Record Store Day can be many things. It can be exciting, frustrating, expensive, rewarding and occasionally baffling. But at its best, it still captures something very special about being a music fan: the thrill of going after something physical, something limited, something that feels like it was made for people like us.
For this Record Store Day round-up, I wanted to focus on the albums I actually chose myself. These are not just titles on a list or releases I thought looked interesting from a distance. These are the records that came home with me, the ones I have played, enjoyed, and in some cases, returned to again and again.
Some of these now seem to be appearing online, so I thought it would be useful to go through my choices in case you are still looking for them.
Rainbow – Live in Cologne 1976
The first one is Rainbow – Live in Cologne 1976, the triple album taken from that classic period of the band. I have already done a separate video on this release, but it had to be included here because it was one of my absolute highlights from Record Store Day.
This is Rainbow in 1976, captured at the Sports Hall in Cologne, and it sounds superb. It comes from the recent CD box set, and I really hope this is not the only concert from that collection to make it onto vinyl. I would love to see the other shows given the same treatment.
For Rainbow fans, this is essential. The power, the atmosphere, the musicianship — it is all there.
Status Quo – Live at Hammersmith 1979
Another one I have covered separately is Status Quo – Live at Hammersmith, 26th June 1979. Again, this is a superb live album and a real treat for Quo fans.
There is also a 2CD version, and that is important because it includes “4500 Times”, which seems to get longer every time I talk about it. It starts at 25 minutes and by the time I finish describing it, it feels like it has become a 40-minute epic. But this is Quo doing what they did best: no fuss, no overthinking, just that unstoppable live energy.
The vinyl sounds excellent, but collectors may still want the CD as well for the full experience.
Steely Dan – Alive in America
Then we move to Steely Dan – Alive in America, and this one really made me smile because the hype sticker said something along the lines of “first time on vinyl.”
I still cannot quite get my head around that. I grew up in the era when everything said “first time on CD.” Now we are in a world where things are being announced as “first time on vinyl.” The circle has turned again.
Originally released in 1995 and produced by Donald Fagen, this is a fantastic live recording featuring many of Steely Dan’s greatest songs. You get “Babylon Sisters,” “Book of Liars,” “Kid Charlemagne” and a wonderful version of “Aja,” which takes up nearly half a side of vinyl.
The pressing from Rhino is stunning, and I love the 1950s horror-style artwork as well. Someone asked me whether they needed it if they already had the CD. That is entirely up to you. I did not have it on CD, so for me, this was perfect.
Tanita Tikaram – Acoustic
A very different release, but one I absolutely loved, was Tanita Tikaram – Acoustic.
These are intimate recordings originally done for a podcast, and the stripped-back setting really suits her voice. There is a version of “Twist in My Sobriety”, of course, but the whole album has a very close, personal atmosphere. It feels like you are hearing the songs in a more exposed and direct way.
This came out through Cooking Vinyl, who do seem to produce very good pressings, and this one is on clear vinyl. A lovely release.
The Orb – Bicycles & Tricycles
Also from Cooking Vinyl was The Orb – Bicycles & Tricycles, a Record Store Day exclusive repress of their 2004 double album on red and black smoke vinyl.
Some of you might be surprised that I am into The Orb. Some of you probably will not be surprised at all. I listen to a lot of music that is about mood, atmosphere and place rather than just musical dexterity, and The Orb fit into that world perfectly.
It reminds me of the kind of music I hear in places like the BFI lounge in London, where you can sit with a good beer, people-watch, and let the music create a space around you. This is not about guitar solos or virtuoso performances. It is about atmosphere, texture and drifting into another place.
A great pressing and a very welcome reissue.
Laura Nyro – Live in San Francisco 1994
The next one is from Madfish: Laura Nyro – Live in San Francisco, 28th April 1994.
I picked this up because I had previously reviewed the absolutely wonderful Laura Nyro box set from Madfish, and this live album comes from that set. It is quite rare for something to escape from a Madfish box set, but this one has been released specially for Record Store Day.
