THE CLOVERS Self Titled R&B 1961 Atlantic 8009 Pressing Rare Rhythem N Blues Doo-Wop Music retailer EX Condition Rare Vinyl Record Book Value 250.00

OFFERING FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TODAY, AN ORIGINAL 1961 ATLANTIC PRESSING OF "THE CLOVERS" LP IN EXCELLENT CONDITION!

THIS IS THE RARE 1961 PRESSING ON THE RED/PURPLE ATLANTIC LABEL # 8009 (WHITE FAN ON RIGHT) IN HIGH FIDELITY! THIS RARE PLATTER IS VALUED AT $250.00 IN NRMT CONDITION IN THE GOLDMINE CATALOGUE! CHECK OUT THE SONG LIST BELOW TO SEE THE AWESOME SELECTIONS!!

VISUALLY, THE THICK VINYL DISC IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. I HAVE EXAMINED THIS UNDER BRIGHT LIGHT AND DO SEE MANY LIGHT SCRATCHES & SCUFFS (MOSTLY OF THE SWIRLY VARIETY) THERE ARE ONLY 1 0R 2 I WOULD SAY ARE LIGHTLY FEEL-ABLE HOWEVER THEY DO NOT SERIOUSLY EFFECT THE OUTSTANDING LISTENING EXPERIENCE! BASED ON THE ABOVE IMPERFECTIONS OVERALL I FEEL THE VINYL DESERVES A GRADE OF VG.

THE COVER PRESENTS VERY WELL. THERE IS NO WRITING, TAPE OR STICKERS! JUST A SEAM SPLIT OF LESS THAN 2" TO THE SIDE SEAM. THE FRONT IS JUST STUNNING AND WOULD LOOK AWESOME FRAMED. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF RING WEAR ON EITHER SIDE! THE REVERSE SIDE PRESENTS VERY WELL. THERE IS HOWEVER SOME STAINING AND DISCOLORATION. BASED ON THE ABOVE IMPERFECTIONS THE COVER GRADES EX++.

I HAVE PLAY GRADED THIS AND THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE WAS JUST OUTSTANDING!!! SOME VERY MINOR NOISE HERE AND THERE MOSTLY BETWEEN SONGS BUT NOTHING DISTRACTING AT ALL. A FANTASTIC LISTENING COPY! THERE WERE NO SKIPS, DISTRACTING POPS, HISSES, CLICKS OR BURPS! THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE GRADES EX+++


OVERALL THIS ROCKIN' LP GRADES AN EX-(MINUS)

PLEASE NOTE: RECORDS ARE STRICTLY GRADED AND NOT RETURNABLE SO PLEASE ASK ANY QUESTIONS PRIOR TO PURCHASING!


SONG LIST:

SIDE 1

1. LOVE LOVE LOVE

2. LOVEY DOVEY

3. YES, IT'S YOU

4. TING-A-LING

5. I PLAYED THE FOOL

6. HEY MISS FANNY

7. DON'T YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU

SIDE II

1. MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

2. BLUE VELVET

3. LITTLE MAMA

4. CRAWLIN'

5. HERE GOES A FOOL

6. I GOT MY EYES ON YOU

7. DEVIL OR ANGEL



The Clovers were one of the most successful music groups of the 1950's, with a chart career that spanned the decade. Between 1951 and 1959 they had three #1 hits on the R'n'B charts, four #2 hits and 11 other top ten hits. Their influential combination of vocal group stylings with jump blues, gospel and swing made them one of the earliest and most important R'n'B bands, and gives them a claim to be one of the earliest rock 'n' roll bands.

They began in the halls of Washington D.C.'s Armstrong High School, a long-gone institution in the Shaw neighborhood where Duke Ellington once studied design and art. The group was formed in 1946, with Harold "Hal" Lucas recruiting high school classmates, all from the neighborhood around 7th and T streets NW. The original members were tenor Thomas Woods, bass Billy Shelton, and Lucas. When John "Buddy" Bailey came on board as lead, Lucas moved to baritone. Lucas, hoping for good luck, called his group the Four Clovers and they began playing the local club scene, singing songs by the Ink Spots, the Ravens, the Charioteers and local heroes the Orioles.

By 1949, second tenor Matthew McQuarter had replaced Thomas Woods, and Harold Winley had replaced Billy Shelton. McQuarter joined when he passed the Clovers rehearsing on the street as he was walking home from football practice at Howard University. McQuarter noticed some bad harmonies and stopped to give pointers, using his church choir experience. He was invited into the group soon thereafter.

