DORRIS HENDERSON - WATCH THE STARS : SUPER RARE UK 1967 FONTANA TL 5385 EX

	£		139
	$		184

DORRIS HENDERSON - WATCH THE STARS

Exceedingly rare original UK 1967 12" LP on the highly collectable FONTANA label, MONO TL 5385

Matrix Numbers : Side 1  687927 1L 1 420 ;  Side 2   687927 2L 1 420

A very collectable copy of this extremely rare, highly regarded and sought after 1967 English folk classic by Dorris Henderson, with guitar accompaniment from the equally highly regarded John Renbourn

Both sides of the vinyl gleam with the original lacquered sheen and all of the vinyl grooves still perfectly defined. The vinyl is totally flat and has a wonderful appearance. Held in a bright light, and at the correct angle, and it's just possible to detect a very few, small mild paper scuffs and wispy hairlines but these are negligible. EXCELLENT

The labels are pristine. Not even the usual faint trace of spindle lines adjacent to the centre hole. NEAR MINT!

The gorgeous front laminated outer sleeve is excellent. All of the edges and corners are perfectly defined, as is the spine, all of the colours have retained their rich vibrancy. No creases apart from a few 1-2cm surface laminate creases adjacent and perpendicular to the spine but these are negligible. On the reverse side there is some very minor occasional scuffing towards (but not on) the top edge, the hint of some age discolouration (again, minor) and a whiter sticker label at the top left hand cover. I'm not sure why this sticker is there or what it covers (it may be removable with care), but I suspect that it was put there by the shop from which the album was bought to cover a previous price...not sure. 

The audio quality is excellent minus. Beautiful tone and clarity on side 1 with just the hint of some occasional background interference. This interference is slightly more pronounced on side 2 and due to the mellowness of the songs is noticeable. I find this perplexing because the condition of the vinyl is undoubtedly excellent+, so can only put this interference (mild and background though it is) down to a combination of static and dust in the grooves due to 50 years of storage. But still a great listen with no skips or nasty clicks (just not quite perfect) and perhaps a professional clean would improve the sound quality even further.. These songs are beautiful, and Dorris Henderson was probably at her peak on this album : enchanting! 

The track listing is :

Side 1:

1. When you hear them cuckoos hollerin'

2. It's been a long time

3. 30 days in jail

4. No more my lord

5. Watch the stars

6. There's anger in this land

7. Mosaic patterns

8. Tomorrow is a long time

Side 2 :

1. For lovin' me

2. Come up horsey

3. God bless the child

4. The time has come

5. Poems of solitude : Poems of my heart / Eighteen tedious ways / Magic string

6. Lonely mood

7. Gonna tell my lord

Comes complete with the original poly-lined inner sleeve which is in similarly great condition : no splits, tears or obvious creasing and still fully functional. brilliant!

A lost classic from the wonderful Dorris Henderson - a "must" for any serious vinyl folk collector.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other listings for more 60's and 70's classic vinyl.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting UK vinyl for more than 45 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but over the years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boots, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop. I never intended selling any of my records but now I am retired and a combination of space requirements, (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in removing the record from the outer sleeve in order to prevent sleeve damage in transit. I do NOT profiteer from postage costs. I DO take great care in minimising all risk thereby ensuring, as far as possible, that your purchase reaches it's destination in exactly the same condition as when I post it. For items that sell for over £40 to non-UK bidders I insist upon Royal Mail 1st class, "tracked and signed for" so please wait for an invoice before paying. Good luck with your bidding. Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

Description: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packag­ing might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good

Description: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable sur­face marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

Description: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for prop­erly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

Description: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

Description: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.