PROFESSOR LONGHAIR - NEW ORLEANS 88 very rare 10" LP

	£		41
	$		54

PROFESSOR LONGHAIR - NEW ORLEANS 88.  Excellent jazz / blues from one of New Orleans's top pianistsbands, issued on the rare American Speakeasy  label

Artist:            Professor Longhair (Roy Byrd)

Title:              New Orleans 88

Label / Catalogue Number:   Speakeasy LP10-78 (10" lp)

Condition:     Excellent, virtually new

Sleeve:  Virtually as new; thick American cardboard in excellent condition; straight edges all round, no splits. Very slight storage wear.

Vinyl:   excellent condition

Tracks: 

Side One:  Go to the Mardis Gras; Looka No Hair; Everyday, everynight; Tipitina; Boyd's Bounce

Side Two:  Baby let me hold your hand; If I only knew; Cuttin' Out; East St. Louis Baby; In the Night

Personnel:  Professor Longhair - piano, vocal; unknown others

Recorded:  New Orleans 1953 - 1959

Sleeve notes:  Tracklists and notes

Comments: 

Record information:  

Professor Longhair specatacularly lives up to his reputation as a "cult" performer; "cult" partly because he was so good, and partly because his recordings are so rare. Here we have a collection of stunning 1950s tracks, culled together by the smallest of labels, Speakeasy, which must have been marketed to a tiny audience of buyers making this avery rare record, particular in this collectable condition.

Professor Longhair only had one hit "Bald Head" (in fact "She ain't got no hair") which made the R & B in America in 1950. Although he continued plaing through the 1950s he wouldn't leave New Orleans and thus didn't cash in on the sort of success that came to Fats Domino and others. He went into semi-retirement in the 1960s, returning in 1971, starting at the New Orleans Jazzfest, where hw wowed a new generation with his strident, rolling piano playing, and very individual singing voice. This is a fantastic record.

If this sort of music is to your liking you might like to look at my other ebay items

The playing surface looks to be in excellent condition, although the album has not been played for many years as I do not have any equipment of my own other than a cd player.  Like all my jazz collection, the album was acquired new, has been carefully stored over the years since I bought it in 1975 and it has always been played very carefully.  Some tracks  have been played on BBC turntables (see below) so the album is obviously in very good condition.  I am not a record dealer so am not qualified to go into the grading details.  Visually, the playing surface looks fine with no noticeable scratches or bumps. Any slight surface noise would only be likely to be audible in the quietest sections. Most of the tracks have only been played two or three times in total.  I am sure you will be very pleased with how this record plays – the surface looks clean and new. (see below for my guarantee). I have sold quite a lot of my collection now and have been told, in every case so far, that the vinyl should be described as excellent.

BBC Radio Leicester:  This lp has a special meaning for me, so it is with considerable regret that I have decided to sell it along with the rest of my treasured lp collection (I have no means of playing my Lps any more).  I was lucky enough to get my own jazz programme on Britain’s first local radio station where I was involved in presenting a wide variety of jazz and blues music. 

BBC Radio Leicester was the first local radio station in the United Kingdom. It was launched on November 8th 1967 as the first of a group of eight experimental FM only local radio stations: the experiment worked, and many more local radio stations soon followed.

The “Jazz Corner” programme was launched in the summer of 1968. The first programme was called “Jazz Quarter” because it last for 15 minutes, but this was extended to 20 minutes by the second programme.  Subsequently, it was soon broadcasting for an hour each time, sometimes even longer.  The programme continued for about 10 years, playing a mixture of jazz and blues – unfortunately, the name “Blues” was never recognised in the programme’s title. More recently, the only jazz programme on BBC local radio in the East Midlands is syndicated around many stations, and has an emphasis on mainstream, swing and trad jazz – so there is no longer an opportunity to hear contemporary and avant garde jazz or blues regularly on radio in the area.

Post and packing:  I will pack this LP carefully in a purpose-made cardboard mailing box, together with additional strengthening if needed. It will be sent out by first class mail, or airmail small packet if outside the UK. I always obtain a certificate of posting, but can arrange insurance at cost if required – please e.mail me for details.

Postage within the United Kingdom:  Free

Postage to Europe will be:   £4.35

Postage to the USA, Japan and the rest of the world:  £6.29

I want you to enjoy this LP as much as I have, so please contact me if you are unhappy with it for a full refund (less postage costs).

Other LPs and CDs:  As I am selling my jazz and blues LP collection you might like to have a look at my other items over the next few weeks.  I am not dealer, purely a private jazz and blues enthusiast who has loved this music for the last 45 years. 

Click here to have a look at my other items! 

Good luck with your bidding!!

p.s. You might enjoy listening to the live streaming from New Orleans jazz and blues non-commercial radio station (i.e. no adverts, genuine presenters, 24 hours a day) on www.wwoz.org