PRETTY THINGS - 1965 - "The Pretty Things" (XMAS SALE)

$

74

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SYNOPSIS

 

The Pretty Things' debut LP was a legendary exercise in anarchy -- 30 minutes into the two days' worth of sessions, their original producer, Jack Baverstock (the head of the label, no less), walked out, and was eventually replaced by a slightly more sympathetic personality in the hopes of salvaging something from the efforts of the band, who, whatever their shortcomings in decorum or sobriety, were on their third successive charting single. The resulting album, made under the coordination (if not control) of drummer-turned-producer Bobby Graham, made the early work of the Rolling Stones -- rivals and one-time bandmates to The Pretty Things' Dick Taylor -- sound more like the work of the Beatles: very calculated, lightweight, and...genteel. The Pretty Things is recorded with practically every song and instrument pushing the needle into the red (i.e., overload). Normally, that would be a problem, except for the fact that a third of the repertory was written by Bo Diddley and most of the other two-thirds was inspired by him (even their version of Chuck Berry's "Oh Baby Doll" sounds like it was lifted from the Two Great Guitars sessions where the two legends crossed swords) -- and Bo spent most of his career with his amplifiers set on "11" in a world where ten was the max.

"Roadrunner" is about as raw and loud as British rock & roll ever got up to that time, and it's just the beginning -- "Judgement Day" has a lead guitar buried somewhere in there, beneath rhythm instruments that sound like metal being ground up, and "13 Chester Street" is, strangely enough, an homage to the house the band once shared with the Stones' Brian Jones; appropriately enough, it mixes the band's crunchy rhythm guitar-centered sound with a Slim Harpo-style lead (all of the stuff that Jones was identified with musically), in a group "composition" that shimmers and pulses around Phil May's dissolute vocals. "Big City" takes them back to Chess Records territory, from which they never stray -- "Mama, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut" even sounds like a Chess outtake, what Leonard Chess would've said needed one more pass to get right (and he'd have been wrong). And just to show that there is some justice in the world, The Pretty Things did reach number ten on the U.K. charts, bewildering all of the more "professional" hands at Fontana Records by grabbing the ears of that harder, more intense part of the Stones' larger audience and throwing them the sonic equivalent of raw meat to chew on. Phil May reveals himself as a fairly powerful singer, though lacking some of the charisma that Mick Jagger projected, but the group's own raw power made for quirky appeal all of its own that would carry them for many years beyond this roaring start. And in the meantime, records like this would point the way not only toward the work of such American garage band icons as the MC5, but blast a path through the wilderness that the likes of Billy Childish and his band the Milkshakes and their successors would traverse.

Considering Rapp's fascination with history, it's not surprising that one of the songs here, "I Shall Not Care," features a co-writer credit to "Roman Tombs." The cryptic words that comprise this song's title were discovered on a tomb that dates to the final days of the Roman Empire.

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* Per AllMusic.com/Wikipedia or other Music sites

PAYMENTS

PAYMENT PROCESS:Following auction completion, eBay will send the buyer a draft invoice notification. In the case of a simple, one item transaction, the buyer can pay from that draft invoice. Where multiple items are purchased, and discounted combined shippingcosts are warranted, a manual invoice must be initiated by the seller to reflect that cost adjustment.When seller receives an invoice, they must select, from the shipping options, which they desire andpay that applicable amount. PAYMENT DEADLINE: The seller has consideratly committed to shipping within one day following payment. It would be appreciated if the buyercould could recipricate with one day payment from invoice receipt.The absolute DEADLINE for payment is by the 4th day following auction completion. PAYMENT METHOD: PayPal is the required payment method as it results in a more streamlined and expedited process for both the buyer and the seller

SHIPPING

SHIPPING FEE (ITEM PROTECTION) DISCLOSURE (IMPORTANT)

Shipping Fee (which is added to the postage rate) amounts to $1.25 per shipment. Multiple item purchases will have only one shipping fee. This fee is strictly a cost reimbursement, with absolutely NO Profit, built into it. For the sake of disclosure, Ipay $.92 for each of the specialized LP mailer (that can hold up to five record albums), $.14 each polyurethane sleeve to protect the record and album cover and $.19 for deliveryconfirmation. The sole purpose of these costs/items is to ensure you receive your product in the best condtion possible following shipping.

POSTAL SAVINGS

Buyers can always save on shipping costs by combining multiple purchased which result in a lower postage charge aggregate. Additionally, this can eliminate the need for duplicate shipping fees as multiple mailers and delivery confirmations are not needed. I will ALWAYS treat multiple wins as combined shipping but it is also recommended that you advise me of your multiple wins, or expected multiple wins, so that I do not miss that fact.

POSTAGE CALCULATION

I use the eBay/USPS Postage Calculation Tool in order for calculatingto determine postage amounts. This tool calculates postage amounts based upon the shipments' destination, shipping type, weight, options and (S&H) fees.

PACKING METHODOLOGY

As so many buyers inquire about my packing practice I thought that I would put it here in the description to save the buyers the inconvenience of asking. Vinyl is removed from jacket In order to prevent any seam splits during transit Jacket is insert into a 4 mil poly sleeve for protection of the jacket Jacket/Vinyl are then insert in a special LP mailers purchased from "Bargs Unlimited" Depending upon the amount of space taken in the mailer (from larger lps or multiple lps) I will include some packing material to ensure that the record doesn’t slide around in the mailer.

