Records by Mail

«You’ve got to have something to eat and a little love in your life. Everything I am, and everything I want out of life, goes smack back to that.»
— Billie Holiday
Those are words to live by, and remind me of why I love Billie so much. Listening to a little gift like this, especially by surprise, always makes me smile, sit down, and listen.
I came across Records By Mail when I was on a mad dash search for Maxwell’s «Urban Hang Suite» on vinyl. I found it here for half of the price I saw elsewhere (it was only $ 40…I woulda secretly paid a million dollars for this album… it really is one of my favorite).
My three albums were packed in a very sturdy box. Of course seeing «Urban Hang Suite» brought a sparkle, but there were also two old Billie Holiday albums as well (I had to order a few Billie albums, because I can never find any of her records in stores — not a surprise, I reckon).
But this morning, I am listening to this album from 1975 which has some live recordings of Billie, but also has an interview with her.
Wow.
In her speaking voice, you could hear how she’s humble, sweet, shy, funny, quiet, and a good cook. Listening to her in an interview makes me wish she were my friend. I guess she is. She’s everyone’s friend.

For serious record nerds.
VIRTUAL DIGGING.
Pricey, and not a walk-​in record shop. BUT there are several GREAT things about Morer’s Records By Mail.
If you live in Portland, or are visiting. You can visit their website, and browse everything they have in stock.
Then you just write in the check out that you would like to pick the records up. Then you stop by the office during business and pick up your records.
I’ve done this a number of times, and I’m always happy when I get the records. In every situation I’ve dealt with them, they’ve been super friendly and never over-​graded a record.
One of my favorite things about the site is how they keep all of the out-​of-​stock items listed («out-​of-​stock»). It’s crazy some of the rare records that have strolled thru that place. And then every once in awhile I’ll hit a pocket of in stock items, and make an order.