BIG WILLIE Bogey Man / It Keeps Raining APOLLO 450 10" 78RPM DJ Promo Blues 1953
£
65
$
86
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Description
This spectacular, museum-grade 10-inch promotional single features "Big Willie"—the historic first studio moniker utilized by legendary Chess Records artist Willie Mabon. Side A features "Bogey Man" (Matrix R-1389), a smooth, late-night down-home blues masterpiece highlighted by Mabon's rolling piano lines and upfront, crying harmonica structures.
Side B presents "It Keeps Raining" (Matrix R-1390), a brooding, traditional Chicago blues piece spotlighting his smooth vocal phrasing, deep rhythmic piano architecture, and masterful control over the arrangement
While originally captured during an intense field session at United Broadcasting Studios in Chicago on 28 August 1949, Bess Berman's New York-based Apollo Records shelved the masters, finally releasing them in August 1953 This record bridges the gap between post-WWII field recordings and the polished urban blues boom of the early 1950s. Apollo rushed this 1949 tape to press to capitalize on Mabon's breakthrough solo fame. This rare promotional variant bypasses standard retail avenues, providing a direct window into mid-century independent radio distribution.
The Premium Format: Unlike standard retail shellac runs, Apollo manufactured this specific "Disc Jockey" run on 10-inch vinyl rather than shellac. This choice was reserved exclusively for elite radio station pools to ensure quiet broadcast fidelity and survive postal transit.
The Secret Lineup: To capture this raw sound, a young Willie Mabon was backed by an exceptional group of Chicago session elites, featuring Earl Dranes and Sam Casimir providing stinging double-acoustic guitar accompaniment alongside Andrew Harris on acoustic bass.
The Chess Hit Connection: Apollo deliberately chose to bill him as "Big Willie" because Mabon was already legally signed to Chess Records by the summer of 1953. This disc stands as his only official release on the Apollo imprint.
This record is sourced directly from the respected Michel Chaigne estate, curated by a dedicated connoisseur of historical American vernacular music. Please add our store to your saved sellers list, as we are continuously making further selections from the Michel Chaigne archive available over the coming weeks.
Condition Report
Visual Grade (Side A / Side B): E to EE+ / E to E+ (Using standard grading definitions for vintage 10-inch vinyl pressings).
Side A (Bogey Man): Excellent to Excellent Plus (E to EE+). A phenomenal, near-pristine playing surface displaying mirror-like original factory gloss. Free from deep scratches, showing only a minimum of faint handling lines under direct inspection. Playback is remarkably clean, dynamic, and quiet, utilizing the pristine audio noise floor unique to this special vinyl promo run.
Side B (It Keeps Raining): Excellent to Excellent Plus (E to E+). Another spectacular side preserving its deep, rich sheen. Shows only a few light, superficial paper sleeve wisps under direct light that do not affect physical tracking. Audio reproduction is dynamic, vibrant, and clear.
Labels: White Apollo "Disc Jockey Record" promotional layout.
Side A has visible label damage, featuring a significant paper tear/loss around the lower half of the center spindle hole which partially affects the "Jockey" and "Record" text lines, along with a smaller paper nick to the left. The remaining typography and the distinct star graphics remain incredibly sharp, bold, and dark.
No Side B label remains clean and fully intact.
Postage & Packing InformationAlthough pressed on more durable vintage vinyl rather than brittle shellac, this record requires uncompromising protection to ensure safe transit. This item will be sandwiched securely between layers of thick card, enveloped thoroughly in multiple layers of heavy-duty bubble wrap, and suspended within a sturdy, oversized doubleskin box to eliminate any internal movement or shifting, ensuring all perimeter voids are fully buffered against impact.
Your order will be carefully packed and promptly dispatched.
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