Reckless Records, not reckless spending

Two stores are better than one when it comes to browsing classic records and so much more

By Kristen Salamon

Kurt Vonnegut recently told a Rolling Stone reporter that when he dies, all he wants written on his tombstone is: “The only proof he needed of the existence of God was music.” Amen, Mr. Vonnegut.

With my love — no obsession — for music comes an uncontrollable desire for old records. I cannot remember when I last bought a CD, let alone my first one. But my records are my best friends. I met my first one in 1998. I was 12 years old and going through boxes in my basement. As a little girl, I listened to whatever popular boy band was around then, New Kids on the Block, Boys II Men, who knows which one. But that day I found a crate of records carelessly shoved in the corner of the basement, a strange feeling of injustice captured me.

I’m not really sure why, but this seemed so wrong. So I pulled each one of them out and examined them. Now, several years later, I have myself a little collection, which stores such as Reckless Records (1532 N. Milwaukee and 3161 N. Broadway) continue to build on.

First, let me say there are many record stores in the Chicagoland area. Each one offers something different. There are a couple shops just north of the city in Evanston that are fun, and if you are looking for soul, jazz, or hip/hop specifically, Dusty Groove America (1120 N. Ashland) may have what you need. But Reckless is by far the best.

Unlike Dusty Groove America, Reckless Records is unfailingly laid-back. Every worker at the store looks like they are exactly where they belong, which is more or less a scene from just about any John Cusack movie.

But that alone is not enough to keep customers coming back, at least not this one. My first trip to Reckless was only a couple weeks ago. I decided I needed a trip to a record store for a couple reasons. 1.) I missed my friends and 2.) I was in search of a couple new ones to add to my collection. And so I went.

I wanted to find Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Into the Great Wide Open” and Alabama’s “Roll On.” I found neither at Reckless, but I did leave with other treasures. That day I bought “I.Used.to.Love.Her.” by Common Sense, which is by far one of the best hip/hop songs ever written. P. Diddy, 50 Cent and Paul Wall have nothing compared to this track. I also bought “Purple Rain,” Prince’s classic, and a beautiful Elton John album.

Reckless Records manager Chris Connelly, originally of Scotland, has been with the store’s two locations since 1994. He started off at the Broadway location, took a break for a couple years and then returned to the store on Milwaukee in Wicker Park. According to Connelly, the owner of the two stores lives in California.

Like me, and I’m sure many other music/record lovers, Connelly enjoys records for numerous reasons.

“I like the size, the artwork, plus it sounds good,” Connelly says. “It’s nice to have something tangible when nowadays you can buy and have music in a completely non-tangible form.”

The artwork, especially, is what gets to me. It is fascinating. Not only does an album’s art speak volumes about the music actually on the record, it speaks of the musicians themselves. If you know nothing about the artist whose music you are purchasing, take one look at the record and you can usually figure out what you are getting yourself into. This is less true nowadays, as CD covers are usually just pictures of the artists with a name plastered across the plastic.

Reckless keeps the tradition of real music and real artistry alive. They not only sell records, DVDs, CDs, etc., they also buy them. So if you have a stash hidden in a crate in the corner of your basement, bring them in and share them with the rest of us.

I don’t own a record player, though I’m sure I will at some point. Until then, my records hang on the wall by my bed. But only my favorites rest there. The others are neatly set aside until I buy a player or more frames. But my favorites, both for their music and their art, hang on the most prominent wall in my bedroom awaiting more friends. They are a constant reminder of my obsession and a daily reminder of Reckless, where more friends wait to be found.

When I die, which will hopefully be many, many years from now, put me next to Mr. Vonnegut and write on my tombstone: “I’m with him.”

For more information on the Milwaukee and Broadway locations, log on to www.reckless.com.

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