CHESS "GENESIS" - CHICAGO BLUES Vol.1: THE BEGINNINGS OF ROCK 4-LP BOX EX/VG+

	£		22
	$		29

CHESS Cat. No.6641 047: the original 1972 issue 4-LP box set, COMPLETE with its superb 20-page booklet with text by the great Blues musicologist Mike ledbitter. This insert documents the recordings and history of the artists included in this landmark collection, with many rare vintage photos and full discography/recording session information for all 56 tracks.

Each album has 14 tracks, 43 in mono and 13 are “mono enhanced for stereo”, a COMMON feature of REISSUED CLASSIC MUSIC ON vinyl 40+ years ago.

This COLLECTORs' box SET is Vol. 1 of three Chess BLUES “Genesis” box sets; it is subtitled “THE BEGINNINGS OF ROCK” and PRESENTS MANY essential BLUES SONGS RECORDED BY LEGENDS OF THE GENRE IN CHICAGO BETWEEN 1947 AND 1956.

It was the first in a series of three sets that shared out much of the fantastic legacy of blues recordings by legendary artists associated with the Chess label, now MUCH sought after by blues collectors.

It’s known as “the Red Chess Box”, REFERRING TO The colour of THE BOX's inner housing, Its booklet and individually numbered & printed record sleeves; THE two other “Genesis” Chess box sets have complementary colour coding.     

it’s TRULY THE CENTREPIECE OF ANY SERIOUS vinyl COLLECTION OF CLASSIC POST-WAR BLUES.  forget all those continually repackaged digitally remastered CDs – this black vinyl set is surely the authentic analogue audio EXPERIENCE FOR lovers of chicago blues!

Featured artists (over its 56 tracks) are:

Sunnyland Slim

Muddy Waters

Leroy Foster

Forrest City Joe

Robert Nighthawk

Little Johnny Jones

Memphis Minnie

Big Bill Broonzy

Washboard Sam

Jimmy Rodgers

The set on offer is listed at a sensible starting price (mint copies rate at £60+). It is in excellent general condition – please examine the full photo gallery; nothing to hide!

item description in detail:

The albums – Summmary:

Over the eight sides, the set’s general grading is excellent; visually, all records have a deep lustre without scuffing marks and all lie flat on the deck. all labels are unmarked & clean.

These recordings are all pre-1957, and this vinyl set is now 42 years old, BUT any surface noise is minimal; what is heard is primarily the tape or transfer noise from the ORIGINAL legendary sessions.

To hear the primal power of Muddy waters’ voice & guitar is Blues heaven, and much of this collection gives similar listening pleasure.   

only two or three SIDES HAVE light marks around spindle holes, BUt please see below as  I have to report two scratches from mishandling that are audible.

Disc 1: all tracks apart from Track 1, side 1 play through strong & clear; minimal surface noise throughout. there’s a scratch JUST AFTER the start of track 1, side 1 that causes about 15 “clicks” for approx 20 seconds. No other audible faults on either side.

DISC 2: ALL TRACKS PLAY THROUGH STRONG & CLEAR WITH MINIMAL SURFACE NOISE. One just-visible mark or pressing imperfection on Side 1, track 1 seems to cause a single short, light blip/skip on the track.  NO OTHER AUDIBLE FAULTS ON EITHER SIDE.

DISC 3: NO AUDIBLE FAULTS ON EITHER SIDE.

DISC 4: ALL TRACKS PLAY THROUGH STRONG & CLEAR WITH MINIMAL SURFACE NOISE.

On side 2 of disc 4, at the end of track 1 into track 2, an audible scratch is heard for about 12 seconds, but this point is the quietest part of Jimmy rogers’ session, as prepares himself in the studio then finally begins playing “Ludella”. just As the song gets going, the “click” tails off. 

NO OTHER AUDIBLE FAULTS ON EITHER SIDE.

The outer box

The box is sturdy cardboard (approx. 315mm square x 23mm deep) covered with a RICH textured black finish and is fully intact, grading in at least VG+ condition to account for slight edge/corner scuffs. It has no dents or cracks and all four corners are still strong, square and without splits.

