JACKSON HEIGHTS SELF-TITLED ALBUM RARE SEALED ORIG'73 VERVE WHITE LABEL PROMO LP

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26

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·      JACKSON HEIGHTS (featuring LEE JACKSON, THE FOUNDING MEMBER OF KEITH EMERSON'S 'NICE') – SELF-TITLED THIRD ALBUM ("JACKSON HEIGHTS") RELEASED IN EUROPE AS "RAGAMUFFIN FOOL" – ORIGINAL 1973 VERVE RECORDS STEREO LP V6-5089

·      ORIGINAL U.S. PRESSING

*** STILL SEALED GUARANTEED ORIGINAL FIRST PRESSING ***

·      *** BELIEVED TO BE A WHITE LABEL PROMO PRESSING ***

·      *** IN ADDITION, THE PROMOTIONAL STICKER ON THE COVER CLEARLY IDENTIFIES THE ITEM AS PROMOTIONAL ***

·      THE THICKNESS OF THE VINYL, THE APPEARANCE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COVER, LABEL’S LOGO AND OTHER PERIPHERAL ELEMENTS OF THE COVER, ARE ALL PERFECTLY CONSISTENT WITH THE ORIGINAL, FIRST PRESSING OF THIS TITLE.

·      ONE “BREATHE” (AIR) HOLE NOTED ON THE SHRINK WRAP

·      THIS IS THE ORIGINAL, AUTHENTIC, FIRST U.S. PRESSING; THIS IS NOT A REISSUE, AN IMPORT, OR A COUNTERFEIT PRESSING.

·      ORIGINAL, THICK CARDBOARD COVER (AMERICAN STYLE)

·      THICK, HEAVY VINYL PRESSING

 (►PLEASE SEE THE IMAGE OF THE COVER, LABEL OR BOTH, SHOWN BELOW)

(Note: this is a REAL image of the ACTUAL item you are bidding on. This is NOT a "recycled" image from our previous auction. What you see is what you’ll get.  GUARANTEED!)

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So here's yet another early-1970s British all star outfit who never made much of an impact in the States (let alone the UK).

Bassist/singer Lee Jackson's initial claim to success came as a member of Gary Farr & the T Bones and the quasi-classical/progressive oriented The Nice.  When that blow-hard progressive outfit called it quits Jackson decided it was time to simplified his musical ambitions.  Switching to vocals and acoustic guitar he recruited a couple of longstanding friends in the form of multi-instrumentalist Charlie Harcourt, drummer Tommy Sloane, and bassist Mario Tapia.  The cleverly titled Jackson Heights then quickly scored a contract with the English Charisma label. 

I've never understood why American record labels feel the need to re-title and repackage so many English albums for an American audience that is going to ignore the product anyway.   Released in the UK in 1972 under the title "Raggamuffin's Fool", Verve Records decided to release the set in the States under the clever title "Jackson Heights" - the US version featured the same track listing as the original UK pressing, but with more conventional cover art ...

For what its worth, I'd tell you this is their best album.  The overall sound wasn't a drastic departure from their two earlier studio efforts, offering up a disproportionate number of keyboard propelled ballads and mid-tempo numbers, but with newcomers Chatton and McBurnie helping out with writing chores on the majority of the ten tracks, material like 'Maureen', 'Oh You Beauty', and 'As She Starts'' exhibited a commercial edge missing from the earlier releases.  That wasn't to imply these guys had become a top-40 creation.  Jackson's progressive roots remained firmly on display in the form of 'Catch a Thief'' and a cover of The Nice's 'Chorale (Five Bridges Suite)', but about half of the tracks had radio potential.  The other big change came in the vocals department.  On tracks like 'Catch a Thief' and 'Poor Peter'  Jackson's voice remained an acquired taste.  He still didn't have much in the way of range and the comparison to a flat Bob Dylan wasn't that far off the mark, but this time around those limitations weren't quite as blatant, due in large measure to the fact Chatton and McBurnie were both quite capable singers, handling most of the lead vocals and ensuring plenty of sweet harmony vocals were scattered throughout the mix.

- Opening up with some pretty Chatton keyboards and martial drums from guest drummer Michael Giles, 'Maureen' should have provided the band with a major commercial success.  Easily one of their most radio-friendly tunes, this one had a great melody; a great stumbling hook, and some fantastic harmony vocals.  Released as a single it vanished without a trace.   rating: **** stars

- In spite of the discordant opening, 'Oh You Beauty' was a fragile and extremely pretty ballad that again showcased Chatton's keyboards and the group's nifty harmony vocals.   rating: *** stars

- 'As She Starts' (the lyric was actually " ... as she started ...") began as a mid-tempo number sporting one of the album's prettiest melodies and another set of gorgeous vocals, but eventually managed to morph into side one's only true rocker.  To my ears this quirky number's always sounded like something Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart might have recorded for a 10cc album.  One of the LP standouts ...  rating: **** stars

- 'Bobop' was another pretty ballad with an instantly intriguing hook; perhaps a tad too MOR for my tastes, but with considerable top-40 potential.  rating: *** stars

- 'Catch a Thief' found the band putting on their best progressive faces.  To my ears this one actually recalls something out of the early Genesis catalog.  Kudos to Chatton for turning in a killer keyboard performance.   rating: *** stars

- Opening up with some Chatton barrelhouse piano, 'Ragamuffin's Fool' sounded like an English music hall-meets Brit pop mash-up.  Very bouncy and upbeat, this was the kind of track Paul McCartney effortlessly tossed out on his solo albums.  As such it's a track you'll either love, or hate with a passion.  I'll admit to being in the former category.  rating: **** stars

