A Visit to Jerry's Records In Pittsburgh, PA June 11, 2023

I'm in Pittsburgh to visit Iron Mountain outside of Pittsburgh where I and you will get tour Universal Music Group's vaults. It should be great! But as long as I am here and so is Jerry's Records, why not do both? My host, Marc Finer of Communications Research decades ago was my nemesis, and he mine because he was promoting the rise of the compact disc. And now? We go record shopping together. How great is that? What's not great is that accidentally the microphone ended up in my pocket so the sound is pretty meh. In fact, I narrated the first part and canned the recorded sound, but when the new owner of Jerry's, Chris arrived, I turned the sound back on. Please do not complain about the lousy sound. I can't hear you! I first heard about Jerry's from my friend Jacob Heilbrunn who writes for The Absolute Sound and grew up in Pittsburgh. Glad I finally made it, but sorry I didn't get to meet Jerry, who passed away within the last few years.

[@jackbadler]

Word to the wise, it’s pronounced doo·kayn! Thanks for going through and narrating this, fun to vicariously experience a great record store from home!

[@Crush777]

As someone who enjoys classical music, yet not an encyclopedia of classical music knowledge, I find it overwhelming walking into a big store like this. Always looking to expand my knowledge and listening experience. Would love to see a buying guide as to how to pick out classical music from the absolute endless classical music releases. Fantastic video nonetheless. Really appreciate these record store walkthroughs.

[@michaeltrochalakis6526]

Timbuk 3, 1986. The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades.

[@JustFortheRecord66]

I spend hours at Jerry’s when I’m in town! You gotta dig, but there are always treasures to be found! Attic Records is also a great record shop in Millvale!

[@musiconrecord6724]

Oh boy: as you walked into this store I started drooling!!!! You're right, that classical section was full of choice goodies. Imagine my surprise at that lovely shout-out re. the articles on Wagner's "Ring". You are too generous in your praise. I'm just so happy to be writing for a site where you encourage your writers to get into the weeds.

[@DanandJoeMusic]

Wow. I missed you by a few hours. I was visiting Pittsburgh from Delaware, and left the store just before you came in! Darn. Would have been great to meet you. Great video.

[@amysarg]

I love these long form videos. Especially your ‘top 100’ lists, and other just talk about records and labels and pressings.

[@nitrousninja882]

Jazz isn't dead. It just smells funny. What did they have in the way of Jimi Hendrix and Roy Buchanan? That is the kind of music that makes me feel alive. Modern electric blues!

[@JadeTheWolf1982]

Omg now I have to go there. I love the classical selection. I hope they have as much for jazz.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Fremer in the house! Fellow yinzer here. 😎 I really need to make a trip up there! Very cool, hope you do a video on Iron Mountain! 🍻

[@trackingangle929]

Iron Mountain is why I am in town. Spent the day there. Mind blowing experience!!!!!!!!!

[@robinbryson6745]

Michael this was very helpful - I'll add Jerry's to my list of places to check out when next on the East Coast - ty!

[@urimaimon3763]

Great Great Great Review and education!

[@ATIN2012]

Thanks for the video. Was waiting 4 it. I from India and misses such collection and store here..one day wish I will visit

[@NathanCline12-21]

So much of my youth spent in this place

[@dimebagdave77]

Manythnx! This place is legendary

[@DorianPaige00]

Many picked the store over as that's what happens if the price is too low. I'm glad I'm into cds and I even notice it with those. Deluxe editions like the one's they issued on Traffic and Bad Company never usually stay in stock at better record stores.

[@harrysmusicroom]

what an amazing store, thanks for showing it

[@Localbandography]

The Nathan Davis If LP I would have grabbed straight away.

[@redrustler1]

Made my second trip there is December, Spent almost five hours and more than $300.00, and they gave me a free t-shirt.

[@markmattimore8757]

I'll be there on Friday

[@twofromthetrunk9932]

You would think living so close I would have been there. SMH. I agree with you about the Timmy James and Shondells album.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

I hear ya man, same here.. I'm only an hour or so away but haven't been there, yet. For shame! I really need to make a pilgrimage up there soon!

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

Welcome to Pittsburgh. There's a cold one in the fridge for you 😊. Belgium's finest 🍺. Maybe next time 😊. Big MFer fan. Greg

[@jerryperez886]

Nice Maynard Ferguson section!!!

[@chrisl5156]

A very interesting store. Not often I see a section of the stacks devoted to the Strawbs. Makes me want to make the trip from New Jersey ! Thanks Michael.

