| As I started discovering Melbourne back in 1998, I fairly quickly started to get to grips with the incredible local music scene. It was all so new to me. I'd go to a gig and the support would be good, so I'd go and see them again and then see another support and I slowly started getting to know who was who and what they had done previously (former bands etc). Most gigs would lead to me discovering somebody new. Obviously, when I liked somebody then I'd seek out their CDs and that is how I found the Last Record Store on Smith Street in Collingwood.
People had mentioned it as the place that had the best selection of local music and so it proved to be. Better than just buying CDs was the owner Alec Morton who was always around to tell you about the artist and to suggest similar music that might be of interest to me. He introduced me to some great stuff and when he couldn't help, he'd suggest where best to go.
Over the last few years, I have often found myself spending my dollars in the Last Record Store and it has always been a pleasure. Alas, it is now closing down as Alec has decided to retire. And good for him for doing it. It is great that it was there to nurse me through the years - I'll now survive without it, but I'll miss it.
As a finale, there was an in-store where various artists performed in the shop, so I popped along to see the first of those, the incredibly talented and entertaining C W Stoneking. Here are some shots from the day |
