Ain't Got No Blu-Ray DVD: Spin The Black Circle

Rick Carlisle at Orpheus Records

All this talk of Blu-ray DVDs has really made us nostalgic.

Back in our college days in Washington, DC, we would occasionally trot off to Orpheus Records in Georgetown to peruse the vinyl for old rarities and anything else that caught our eye. A wonderful place to spend some time with other music lovers.

When the vinyl business started going south, Orpheus Records moved across the Potomac to Arlington, Virginia and managed to hang on as big box retailers grabbed market share, MP3's and iPods proliferated, and web music sites flourished.

So it was sad news when we learned that our acquaintance Rick Carlisle at Orpheus Records would be closing shop. Bummer.

As business faded, Rick didn't want to operate a web site. It was too impersonal and he liked talking to people.

Rick is quite a guy. And not just because he liked Neil. He'd run around the store in his bare feet and often could identify a song when someone would hum a few notes or sing a few lyrics.

With over 120,000 records, Orpheus will be liquidating its stock. So if you're in the area, you may want to catch some bargains. And they do have Time Fades Away (which -- as you know -- is still only available on vinyl).

Just remember: vinyl is final.

To read more on the demise of an independent record store.