It is a beautiful recording. Laura is on vocals and piano, joined by backing vocalists Diane Wilson, Diane Garisto and Angela Clemmons, and it opens with “Dedicated to the One I Love.”
The pressing is excellent, as you would expect from Madfish, and the performance has real intimacy and warmth.
One small observation from this year’s releases: there seems to be a growing trend for double and triple albums not to come in gatefold sleeves. Rainbow, Status Quo, The Orb, Laura Nyro — all of these came in more standard-style sleeves rather than full gatefolds. I understand why that happens, especially with limited editions and rising production costs, but there is still something special about a gatefold double album. I hope we do not lose that completely.
Deacon Blue – The Great Western Road Trip
One of the most moving releases I picked up was Deacon Blue – The Great Western Road Trip, recorded by the BBC.
This is a triple album, limited to 1,000 copies, and mine is number 598. It is absolutely marvellous.
I have reviewed Deacon Blue releases before, including a box set of their studio and live albums, and I remember getting a comment at the time saying it was a misstep — that it was not what people expected me to review. That was back when some people thought Now Spinning was only about rock. But the more I have listened to Deacon Blue, the more I have come to appreciate the depth and emotional power in their music.
This live album is especially poignant because it is dedicated to James Miller Prime. The notes explain that the band were playing a run of shows in spring 2025, largely featuring songs from The Great Western Road, along with songs they would not normally play live. The BBC asked to record the opening night, adding even more pressure to a set already full of new material.
What the band did not know was that this would be the last time they would play in Scotland with their friend and bandmate Jim. Within two months, he would be admitted to hospital, and he passed away on 19th June.
Reading that before playing the record really affected me. It says so much about the fragility of life, and about why music matters. You cannot eat it. It does not keep you warm. You cannot wear it. But somehow, it carries love, friendship, memory and loss in a way that very few things can.
This is the one I have probably played the most.
The Cult – Weapon of Choice
Heading back towards the rock end of things, I also picked up The Cult – Weapon of Choice, the first vinyl pressing of the prequel to Choice of Weapon.
This comes on metallic silver vinyl with a mirrorboard sleeve, and it sounds fantastic. I have always felt that Ian Astbury channels Jim Morrison and Julian Cope better than almost anyone, while still remaining completely himself as the singer in The Cult.
This album has powerful riffs, atmospheric moments, strong ballads, punky energy and a lot of emotional weight. Originally linked to the 2012 period of the band, it is a very strong record and well worth investigating if you are into The Cult.
The Darkness – Live at Hammersmith 2006
Finally, the one that has barely left the turntable: The Darkness – Live at Hammersmith 2006.
I saw The Darkness in 2004 supporting Deep Purple, and within two years they were headlining venues like this. This live album captures that moment beautifully.
Dan Hawkins mixed the album, and in the sleeve notes he describes listening back to it like opening a time capsule. He compares the finished mix to cracking open a new set of tennis balls — a moment of pure sensory delight. I love that image.
The band here is Justin Hawkins on vocals, lead guitar and keyboards, Dan Hawkins on guitar and backing vocals, Ed Graham on drums, and Richie Edwards, who was new at that point, on bass and backing vocals.
The set is full of Darkness classics: “Knockers,” “One Way Ticket,” “Is It Just Me,” “Growing on Me,” “Dinner Lady Arms,” “Black Shuck,” “Love on the Rocks with No Ice,” “Love Is Only a Feeling,” “Friday Night,” “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” “English Country Garden” and more.
There are AC/DC moments, Queen moments, and of course that unmistakable Darkness personality. Justin’s voice is incredible, but he is also a superb guitar player. The whole thing is loud, funny, ridiculous, brilliant and completely life-affirming.
The pressing is silent — apart from the thundering guitars and Marshall amps, obviously — and the orange-red vinyl looks fantastic.
