The Imperials - We Are The Imperials Featuring Little Anthony (End LP-303)

It's the debut album by the group that would eventually be called Little Anthony and The Imperials. As you can tell by the photo, this one only set me back a dollar and it was at an actual record store (Criminal Records). I think we can safely say the value of this one is hurt significantly by its condition. The mustache and beard on Little Anthony was added by a former owner's pen, unfortunately. Still, the record plays fine and is a pretty significant release in the scheme of things. I love this type of record. Goldmine says it's $250 mint. I'll pay $1 for any $250+ record, no matter condition.
The cover on this one still has its gloss which is nice. I find this record pretty interesting in one way in particular. It is one of a few records that is considered semi-rare and valuable by artists who went on to be mass produced with few/no other valuable records. Another one is The Isley Brothers' Shout! record. And, to a lesser degree, the first few records by The Miracles (see: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles). It's pretty lame but that's all I've got today.

Gonna close this out with a list. Maybe someone out there can help me... here are my 25 most wanted records. From now on I'm going to have this list permanently located on the sidebar near the bottom. Thanks!
25 MOST WANTED:
Big Bopper - Chantilly Lace
Bob B. Soxx - Zip A Dee Doo Dah
Jimmy Bowen - Jimmy Bowen
Cadillacs, The - The Fabulous Cadillacs
Clovers, The - The Clovers
Crickets, The - The Chirping Crickets
Bobby Day - Rockin With Robin
Del Vikings, The - Come Go With The Del Vikings
Drifters, The - Greatest Hits
Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan (6 Eye)
Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited (Alt Take)
Flamingos, The - The Flamingos
Bill Haley - Shake, Rattle & Roll (10")
Screamin Jay Hawkins - At Home
Miracles, The - Hi We're The Miracles
Moonglows, The - Look Its The Moonglows
Penguins, The - The Cool Cool Penguins
Huey "Piano" Smith - Having A Good Time
Sonics, The - Here Are The Sonics!!!
Sonics, The - Boom
Teenagers, The - The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon
Joe Turner & Pete Johnson - Joe Turner & Pete Johnson
Gene Vincent - Bluejean Bop
Yardbirds, The - For Your Love
Zombies, The - Odessey & Oracle

Elvis Presley - Elvis' Golden Records (RCA LPM-1707)

Before I get to today's record, I want to give a shout out to Popsike.com. Even though I have no involvement with this site whatsoever, don't know anyone who does, don't scan their forums or read their newsletter, don't know if they have forums or a newsletter, I still absolutely love this site. The wealth of information is incredible and I've only used the surface info like "how much people have paid for this record and here's what it looks like." It is a fascinating website with a great layout and serves as an interesting reflection of this hobby. Okay, I'm done gushing, on with the record.
Today I'm rolling out some KING. That's right, the so-called King Of Rock N Roll, Elvis Presley. This is Elvis' Golden Records, the first of what must be a billion compilations put out to celebrate Mr. Presley. This one came out after his first 2-3 albums. It's significant for a number of reasons. First, most of the Elvis stuff that came out after this was not of its quality. He started with the movies and whatnot around this time and thus most of his albums are just soundtracks. They produced some memorable hits, of course, but there's something very commercial and stupid about them. This is like a greatest hits of songs that came out before all of that. In case you couldn't tell, I regard Elvis' first few albums as his best so a compilation of them can't be far off. This particular issue is the first of that record, as evidenced by the title "Elvis Golden Records" being in light blue. The letters were white in later pressings. Goldmine lists it at $250 but, in reality, it's worth far less than that. As I discussed in the Beatles vs. Four Seasons post, there's a ridiculous price hike for Beatles and Elvis record values because any a-hole knows to buy/keep them when they have the chance. Although I have a lot of Elvis records valued over $100, there are only two (including this one) that I would post on here unless I can turn up his first and second albums, both of which I am trying to track down for lower than reasonable prices (haha). So yeah, I'll save the other one for the holidays as that is its theme. Until then... I should have some 50s/60s girl group stuff coming up and, camera willing, I'll try and get some of my latest finds (which I am presently giddy about) up here for discussion.
Last but not least, I want to make a music recommendation for those who also keep up with modern stuff: a compilation called "Dark Was The Night" which has some of my favorite modern artists and is just non-stop amazing music over both discs. Also available on vinyl! Check it out...

Little Richard - Here's Little Richard (Specialty SP 100)

It's been a good little while since my last update. Today's record is one of the first great non-Beatles records I bought. Here's Little Richard's "Here's Little Richard." My friend Leroy in Warner Robins bought this in a flea market and later sold it to me. Leroy and I do a lot of trading but this was one of the rare times I actually purchased something from him. He's one of my two or three best record collecting friends. That is, of my friends who have an interest in vinyl, he is one of the closest. Anyways, where Leroy found this record is especially interesting. Warner Robins, Georgia is essentially the sister city to Macon, Georgia. Macon, in case you didn't know, is where Little Richard is from. This record, being SP 100 instead of SP 1000, had a very short print run and is the first pressing of Little Richard's first record. I like to think this copy once belonged to a friend or family member of Little Richard. Goldmine says it's worth $700. As you can see, this one isn't mint (the tape is a distraction) but it's actually a very clean copy. I love this early rock stuff more than anything. I think I take it for granted that I have such a historically significant and musically wonderful record when thinking of my better pieces. Plus, look at it, it's just a freaking gorgeous record. Until next time...

