AMBROSE SLADE Beginnings STUNNING NM

	£		50
	$		66

A BREAKDOWN OF THE ARTIST/S :-

Originally recording as the 'N Betweens, this UK quartet was formed by Noddy Holder (Born Neville John Holder, 15 June 1946, Walsall, West Midlands, England; vocals, guitar), Dave Hill (Born David John Hill, 4 April 1946, Fleet Castle, Devon, England; guitar), Jimmy Lea (Born James Whild Lea, 14 June 1949, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England; bass) and Don Powell (Born Donald George Powell, 10 September 1946, Bilston, West Midlands, England; drums). During the spring of 1966 they performed regularly in the Midlands, playing an unusual mixture of soul standards, juxtaposed with a sprinkling of hard rock items. A chance meeting with producer Kim Fowley led to a one-off single, "You Better Run", released in August 1966. Two further years of obscurity followed until their agent secured them an audition with Fontana Records' A&R head Jack Baverstock. He insisted that they change their name to Ambrose Slade and it was under that moniker that they recorded Beginnings. Chaff on the winds of opportunity, they next fell into the hands of former Animals bass player-turned-manager, Chas Chandler. He abbreviated their name to Slade and oversaw their new incarnation as a skinhead group for the stomping "Wild Winds Are Blowing". Their image as "bovver boys", complete with cropped hair and Dr Marten boots, provoked some scathing press from a media sensitive to youth culture violence.

Slade persevered with their skinhead phase until 1970 when it was clear that their notoriety was pass‚. While growing their hair and cultivating a more colourful image, they retained their aggressive musicianship and screaming vocals for the bluesy cover version of "Get Down And Get With It", which reached the UK Top 20 in 1971. Under Chandler's guidance, Holder and Lea began composing their own material, relying on distinctive riffs, a boot-stomping beat and sloganeering lyrics, usually topped off by a deliberately misspelt title. "Coz I Luv You" took them to number 1 in the UK in late 1971, precipitating an incredible run of chart success that was to continue uninterrupted for the next three years. After the average "Look Wot You Dun" (which still hit number 4), they served up a veritable beer barrel of frothy UK chart-toppers including "Take Me Bak 'Ome", "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", "Cum On Feel The Noize" and "Skweeze Me Pleeze Me'. Their finest moment was 1973"s "Merry Xmas Everybody", one of the great festive rock songs and a perennial favourite. Unpretentious and proudly working-class, the band appealed to teenage audiences who cheered their larynx-wrenching singles and gloried in their garish yet peculiarly masculine forays into glam rock. Holder, clearly no sex symbol, offered a solid, cheery image, with Dickensian side-whiskers and a hat covered in mirrors, while Hill took tasteless dressing to marvellous new extremes. Largely dependent upon a young, fickle audience, and seemingly incapable of spreading their parochial charm to the USA, Slade's supremacy was to prove ephemeral.

They participated in a movie, Flame, which was surprisingly impressive, and undertook extensive tours, yet by the mid-70s they were yesterday's teen heroes. The ensuing punk explosion made them virtually redundant and prompted in 1977 the appropriately titled Whatever Happened To Slade. Undeterred they carried on just as they had done in the late 60s, awaiting a new break. An appearance at the 1980 Reading Festival brought them credibility anew. This performance was captured on the Alive At Reading '80 EP which pushed the band into the UK singles chart for the first time in three years. "Merry Xmas Everybody" was re-recorded and charted that same year (the first in a run of seven consecutive years, subsequently in its original form). Slade returned to the UK Top 10 in January 1981 with "We'll Bring The House Down", and in 1983 shot to number 2 with "My Oh My". The following year's "Run Runaway" also reached the Top 10, and became their first US Top 20 hit. The hits subsequently dried up and in the late 80s the original quartet, while never officially splitting up, began working on other projects. They last appeared together in February 1992.

Slade are one of the few bands to have survived the heady days of glitter and glam with their reputation intact and are regarded with endearing affection by a wide spectrum of age groups. However, it appears that their creative peak is way behind them, as highlighted by the emergence in the mid-90s of the derivative Slade II (minus Holder and Lea). In stark contrast, the 1997 compilation Feel The Noize received outstanding reviews in the UK, heralding a mini-glam rock revival. Lea has released several singles under various pseudonyms, while Holder has become a popular all-round television personality, co-starring in the ITV sitcom The Grimleys, and also hosts a regular 70s rock programme on Manchester's Piccadilly Radio. He was awarded an MBE in the Millennium New Years Honours List.