SHIPPING OPTIONS

DOMESTIC: (U.S)

Domestic shipments, the buyer determines postage type (Priority, Media, Parcel Post or First Class). Decision will be based on a cost Vs. delivery time Vs. dependability.

INTERNATIONAL: (All Non-U.S)

International shipments, the buyer determines postage type (Priority International or First Class International(up to four pounds). Decision will be based on a cost Vs. delivery time. Vs. trackability Vs. dependability.First Class International is the least expensive but at the same time provides little tracking data outside the U.S., may take up to six weeks to receieve (some counries) and has no option for the seller to purchase insrance to protect the buyer (only international priority has that ability). Delivery timelines for International shipments can be as long a six weeks (I have seen it many times). If there is a problem with delivery, please allow the necessary six weeks before filing a non-receipt claim with the seller).

ESTIMATED (WEIGHTS) INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COSTS

Note: Weights are estimated. Some vinyl weighs more than others, some sets have multiple lps & some include iinserts. This should be used for estimating purposes only.

CANADA

CANADA

ITALYFRANCEUKNORWAYAUSTRALIARUSSIA

ITALY

FRANCE

UK

NORWAY

AUSTRALIA

RUSSIA

# of single lp's to be shipped

Weight lbs/oz

S&H Fee *

1ST Class Inter-national

Priority Inter-national

1ST Class Inter-national

PRIORITY INTERNATIONAL

$1.25

1 Single LP

1.2

$8.10

$27.30

$14.67

$40.35

$36.05

$42.05

$40.35

$39.60

$41.05

2 Single LP's

1.13

$9.80

$27.30

$19.38

$40.35

$36.05

$42.05

$40.35

$39.60

$41.05

3 Single LP's

2.8

$12.35

$29.85

$22.52

$44.20

$39.02

$46.20

$44.20

$43.75

$45.60

4 Single LP's

3.3

$14.90

$32.40

$27.23

$48.05

$45.15

$50.05

$48.05

$47.90

$50.15

5 Single LP's

3.15

$17.45

$32.40

$31.94

$48.05

$45.15

$50.05

$48.05

$47.90

$50.15

* Shipping Fees, which are detailed in the S&H section above, are included in the estimated postal amounts.

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CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Dependable, daily, responses to all questions remarks, etc. Expeditious handling of all invoices Prompt shipments, committing to ONE DAY maximum. Secure all shipments by ensuring adequate packing material that will allow for a undamaged receipt. Immediate Feedback following payment (not held back and made dependent upon buyers feedback) Generous return policy (14 day period from date of delivery) If a problem arises the buyer should NOTIFY ME (as I am the one striving for your satisfaction) and I will do everything in my power to resolve or help.

RETURNS

Buyers have a 14 day period, from delivery date, to exercise merchandise returns. The onlystipulation is that the reason must be "Objective" Vs. "Subjective". Vinyl collectors, and enthusiasts, are well aware that "grading" is extremely "Subjective" and in the end is simply just one persons opinion. A difference of opinion on a vinyl's "Proper" or "Correct" grade is something that is difficult to agree on. That being the case, grading alone will NOT be grounds for a refund. I make a concerted effort to grade (conservatively) each record the very best that I can ensuring a fair grade. I have no intent of taking advantage of anyone (I will leave that to the unscrupulous ones). My feedback supports my intent to accurately grade. As to "Objective" reasons such as (1)a record mistakenly listed as "Still Sealed" but arrives "Opened"or (2) a record is listed as an "Original" release but is discovered to be a "Reissue", these are usually innocent mistakes that a buyer can return for a refund.

RECORD GRADING SCALE DETAIL

1 Method (Visual Vs.Sound): Visual, primarily due to time constraints and the sheer volume (thousands) of records that we are dealing with. I use a bright 150W light bulb and I also grade conservatively and doing so for over thirty years. In order to ensure that buyers are happy. MINT (M): Sealed!!This is the Holy Grail stage of the vinyl which can not, should not, be used on an opened item. NEAR MINT (NM): A NM record “looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the very first time.” In other words, it’s nearly perfect. They are shiny w/ NO visible defects. There can be NO writing, stickers, markings, etc. either on the jacket, label or vinyl. NM records do not have to be "inlayed" asa record used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the disc is properly cared for properly. NM covers are free of creases, ring wear & splits. EXCELLENT (EX): When an Item appears extremely close to Near Mint (e.g. blemishes and minimal marks exist that are practically unnoticeable to the naked eye), these are ones that I can not give a Near Mint to therefore this is where the Excellent are used. Just a minor mark, or two, away from being a near mint. VERY GOOD PLUS(VG+): Very Good+ records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG+ could have minor surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a songs intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the music otherwise. Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape. Very Good covers will have many signs of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside is obvious. It may appear on all three sides, though it won't be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it is stamped a price tag on it too. VERY GOOD (VG): Very Good records 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 too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not enlarged or damaged the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. Very Good + covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch lone) at the bottom the , the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing such as a cut-out marking. Covers with cut-out markings can never be considered Near Mint. GOOD (G), POOR (P) or FAIR (F):AT THIS TIME I DO NOT PLAN ON OFFERING ANY OF THESE CONDITION LP'S FOR AUCTION.