[@mazzysmusic]

That yellow covered album are the Spitballs. Basically a bunch of artists on the Bay Area Berzekely Record label playing as a band; Rubinoos, Greg Kihn, Earthquake, etc. ok Record.

[@jennconducts]

It was Daydream Believer. Carole King wrote Pleasant Valley Sunday. Cheers, Michael.

[@Beetlehair]

Stewart didn’t like that the Monkees and Chip Douglas wanted to change one word in the song, and at first he refused, but then somebody pointed out that financially he would be making a big mistake, so he reluctantly agreed.

[@shakinghell1318]

Looks like a fantastic shop 😮

[@theworldstallestdwarf8059]

Better to have a silent video than have to listen to Fremer's annoying babble.

[@amosperrine1909]

I have been a loyal, if out of town, visitor since 1981 when I lived near the orginal store in the Oakland section of town. BTW, just a couple stores up is the best pizza joint in the USA, Mineo’s. Wow!

[@trackingangle929]

I heard about Mineo’s but we had dinner plans… next time!

[@mymixture965]

Very interesting but to me it looks like all the records nobody wants. The good stuff is sold long ago and they are left with a big dollar bin. I see this very often here (Austria) too, what do you do with the cheap and not so collectable stuff? I have limited space so I could not fill my racks with this. But don't get me wrong, I love videos like this, thumbs up and thanks!!!

[@3leggedgenes]

Jerry owned over a million records at one point. He had another entire warehouse full of records that he spun off into a more casual business after he sold Jerry's in 2017 (Vinyl-Man's Clubhouse). He was estimating a stock of about 200,000 records plus his personal 20,000 record collection at that point. And that was after he gave away random 100-record boxes back in 2011 in an effort to give away about 33,000 records (no idea how many actually went). That whole time he was still buying collections as Jerry's continues to do to this day. He was not the average record store owner and Jerry's is a place most people don't believe exists anymore until they've been there.

[@ecyfoto]

Know your tools, Michael. You should have the ability to record on two storage media simultaneously. Cool store! Thanks, M.

[@leiferickson9666]

Yeah........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......🍁

[@fredericmorris2931]

Great fun as always. But please don’t dis British Band Classics Vol. 2, it’s terrific, as is Vol. 1, an early Living Presence mono. Also you skipped over Solti’s 1 disc Ring highlights, which is a good way to sample the recordings Ward is writing about.

[@HamBoneElectrics]

What are the must own Louis Armstrong records?

[@SamuelRivera_DAMN]

Great pick-ups, Michael. How does that Coasters sound? That’s definitely on my want list

[@analoguecity3454]

Did you get to Jerry's early? Because their don't seem to be a lot people there, unfortunately! I love to see a record store swimming 🏊‍♂️ with people!

[@trackingangle929]

I got there almost at closing time Sunday afternoon

[@analoguecity3454]

@@trackingangle929 ah, ok, that explains it! Thanks! 👍

[@DCDura]

Don't listen to Mr F about the quality of the selection at Jerry's, because they don't rise to his level of collecting. Buy what you like and enjoy it. It doesn't have to be because someone said it's good or bad, it's what you like. You know what opinions are like... Just remember to bring cash, no CCs. Enjoy your visit to Jerry's and remember to inhale the smells of all the music there.

[@deeg8849]

As a card carrying leftie myself, I appreciate your subtle quick shots at the right

[@jobos98]

Hi Michael 🖐👍✌️

[@AlanSenzaki]

A lot of mediocre jazz. Too much filler. Too bad

[@DC-xx4kv]

Mr. Fremer, Michael if I may. I carry a list of records in my wallet. If ever out I know I have it with me. The trick is to keep it current after finding a few on the list. It’s a great way to remember all the must haves. I’m glad you mentioned having a list. Hope it helps others. ☮️ P.S. Don’t forget to check your mic next time!

[@timkimware3537]

Why not use a Notes app on your phone? Easy to access and modify. Carrying paper around is seriously old school. When my wife hands me a shopping list, I take a photo of it just in case I lose it in the store.

[@DC-xx4kv]

@@timkimware3537 REALLY? You don’t know the obvious answer?! ANALOGUE. You just flunked!

[@timkimware3537]

@@DC-xx4kv Ahh, the Analog Lifestyle. Okay, if it serves you well, then why not? :)

[@craigsteven74]

I live 5mn from the store. I like going to the new stuff, used of course! Also I hit the reggae section. So easy to spend a couple hundred dollars. Try to go Saturdays. Goodstuff.