So I've gone a little apeshit at Borders over the past year, and as a result, I have $157 to spend there.

Muwahahahahaha... (rubs hands together with glee)

No, the Plugged Nickel set appears to be sold out -- at least, at all of my locations.

Tempted to actually special order something, if I can get them to honor a coupon...

So...what would you get?

I would get down to Borders and buy at least 3-4 recordings of music I did not normally listen to. Probably some classical, some jazz, some folk in the mix. I would also seek the new Neil Young Live at the Fillmore recorded in the early '70s, "I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass" by Yo La Tengo, and then pick up a few books.

If I went for a boxed set, I would go for "Live at the Boston Tea Party, Pt. 1-3" by Fleetwood Mac.

And because my wife works for Borders, I would likely have some change left because of her employee discount.

Okay, for starters, I got Miles Davis' It's About That Time, with a 30% coupon. Not too bad a start. I think I'm going to hold on to it until December, though, see if any copies of the Plugged Nickel set pop up.

Oh, and I agree with you -- I get unfamiliar music all the time, but I'm sort of over that phase. Still do, just not as much as I used to. That's how I discovered The Timeout Drawer, whom I am really enjoying.

Oh, and I did special-order something. They told me they wouldn't be able to tell me if it was a regular stock special order until it came in (because if it comes in from their warehouse, then it's considered regular stock, and then they will honor next week's coupon).

Sounds like money and time well spent. Enjoy.

You must have lot's of money to burn if you buy at Borders. Even with a 30% off coupon they are very high. I have seen the "Plugged Nickel" box used for below $70 in nice shape. Borders prices are terrible on their box sets. Which Miles Davis "It's About That Time"? The Fillmore Concert can be had very cheap. I found a copy for a little over $9 with tax.
And since you have a coupon to use, or have earned store credit's. Why not do an internet search on some possible likes. Then cross price them. Then see if you can get something that may be a little difficult to come across. All the stuff mentioned in this thread is not hard to find at good prices. Miles Davis "Live At The Plugged Nickel" On Amazon? http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000002B01/sr=8-1/qid=1163819251/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1856284-7326557?ie=UTF8&s=music. I am a listner, and a collector. And I buy a lot used. I almost never buy anything that is still sealed. Most of it is not in print. I was surprised to see the other day that a lot of J.J. Johnson's Album's are either not in print, or were never issued on CD. A lot of the CD issues are out of print as well. -Mark-

I'd offer up some things, but I doubt you'd have any luck finding them at Borders.

You must have lot's of money to burn if you buy at Borders. Even with a 30% off coupon they are very high. I have seen the "Plugged Nickel" box used for below $70 in nice shape. Borders prices are terrible on their box sets. Which Miles Davis "It's About That Time"? The Fillmore Concert can be had very cheap. I found a copy for a little over $9 with tax.
And since you have a coupon to use, or have earned store credit's. Why not do an internet search on some possible likes. Then cross price them. Then see if you can get something that may be a little difficult to come across. All the stuff mentioned in this thread is not hard to find at good prices. Miles Davis "Live At The Plugged Nickel" On Amazon? http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000002B01/sr=8-1/qid=1163819251/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1856284-7326557?ie=UTF8&s=music. I am a listner, and a collector. And I buy a lot used. I almost never buy anything that is still sealed. Most of it is not in print. I was surprised to see the other day that a lot of J.J. Johnson's Album's are either not in print, or were never issued on CD. A lot of the CD issues are out of print as well. -Mark-Yeah, I really should buy a lot more used stuff, and now that Tower is out of business, I probably will buy a lot more stuff online (and that does include used). I suspect next year's Borders bonus rewards card cashback whatever will be a lot less than this year's.

PS I do do all those things. And I take your advice in the spirit with which it was given, it is certainly good advice. But this is sort of a problem of limitations -- I.E. has to be somewhat mainstream stuff. I tend not to listen to mainstream stuff so much (although I'm seriously considering some more Cannonball Adderley, after that Somethin' Else). Those people who know or are getting to know my musical tastes tend to enjoy the challenge of trying to recommend me something I like...that's kind of what I'm looking for here.

Might have to look up Sleepytime Gorilla Museum -- I don't have anything by them.

Probably my biggest weakness these days is indie rock'n'pop. I tend to like very little of what has been coming out of the indie scene these days -- Broken Social Scene bored me to tears, though I do like Metric. Might have to pick up that solo album from her. And yeah, I still need to get that Joseph Arthur album...so that is a definite possibility.

Small benefit to having special ordered that one item -- if I go in next Friday and it's not in, it's free. I didn't mean to do that on purpose (order during one of the worst times for them to get something to a store), but if it's any consolation, I won't be in town on Friday. Earliest I'll be able to take them up on that will be Saturday, so they have at least one day of slack.

Oh, and the Plugged Nickel set will be US$91 -- worth it for me for $1 to get it new instead of worrying how accurate "like new" is. Less, if I wait until December, and use a 30% coupon on the same day I use my personal shopping day (additional 10% off). Which is what I plan to do.

Dusty,

You want more jazz?

John Coltrane - One Down One Up, Live At The Half Note.

Grab that with your Borders money. Ear candy.

J.J. Johnson would be a good choice. Start with "Proof Positive". Save your money. I wish I could give you some choices. Wayne Horvitz "From A Window". That is certainley not mainstream. How about almost the entire ECM Catalogue. Listening to Eberhard Weber's, "The Following Morning" as I type this. David Darling's, "Journal October". That is not mainstream. But then you could buy these, and dislike them all. But I would bet you would like them. How about this live concert. http://www.amazon.co.uk/About-That-Time-Miles-Davis/dp/B0000281QP/sr=8-3/qid=1163829389/ref=sr_1_3/202-5712030-8726212?ie=UTF8&s=music. In contrast I have no Idea of what the music you are mentioning in your follow up is. Many more recomondations. I really like the ECM Label. Very spacial for the most part.

$157 at Borders should get you a Rachel Ray 30-inute meals cookbook, a Ken Chesney CD, and enough left over for a "Starbucks', just don't call it a Starbucks- not allowed, you see...

...scribbles furiously...

...except the Starbucks -- I don't drink coffee.

I would get down to Borders and buy at least 3-4 recordings of music I did not normally listen to. Probably some classical, some jazz, some folk in the mix. I would also seek the new Neil Young Live at the Fillmore recorded in the early '70s, "I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass" by Yo La Tengo, and then pick up a few books.

If I went for a boxed set, I would go for "Live at the Boston Tea Party, Pt. 1-3" by Fleetwood Mac.



Awesome choices, pretty much what I would have chosen. Great box set.

Awesome choices, pretty much what I would have chosen. Great box set.


I've only heard part of one CD from that box set. Good stuff.

I'd offer up some things, but I doubt you'd have any luck finding them at Borders.

Yeah, I know what you mean, but sometimes I'm surprised at a few of the selections there. I found Watermelon Slim there, and have picked up some Ray Wylie Hubbard CDs, and even one by the Gourds from Borders.

I'd snap up a bunch of concert DVDs. Police Sychronicity Concert, Chili Peppers at Slane, Peter Gabriel-Secret World Live...Joe Jackson Live in Tokyo..

$157 at Borders should get you a Rachel Ray 30-inute meals cookbook, a Ken Chesney CD, and enough left over for a "Starbucks', just don't call it a Starbucks- not allowed, you see...

The original Border's cafes served a house brand, but now Seattle's Best has taken control of the cafes in Borders down here, and Seattle's Best is owned by Starbucks.