A new generation has come to call

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/02/2022 (1714 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When Ray Giguere opened Argy’s Records and Entertainment Shop in 1982, he never expected to see a resurgence in interest for vinyl albums. 

However, in 2021, a pandemic year, Giguere had a record year for sales, largely due to the  support of the music community. 

 “COVID gave us a reason to slowdown and entertain ourselves with music and TV,” he said. 

“Why the switch to a new generation?” I asked.

“Despite cell phones (and streaming), music lovers’  first choice is vinyl. It’s tangible. You own it. You feel it, from taking the record wrap off the jacket to putting the needle down,” Ray explained.

I recall that feeling. There was something grand about the new smell of opening a new LP, sort of like a new car, then hearing the first crackle as the needle carefully landed on the record. It had a sound that that was crisp, clear and flawless. 

Buying vinyl was an experience. The cover of a vinyl record was often a masterpieces, the inner sleeve, the liner notes and sometimes lyrics or photos of the artists in session made it a package to look forward to. 

The generation that liked to rock around the clock in the ’50s and ’60s now get requests  from their children and grandchildren to join them at musical events. Have you ever looked around the arena to see who is filling the seats? It’s mom, pop and the kids, because millennials realize some of the remixed music of their favorite genre originated when Dad was still slicking his hair back and mom was using Dippity Do on hers. 

Did vinyl ever go away? Apparently not. Back in the day, Ray carried electronics , comics, trading cards, 45 rpm vinyl singles and 33 rpm LPs. As interest in vinyl has surged in recent years, he has revamped his space to carry more, which has brought more traffic into his store, where music lovers can discover the sounds of some of our hometown boys. The Guess Who and Mood Jga Jga and just two of the names you will find here, not just on record but in  merchandise such as unisex T-shirts, posters and ball caps. 

There must have been something in the water in St. Vital as it has produced a slew of well-known local musicians including Mark Reeves, Graham Shaw, Jim Kale and Bill Wallace of the Guess Who fame. 

Neil Young once said that Winnipeg was the music hub of Canada. It still is, as Romi Mayes,The Pumps, Sweet Alibi, Scott Nolan and Greg Leskiw are some of the local artists you will discover in the rows and rows of collectibles. For you readers, local music historian John Einarson’s Heart of Gold: A History of Winnipeg Music, is in stock if you want to turn back time. 

One more thing. The Giguere family is known for a line of honey products. Ringo Starr would say Honey Don’t,  but trust me, it slathers on toast smooth like jazz. 

Make it a play date. Visit www.argys.com  or stop by Unit 9-1604 St. Mary’s Rd. 

Laurie Gydé is a community correspondent for St. Vital. Email her at lauriegyde@gmail.com

Laurie Gydé
St. Vital community correspondent

Laurie Gydé is a community correspondent for St. Vital. Email her at lgyde@mymts.net

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