Though FLIMSY, the box’s PAPER-tape HINGE IS STILL STRONG & unstrained, WITH JUST ONE SMALL MARK NEAR THE BOTTOM CORNER. THE BOX OPENS & CLOSES WITH sure MOVEMENT AND FULL ALIGNMENT to THE REAR SECTION. A BEAUTIFUL AND CARED-FOR EXAMPLE!

the block silver “Genesis” lettering (box front) has a light score mark across five letters, and as you’d expect with a heavy, 42-year old box there are general storage marks & corner rubs. 

The box’s red inner linings are immaculately clean, without marks, tears, stains or writing inside the box.

the red inner sleeves are side-OPENING; each is in at least VG+ condition, without any knifing splits, tears, stains or writing. some corner creasing of the sleeves is due to long-term upright storage of the box.

The 18-page booklet

This is in similar fine condition, without tears, stains or scrawl, just the expected light handling creases. this insert on its own is an exceptional document THAT RECOUNTS the  history of post-war chicago blues.

It’s almost worth the asking price alone, even before you lower the stylus on all the fabulous music that is so faithfully annotated BY MR. LEDBITTER in its well laid-out pages.    

See picture 10 for the full tracklisting / discography from the comprehensive booklet.  

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ADMIN. INFO:

PAYMENT VIA PAYPAL IS PREFERRED; OTHERWISE THE WINNING BIDDER CAN PAY CASH ON COLLECTION, CHEQUE (CLEARED BEFORE DESPATCH OR COLLECTION), Postal order OR BANKER’S DRAFT.

PLEASE PAY WITHIN 3 DAYS – OTHERWISE THE RECORD MAY BE RE-LISTED AND OFFERED TO GENUINE BIDDERS.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ESTIMATED PACKING & PARCEL POSTAGE CHARGE FOR THIS WEIGHTY BOX SET IS £8; this charge will be added to the value of the final bid on the invoice that is sent to the winning bidder.  

THE FULL INVOICE VALUE (WINNING BID PLUS ALL POST & PACKING CHARGES) MUST BE PAID BEFORE THE RECORD IS DESPATCHED. IF paying upon collection in person, full address and contact info should be submitted PRIOR TO the event.

I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO PASS ON ANY EXTRA PACKING AND DELIVERY CHARGES, ESPECIALLY IF THE WINNING BIDDER REQUESTS ANY SPECIAL DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS.

THE BOX SET WILL BE SECURELY PACKED FOR POSTING IN A RIGID CARDBOARD OUTER CASING WITH THE RECORDs AND INNER SLEEVEs SEPARATED TO PREVENT ANY “KNIFING” in transit, WITH STIFFENER CARDS & other packing TO PROTECT THE contents as required.

THERE IS NO “BUY IT NOW” OPTION ON THIS RECORD – ALL COLLECTORS HAVE AN EQUAL CHANCE TO MAKE THEIR WINNING BID FOR THIS RARE LP.

NON-UK BUYERS - PLEASE NOTE:

MY STANDARD POLICY FOR SHIPPING RECORDS TO MOST COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE UK IS to DESPATCH VIA THE ROYAL MAIL AIRMAIL “SIGNED FOR” SERVICE. THIS COST WILL BE ADDED TO THE FINAL INVOICE FOR NON-UK BUYERS UNLESS THE BUYER SPECIFIES AND AGREES TO PAY FOR ANY OTHER SPECIAL DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS. BUYERS choosing to make their own deliverty arrangements do so at their own risk.

ANY HIGH-VALUE ITEMS SOLD MUST BE INSURED TO AT LEAST Cover THE PURCHASE VALUE, SO I reserve the right to pass on any such extra charge to the customer.

ANY POTENTIAL BIDDERS ARE INVITED TO CONTACT ME BEFORE BIDDING TO OBTAIN A QUOTE FOR ANY CHARGES FOR CARRIAGE & INSURANCE, OR ADVISE ME OF ANY SUCH SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS. 

P & P CHARGES ARE ONLY AN “On COST” to me, COVERED by the buyer – i still buy records for my own collection, and avoid dealing with sellers that USE postal charges as a pRofit opportunity.    

 THANKS FOR LOOKING - HAPPY BIDDING AND GOOD LUCK!

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