- Can't say I ever liked The Nice's original version of 'Chorale (Five Bridges Suite)' and this update wasn't a major improvement, though it was at least short ...   rating: ** stars

- Another Chatton keyboard-propelled tune that took awhile to get going, 'Chips and Chicken' fell somewhere in the spectrum between English music hall, blues, and 10cc-styked pop.  Quite quirky.   rating: ** stars

- 'Poor Peter' found the band taking a stab at a conventional country number.  Not a particular creative move, the misstep was compounded by the fact Jackson handled the lead vocal.   rating: ** stars

- 'Bellyful of Water' closed the album with a keyboard-propelled, rollicking folk-rock number.  Very English with some nice thee part harmony vocals.   rating: *** stars

As mentioned above, the album was tapped for a single in the form of:

- 1972's 'Maureen' b/w 'Long Time Dying' (catalog number Verve VK-10704)

This is probably the one to start with if you're interested in checking the group out. 

The band again toured in support of the album, but simply couldn't score a break.

 (EXCERPT FROM AN ANONYMOUS ONLINE REVIEW)

THE WHITE LABEL PROMO, RADIO STATION-, AUDITION OR DEMONSTRATION COPIES AND RELEASES (such as the one we have here) were often distributed to the radio stations before the record was released to the public, sometimes as much as four months ahead. These records are generally considered to be the "first among equals": the VERY FIRST generation and the VERY FIRST pressings of the particular title; a PROTOTYPE and the earliest known official pressing of the record.

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·      CONDITION:

·      THE RECORD

(IMPORTANT NOTE: unless otherwise noted, ALL records are graded visually, and NOT play-graded!; we  grade records under the strong, diffuse room light or discrete sunlight)

(a)         THE ALBUM IS STILL FACTORY SEALED AND IS BELIEVED TO BE PERFECTLY MINT. Please note: sealed items are assumed to be mint and are sold as-is, as we have no way of inspecting them. For our policy on still sealed records ►click here (PLEASE READ BEFORE PLACING A BID).

(b)         The record is apparently pressed on a beautiful, thick, inflexible vinyl, which was usually used for the first or very early pressings. Usually, the sound on such thick vinyl pressings is full-bodied, vivid, and even dramatic. Do not expect to obtain such a majestic analog sound from a digital recording!

(c)          White Promo Label version of this title is much rarer that a regular, commercially released, version of this title. We estimate that stock copies of this album outnumber promo copies by a ratio of at least 20:1.

(d)         Of course, this is a full-bodied ANALOG recording, and not an inferior, digital recording!!!

·                          THE COVER

COVER IS NEAR MINT, STILL SEALED AND COVERED IN ITS ORIGINAL ►SHRINK WRAP

The following flaws or imperfections are noted on the cover:

-       Cover has a visible "wrinkle"(crease)  in one of the corners.

-       Cover has one corner slightly dinged (nothing significant)

-       Cover has a few tiny wrinkles along the top seam    (nothing significant)

NO OTHER VISIBLE FLAWS OR IMPERFECTIONS ON THE  COVER

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POSTAGE & SHIPPING:

We offer THREE postage rates for both Domestic and International Mail: Media Mail, Priority Mail and Express Mail for domestic, and First Class, Priority International Mail, and Express International Mail for international orders. INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: WE RECOMMEND (BUT DO NOT INSIST) that you select USPS International Priority Mail OR International Express mail when making a payment.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE rates vary from one region of  the world to another. For SPECIFIC international and domestic postage rates ►click here. While you can be rest assured that our packaging is careful, sturdy and impact-proof, please note that damage, loss or theft in transit is always possible, and in the case of some countries even PROBABLE. To discuss this potential problem and ensure flawless delivery, please contact us thru eBay BEFORE placing a bid.

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WE OFFER UNCONDITIONAL MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE RECEIPT OF THE MERCHANDISE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED; Still sealed items MUST be returned sealed in order to be eligible for a refund Some restrictions apply. Please read our complete refund policy before placing a bid. ►Click here  for the full text of our policy

FINE (BUT IMPORTANT!) PRINT

 (1) The year indicated in the title bar is the year of the original release,  NOT necessarily the year of the actual pressing; for the actual generation of the pressing, please see our item description (top section, text in red letters). (2) Please do NOT bid based on the title bar, subtitle bar or item specifics box alone; instead, please read the entire description and grading before bidding; (3) Absolutely NO order cancellations after the auction closes. ever, under any circumstances. We can ONLY cancel bids before the item closes. (4) We are unable to cancel bids in the final 12 hours of the auction; if you need to do so, please contact eBay for help (5) We are unable to provide matrix-, stamper- or other pressing  information in the final 24 hours of the auction. If you require this information, please contact us well before the final day of the auction. (6) Yes, we DO combine shipments. Please click on "Shipping and Payment" tab on top of the auction page for additional details. (7)  All Paypal payments must be made from confirmed Paypal shipping addresses. NO third party shipping addresses will be honored  (8) Absolutely NO partial refunds: if you are unhappy with the merchandise you received, please return it for a full refund, postage included (9). Civilized people can disagree without accusing each other of being indecent or dishonest; if you need proof of this seller's personal integrity, please check our eBay feedback, which speaks for itself  (10) All disagreements and miscommunications can be - and will only be - solved in a civil and mutually respectful manner;  please avoid puerile, offensive, abrasive or menacing language (attempted humor is fine and usually appreciated, although overused-to-death sarcasms can be really, really tedious. (11) This seller will accommodate all reasonable requests and is generally a flexible and agreeable person (12) Our love & appreciation for your trust, loyalty and business, always and forever;  Thank You & Good Night!

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