Virtual Thrift Store Surprise Box: West Coast Edition

Jul 11

It’s that time again! I just opened another virtual thrift store surprise box—this one curated by a friend of the channel on the West Coast who scours thrift stores for hidden vinyl gems and sends them my way. As always, the thrill is in the surprise, and even if just two or three records are “keepers,” I consider the whole project a success.

For those unfamiliar, these records usually cost around 50 cents each, so it’s low risk and often high reward—especially when rarities or beautifully preserved pieces turn up. Here are some of the highlights and surprises from this latest batch:

Standouts & Gems:

Lena Horne – Give the Lady What She Wants (Living Stereo)
A gorgeous original with great condition and a beautiful jacket—an absolute keeper for my Living Stereo Popular series.
Tony Mottola – Latin Love-In (Project 3)
Beautiful Project 3 label release—Command Records’ high-fidelity descendant. Stunning cover art and fantastic sound.
Enoch Light – Let’s Dance Bossa Nova (Command Records)
Complete with the rare dance instruction insert. Command Records at their finest—Robert Fine and George Piros in top form.
Stanley Black – Spain (Phase 4 Stereo)
A Phase 4 London release—curious to hear how this one sounds as Phase 4 can be hit-or-miss.
Lena Horne – On the Blue Side (German Import Living Stereo)
A rare import pressing—beautiful typography and Webster Hall recording by Bob Simpson.
Dave Brubeck Quartet – Anything Goes (Columbia)
Brubeck takes on Cole Porter—unexpected and intriguing.
Fritz Reiner – Also Sprach Zarathustra (Living Stereo Red Seal)
A late Reiner recording I didn’t have—a welcome surprise.
Tuxedo Junction – Big Band Disco 12-inch
A possible nod to my disco roots—can't wait to hear which track lit up dance floors.
Stereo Action – Futura by Bernie Green (RCA Victor)
Rare and intact—one for a future deep dive into the zany world of Stereo Action albums.

Quirky & Unexpected Finds:

Jonathan & Darlene Edwards – American Popular Songs (Westminster Gold)
Offbeat comedic takes on popular standards—Jonathan and Darlene are actually Paul Weston and Jo Stafford in disguise.
The Happy Organ – Dave "Baby" Cortez (Living Stereo)
Organ-driven novelty music with a hilariously cheerful cover—pure thrift store gold.
Geraldo – Plays for Dining & Dancing (Living Stereo Camden)
Budget label curiosity—may have some hidden charm.
Eddie Cano – Time for Cha Cha Cha (RCA Victor)
A total surprise with striking cover art—Latin beats incoming.
André Previn Quartet – My Fair Lady (Columbia)
Jazz renditions of Lerner & Loewe's classic tunes—another unexpected delight.

Victrola & Classical Corner:

Multiple Victrola pink and plum label pressings, including:
- Gary Graffman – Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3
- Strauss – Ein Heldenleben, Reiner / Chicago Symphony
- Mendelssohn & Bruch Violin Concertos – Jaime Laredo
1812 Overture – Zubin Mehta (UK Decca Narrow Band)
- Another 1812 to add to the growing collection—this one with authentic bells and cannon.

Spoken Word & Miscellaneous:

Alec Guinness – A Personal Choice (RCA Victor)
Spoken word selections from Shakespeare and others—something different for sure.
High Society – Lester Lanin (Stereoama)
Dance music for high society—cheeky thrift store charm.
Angel 45 Series – Rimsky Korsakov & Borodin
Angel Records’ attempt at audiophile 45 RPM—intriguing to revisit.

The "Honey I Shrunk the Shaded Dog" Surprise:

The box included two tiny 10-inch records with music appreciation lectures by Otto Luening and performances by Eileen Flissler and others. I have no idea where these came from or who exactly they were made for, but they’re charming and mysterious. If anyone has info on these, please leave a comment!

Closing Thoughts:

This was one of the best boxes yet—so many surprises, a few real gems, and even the quirky oddities were fun to discover. Of course, condition is always an issue, and at some point I’ll need to pare down to the best copies. But for now, it’s all about the joy of discovery.

Big thanks to my West Coast picker for another amazing care package!

Scott Wilson