independent record store owners and employees to celebrate the culture of independently owned record stores in both the U.S. and internationally. The first Record Store Day was held in 2008 and today it’s celebrated on every continent except Antarctica! Find participating record stores in your area on recordstoreday.com.

Where to buy vintage records

Record stores

The best place to buy vintage records is at record stores. You get to shop a curated selection and it’s easier to search within a specific genre or for a certain artist. The records are also usually tested for quality, so you know you’re investing in something that will actually play! Record stores will also usually have a sale section with records that might have minor issues with the quality of sound but are still enjoyable.

Vintage clothing stores

Some vintage clothing stores also have a section for vintage records. The perk here is that you can shop for a great vintage outfit and vintage record all at once!

Antique malls

Antique malls are great places to search for deals on vintage records. One of the antique malls in my city has a vendor who sells mainly vintage records and on certain days there are sales; for example, all jazz records for half off the original price. In addition to finding a new favorite record you also get to browse the home decor and goods from other vendors, so I think it’s a win-win.

Goodwill

As a frequent Goodwill shopper I’ve seen vintage records many times at Goodwill. Usually, they’re in a bin in front of the store or on one of the back shelves near the other music and books. They’re not always in the best condition and you can’t be sure they’ll play, but you can always use them as decor or for crafts; plus, they’re affordably priced so you can buy a handful for the price of one record from a record store. You can also shop Goodwill locations across the country online at shopgoodwill.com!

Estate sales

Every once in a while I’ll come across a stack of vintage records at an estate sale. Sometimes there are boxes and boxes full of them! In a way, finding a vintage record at an estate sale seems more meaningful because I’m purchasing something straight from the home where it’s been listened to and enjoyed. It’s so interesting to see what records other people collect; I’ve come across everything from classical music to a Christmas disco album.

eBay and Etsy

If you’re looking for a specific album or artist, it may be easier to search online through eBay or Etsy. Of course, you always run the risk of the package being lost or damaged during transport, but you can find good deals on vintage records online. Some sellers offer stacks of vintage records that are solely for decor, so it’s a great place to look if you’re planning on getting crafty.

My vintage record collection

My vintage record collection is always growing, but these are some of my favorites that always brighten my mood. I’ve included links to the albums or songs to listen to on Spotify when available. Happy listening!

Vintage jazz records

Jazz from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s is some of my favorite music. I find the energy of the songs and the creativity of the soloists so inspiring. Here are three of my beloved jazz records.

1930s Jazz Big Bands (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces)

This album includes great 1930s jazz songs featuring jazz all-stars like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cab Calloway and Benny Goodman. It’s a 1987 record digitally remastered from the original analog tapes. I love turning this up when I’m cleaning; it makes the time go by so much faster!

Track listing:

Side one

  • San Sue Strut – Casa Loma Orchestra (listen on Spotify)
  • Mush Mouth – Claude Hopkins & His Orchestra
  • Lazy Rhapsody – Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra
  • That Blue-Eyed Baby From Memphis – Don Redman & His Orchestra
  • The Man From Harlem – Cab Calloway & His Orchestra (listen on Spotify)
  • Can You Take It? – Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
  • Let’s Get Together – Chick Webb & His Savoy Orchestra
  • Passionette – Teddy Hill & His Orchestra

Side two

Woody Herman Volume II, Guest Artists: Charlie Byrd and Tito Puente

I played a handful of different instruments while in school and the clarinet was my primary instrument. Naturally, I love jazz clarinetists, and when I found this Woody Herman record with Tito Puente as a guest artist I had to have it. It’s from the Everest Records Archive of Folk & Jazz Music, 1976. The liner notes were written and the album was recorded in New York in September and December 1958.

Listen to Woody Herman and Tito Puente on Spotify!

Track listing:

  • Summer Sequence
  • Latin Flight
  • New Cha Cha
  • Mambo Herd
  • Tito Meets Woody
  • Cha Cha Chick
  • Carioca
  • Blue Station
  • Pillar to Post

The Immortal Duke Ellington With His All-Time Great Orchestra of 1943

This is volume 3 of 3 in the Hall of Fame: Jazz Greats collectors series. It features recordings from 1943, when The Ellington Band was nearing its peak. The jacket reads, “This concert performance had an extra vibrancy sparked by its contact with an enthusiastic, expectant and obviously delighted audience.” I definitely get that listening to the record!

