MIKE HERON Smiling Men With Bad Reputations 1971 UK ISLAND 1st PRESS - NEAR MINT
£
24
$
32
£ 24
Sold For
Sep 22, 2016
Sold Date
Sep 12, 2016
Start Date
1
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
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Description
MIKE HERON Smiling Men With Bad Reputations 1971 UK ISLAND 1st PRESS - NEAR MINT
MIKE HERONSmiling Men With Bad Reputations
1971 UK ISLAND (ILPS 9146) FIRST PRESSING
WITH JOHN CALE, DUDU PUKWANA & THE WHO (minus Roger Daltrey and credited as Tommy and the Bijoux)
BEAUTIFUL COPY - BARELY, IF EVER PLAYED
PRESSED WITH THE FIRST ISSUE ISLAND PINK RIM LABELS
MATRIX: ILPS 9146 A - 1U / ILPS 9146 B - 2U
MOTHERS/STAMPERS: 1/R and 1/P
THE RECORD IS HOUSED IN THE ORIGINAL MATT GATEFOLD “Sleeve printed and made by Howards Printers (Slough) Ltd”
COMPLETE WITH THE ORIGINAL PLAIN WHITE INNER SLEEVE - "MADE IN ENGLAND" AND UK PATENT NUMBER PRINTED IN GREY
Smiling Men With Bad Reputations is Heron's solo debut, released while he was still a member of the unique Incredible String Band (ISB). In one way, Smiling Men follows the path cut by previous ISB material in its presentation of world and folk sounds; yet Heron's solo outing also breaks new ground in that it exhibits strong rock influences, sounds that would inspire and influence future ISB releases.
Heron's compositions on Smiling Men are original and fresh, rich with texture, eclecticism, and good musicianship. His lyrics are equally thoughtful and textured throughout -- the kind of lyrics that make one want to listen. Heron brings in John Cale as a major collaborator on four tracks. Cale provides brass and vocal arrangements for two cuts and adds viola, harmonium, piano, and bass to several others.
South African avant-garde saxophonist Dudu Pukwana wails heavily on the opener, "Call Me Diamond," an alto sax-driven rocker. "Flowers of the Forest," an almost melancholy tune reminiscent of the Band, features Richard Thompson on lead guitar. Heron sings in the guise of Cat Stevens on "Feast of Stephen," another rock-influenced piece. And the Who (minus Daltrey), credited as Tommy and the Bijoux, join Heron on "Warm Heart Pastry," a full-blown heavy rock song. The tune, probably more suited to a Who album with clear Townshend guitar & Moon drums, stands stylistically apart from the rest of Heron's project, yet it adds to Smiling Men's eclectic quality.
Heron, like ISB, was prone to generating atmospheric, odd melodies, some of which were drawn from Celtic and Eastern sources. "Spirit Beautiful" is a fine example. Here, Heron creates an Indian folk song with assistance from Indian musicians on strings and percussion (veena, tambura, mridangam, moorsing). Other standouts include the mood-evoking "Brindaban" and the lengthy, "Beautiful Stranger," a rocking Traffic-like piece with Tony Cox playing VCS3 and Cale on harmonium. Heron ends the set with an intimate solo performance, "No Turning Back," featuring sparse acoustic guitar and lamenting vocals
Side 1:
Call Me Diamond (3:42)
Flowers Of The Forest (5:44)
Audrey (4:40)
Brindaban (3:52)
Feast Of Stephen (3:37)
Side 2:
Spirit Beautiful (5:17)
Warm Heart Pastry (6:00)
Beautiful Stranger (7:22)
No Turning Back (3:14)
LABELS: NEAR MINT
An immaculate set of labels - possibly one light spindle trace on one side
VINYL Visual: NEAR MINT
Both surfaces shine like new
VINYL Audio: NEAR MINT
Plays beautifully throughout
SLEEVE: NEAR MINT
Apart from the smallest touch of bottom edge rub the gatefold is as clean, sharp and fresh as the day it was made
POST & PACKING:
A PROTECTIVE POLY SLEEVE, NEW ANTI-STATIC LINER, QUALITY BOX (NOT ENVELOPE) MAILER AND AMPLE STIFFENERS ARE ALWAYS USED TO ENSURE THAT YOUR RECORD ARRIVES SAFELY
UK: FREE (2nd class standard)
UK: £9.00 (Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day by 1pm)
EUROPE: Airmail: £14.00 (International Signed For delivery)
INTERNATIONAL: Airmail: £17.00 (International Signed For delivery)
I will combine postage for items purchased within any 10 day period (@£2 for each additional LP).
However, at the end of each 10 day period, all outstanding items will need to be paid for in full and will be posted to you.
Any items purchased after payment will be included in the next 10 period.
I am continually adding new items which may be of interest to you and it is impractical for me to allow payment to be postponed indefinitely in the expectation that you might wish to bid on future items. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation
Guarantee: All records are unconditionally guaranteed (including sealed and/or unplayed) and I will offer a complete, no quibble refund upon return of the item should you not be pleased with it in any way I will email you when payment has been received to let you know when the item will be posted. Please leave feedback upon receipt of the item so that I know you have received it safely. Thanks 775 (GS 7.0.3 (775))