Buddy Holly - The Buddy Holly Story (Coral CRL 57276)

It seems pretty cliche to call The Beatles your favorite band. Everyone loves The Beatles. Of course you love them, they are The Beatles. In the scope of early rock/rockabilly, that's Buddy Holly, too. He is the face of the genre, effectively. Much like The Beatles the popular image of Holly is completely justified. It's one of the rare times in the history of music where the quality of the artist is evenly matched by the fame of the artist. The music is brilliant. It's practically perfect. This album in particular is the first greatest hits record of Holly's and it was the first thing Coral got out after Holly's sudden death. Holly really only put out two or three albums in his short life so this compilation is considered one of his primary releases.
Oddly, this is one of THREE copies I have found of this record. The first was a very exciting find in a Pennsylvania antique store. I didn't know much about records at the time and probably overpaid for it but its $300 Goldmine book value was a big selling point. Copy numero dos was actually a rare eBay record purchase for me. I don't generally buy records on eBay but there was a lot with this record and "The Buddy Holly Story Volume 2" which is equally as good musically. I then lucked into a third copy at the Goodwill in Athens, GA. It is the only record valued over $200 that I have found multiple copies of. I obviously no longer buy into its $300 supposed value (I've simply seen it around too many times) but it's Buddy Holly, it sounds great and it looks great.
Two other Holly records are high on my wishlist "The Crickets - The Chirping Crickets" and "Buddy Holly - Buddy Holly." They are the ones I am sure came out during his lifetime. Hopefully I'll find them for reasonable prices in the future.

Otis Redding - Pain In My Heart (Atco 33-161)

Today we'll showcase an amazing early soul album, the debut release of legend Otis Redding. This, if my memory serves me (and it probably doesn't) is the only Redding release on Atco. I think he switched over to his primary label Volt shortly after this before going on to a variety of other things. I know Stax records (perhaps the owner of or owned-by Atco?) had something to do with this release as well. All but two of the songs were recorded in January of 1964, the other two being released on LP for the first time after having been hit singles earlier. The song "These Arms Of Mine" is my personal favorite and I guess it was Redding's first major hit. Goldmine tells me the record is valued at $250. Mine is not in top notch condition but I also think Goldmine's estimate is conservative for this seminal early soul release. This one was found at Smiley's Flea Market in the Macon/Warner Robins area. One of the regulars up there somehow always comes up with good stuff and retains a decent amount of it by not blowing it out at super cheap prices. I think this one cost me somewhere in the $8-12 range. As I've mentioned in the past, that's a little more than I like to spend on records from flea markets but obviously I am willing to make exceptions.
This entry is the first of the new assortment of photos which aren't super dark. Most of the photos from now on will look like this one.

Coleman Hawkins - A Documentary (Riverside 12-117)

Coleman Hawkins is easily one of my five favorite jazz musicians of all time. I don't know that he was as original or innovative as John Coltrane or Miles Davis or whoever, but I simply really enjoy his music. I was delighted to turn this one up for $3 in a big lot of records I purchased from an antique store. Goldmine says it is valued at $200 and as mine is virtually perfect, I would imagine it would fetch a decent price. Unfortunately, though, there is no music on the records. This album, "A Documentary" is just that. I was hoping it would be a career retrospect with sound or a greatest hits or something. Instead it is just Coleman Hawkins answering questions about himself. I find what he says perfectly insightful but, in the end, I would much rather watch an actual documentary or listen to Coleman's music.
Riverside is another one of the great jazz labels as mentioned in the Red Garland post last week. The work of Coleman Hawkins and Thelonious Monk alone make it great.
Thusfar I have been relatively limited in what records I could use on the site as I have only photographed a handful. This week I intend to take a ton more pictures on what (hopefully) is a better camera than the ones you've been seeing.
There will especially be more early rock records as those have been my biggest interest lately.
As always, feel free to comment below and offer suggestions for the site or your thoughts on anything I've put up here. Thanks!

The Beatles & The Four Seasons - The Beatles Vs. The Four Seasons (Vee Jay DX30)