One of their regular gigs was at the Old Rose Social Club, an old bootlegging joint from the '20s, where they sang for free just for the experience. They even became janitors of the place so as to have a place to rehearse. It was at one of the Old Rose performances that Max "Waxie Maxie" Silverman saw them. A record store owner and a silent partner in the newly formed Atlantic Records company, Silverman liked what he saw. A friend of his, Baltimore record distributor Lou Krefetz, became their manager.

He got them a recording session with the New York label Rainbow Records. The single "Yes Sir, That's My Baby," went nowhere, but its positive review in Cashbox magazine led them to Ahmet Ertegun's office. This son of the Turkish diplomat to the United States had founded Atlantic Records in 1947. He wasn't impressed with the Clovers' material, but felt the band had potential. Ertegun decided to write them some songs.

About this time, the group went looking for a guitar player, and found Bill Harris playing in Washington clubs. Deft in jazz, blues and swing styles, Harris took some convincing, but was soon on board.

The group recorded Ertrgun's composition "Don't You Know I Love You" in 1951, and it climbed the R'n'B chart to #1, selling 250,000 copies. Ertegun kept writing, and the next single was one of his, "Fool, Fool, Fool," and it too went to #1. It snowballed from there, hit after hit. The Clovers performed on Alan Freed's very first rock'n'roll show in 1954, but also continued to tour non-stop on the black theater circuit - the Apollo, the Howard, and their counterparts around the country.

Their sound was a little rough, compared to, say, the Ink Spots, and there was no distinct tenor lead. Main vocal duties were sung by the baritone. The drums, electric guitar and saxophone made them stand out compared to other bands, though soon, their sound was being copied by just about everyone.

Their final number one hit, "Love Potion #9" was in 1959, about the time the band was on the decline. Guitarist Bill Harris had released his debut jazz CD to great acclaim, and in-fighting in the band would lead to a split in 1961. But few, if any, bands could claim the popularity of the Clovers during this era. Their influence on the evolution of rock and R'n'B is incalculable.


WE USE GOLDMINE AS GUIDELINE FOR OUR GRADING SYSTEM.

ALL RECORDS ARE VISUALLY INSPECTED UNDER BRIGHT LIGHT. I TRY TO PLAY GRADE WHEN POSSIBLE OR AT LEAST IN ANY AREAS IDENTIFIED AS QUESTIONABLE FROM THE VISUAL INSPECTION.

MINT

Mint records are in most cases sealed in original shrink wrap. The only wear permissible is to the shrink wrap itself.

NEAR-MINT

NM records have glossy vinyl. There are no visible defects such as writing, tape, or stickers on the labels. The labels should not contain any spindle marks (from someone blindly trying to put the record on the turntable) The vinyl may have a few extremely fine hairline scratches or light scuffs that do not affect the sound quality. The vinyl will "appear" to have been unplayed (It may very well have been played and well-cared for) The album cover will have NO writing, tape, creases, folds, seam splits ,stains, ring wear or Promo holes or cuts!

VG+ (EXCELLENT)

VG+ records have glossy vinyl. Slight signs of wear, including light scuffs, very light scratches or slight warping that does not seriously affect the listening experience is permissible. Very slight intermittent background noise mostly in the quiet passages is acceptable.

The album cover will have no more than three of the following imperfections: light writing such as initials or name in one area, minor creasing, seam splits not larger than 1". Neatly taped seams of 2" or less. It may also contain very slight ring wear or discoloration, a promo stamp, punch hole or cut-out as originally sold.

VG

VG Records have more obvious flaws such as more pronounced scratches & lack of gloss. Groove retailer wear and scratches deep enough to be felt with a fingernail are common. When played there will be surface noise but it should not continuously overpower the music. There are NO skips permissible with no more than 1.5 grahams of tracking force. It is common to hear crackling and pops especially in the quiet passages. The labels may contain writing such as a persons name or initials or it may contain a piece of tape or sticker with or without writing. The cover may have some seam splits, writing, tape, stickers, ring wear and scuffs.

VG-

VG- All of the defects listed VG category would be more pronounced. The record will play through without skipping WITH NORMAL tracking force. A quick skip or two with no more that 2.5 grahams of tracking force are permissible. The record will have many obvious flaws but still enjoyable to listen to. Generally if the record is rare, it is still highly collectible.

G/G+

Good (G), Good Plus (G+) Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping WITH NORMAL tracking force. A quick skip or two with no more that 2.5 grahams of tracking force are permissible. It will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white). A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.



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