There are no clocks in Tower Records, only video monitors, bright red pillars and lots and lots of CD`s. Open until midnight seven days a week, the first Chicago branch of the legendary record chain gives customers all the time they need to reconnoiter the store`s mind-boggling inventory of 300,000 recordings. The new outlet, at 2301 N. Clark St., is divided into five sections, each a separate fiefdom staffed by experts. In the rock-pop area, just past the rack displaying ”Baby`s Nursery Rhymes Sung by Phylicia Rashad,” there`s John Summers, a former Las Vegas bass player and `70s bubble-gum music expert. The jazz section is Rick Swenson`s domain. Swenson has just finished recommending Professor Longhair`s ”Crawfish Fiesta” to Rich Moskal. Says Moskal, ”I`m having a party this weekend, and I was trying to find something that would make my guests go `wow, what was that?”`
Moskal says he has already visited the store several times since its September opening. ”Actually, I`ve got a CD frenzy going.”