"Last Shop Standing" DVD (director: Pip Piper)

This British documentary is a sort of love letter to indie record shops, and includes interviews with various veteran record shop owners, workers, fans, and other assorted denizens. As well, names like Johnny Marr, Paul Weller, Norman Cook, Billy Bragg, and Clint Boon provide their thoughts on the whole culture of physical record buying and music shops themselves being places of sanctuary and discovery. As a fast-approaching middle-ager myself, I recall times when great and obscure musical discoveries and connections were made at small indie record shops in the Midwestern US. In essence, I can relate.

"Last Shop Standing" doesn't feature any overly clever angle, but serves as a historical look at some of England's most-beloved shops. I'm sure those who frequented these mom-n-pop operations will be grateful to see their mentors and favorite clerks here. Me? I'm just sad it's come to this. Thanks, iTunes. But thanks, more, to stores like Ear X-Tasy, Headstone Friends, Landlocked Music, Reckless Records, T.D.s Music, and others through the years who supplied the inspirations to my life since the 80s. 

(Convexe Entertainment)

Last Shop Standing site

Bert Jansch - "Sweet Sweet Music" CD

If you're a fan of acoustic guitar and have never heard of Scottish guitar legend Jansch, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 67, do yourself a favor and investigate. Heralded by legends like Neil Young, Jimmy Page, and Johnny Marr, Jansch was often called the "Jimi Hendrix of the folk world". His intricate, delicate, and emotive finger-picking style was a huge influence on the aforementioned, as well as folkies like Nick Drake, Donovan, and later artists like Mazzy Star or Devendra Banhart.

 "Sweet Sweet Music" is a well-recorded live performance from 2006, with Jansch accompanying himself in front of an appreciative crowd in Sheffield, England. Tracks like "Blues Run The Game" are heartfelt, gentle, and warm, and everything here sounds downright contemporary and, somehow, very English. While this may not be the finest introduction to Jansch's wonderful and lively music, it is a beautiful document nonetheless. (Secret Records) Janschspace