PRESSING OF TONY MIDDLETON & THE WILLOWS

$

45

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO CAREFULLY READ THE DESCRIPTIONS BEFORE BIDDING, THANK YOU!

All records are played through prior to listing for accurate grading.

(NM or NM-) NM records are shiny with no visible defects such as writing, stickers or needle marks on the labels. The album cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or any signs of human handling. It also will have no ring wear.

(VG+) or (Excellent) May show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK. The cover might be marred by a cutout marking, small hole punch, a cut in the spine or a promotional stamp and even a tiny bit of ring wear.

(VG) Have more obvious flaws such as lack of gloss, groove wear, light scratches and needle marks. When played there will be surface noise that will not overpower the music overall. Noise in the passages, between songs is common. The cover may have minor seam splits, writing, tape, stickers, ring wear and scuffs.

(VG-) Is just a compounding of the VG category. Many obvious flaws but if the record is rare, may very well be worthwhile. I do not list records lower the above grades.

Remember, when you are bidding, most of these records are usually 50+ years old and have been out of print for a very long time. When you consider that, damage, loss, and normal use or wear has reduced the market to the point that few of these wonderful treasures are even available today.

I ship worldwide and accept Paypal, Cashier's check, or personal check. My auctions usually close Saturday or Sunday and I ship the next day (Monday morning) with a delivery confirmation or Customs Declaration. If you are not getting your albums within a few days, check with your post office.

POSTAGE RATES

Due to an increase in our postal rates as of May 11th, 2009 my shipping rates will have a small increase. Media Mail Rates in the United States will remain $4.00, no change. Shipments to Canada will be as follows; $9.00 for 1 album and $4.00 for each additional album. Asia, Europe and South America: $17.00 for 1 album (an increase of .70 cents). Additional albums will be discounted $9.00 per album.                             (These changes will take place May 15, 2009).

I have shipped over 5,000 albums since 1998 and have never had an album lost or delivered damaged.

FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION: For those of you who may not know, The Willows had a monster hit in 1956. The song was Church Bells May Ring and the song is on this album. You are bidding for a mega rare pressing of The Best of the Willows and recorded with the company they signed with in 1953, Allen Records. The label reads A-1000. The group consisted of Tony Middleton, Richie Davis, Ralph Martin, Joe Martin, and John Thomas Steele. The album cover is in excellent condition. There are no seam splits, ring wear, writing, discoloration or tears, only a few small scuffs. The liner notes in back are very nice with a couple of small water stains evident. The record has had little wear and the labels are clean, showing only a few spindle marks from little use. Thre shiny record looks like near new. Only a few light surface scratches that have no affect on the listening experience. I did play the record just prior to listing. There are a few skips as a result of production miscues. You will not see any scratches that would cause the record to skip. Again, it is a result of production mistakes. I thought the listening experience was super regardless of the few skips. The songs include: Side 1, Love Bells, Please Baby, The White Cliffs Of Dover, With These Hands, Dolores, All Night Long, Baby Tell Me, Church Bells May Ring, Say Yeah. Side 2, Let's Fall In Love, Don't Pull Don't Push Don't Shove, This Is The End, My Dear Dearest Darling, Rock Little Francis, Do You Love Me, My Angel, Little Darlin, Only My Heart. The Willows were a very influential part of the early days of Rhythm & Blues history and this album certainly reflects their glorious past. Based on the Goldmine Guide, the album is graded VG++ and the record VG++. There is no reserve.