Ellington’s All-Time Great Orchestra of 1943 included Duke Ellington on piano, Johnny Hodges on alto sax, Rex Stewart on cornet, tenor sax player Ben Webster, Juan Tizol and Lawrence Brown on trombones, violinist Ray Nance and Sonny Greer on drums.

Listen to Duke Ellington on Spotify!

Track listing:

Side one

  • Are You Stickin’ — Soloist — Chauncey Houghton
  • Bakieff — Composer Juan Tizol — Soloists — Juan Tizol — Ray Nance
  • Jack the Bear — Soloist — Junior Raglin
  • Bluebells of Harlem — Soloist — Duke Ellington

Side two

  • Cocoa — Composer — Duke Ellington
  • Dirge — Composer — Billy Strahorn
  • Stomp — Composer — Billy Strahorn
  • Moon Mist — Composer — Mercer Ellington
  • Jumpin Punkins — Composer — Mercer Ellington

Vintage 1950s records

There are so many great vintage records with 1950s rock ‘n’ roll and R&B out there to find! These are two of my favorites, featuring two amazing ladies: Kay Starr and Ruth Brown!

Singin’ Kay Starr, Swingin’ Erroll Garner

This 1957 record is a bit different in that it features songs by jazz and blues singer Kay Starr on one side, and songs by the great jazz pianist Erroll Garner on the other. Both sides were recorded during a live concert. I love hearing the energy in live performances on vintage records!

Listen to the album on Spotify!

Side one (Singin’ Kay Starr)

  • Ain’t Misbehavin’
  • Good For Nothing Joe
  • Lover
  • Just You, Just Me

Side two (Swingin’ Erroll Garner)

  • Them There Eyes
  • Blue Lou
  • Tenderly
  • Little Girl

Rockin’ With Ruth

“Rockin’ With Ruth” is a compilation album from 1984 featuring Ruth Brown hits. I found a UK version at a local record store and at this moment, it’s my absolute favorite record. As the jacket rightly states, “Ruth Brown was unquestionably the most popular female R&B singer of the Fifties.” She had the nickname “Miss Rhythm”—that should tell you all you need to know!

Listen to Ruth Brown’s hit songs on Spotify!

Side one

  • Teardrops From My Eyes (September 1950)
  • 5–10–15 HOURS (February 13, 1952)
  • Daddy Daddy (July 2, 1952)
  • Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean (December 19, 1952)
  • Wild Wild Young Men (April 10, 1953)
  • Love Contest (December 16, 1953)
  • Hello Little Boy ( December 16, 1953)
  • Oh, What A Dream (May 7, 1954)

Side two

  • Somebody Touched Me (May 7, 1954)
  • Bye Bye Young Men ( August 11, 1954)
  • I Can See Everybody’s Baby (March 1, 1955)
  • As Long As I’m Moving ( March 1, 1955)
  • This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin’ (July 30, 1958)
  • I Can’t Hear a Word You Say ( March 7, 1959)
  • Papa Daddy (March 7, 1959)
  • Don’t Deceive Me (September 30, 1959)

Vintage 1960s Records

These are probably two of the most ’60s style records I could possibly own. The jacket art alone on the Sergio Mendes record is enough to lift my spirits!

Look Around – Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66

I found this 1968 record at a curious boutique in Nashville called Hail, Dark Aesthetics. Their products range from taxidermy to crystals (and crystal balls) to vintage clothing. They also have a collection of vintage records. This bright 1960s album looked a bit out of place amid the animal bones and creepy old medical supplies, but I’m really glad I found it! It must be a rather common record as I’ve seen it at several other stores throughout the year.

In any case, I think this happy album from the Grammy-winning Brazilian musician is a must for any fan of music from Brazil! It’s also available as a CD and mp3 and to stream through Amazon Music.

