Talisman Records
Talisman Records was a rather 'rough and ready' second hand record shop. It was the kind of shop to sell punk, reggae and more of the 'off the wall' stuff and always smelt of josticks (or something else!) when you went in. The lady owner was nice but very quietly spoken I remember. She was always up for buying the right stuff and would rarely turn you away so business must have been quite good. The condition of the records stocked was not always fabulous but then the prices reflected that and Talisman was a good place to at least pick up some kind of copy of until you came across one in better nick. The shop had two different addresses in Tunbridge Wells during its lifetime the first of which was in one of the small shops opposite the large department store near to where the Station is. In later years the shop moved to a 'back street' location further up the road where the Theatre is situated. Business was not so good there and that is probably what caused the shop to close. Comment: Tony May
(April 11, 2015) Fiona, the owner, was utterly memorable. She was always friendly and keen to discuss your purchases - often at length & with several anecdotes thrown in as to when and where she had seen them in the (to me) purple haze of the '70's. It finally settled on Crescent Road where there are a few house clearance/antique places today. Happy memories. Mark Sparrow
Name Phil Wood Comment: Brilliant shop where, over the years 82-84, I managed to pick up all of Elvis Costello's 7 inch singles as well as countless other gems still owned and treasured. The only thing I didn't like was when you bought a record she put lighter fluid on the vinyl to clean it. Fairly sure that wasn't good for it...(May 28, 2017)
Name John Hodgson Comment: Nice to find others remember Talisman. I spent a lot of time and the little cash I had in there. Fiona always seemed very cool and slightly scary to a 16 year old. She used to mark the insides of the sleeves with the prices and I just found my copy of Lou Reed Live priced £2.45 :-) (June 23, 2017).
(April 11, 2015) Fiona, the owner, was utterly memorable. She was always friendly and keen to discuss your purchases - often at length & with several anecdotes thrown in as to when and where she had seen them in the (to me) purple haze of the '70's. It finally settled on Crescent Road where there are a few house clearance/antique places today. Happy memories. Mark Sparrow
Name Phil Wood Comment: Brilliant shop where, over the years 82-84, I managed to pick up all of Elvis Costello's 7 inch singles as well as countless other gems still owned and treasured. The only thing I didn't like was when you bought a record she put lighter fluid on the vinyl to clean it. Fairly sure that wasn't good for it...(May 28, 2017)
Name John Hodgson Comment: Nice to find others remember Talisman. I spent a lot of time and the little cash I had in there. Fiona always seemed very cool and slightly scary to a 16 year old. She used to mark the insides of the sleeves with the prices and I just found my copy of Lou Reed Live priced £2.45 :-) (June 23, 2017).
