At Long Last: Re-Visiting Inner Sleeve Records

It's been a long time since I rock and rolled ...

A month or so ago, I wrote about my vivid recollection of the very first time I heard Van Halen. An important - nay, vital - aspect of that story was my visit to Inner Sleeve records to grab a copy of Van Halen’s debut album within days (hours?) of its release.

As noted in my earlier story, I was fortunate enough to grow up in proximity to a small, independent record store with a proprietor who was willing to make sure you got what you were looking for — and, sometimes, a choice contrary to what you thought you were looking for.

I can remember, for instance, becoming intrigued by Bob Dylan. I got on my bike and cruised to the Sleeve; I grabbed Self Portrait — pretty arbitrary pick which I based purely on its cover and the fact that it was the least expensive album in the “Dylan” section — and went to the checkout counter. Mr. Sleeve was aware of my music proclivities to some extent; he hadn’t seen me purchase any Dylan previously.

“Do you have any of his other stuff?” he asked. I told him I was just getting started.

He came around the counter and motioned me back to the “D” section.

“Can I make a suggestion? Maybe try this one first.” He had Blood on the Tracks in his hand; hey, he’d never steered me wrong before. Any Dylan fans out there will recognize immediately that I took home the right album; “Tangled Up in Blue,” the amazing first cut, pretty much sets the tone. (In fact, I have a clear memory of lifting the needle to replay that particular song immediately.) After that, it’s just great song after great song. Henceforth, I was a fan.

Years later — in college — I finally got the opportunity to listen to Self Portrait. It’s a two-disc album, so there’s a lot of room for just twiddling around — which Dylan did a great deal of (a live version of “Like a Rolling Stone”?) However, listening to Self Portrait after experiencing jewels like Blood on the Tracks, Blonde on Blonde, Highway 61 Revisited, etc. offers needed context that makes Self Portrait interesting.

But I never would have experienced that without an early prompt from Mike Capista, AKA Mr. Sleeve.

The Comeback

Via No Fences Review, I was reminded that Inner Sleeve was burglarized in 2006, and a resultant fire nearly wiped Mike’s business out. Fortunately, the Wausau community stepped up and helped Inner Sleeve get back on its feet.

A disaster of my own (the great flood of 2008) eliminated all my vinyl, along with the characteristic inner sleeves that Mike rubber-banded to each album. Fortunately, a blog post by Jeff Ash on his AM, Then FM site includes a photo of the trademark sleeve that I hope he doesn’t mind me sharing.

Ah - memories ….

During my last trip to Wausau I was able to drop in to the Inner Sleeve at its current location (on the ground floor of what once Wausau’s “big time” hotel), and Mike patiently listened to me ramble on and on (and on and on and on….) about my memories of his store and our interactions — he is still a blessedly patient man.

I left with a small stack of Neil Young CDs, the nifty commemorative poster above (now greeting me next to the door to my office), and the trademark hand-written receipt.

Thankfully, some things never change. Long live Mike Capista and the Inner Sleeve.