Is he back?

OK, I think Gimboland may be up and running again. And to start things running, I’d like to recount a strange tale of something which happened to me on Saturday. I was in my favourite shop on the planet, viz Spillers Records in Cardiff, which claims to be the oldest record shop in the world, and it characterised by the following things, amongst others:

1. The merchandise is presented on bits of cardboard with photocopies of the album covers. 2. The prices are invariably much lower than the big chains (generally 11 or 12 quid, but many (good) things for less). 3. They have Lots Of Good Stuff. 4. There’s usually Very Cool Music playing there. 5. There’s usually Very Cool People working there, and I don’t just mean cool as in stupid, I mean cool as in I’d like to have a drink with them.

Alas, on Saturday, Spillers disappointed. It was partially my fault, but nonetheless… I was idly browsing just before closing time (6pm), and was trying to decide whether to pick up, from the “Electronic/Experimental Compilation” section, one called Painted Black - an entire album of covers of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black”. Not being in a truly adventurous mood, I went to the desk and asked if I could have a listen. To my surprise, the lady serving me, hummed and harred, and said they were about to close, but er, maybe, hmmmm, errrr. I assured her that the briefest glimpse of a few of the tracks would be enough to give me the gist and make up my mind, and she disappeared into the back to put it on.

She reappeared shortly, holding the cardboard sleeve out for me to take back, and said that sorry, but because it was so late they didn’t want to, …, and left the sentence unfinished. I stepped in and helped her out with the words “… sell the disk to me?”. She nodded, to my amazement.

I suppose I should be happy, really. I do love that shop, and to find out that they’re doing so well that they can afford to throw away a purchase in order to ensure they get home a minute or two earlier than they otherwise would, is surely good news in terms of their long-term survival. All the same, it rankled somewhat.

I haven’t managed to Soulseek it yet, for which I’m glad to be honest. If I do find it, I probably won’t buy it (sad but true, best intentions and all that), whereas if it remains Unknown To Me them I might at least see if it’s still there next time I’m over that way. Hey ho.

If I do get it, rest assured gentle reader, you’ll be the third or fourth to know.