Discography:
as Ambrose Slade Beginnings (UK) Ballzy (US) (Fontana 1969)**, Play It Loud (Polydor/Cotillion 1970)**, Alive! (Polydor 1972)****, Slayed? (Polydor 1972)***, Old, New, Borrowed And Blue (UK) Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet (US) (Polydor/Warners 1974)***, In Flame film soundtrack (Polydor/Warners 1974)****, Nobody's Fools (Polydor/Warners 1976)***, Whatever Happened To Slade (Barn 1977)****, Slade Alive Vol. Two (Barn 1978)**, Return To Base ... (Barn 1979)**, We'll Bring The House Down (Cheapskate 1981)**, Till Deaf Do Us Part (RCA 1981)**, On Stage (RCA 1982)***, Slade Alive (Polydor 1983)**, The Amazing Kamikazee Syndrome (UK) Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply (US) (RCA/CBS Assoc. 1983)***, Rogues Gallery (RCA/CBS Assocs. 1985)**, Crackers - The Christmas Party Album (Telstar/Castle 1985)**, You Boyz Make Big Noize (RCA/CBS Assocs. 1987)**, as Slade II Keep On Rockin' (Total 1996)**.

THE HISTORY OF THE RECORD :- Beginnings was the first album by the English rock group Ambrose Slade, who were later known as Slade. It was released on 9 May 1969 but failed to enter the charts. It was also released as Ballzy in the U.S. It was also re-released years later under the title Beginnings of Slade. Beginnings was remastered in 2006 and released with their second album Play It Loud on a single CD. Bonus tracks are the singles "Wild Winds Are Blowing" and "Get Down And Get With It". The artwork for the album featured a photo of the band on the Pouk Hill in Wolverhampton. The band didn't enjoy the photo session due to the cold weather. The album peaked at #858 for 1969 on rateyourmusic.

In February 1969, the group (then known as The 'N Betweens) managed to get a deal with Fontana Records. A&R boss Jack Baverstock teamed the band with engineer Roger Wake to record an album. Reluctantly the band agreed to Baverstock's condition that they adopted the name Ambrose Slade. "His secretary was a bit loopy, she named everything she owned," lead singer Noddy Holder later revealed. "Her handbag was called Ambrose, her powder compact Slade. Jack just put them together, we hated the name."

Fontana's other stipulation was the engagement of a reputable manager. In former Animals bassist Chas Chandler, who had already discovered Jimi Hendrix and guided the guitarist to worldwide fame, the band found the perfect choice.

Ambrose Slade's debut (and only) album 'Beginnings' was a mixture of self-penned songs, instrumentals and cover versions including two tracks by Steppenwolf ('Born to be Wild' and 'Everybody's Next One'). As to confirm the diversity of the group's influences, they also cut Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes' 'Journey to the Centre of Your Mind', 'Ain't Got No Heart' by Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention, The Moody Blues' 'Fly Me High', Lennon and McCartney's 'Martha My Dear' and 'If This World Were Mine' by Marvin Gaye.

Its one and only single was 'Genesis', an instrumental piece that the band later rewrote as 'Know Who You Are'. There was also another instrumental 'Mad Dog Cole', plus self-penned tracks 'Roach Daddy' and 'Pity the Mother'. Issued in April 1969, 'Beginnings' failed to dent the British or US charts (titled 'Ballzy' in America, it was later reissued by budget label Contour as 'Beginnings of Slade', with a different sleeve and revised track listing). An original vinyl copy in decent condition now fetches anything up to £500 at online auction.

A Promo Video was filmed on London's Euston Station to promote the albums release in April 1969. Overdubbed with "Mad Dog Cole" The promo video exists, the video was filmed in the style of a Benny Hill sketch

In 1980, Jim Lea was interviewed for the Slade fan club newsletter. He spoke of the band first recording the album. "This was our first major crack at making a record, so it was all important now to let it slip. So we did "Roach Daddy", "Mad Dog Cole" and "Genesis" out of total fear."

