Black Friday is the name that has been assigned to the day after the American Thanksgiving holiday—it’s traditionally the biggest shopping day in the US, the start to the big holiday shopping season.  Over the years, large retailers turned Black Friday into a circus of sorts, opening their stars earlier and earlier (somes even at 2 and 3 in the morning), offering food and hot drinks to eager shoppers who camp out in front of the stores all night, in hopes of snagging big bargains.

Now, the folks who organize Record Store Day are getting in on the action, but they’re celebrating in a more low key way. Independently owned record stores in the US and Canada record stores (no large retail chains are allowed to participate) will be selling some special items in very limited quantities. Unlike Record Store Day (the third Saturday of April), this is an “extended play” holiday—items will be launched on Friday, November 29th, but stores can carry them for sale as long as supplies last.  And, they’ll be made available online—so you can get in on the action, no matter where you live.

What’s available?

Rush has a picture disc available for the Black Friday Record Store Day November 29th.

Rush has a limited-edition 10-inch picture disc for “The Garden,”which contains  both the studio version of the song from the  Clockwork Angels album, as well as a recording from the just released live set recorded on the last tour (CD, DVD and Blu-ray). The live version features the band performing with the Clockwork Angels String Ensemble. This video looks amazing and makes me sorry I didn’t catch Rush this time around!

The Dave Matthews Band has 2 special sets on offer November 29th.

The Dave Matthews Band has two special releases on offer–Live Trax Vol 2: 9-12-04 Golden Gate Park, San Francisco CA and Live Trax Vol 3: 8-27-00 Meadows Music Theater, Hartford CT.  Both are multi-LP colored vinyl boxed sets, numbered and exclusive to this November Record Store Day special event.

Other artists participating include Elvis Costello and The Roots (a CD of remixes), Dawes (live LP) and Lady Gaga (picture disc, with remixes).  Even U2 is getting in on the action, putting out a special edition 10″ vinyl with 2 brand new tracks. Side A is the song “Ordinary Love,” written for the soundtrack to the upcoming film Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom. The B side is a new recording of “Breathe.”

A complete list of all the Black Friday rarities  is available here, along with a list of participating online merchants. Let me know if you pick up any cool stuff!