Listen to the record on Spotify!

Side one

  • With A Little Help From My Friends
  • Roda
  • Like A Lover
  • The Frog
  • Tristeza (Goodbye Sadness)

Side two

  • The Look Of Love
  • Pradizer Adeus (To Say Goodbye)
  • Batucada (The Beat)
  • So Many Stars
  • Look Around

The Pink Panther – Henry Mancini

Few film scores are as widely recognized as The Pink Panther. I found this 1963 original soundtrack by Henry Mancini at an estate sale. Even the jacket notes are clever, with descriptions of each song supposedly written by Peter Sellers (Inspector Clouseau). As for the song “Royal Blue,” his notes read, “This is the color that Royal people get when they are cold. They are often accompanied by music to get blue to.”

Listen to the soundtrack on Spotify!

Side one

  • The Pink Panther Theme
  • It Had Better Be Tonight (Meglio Stasera) (Instrumental)
  • Royal Blue
  • Champagne and Quail
  • The Village Inn
  • The Tiber Twist

Side two

  • It Had Better Be Tonight (Meglio Stasera) (Vocal)
  • Cortina
  • The Lonely Princess
  • Something for Sellers
  • Piano and Strings
  • Shades of Sennett

Vintage Christmas records

I love Christmas songs new and old; however, when I really want to get into the Christmas spirit, nothing beats the classics. Listening to vintage Christmas records makes my home feel extra cozy during the holiday season.

Songs of Christmas – The Noran Luboff Choir

This is the first vinyl record I’ve ever owned! Guapo included it with my record player as a Christmas gift one year. He could not have picked a more perfect record. The jacket art is so adorably 1950s, showing a family of four gathered around a Christmas tree with plenty of tinsel. I love putting this record on while we’re baking Christmas cookies or putting up Christmas decorations.

Track listing:

Side one

  • Joy to the World
  • I Saw Three Ships
  • We Three Kings of Orient Are
  • O Little Town of Bethlehem
  • What Child Is This?
  • The Twelve Days of Christmas
  • Baloo Lammy
  • The Holly and the Ivy
  • A La Nanita Nana
  • Joseph Dearest Joseph Mine
  • Whence Comes This Rush of Wings

Side two

  • The First Nowell
  • Wassai, Wassail All Over the Town
  • God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
  • Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
  • Oh Tannenbaum
  • O Holy Night
  • Coventry Carol
  • The Wassail Song
  • O Come, All Ye Faithful
  • Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly
  • Silent Night, Holy Night

The Christmas Album: 20 Great Christmas Favorites Performed By 20 Great Artists

I picked up this vintage Christmas record at an estate sale. The two-disc compilation from Columbia Records is from 1972. It has Christmas hits from major stars including Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Johnny Cash and Leonard Bernstein. There’s plenty of music for wrapping gifts or preparing holiday dinner!

Track listing:

Disc one

  • It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams
  • Winter Wonderland – Mitch Miller and The Gang
  • Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Doris Day
  • Greensleeves – Arr.: Ray Conniff (BMI); The Ray Conniff Singers
  • The Christmas Song – Tony Bennett
  • The Little Drummer Boy – Johnny Cash
  • Silver Bells – Jerry Vale
  • The First Noel – Anita Bryant
  • We Wish You A Merry Christmas – Arr.: Eddie Sauter; Andre Kostelanetz
  • O Come, All Ye Faithful – Jim Nabors

Disc two

  • Jingle Bells? – New Adaption by M. Paich & J. Gold; Barbra Streisand
  • It Came Upon the Midnight Clear – Arr.: Robert Mersey; Burl Ives
  • Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Robert Goulet
  • O Little Town of Bethlehem – Marty Robbins
  • Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly – Arr.: C. Jenkins; The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein (conductor)
  • Sleigh Ride – Johnny Mathis with Percy Faith and His Orchestra
  • Christmas Bells – Patti Page
  • Joy to the World – Arr.: P. Faith; Percy Faith and His Orchestra
  • Silent Night, Holy Night – Mahalia Jackson
  • White Christmas – Frank Sinatra

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