MONO 1968 INTERNATIONAL SUBMARINE BAND Parsons BYRDS

$

156

                                                                    RARE.... M0N0      

       ~ 1968 ADVANCE RELEASE PR0M0 ~                  

   FIRST GRAM PARSONS ~  UNDERGROUND "HEADS"

  The International Submarine Band

                    Safe At Home

\                  USA - (colorband) LHI RECORDS - 12,001 (MONO) ((PROMO))  

TOP COPY! >>>>>RARE MONO<<<<<< 1968

CLEAN...Original. advance release (((PROMOTIONAL))) 1968 first pressing in glorious MONO of the very first GRAM PARSONS with his unique International Submarine Band...

This was infact the 21 year old Gram Parsons’ 1968 debut album, the eternally underrated Safe At Home.  Prior to this he had recorded solo demos, music with an early folk band the Shilohs and a few singles with the International Submarine Band – all worthwhile stuff.  Parsons formed this group after he had dropped out of Harvard and moved to New York City.  While he was no stranger to the recording studio, critics and music fans unfairly label Safe At Home as a tentative early album that showed signs of greatness. While it was nowhere near as influential as his Burrito Brothers ~ Gilded Palace of Sin or Sweetheart of the Rodeo, time has shown Safe At Home to be much more than just his first album. 

The remaining members consisted of rhythm guitarist Bob Buchanan, bass player Ian Dunlop and drummer Jon Corneal. The steel guitarist work is played with such a raw biting tone and attack, it’s just so amazing to hear a raw steel guitar sound unfetted by convention. The album's performances are memorable and Gram’s talent as a bandleader is clearly on display.  Even so early on in his career Parsons’ vocal and songwriting abilities were obvious and on the money.  The rest of the group is tight and engaging, reminding me of a garage band playing rural music – reckless playing and soulful harmonies.  There are four originals: an early version of Do You Know How It Feels To Be Lonesome which is sparse but very effective, Luxury Liner, Strong Boy, and Blue Eyes.  The latter three tracks are rural rock classics, kind of like early benchmarks for the genre.  Luxury Liner charges hard like a freight train and is probably the most popular track off the original lp.  Without a doubt the album’s most rock oriented number, this track is essential listening.  Just as good is Blue Eyes and Strong Boy which are closer to pure rural-rock and show off great Parsons vocal performances.  Strong Boy is one of the true country rock classics, an absolute must hear. 

The remaining tracks are wisely chosen covers, all great renditions too.  Satisfied Mind is notable for its powerful drum work, Folsom Prison Blues has great stinging guitar leads and I Must Be Somebody Else You’ve Known sports a gorgeous, catchy chorus that’s worth the price of admission.  This original Lp was released off Lee Hazlewood’s LHI Records in 1968.  At the time it was praised widely by the likes of Glen Campbell and Don Everly though sales were pretty poor.  There is really much more to this story that we're leaving out but the main objective was to comment on the strength of the songs and general quality of performance.

• "Blue Eyes"  – 2:50
• "I Must Be Somebody Else You've Known"  – 2:18
• "A Satisfied Mind"  – 2:31
• "Medley: Folsom Prison Blues/That's All Right, Mama"  – 4:25
• "Miller's Cave"  – 2:49
• "I Still Miss Someone"  – 2:47
• "Luxury Liner"  – 2:55
• "Strong Boy"  – 2:04
• "Do You Know How It Feels to Be Lonesome"  – 3:36

CONDITION: The Cover: is stiff, sharp, and clean M- ...very collectible, with no bends, no seam splits, no writing...TOP COPY

The Vinyl: is all glossy and clean, real clean and shiny "EX" (excellent) to "M-" has no more than a top surface finger nail type scuff line...the rest smooth and clear  = plays TOPS! Both LHI labels are clean having "PROMOTIONAL COPY" text on each label...

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record