I moved to Portland, Oregon a week ago and have spent every day but one (Record Store Day; I don’t like crowds) hitting the local record shops. The first one was Jackpot Records, where I had anything but good luck. You see, there was a pristine copy of “My Favorite Things,” but it was on hold for another customer. That led me up the street to Exiled Records and things began to improve. I found an original 1971 Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On.” That’s no easy feat, considering the fact that Rolling Stone had named it the top album of all time. Oh, and it’s VG (not a beater) and plays through.

Next was Music Millennium, which had just bought a small collection of Blue Notes from a private collector. There, I found a nice mono first pressing of Donald Byrd’s “Free Form.” It certainly didn’t come cheap but not outrageous either. That leads me to my last record store and the ultimate thrill ride.

In the very pleasing (antiques shops, cafes) and walkable neighborhood of Sellwood, I met Scott, who is an architect and owner of Dig Vinyl. While digging in his store, I came across a used copy of a George Wallington record. But of course, it wasn’t the one I really wanted and have never seen in the wild. That would be “The New York Scene.” Ok, I’ll cut to the chase.

Turns out, a fellow in Scott’s store has an original VG++.  His name is Charlie, an eBay seller, who goes by the name of strictlyheadies.  Take a look at Al’s posting of “Hot and Heavy” on April 18^th. You’ll see “Overseas” sold at $2,666.89.  That was Charlie’s sell.  Well back to my obsession with “The New York Scene.”  At a handsome price, Charlie agreed to sell me his copy the very next day.  So, I met him again at Dig Vinyl, made the transaction and left the store with a most elusive grail.  Now I just had to get the record home without getting it wet.  This is no easy task when you’re traveling by bus on a rainy day in Portland.  It did rain, but I managed to keep the record under my umbrella while walking, stood for cover at a bus stop and got home with a heavy hitter and newest acquisition to my vinyl collection.