BONNIE GRAHAM SILVER WEDDING SONG / I CONFESS PREVIEW RECORDS SONG POEM '45 RODD

$

355

       This auction is for a RARE SONG-POEM '45 BY BONNIE GRAHAM -- SILVER WEDDING SONG / I CONFESS.   This '45 vinyl record was released on the Preview Records label, catalogue number PV-1394-1 / PV-1394-2.  I have seen a date of 1967 listed for this disc.

     "Bonnie Graham" is actually Charlotte Ann Matheny, AKA Charlotte O'Hara, Bonnie & The Treasures, Bonnie, Cherry Blossom, in addition to a few other pseudonyms.  She recorded with the most prolific song-poem artist Rodd Keith.  "Song-poems" were musical compositions based around lyrics sent in to song-poem companies by amateur songwriters.  I think a lot of us remember the small ads in the backs of mass market magazines promising success in the profitable field of songwriting.  After a letter was sent by the company, the amateur songwriters would then be "convinced" to pay the company a fee to have a recording made and records pressed.  Preview Records was one of the more "famous" companies in this genre.

      The A-side "Silver Wedding Song" is a slow / medium tempo ballad (I saw this described as a soul ballad, but I would hardly classify it as that).  And if it helps you any, the B-side "I Confess" is a Northern Soul Dancer, with a fantastic guitar intro...too bad the song is only two minutes long..

     The vinyl itself looks like it has never been played.  I am sure that the mastering of these discs was almost non-existant, as the idea was to get them down on tape, pressed, and out the door ASAP.  Even though my opinion is that the slab was never played (until I play-tested it), I have to give it a VERY GOOD ++ as a condition grade.  (I grade super, ultra-conservatively, so it probably borders on this grade and the next one up.)  NO skips or loud pops.

     If you have any questions about this item, please feel free to email me.  Also, check out my other auctions going on NOW of various other items of interest (including TWO other song-poem Preview Records releases...one by the fab RODD KEITH!).  Thanks again for looking...during these most very...very...very...troubled times...

Record Grading

MINT (10) UNLESS SEALED (which would be unusual), ALL SINGLES ARE HANDLED IN SOME WAY, SO GRADING BEGINS AT NEAR MINT

NEAR MINT (9.5) ---- Close, but one or two tiny flaws that do not impact play. Vinyl may have a barely visible scuff mark, but no scratches. Label is bright, clean and unmarked. Sleeves close to perfect with very minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident.

EXCELLENT (9) ----Disc plays near-perfect. There could be scuffs or a hairline scratch or two that does not impact play. Vinyl is bright and shiny. Label is clean and unmarked. Sleeve may have some slight creases or minor ringwear.

VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS (8) ---- Record handled and played occasionally, but very carefully. Very minor scratches and/or scuffs, but should have little impact on the sound quality. Labels may have some minor imperfections, but otherwise clean. VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS records should only have minor surface noise at the beginning or end of play, or during quiet passages. Sleeves are clean, but could have one or two minor wear issues such as writing on sleeve, creases, some ringwear, minor staining, etc. (All noted).

VERY GOOD PLUS (7) ---- The record has been cared for, but some minor flaws. Light scratches and/or marks/scuffs that won't make a big impact. Light surface noise here and there, but nothing to overwhelm the listening experience. Sleeves may have a few minor defects (duly noted). Those who are looking for pristine-only might not be pleased, but most music fans would be happy to have a collectible record in this condition.

VERY GOOD (6)---- The record has been enjoyed and played often with some care, but also a little neglect. Record displays visible surface wear---scratches or scuffs that will cause some minor to perhaps occasionally moderate surface noise. Vinyl could be "dull" at this point and not "shiny', or still perhaps shiny, but then a little more scratches. Usually a sleeve is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, splits, creases, loss of gloss, stains, etc. Most music fans would be happy to have a highly collectible single in this condition.

VERY GOOD MINUS (5) ---- Well-played with little luster and occasionally distracting surface noise, but skip-free. Lots of scratches/scuffs or fewer but more deep marks. Several sleeve flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork---seam splits, significant ring wear, tears, cuts, taping (all noted). I will only sell RARE VERY GOOD MINUS records.

GOOD (4) --- Pretty banged-up with lots of scratches, but not dead yet. I will listen to any record in this condition to guarantee no skips. Surface noise is moderate to heavy. Sleeve splits are usually a big problem here with the records better off in a plastic sleeve. I only sell VERY RARE GOOD records. They are certainly "good enough" until another copy comes along.

GOOD MINUS (3) --- Even more beat with tons of scratches and LOTS of surface noise. Skips are possible, though I wouldn't intentionally sell a record that does. Fans of a particular artist or style could probably enjoy a GOOD MINUS record, but might also be irritated by it at times. I will only sell VERY VERY RARE GOOD MINUS records. Sleeves are hanging together by a thread (seams shot) but not intentionally defaced.

FAIR (2) ----FAIR records appear and sound lousy (significant surface noise, horrific scratches). I won't sell these, unless I find something that is SO INCREDIBLY RARE. Expect skipping or a very unpleasant listen. Sleeves may be defaced, seamless, stained beyond belief.

POOR (1) --- Unlistenable and undisplayable.

3-1-20