BLUES 78 ALABAMA SLIDE GUITAR: JOHN LEE on FEDERAL 1951

$

390

BLUES 78 ALABAMA SLIDE GUITAR – JOHN LEE on FEDERAL (1951)

This 78 is one of a number of white label King-Federal “Dee Jay Special” promo records we are auctioning. These were stored away for years and most appear to have been played very little if at all, with little or no marking or scuffing.

This is the prime country blues item of the bunch, by singer-guitarist JOHN LEE (not John Lee Hooker) from Montgomery, Alabama, recorded in 1951. Lee later recorded an LP for Rounder. “Down at the Depot” features Lee on vocal and guitar (including slide) in an East Coast style blues, with the rocking “Alabama Boogie” on the flip side. (Lee was recorded during that brief period when companies were looking for another down-home bluesman to compete with Hooker’s phenomenal success on the charts.) This is a very clean copy, visually graded E+. Click below to listen to a sample.

78 RPM RECORD GRADING

Records are visually graded by VJM CONDITION CODES per VJM’s Jazz & Blues Mart:

N (new) or M (mint): New and unplayed. NM or N- (near mint): Nearly same as N/M but played a few times. E+: plays like new, with very, very few signs of handling, such as tiny scuffs from being slipped in and out of jackets. E: excellent (still very shiny, near new looking with no visible signs of (groove) wear but with a few inaudible scuffs and scratches). E-: still shiny, but without the luster of a new record. Very little wear, plays distortion-free. V+ or VG+: An “average” looking 78 in which scuffs and general use has dulled finish somewhat. Wear is moderate but playing is generally free of distortion. Surface noise still not pronounced. V or VG: very good (moderate, even wear throughout but still very playable. Surface noise and scratches audible but not intrusive.) V- or VG- = quite playable; some distortion in louder passages but music remains loud in most places. Surface noise from wear and scratches well below music level. G+: gray throughout but still serviceable. Music begins to sound muffled. G (good): quite worn/damaged, but surface noise still below music level. Listenable. G-: Music muffled from wear but still exceeds surface noise. F+: most of record remains audible over surface noise but listening uncomfortable. F (fair): further deterioration but still generally audible. P (poor): unplayable.

Standard abbreviations: sfc = surface; lbl = label; nap = not affecting play; scr = scratch; lc = lamination crack; cr = crack; hc/hlc = hairline crack; wol = writing on label; sol = sticker on label; fade = faded label; gr = groove; eb = edge bite; ec = edge chip; ef = edge flake; cvr = cover; s = stereo; rf = rough; aud/inaud = audible/inaudible.

[Grades with a slash in between indicate the condition of Side A/Side B.]

For more information on postage & handling charges, record and book grading, and our blues blog, click on the following links:

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