This is one of the more humorous records I've come across. Vee Jay who is otherwise known as a record company for great blues and jazz from the 50s and 60s once owned the ever-coveted rights to The Beatles as they were distributed in the USA. Vee Jay ultimately squandered this huge financial opportunity but not before releasing a few different Beatles items including most significantly "Introducing The Beatles." This, the Beatles first American LP was essentially all they had the rights to distribute so they repackaged it as different records a few different times to presumably try to get people to buy the record again. Thus we have "Songs, Pictures and Stories of the Fabulous Beatles" and this record.
It is essentially "Introducing The Beatles" and "Golden Hits Of The Four Seasons." Literally. As in they literally printed extra copies of their records of ITB and GHOTFS with original titles intact and stuck them into this new cover, threw a poster in and started selling it.
All original Vee Jay releases of the Beatles are pretty rare but for those who likely realized "hey, I already have this record in ITB, I'm not buying it again" there is little appeal. I suspect, then, that this one is especially rare. Goldmine agrees, listing it at $800.
All Beatles and Elvis Presley records are listed higher than their actual value, a tax of sorts for their sheer bigness.
I actually found this one at a record show in Atlanta. It was purchased without the records themselves (cover only) but somewhere along the way I'd picked up the individual ITB and GHOTFS. Thus, this was especially exciting for me.
Unfortunately, my copy does not include the original poster that Vee Jay stuck in to these things. Goldmine lists the poster alone as being worth $300. Wow.
They also list the poster separately under the assumption that most copies are missing it.
Obviously the concept of the record is humorous in a "Gee, I wonder who won the battle between the Beatles and the Four Seasons?" sort of fashion. I am lead to believe that, at this record's release, the Four Seasons were in the lead (record sales? chart position?). Go figure. Although the Four Seasons don't get much credit compared to the Beatles nowadays, I feel obliged to point out that it's actually a quality 60s pop record.
I also love the billing "International Battle Of The Century."
Perhaps everything becomes ironic with time.

Red Garland - Soul Junction (Prestige 7181)

Jazz record collectors, it seems, are more than just a niche of the record collecting, uhh, group of people. They are numerous and they are, it seems, completely freaking rich. Older jazz records seem to hold their value in places like eBay better than just about anything. The music on some of these labels (Prestige, Blue Note, etc.) is almost always amazing and it stands to reason that much of the original buyers were African Americans. I don't think I'm out of line to suppose that most record collecting nerds do not know many old black people and thus the records that we nerds have access to are fewer in quantity and almost sold by people who are strongly aware of what they have. To turn up a rare early jazz record for a few bucks is subsequently quite a feat nowadays. This particular Red Garland gem was a part of one of my best record finds during one of my many, many trips to J&J Flea Market in Athens, GA. I purchased it from a booth of miscellaneous stuff that appeared to be confiscated from storage unit owners who failed to pay their bill. Goldmine lists it as being valued at $100. All of the above things considered, I suspect it would be fetch a greater return on eBay or in a record store than some of the $200 records I'll feature here. It was released in 1960 which makes it not quite as rare as much of the Prestige Records output but it's in great shape and features one of the all-time great jazz musicians in John Coltrane. Coltrane is actually my favorite jazz musician and I actively search out his records in hopes of putting together most of his catalogue. This is indeed a tall task as he was quite prolific and many of his records are holy grails for jazz collectors.

Mickey Mantle - My Favorite Hits (RCA LPM-1704)

Here we have a unique RCA compilation called "My Favorite Hits." Goldmine lists the record under Mantle's name but as far as I can recall he doesn't appear on the album. Instead we have an assortment of his favorite songs (or at least his favorite songs that RCA owned the rights to). This record is particularly weird for me to have as a diehard Boston Red Sox fan but I'm not afraid to admit that I love it and sought it out for quite awhile before turning it up in a Gainesville, Florida record store for only $20. Goldmine book value is $400 and on the rare occasion it shows up on eBay it goes for a lofty sum. I do regret purchasing it when I did, as it happened to be a day in which the Yankees were playing the Red Sox. Because of the jinx that came with my purchase, the Yanks won the game, haha. An almost identical thing happened when I bought a LIFE magazine with Mantle on the cover. Oh well.
The song selection leaves a lot to be desired, unfortunately. As cool and iconic as Mickey was, his taste in music is pretty disappointing. There are a lot of slow paced jazz classics of the time (1958) and thus I rarely find myself listening to this one. Highlights include Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey. This is one of a few sports related records I've turned up over the past few years. I proudly own a record with the best of the broadcasts from the Red Sox 1975 playoff run as well as a record on the 1980 Kansas City Royals World Series run. More similar to the Mantle is the Stan Musial record I own. I suspect it's comparably valuable to the Mantle but cannot find it listed anywhere outside of eBay.

Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley (Chess 1431)

Let's start this out with a classic. The debut album by Bo Diddley called Bo Diddley and featuring the hit single Bo Diddley. Where Mr. Diddley lacked in his ability to name things he more than compensated with his ability to rock way ahead of his time. Oh and walk funny. This one has a Goldmine book value of $200 in near mint condition. My copy is about as mint as they get except for the obvious owner-signature on the cover. eBay tells me there's a copy for sale of this record (sans signature) in comparable shape for $140. The seller might not get that much but they will probably get more than the $7 I paid for mine. I have inexplicably turned up three of Bo Diddley's first four albums over the past few years so look for them to be featured here in the future.
As for the layout of the site, I will be tagging each post with their artist, record label and genre as to ultimately develop statistics in these categories for the items I choose to post. Any other suggestions for the site are welcomed. I certainly don't want this to turn into "random guy shows off his record collection" so input would be great.
Be sure to bookmark or subscribe to the site and come back often. Thanks.