Looking like a set out of "2001 A Space Odyssey" and using the Countdown typeface, you might expect this shop to be a hip, ultra modern retail outlet where the young trendy youth hung out, but no, quite the opposite, it was a family friendly place selling a strange mix of toys and rather mundane records.
This is Cathie McCabe's Record Shop at the Arcade in Shore Terrace - picture taken in the early 70's.
The shelving racks were interlocking octagons, a theme that also crops up on their ad, dated 1974 and their carrier bag underneath it.
If you zoom into the photo you'll find a combination of easy listening 8-track cartridges, a few toys scattered around, electrical goods and of course, vinyl records.
Here's the albums I've spotted in the picture -
Klaus Wunderlich - "Around The World".
The Alexander Brothers - "Let's Have A Ceilidh".
Bee Gees - "Best Of".
Various - "Total Sound".
Paul & Linda McCartney - "Ram".
Soundtrack - "Love Story".
And one of those stereo sound samplers called "Impact".
Doesn't really set the pulse racing!
The other item above is from the small ads in the Tele dated January 1972 and you can see for yourself the products they had on offer down at the pod.
In 1974, Cathie McCabe also had shops in Reform Street and Lorne Street Market.
Photo by DC Thomson.
i had the album impact, it was blinding, sucu suci, the stripper etc
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Cathie McCabe had a shop in the Ferry in the mid/late 70s in Gray Street. I remember an advert for HMV label classical records so perhaps the Ferry was deemed a bit posher? The shop was decked up in the ever popular 70s shade of purple if I remember correctly.
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ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree; "Impact" is an album you don't have to be embarrassed to have in your vinyl collection. Also features "Soul Coaxing" by Norrie Paramor and His Strings. Just as good, if not better than, Raymond Lefevre.
The album was first released in 1968 on EMI's Studio2Stereo label, No. STWO2 - that's the sleeve that's visible in the photo.
It was re-issued on EMI's "Music For Pleasure" label in the 70s with the same tracks but a different sleeve design and the number MFP50341. I bought the reissue coz my original was scratched to buggerie.
(Must hang up this vinyl anorak.)
8=)
These kind of albums are sought after with todays beat-headz who raid them for samples for hip hop tracks, blunted beats and phat abstract grooves!
ReplyDeleteDid they have a shop in The Seagate?I think they moved there when the Arcade was closing down.They also ran buses to concerts in Glasgow and Edinburgh.I remember going to the Apollo to see Bowie in 1978 on a bus trip booked through Cathie McCabes.
ReplyDeleteThey moved into the Murraygate. If you backtrack to the August 2008 Retro archive you'll find a picture of the Murraygate shop where I also mention her being a ticket agent.
ReplyDeleteremember the Arcade Shop, and when it was closed due to the council redeveloping it, the reform Street shop....Ronnie McCabe usually ran these outlets....memomories eh
ReplyDeleteGreat photo of the Arcade!!! What memories!Amazingly years later i got a job with Dundee District Councils Housing Division which relocated from Castle Street to 3 Shore Tce and although the building was modernised there were storerooms that were unchanged and even featured the markings on the floors for the individual stalls etc and patches of tiles where little offices must have been located.Apparently this building is empty now?
ReplyDeleteFor something that was just a market stall, an amazing amount of thought and effort must have gone into assembling that frontage.
ReplyDeleteYes, memories of the City Arcade...it started its slow decline when the buses left Shore Terrace in 1974, and it must be 30 years since it finally closed.
But with a bit of effort it's still possible to imagine that combined aroma of roast chicken, fish and cigarette smoke, with a hint of slightly foosty fruit and veg!
Yup, they definitely had a shop in the Ferry, I am sure it was where the sun tan shop next to where Gallachers barbers is today. I bought quite a few singles from there in my youth in the 70's.
ReplyDeleteYeah Graeme thats were the shop int e Ferry was bought a few singles there myself
ReplyDeleteThe arcade shop looks like the Disc Boutique in A Clockwork Orange. Neat.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Cathie McCabe pod in the Arcade was designed by local architect Nick Russell. I think he was also responsible for the design of the roof of the downstair's amusement arcade owned by the Hynd Brothers
ReplyDeleteWere Cathie McCabe and the Hynd Bros in some way related?
ReplyDeleteHynd bothers,Dundees penny millionaires as I remember.
ReplyDeleteNo relation at all.
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