Only meters into the Blackrock market and I’m transported to a different place, a world of peoples cast-offs jumbled together into a giant Alice In Wonderland pix-and-mix. The entrance, blanketed with its pink velvet paintings, puts me miles from the bustling street only meters away. A portal, flanked by a frozen clown giving out flyers for face painting and free balloons sets the scene. So I rub my hand along the velvet surface, grasp my balloon string tightly and set off down the rabbit’s hole.
The emerald green GAA corner stands proudly on the left. Plastered with memorabilia of yesterday’s hero’s wearing the shortest short shorts, it dares me to rifle through its records. All the Irish rebels are accounted for in the first few seconds, from the infamous Wolfe Tones to Aran-sweater clad Clancy Brothers. It’s like a Fleadh Cheoil in a box. There’s every combination of the 45 years of the Dubliners, from the ‘Ronnie Drew Ballad Group’ to solo albums from Luke Kelly, Paddy Reilly and Ronnie himself. Flicking through the covers is like a Paddy-whackery journey of whiskey cheeks and green fields. But just as I find myself submitting to a newly found patriotism, out pops Gay Byrne in a bright turtle neck to escort me back in reality. From the Chieftain’s ‘Celtic Wedding’ to ‘Humours of John D Sheridan with Gay Byrne’ in one flick. Then it all goes astray, the next few flicks brings me from Edward Elger to Wagner, the composer not Louis’ Brazilian gypsy, in a heartbeat. The classic shift gets deeper and deeper. Quickly I’m lost amongst Opera choruses and looking for a way out.
Out of the corner of my eye I spy two treasure boxes hidden beneath a wicker chair dressed on the stall across for me. Relieved I jump across to the Old Lamp Light to an array of records that delight the senses. The Great Piaf back to back with Whitney Houston’s ‘Dance with somebody’, Abba’s greatest hits next to Fiddler on the Roof. The collection is in stark contrast to the rebellious overtures I just experienced, here I’m offered the chance to hear the English National Anthem as performed by the London Symphony choir rather than the Green Fields of France. Only here would you find the comical combination of Adam and the Ants directly after the Rose of Tralee by James Last. The collection is as jumbled as the lyric to a Model of Modern Major General, brought to mind by the Pirates of Penzance sleeve in my hands.
Appetite truly wet, I delve deeper into the wonderland. As I pass Mary's Old Curiosity Shop, Jack Duckworth’s voice pierces my ears. The unexpected and strangest attempt at Unchained Melody I’ve ever heard ironically announces my arrival the SuperHero Shop. This little digging gem, nestled in the bosom of the market, calls out like a dying siren. The record boxes, flanked by comics and figurines, await my eager hands. Looking up at me is Gene Simmons, daring me to go back and get my face painted, egging him on is Shirley Temple to the right and White Snake to the left. Everyone’s game here and the only order is how the last digger left them. Between Meatloaf’s ‘Bat Out of Hell’ and Dire Straits ‘Brother’s in Arms’ sits UB40. The pricing is as random too, if the owner like the artwork on the sleeve you pay an extra euro. So the Top of the Pops albums from the 1960’s, pornographic material for school boys back in the day turn out to be the most expensive. But that like everything in this nouveau riche bazaar is up for negation.
How many of these records were the pride and joy of their owners before they were inherited here? As I flick past a Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Top of the Pops 1969 I fall further down the rabbit hole, imaging the original owner of these records, playing truant the day they were bought. I get caught thinking about the journey each record has taken to wind up here in front of me. From their exciting first listen along their obscure path that brought them to this stall. How many ears know exactly where the needle slips and how many hands gently removed the vinyl from these sleeves. Picking ten albums purely at random, I pay half the price asked and proudly walk back to the real world, sleeves showing in defiance against all the squares.
In 1982 the Northern Irish punk rock group released their fourth studio album, Now Then...., This 14 track album showed how they had diversified musically, and had an almost pop feel about it in places. Sadly, it alienated their hardcore fans and in the face of low sales and concert attendances eventually led to their break up in 1983.
This first greatest hits compilation was issued by Radio Corporation of America after the termination of Reed's first contract in 1976. The 11 tracks survey Reed's five-year, eight-album time with RCA and was produced with David Bowie. As the name suggests it features the classic fretless bass soundings of ‘Walk on the Wild Side’, only truly appreciated on vinyl.
The 1987 ballad by singer Michael Jackson, featuring a duet with Siedah Garrett. Written and composed by Jackson, it was originally intended to be a duet between Jackson and either Barbra Streisand or Whitney Houston. The song became the first of five consecutive number-one singles from Jackson's Bad album.
A double album released in 1980. The album hit number one on the US album chart, a first for Springsteen, and sold 1.6 million copies in the U.S. between its release in October and Christmas. Since its release ‘The River’ has been certified quintuple platinum in the U.S., making it one of Springsteen's best-selling albums. In 2003, the album was ranked number 250 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Unexpected purchase which is the fictional autobiographical as told by a horse. Black Beauty recounts his many tales, both of cruelty and kindness. Although initially intended for people who work with horses, it soon became a children's classic. While outwardly teaching animal welfare, it also contains allegorical lessons about how to treat people with kindness, sympathy and respect. Ah bless!
Bark at the Moon was the third studio album by Ozzy Osbourne, originally released in 1983.The album peaked at number 19 on the Billboard album chart and within several weeks of release was certified Gold for over 500,000 sales. To date, it has sold over 3,000,000 copies in the U.S alone.
The unforgettable theme tunes of the Persuaders, Hawaii Five-0, Crossroads and Match of the Day played by the Geoff Love Orchestra. Only the best from 1972.
Another one I wasn’t expecting, although it might be continuing its journey again pretty soon! It originated after the sales for Cabbage Patch Kids branded products rocketed in 1984. The Chapin Brothers decided that a LP was the next step. A good idea, considering the album went Gold and Platinum in no time at all, not to everyone’s taste though.
Okay, not a random choice, but when I saw that Brian Tilsley attempted All You Need Is Love it was a must buy. Released in 1987, it allowed the soaps fans enjoy contributions Bet Lynch’s unique rendition of ‘These Boots Are Made for Walking’, Sally Webster warbling a cover of Gloria Gaynor's ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ and Mike Baldwin doing a Sinatra impression with ‘You Make Me Feel So Young’.
The fifth studio album by Grace Jones, released in 1981. It is the second of three post-disco albums that Jones made at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas and became Jones' commercial breakthrough and also formed the basis of her groundbreaking concept tour A One Man Show.
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