"Team Vinyl" invades Birdies

According to companion, to be considered an experienced aficionado of music in the early 70's, one must have gone through the trouble of researching (at the stores and through peer discussions - pre-Internet)  the latest and best, full-featured “Quadraphonic” stereo system - only after making sure one had stashed enough cash away to purchase it. “Quadraphonic” was considered the best - the standard of the day – linked marketing-wise with “pure” sound - and possession of anything less meant you dabbled in peasantry.

Of course, after one had procured the “top available” system and had set it up to combine aesthetically with the blacklight posters of Jimi Hendrix and couples engaged in … uh … “wrestling” ... dressing-up the bare bedroom walls, the obligatory envy-green pilgrimage of your friends over to applaud your music appreciation acumen began.

Listening to music WITHOUT such a substantial investment of time and money would make the experience hollow – defined in that era as a “Class A - 14-carat, fuel-injected drag, man”.  Certainly, for effect, you must drag out the word “drag” -  “drrrraaggggggg” and then finish it off with the the 70's “man” which at that time apparently possessed a few extra n's (mannnn).

Companion said many an hour was spent in his youth tethered to his stereo system by the umbilical headphones cord and CRANKIN' the hits – and thereby losing some hearing, he now adds.

Music in his day consisted mainly of vinyl albums – many with lyrics printed on the inside of multi-paneled covers (he said you really needed the lyrics for Mick Jagger songs). Eight-track cassettes had come onto the scene but he said even then, that “new” technology left something to be desired but WAS handy to use as “skirt-bait” in his '66 Mustang Fastback.

He was sharing all of this Sunday (June 3) while we sat inside Birdies (1044 Park Street  - 904.356.4444 ) just down from the Sun Ray Cinema (the old 5 Points Theater). We had gone out earlier for some lunch and wanted to do something before we went back home.

Having been to Birdies before, we knew there would probably be something on tap we liked and decided to make our way there. As we had approached the establishment, we noted a significant crowd outside. Fortunate to find a parking spot close by, we were soon in the midst of the happy, energetic collection of patrons.

There were tables set up outside in the covered patio-seating area all covered with boxes of vinyl records – being bought, sold and traded – by and with vinyl enthusiasts.

We entered to make our selection of beer at the bar and noticed there were even more tables and enthusiasts inside admiring and purchasing the vinyl offerings left and right. The music being appropriately blasted from the speakers had been very popular in earlier decades and set the perfect mood as we sat down with our beers – two glasses of SweetWater Brewing Company's 420 Extra Pale Ale described on SweetWater's website:

“SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale, our most popular brew, is a tasty West Coast Style Pale Ale with a stimulating hop character and a crisp finish. 1st brewed on April 20th 1997.” - Note: – 5.4% ABV

JBB Notes: Popular indeed! … I see it everywhere now – even in the beer section of Wally-World!

Christina Wagner was our friendly and efficient bartender that day! … for those of you who don't know, Christina sings and plays guitar and has attracted quite a following. See the link to her Facebook page below! … Christina informed me this group of vinyl collectors and sellers converges on Birdies every two months and offer their vinyl records for sale to the public!

I noted to companion that I had read that vinyl was making a comeback in the recording industry – something which made him even a little bit happier sitting in our booth enjoying the tunes and brews  … he said there is something about that subtle snap, crackle and pop a needle produces tracking vinyl grooves. I could tell he was “diggin' it” as he tapped his fingers on the table and drank his beer

I was “diggin' it”, too! … great folks and fun, tasty beer and “solid” tunes! … I spoke to one of the vinyl vendors and he explained the group's usual schedule and his own pricing guidelines.

You can find some phenomenal albums for as little as $1 – and you could spend $20 or more for some rare “oldies”. Without a doubt, there are bargains galore for the vinyl enthusiast.

No food is served at Birdies and smoking is allowed – but the air is certainly not repugnant. The restrooms are a hoot – check out the doors – covered in pennies. Companion said the Mens restroom's walls are being covered in beer bottle caps, floor to ceiling. A unique touch to add to this interesting bar which also has a room for pool tables. Adequate attention had been paid to cleaning and stocking of the restrooms, so no Bitch Slap there.

I was certainly pleased with the whole experience. We had arrived rather late-event that day, so we vowed to make it near the start of the next time “Team Vinyl” invades Birdies. I'm already saving up so I can pick up some albums I USED to have in my youth – and thought were lost forever.

After finishing our beer, we slowly made our way out, taking some quick last looks at the records on display. Settling into The Beast, companion asked me what I thought of the Birdies Vinyl Event.

I smiled and responded, “That was righteous, bro …. and outta-sight!”

A hearty high-fisted “RIGHT ON !” to the group of vinyl vendors for bringing out so much phenomenal inventory -  and sincere thanks to Christina, the ownership and the rest of the staff at Birdies for providing a unique event and “FAR OUT !”  Jax Brew Bitch destination!

It was “Quadraphonic”, mannnn!

https://www.facebook.com/birdies

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christina-Wagner/188653717719

http://sweetwaterbrew.com/

http://www.facebook.com/sweetwaterbrew