MVP & MV(L)P

This update on our blog will be dedicated to music on CD or LP that has recieved heavy rotation in-house and has caused an increase in traffic to our doorstep. In other words, our Most Valuable Player. We'll play anything that sounds good to our ears. If it's a crowd favorite, it's getting honored on the blog. Our first installment is dedicated to:

With a not so worthy performance at the Copa in the '50's, my man Sam was determined to (in his own words) "Get them motherf****r's". This recording captures two classic performances in July of '64. We came across a large batch of cd's going for a very good price and decided to crack one open just to play in the store and get it out of our system. From the very first time we played "Bill Bailey", one of our regular customer came in from the dry cleaners next door and demanded that she needed two copies. One for her, and one for her man. The performance is, in word, "tight" overall. Sam just seems to take his time. Never missing a note throughtout the cd, he's in total control of his audience. From the swingin' opening track of "Best Things in Life Are Free" to switching effortlessly to more mellow tracks such as "Bill Bailey", "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" & "Frankie and Johnny", Mr. Cooke is already in a zone.

How many people today who call themselves entertainers can get a crowd to sing along with them, in full, as Sam Cooke does on "If I had a Hammer" and then let's them sit back and croons to them so graceful as he does on "When I Fall in Love" without sounding out of breath or forced. All I know is that before we got to "Tennesse Waltz", we had sold four more copies withing the hour. It was a no brainer, we kept the cd in the player for the entire weekend. Needless to say, the more Sam Cooke cooked, the more people kept coming in the kitchen. We've had this in house for the past couple of months, and it never seems to fail that people still gravitate towards our store when we play it. Always walking in with a smile. Breaking it down to the lowest common denominator, IT'S JUST GOOD MUSIC! Brother Sam Cooke, your music lives at Memory Lane.

Injured in the line of diggin'

Wednesday started out like a typical day off. I get up early to get to some digging spots to fill the store with some quality vinyl. I hit up a couple of places. Some have good records, others are coming up empty. I go to one spot I haven't been to in some time, figuring they may have something to offer. I did find some french records that have some interesting strings and horns that will be good for samples. I'm heading out of the parking, going home to prepare for a dj gig that night and

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!

my car gets rammed by an out of control car that not only puts me out of commission, but this idiot hits another car. By the grace of God, no one was hurt physically. My car suffered the biggest injury. This may sound sick, but in the midst of police reports, people yelling at each other, ignorant onlookers, all I could think of was, "I hope my record aint messed up. I came all this way and I'll be damned if I don't have anything to show for it." Sick right? Yeah I know. I would show some pictures, but it hurts me too bad to show you my pain. Just feel the pain through my words. Much respect to my friend and dj partner, DJ Birdman, for filling in on short notice. Check out his blog http://jesgrew.blogspot.com/ He's responsible for posting up the pictures for our initital post. I feel like this accident was a sacrifice for my diggin' jones. Being way out in an area I only go to for for records and now having to go without my car for 2 weeks while a body shop puts it back together just for the sake of finding some obscure that will add to the lore of the store...............forgive me, I'm just rambling. THANK GOD FOR INSURANCE!!

SORRY FOR THE DELAY....WE CAN EXPLAIN

OVER TWO MONTHS FROM YOUR INITIAL POST!!!!????......I THOUGHT YOU GUYS WERE DOING BETTER THAN THIS......IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!!

It's not as if we haven't tried to update the blog since New Year's Day. It's just that we've been very busy(in a very good way). Alright, a little procrastination took hold of us, but we're recommitting ourselves to our blog. We're taking baby steps into this web thing so forgive us. Before we officially start this, I have to say you can save all the ugly looks and offhand comments. We've thought and said all the same things you all are thinking. Yeah it's about time, but better late than never.

.......Drum roll please.......

23,000 lp's , 60,000 45's, 25,000 cd's!!!! And they're all available a stones throw outside of Washington, DC. Located at 2809 Walters Lane, in District Heights, MD, Memory Lane Cd's and Records is the premiere store in the metro DC area that caters to music of all genres. Our store is a music lovers haven. Established in April 2001 by Michael Earle(Owner & President), Michael has put his blood, sweat and tears into giving you a trip down 'Memory Lane' you just can't find or experience at you big box store. Along with (Vice-Pres & and #1 employee) Marshall Parson, Memory Lane Cd's and Records taking the next step in securing it's place as an institution for music lovers all over the area. In the upcoming weeks.....months......years, we'll be giving you Memory Lane from our point of view. Yes, we'll have photos of regulars who frequent our store, and telling you about their 'Memory Lane' experience. Also check us for photos of rarities in upcoming post(just as soon as we can figure how to uplaod some photos). Like I said, we're taking baby steps.

Directions(Maryland): Take I-495 to exit 11-B(Pennsylvania Ave(Rt. 4) towards Washington). Go through 3 traffic light to Walters Lane. Turn Right onto Walters Lane. Store will be on left hand side in the middle of several storefronts. Listen for the music!

Directions(Virginia & D.C.): Take SE/SW Freeway(I-395) east toward Pennsylvania Avenue. Take Pennsylvania Ave. exit. Keep onto Pennsylvania Ave. into Maryland. Veer left until you approach Walters Lane. Turn left onto Walters Lane. Store will be on left hand side in the middle of several storefronts. Listen for the music!

If these directions are somehow, someway still not as complete as you need them to be, click onto the link below for area map and address. Once again the addres is: 2809 Walters Lane, District Heights, MD 20747. Look for plenty of updates, stories, and profiles of music and people that's keeping Memory Lane not only in business, but endeared in the hearts and minds of area music lovers.

http://mq-mapgend.websys.aol.com/?e=9&GetMapDirect=Gme5diw%2ca%3a9u12%3b%40%24x5%2dys9w72%26%3dt0%21r12d67%3ah%2dbg5ryg%26z%40nd0ta0%402x5y8%3a9uy2%3bu%24nu67%7c%26a7aq%40%24%3a%26%40bg%21r8nq67%3a%29zz%265f7su6%24%3a%26ur2u%2da%7c%26yt29%40%24

Welcome to Memory Lane CDs & Records!

More info coming soon! Come into our store in the DC Metro area!