Lea was asked how the cover versions of numerous tracks ended up being recorded. "They were all numbers that we were doing live on stage at the time. We had started to move away from the Flower Power thing then, but we were still doing unusual numbers. You can see by all the writers of the songs, they are all big names now, but at the time they were unheard of. Frank Zappa - he was totally unknown, he had only recorded one album, but we recorded his "Ain't Got No Heart".

Lea was also asked how "Pity The Mother" was written. "It was another one of the songs that Bavistock "forced" us to write. We wrote it in Nod's parents' kitchen, the day before we went down to do some recording in the studio. Louise (Lea's wife) was there, and she helped me and Nod write the song."

Originally, the band were introduced and recorded with producer Irving Martin through their London Booking Agent Roger Allen. The band and Martin recorded "Journey To The Centre of Your Mind" and "Mad Dog Cole". Bavistock heard the demos and thought "Mad Dog Cole" was great, and insisted if the group wanted a contract they would have to write more of their own material. Out of total fear, and realising this would be the big chance, they sat down and wrote "Roach Daddy", "Pity The Mother" and "Genesis" within days of Bavistock's request. Bavistock and Co. were suitably impressed with the results and, together with a suggested name change to Ambrose Slade, a contract was agreed upon.

For a 1980 fan club interview, Lea was asked how the album did upon release. "It dropped drastically. But that wasn't the point, you see it got us the footing in London, so it was a case of mission accomplished for us. Chas Chandler took us over. We still had some time to run on our contract with Bavistock, so we released our next two singles "Wild Winds are Blowing" and "Shape of Things to Come" on Fontana. There were some internal hassles between Chas and the new boss of Fontana, and the next thing that I knew was that we were out of the Fontana deal. Chas had connections with Polydor, due to when he managed Jimi Hendrix, so we signed a contract with them."

In a September 1997 article from Mojo Magazine, the magazine stated the value of an original vinyl copy of Beginnings was £380, also stating the vinyl had become a prime counterfeit item. The text wrote "Three years had passed since Noddy Holder, Jimmy Lea, Dave Hill and Don Powell had last appeared on record, as The In Betweens. Then, almost out of nowhere, Fontana released this album, produced by Roger Wake. Initially, it was to have been called Genesis and it was even suggested that the band should be known as Nicky Nacky Noo. Thankfully, common sense prevailed and Ambrose Slade made their brief appearance before linking with Chas Chandler, abbreviating their moniker to Slade, and moving to Polydor. At which point Wolverhampton breathed a sigh of relief. Though this debut has been reissued both as the budget vinyl Beginnings of Slade (Contour) and on CD (Polydor), original copies remain sought after. So much so that it became a prime counterfeit item at one point."

THE COVER :- Single Clarifoil sleeve

THE LABEL :- Blue Town labels

THE VINYL VISUALLY :- On initial inspection of this piece of vinyl I cannot see any areas of immediate concern. The vinyl sits perfectly flat on the turntable so there are no nasty warps to worry about. The vinyl still retains its just pressed quality, full of deep shine and lustre. The vinyl grades as Near Mint visualy.

THE VINYL PLAY GRADED :- The vinyl has never been played so I have refrained from playing it so the purchaser can be the first to play the record. Near Mint condition.

THE SLEEVE FRONT CONDITION :- The front of the sleeve is free from writing, free from stickers or evidence of previously removed stickers. The sleeve reveals no ringwear and no creases. It is in as new condition and grades as Near Mint

THE SLEEVE REAR CONDITION :- The rear of the sleeve is free from writing, free from stickers or evidence of previously removed stickers. The sleeve reveals no ringwear and no creases. It is in as new condition and grades as Near Mint

THE LABEL SIDE ONE CONDITION :- Original Blue Town label in excellent order free from stickers or writing and no damage at all, no signs of play around the spindle hole. Near Mint condition

THE LABEL SIDE TWO CONDITION :- Original Blue Town label in excellent order free from stickers or writing and no damage at all, no signs of play around the spindle hole. Near Mint condition

THE SPINE CONDITION :- The writing on the spine is crystal clear, no spine splits at all and no shelfwear. Near Mint condition

THE INNER SLEEVE CONDITION :- Generic white inner in Excellent condition

THE EXTRAS :- The booklet is in Near Mint codition with no creases or damage. The certificate of Authenticity is in Mint condition also. This copy is No 109 of 750 

