10 Gems to Pick Up on Record Store Day
A peek at some of the most intriguing records, from Ella Fitzgerald to Marnie Stern, you can find this Saturday.

The analog extravaganza that is Record Store Day returns Saturday with more than 200 new releases, reissues, rarities, and oddities at hundreds of participating stores around the world. As usual with this decade-old event, the music on offer can be plainly overwhelming (not to mention erratic in quality and purpose). Here’s a peek at 10 of the most intriguing records you can find at your local brick-and-mortar on Saturday.
Neil Young: Roxy: Tonight’s The Night Live (Warner Bros.)
As Neil Young slowly disseminates all of the material is his archives, he has kept his fans waiting for some time to get a hold of this live recording. Captured at the relatively humble Roxy Theater in Los Angeles, this set finds Young and his band the Santa Monica Flyers (featuring Nils Lofgren and Billy Talbot) tearing their way hungrily through material that would wind up on his then-forthcoming album Tonight’s The Night. If you love those wired and wooly studio versions, you’re going to adore the loose ramble and extra volume that Young and co. brings to the songs here.
Ella Fitzgerald: Ella At Zardi’s (Verve Music Group)
For over 60 years, this incredible live recording of Ella Fitzgerald performing at the L.A. jazz club Zardi’s sat languishing in Universal’s vaults until it was finally released on CD late last year. It’s positively stunning to listen to, with the already beloved vocalist working her way through two sets of standards, backed by a nimble three-piece rhythm combo (piano/bass/drums). Even more than any of her studio work at the time, Ella sounds alive here: loose and giddy during the upbeat numbers, tender and heartfelt on the ballads. This first time vinyl pressing loses none of those qualities, even in its pink and blue limited edition colored wax edition.
Duck Baker: Les Blues du Richmond: Demos & Outtakes, 1973-1979 (Tompkins Square)
One of the best fingerstyle guitar players still making music today, Duck Baker may not have the name recognition, but damn does he ever have the talent. This collection of unreleased material from one of his many creative peaks showcases his ability to play ragtime, languid blues, Irish folk and more wandering experimental playing. Get acquainted with this one-of-a-kind talent thanks to the work of celebrated label Tompkins Square, which is is bringing this collection out in a limited vinyl pressing and on CD.
Marnie Stern: This Is It And I Am It And You Are It And So Is That And He Is It And She Is It And It Is It And That Is That (Kill Rock Stars)
Out of print on vinyl for about a decade, this raging, beautiful work from singer/songwriter/guitar titan Marnie Stern snaps together musical elements that wouldn’t look like they would ever connect. The fingertapped guitar and furious drumming (courtesy of current Death Grips member Zach Hill) fits comfortably with Stern’s more new wave/riot grrrl-inspired vocal melodies. And for all its algebraic geometry-like complexity, it also has a tart sense of humor that reminds you it’s not taking itself that seriously. Kill Rock Stars is returning this album to its rightful place on record store shelves in a lovely colored vinyl edition.