BOB DYLAN -1963 - "Bob Dylan" (DYLAN'S DEBUT LP) - Guaranteed High Fidelity

$

32

SYNOPSIS

Bob Dylan's first album is a lot like the debut albums by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones -- a sterling effort, outclassing most, if not all, of what came before it in the genre, but similarly eclipsed by the artist's own subsequent efforts. The difference was that not very many people heard Bob Dylan on its original release (originals on the early-'60s Columbia label are choice collectibles) because it was recorded with a much smaller audience and musical arena in mind. At the time of Bob Dylan's release, the folk revival was rolling, and interpretation was considered more important than original composition by most of that audience. A significant portion of the record is possessed by the style and spirit of Woody Guthrie, whose influence as a singer and guitarist hovers over "Man of Constant Sorrow" and "Pretty Peggy-O," as well as the two originals here, the savagely witty "Talkin' New York" and the poignant "Song to Woody"; and it's also hard to believe that he wasn't aware of Jimmie Rodgers and Roy Acuff when he cut "Freight Train Blues." But on other songs, one can also hear the influences of Bukka White, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Willie Johnson, and Furry Lewis, in the playing and singing, and this is where Dylan departed significantly from most of his contemporaries. Other white folksingers of the era, including his older contemporaries Eric Von Schmidt and Dave Van Ronk, had incorporated blues in their work, but Dylan's presentation was more in your face, resembling in some respects (albeit in a more self-conscious way) the work of John Hammond, Jr., the son of the man who signedDylan to Columbia Records and produced this album, who was just starting out in his own career at the time this record was made. There's a punk-like aggressiveness to the singing and playing here. His raspy-voiced delivery and guitar style were modeled largely on Guthrie's classic '40s and early-'50s recordings, but the assertiveness of the bluesmen he admires also comes out, making this one of the most powerful records to come out of the folk revival of which it was a part. Within a year of its release, Dylan, initially in tandem with young folk/protest singers like Peter, Paul & Mary andPhil Ochs, would alter the boundaries of that revival beyond recognition, but this album marked the pinnacle of that earlier phase, before it was overshadowed by this artist's more ambitious subsequent work. In that regard, the two original songs here serve as the bridge between Dylan's stylistic roots, as delineated on this album, and the more powerful and daringly original work that followed. One myth surrounding this album should also be dispelled here -- his version of "House of the Rising Sun" here is worthwhile, but the version that was the inspiration for the Animals' recording was the one by Josh White.*

* per AllMusic.com, or other applicable music website

PAYMENTS

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PAYMENT METHOD: PayPal is the required payment method due to expedited, streamlined process for both buyer and seller

PAYMENT DEADLINE: Seller has thoughtfully committed to sours from receipt of invoice.hipping within one day following payment. It would be appreciated if the buyer would reciprocate with payment by one day after receipt of invoice. with a deadline of 72 hours from receipt of invoice.

SHIPPING

Shipping & Handling (S&H) Fee Disclosure: A transaction fee of $1.40 is applied for the safe delivery of your purchase. It is sole a cost reimbursement for (1) specialized mailers, (2) polyurethane jacket sleeve, inner sleeve if needed and delivery confirmation. No other costs are requested for reimbursement. PLEASE keep this in mind when considering the total shipping costs.  

Postal Calculation: I use the eBay/USPS postage calculation tool to determine postage costs. This tool determines postage based on destination, shipping type, weight, options, and S&H fee.

Packing Procedure & Precautions: Many buyers inquire about product packaging which is understandable. My process is as follows: (1) Remove vinyl with inner sleeve from jacket, (2) Insert jacket into polyurethane sleeve, (3) Insert inner sleeve with vinyl into the polyurethane sleeve outside of the jacket in order to seam splits caused by transit, (4) protected item is then packed & shipped in a 200 lb. test "bend resistant" corrugated cardboard mailer along with any material necessary to ensure item does not shift in the mailer. 

Shipping options: Buyer decides which shipping method he wishes which for domestic shipping boils down to using the less expensive media mail or the more dependable, quicker and trackable Priority Mail. For international shipments factors are still the same but the choices are the less expensive First Class International or the more dependable, quicker and trackable Priority International Mail. 

RETURNS

Buyers have fourteen (14) days, from delivery date, to exercise return option. Vinyl collectors & enthusiasts are well aware that grading is an extremely subjective determination and in the end is simply just one persons opinion. A difference of opinion on a vinyl's "Proper" or "Correct" grade (e.g. a listed VG++ item thought to be a VG+ by the buyer) is a something that is difficult to agree on. I do make a concerted effort to avoid this situation, and grade conservatively in order to avoid this situation. I grade with absolutely NO intention of misleading or taking advantage of any person. 

That being the case, I normally accept returns due to objective reasons such as items listed as being sealed (and discovered opened), original release (when it may not be), These are provable claims and not subjective for which I gladly accept returns. In a situation where the buyer believes that there was a grave error in the grading of the item, I will still try to resolve those issues when they are brought to me.  

For any of these situations the buyer will be responsible for the cost to return item to seller as is posted in my/ebay "Returns Policy". After return receipt is completed I will initiated product refunds. 

If an item is not recieved, please check with your post office. In a majority of cases these items can be found at the post office as they have been keeping for some reason. If the item is delivered damaged, it is imperative that you address this issue with YOUR local postal service.

GRADING SCALE

Vinyl is visually graded primarily due to time constraints and the sheer volume (thousands) of records being graded. I use very bright lights & magnifiers to search for flaws ensuring that no over-grading occurs. The grading scale is as follow:

Mint (M): Still Sealed, if opened the grading should NOT reflect Mint.

Near Mint (NM):  Looks as though it just came from the retail store and was opened for the very first time (i.e. nearly perfect). Shiny vinyl with NO visible defects such as writing, stickers, markings on either jacket or vinyl. Near Mint records do not have to be "unplayed" as used records can also be in this condition providing it has been given proper care for its life.

Excellent (EX) Looks like a Near Mint at first glance but upon thorough exam a minimal blemish or mark may be noted. As a Near Mint is in perfect condition, this grade is just a small step down in the grading scale. An jacket saw cut. corner cut or punch hole will result in the nicest looking jacket having to be downgraded to Excellent due to these flaws.

Very Good Plus (VG+): Shows slight signs of wear, including scuffs or light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound and minor signs of handling will fall into this category. Telltale marks around the center hole, from repeated playing may have enlarged or damaged the hole and may be visible. Light ring wear or discoloration, can be noted but should not be overwhelming. Very Good + jackets should have minor wear such as a very minor seam wear or split (less than 1"long) at one of the seams (normally the bottom seam which is most vulnerable. A Very Good + may have some jacket defacing such as cut-out markings which can be either a circular hole punch, a cut corner or a saw cut. 

Very Good (VG):  Shows more obvious flaws than the above. They may lack the original gloss found on factory fresh records, groove wear is evident as are light scratches that may be deep enough to feel with a fingernail. The Very Good record could have minor surface noise and some scratches may be audible most likely in the intros and the empty space between songs but not at a level that would overpower the music. Minor writing, tape or sticker may exist on the jacket and/or label. These records will still remain a fine listening experience.