THE CATALOGUE NUMBER :- B.T. 5006

THE YEAR OF RELEASE :-  2010 / 1969

THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN :-  UK

PLAYING FORMAT :- TWIN STEREO

THE MATRIX NUMBERS :-  BA12381-01 A1 MK  &  BA12381-01 B1 MK

TRACK LISTING :-

SIDE ONE :-

1. GENESIS
2. EVERYBODY'S NEXT ONE
3. KNOCKING NAILS INTO MY HOUSE
4. ROACH DADDY
5. AINT GOT NO HEART
6. PITY THE MOTHER

SIDE TWO :-

1. MAD DOG COLE
2. FLY ME HIGH
3. IF THIS WORLD WERE MINE
4. MARTHA MY DEAR
5. BORN TO BE WILD
6. JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF YOUR MIND

WHAT WE PLAY THE RECORD ON :- 

We use a Project 6 Perspex Turntable to play grade our records which delivers a rich authoritative sound and achieves a rich and weighty vibrancy unrivalled by the majority of decks within its price range

HOW WE CLEAN YOUR RECORD :- 

We use a V.P.I. HW-16.5 record cleaning machine to clean your vinyl. "A highly recommended machine" as quoted by Stereophile magazine. This removes any excess dirt before playing

HOW WE PACKAGE YOUR RECORD :- 

Your record will be package very securely to minimise any risk of damage during transit. We remove the record from the outer sleeve unless asked not to do so. This helps to minimise the risk of seam spliting. We use a high quality record mailer which is designed to give superior protection for your vinyl record. We place stiffeners either side of the record for added protection. The album will also be placed in a 450 gram Poly outer sleeve for even extra added protection

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING CHARGES FOR UK CUSTOMERS :-

We advise that items reaching over £50 in price to be insured and sent by Special Delivery. This protects both of us and ensures better handling of the parcel during transit.We are in no way out to make money from postage. The postage price includes the record mailer, stiffeners and plastic sleeve. We just want your item to reach you in the best possible condition. A breakdown of insured postal services are listed below. Please choose to use the relevant postal service for your own protection as once these rare records are lost they can quite often seldom be replaced

SECOND CLASS RECORDED (INSURED UP TO £50) :- FREE

FIRST CLASS RECORDED (INSURED UP TO £50) :- £0.45

SPECIAL DELIVERY NEXT DAY UPTO 500g :- £3.80

SPECIAL DELIVERY NEXT DAY FROM 500g - 1000g :- £5.00

(SPECIAL DELIVERY INSURES YOUR ITEM UPTO £500)

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION :-    

All records reaching under £15 are sent to the European Union by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £15

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS  :-  £6.22 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :-  £11.37 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :-  £13.97 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

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AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS  :-  £8.78 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £13.93 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £16.53 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN AND ROW :- 

All records reaching under £15 are sent to the Australia & Japan by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £15

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS :- £9.06 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £14.21 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £16.81 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT PROFIT FROM POSTAGE, THE PRICES WE QUOTE ARE QUITE ACCURATE AND INCLUDE THE PACKAGING MATERIALS AT COST PRICE

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PLEASE AWAIT AN INVOICE BEFORE PAYING SO WE CAN WORK OUT THE CORRECT POSTAGE/SHIPPING CHARGES

BUYERS OF MULTIPLE ITEMS :- 

Postage prices and courier methods for multiple purchases will be calculated after the auction end. It is impossible for us at the pre auction stage to determine these prices as the final weight is unknown.If you are the winner of multiple items the please await contact from us or alternately contact us yourself for a breakdown of the shipping costs.You will only pay the stamp price + relevant packaging charges so there are big savings to be made with multiple purchases

HOW TO PAY FOR YOUR RECORD :-

We can accept the following payment methods

UK BUYERS :- 

• PayPal
• Personal cheque (Please allow to clear)
• Bankers Draft
• Postal Order

OVERSEAS BUYERS :-

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS :-

We always try to appraise the record for sale as openly and honestly as possible and provide plenty of pictures for you to look at but please be aware that errors however rare do occur and not everyone has the same audio  equipment. There is no problem that cannot be worked out in a civilised manner. We urge you to contact us so that we can discuss any small problems that may occur. We offer a refund of the purchase price for returned items within 7 days of purchase and are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have during the auction

SAVE US TO YOUR FAVOURITES LIST AS WE INTEND TO LIST MANY MORE RARE VINYL TREATS OVER THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS