MYSTERY TOUR Ballad of Paul 1969 PAUL IS DEAD PSYCH 45

$

32

WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS…

THE MYSTERY TOUR "The Ballad of Paul" b/w "The Ballad of Paul (Follow the Bouncing Ball)"

Original 1969 pr0m0 45 on the MGM label

Vinyl:  Plays VG++

I always thought the greatest argument for the whole "Paul is Dead" theory was Red Rose Speedway myself.  That signified the death of a major talent moreso than walking barefoot across Abbey Road or wearing a police badge that said "Officially Pronounced Dead."  But in the middle of the whole "Paul Is Dead" phenomenon, a few major labels that didn't have access to Beatles or solo Beatles releases pumped out a few quick novelty singles to capitalize on the madness.  Here's MGM's offering, by the mysterious "Mystery Tour" (Evans and Brady, sez the song credits), and it's so freakishly creepy I almost hesitate to call it "novelty."  You'd slit your wrists long before laughing at anything here.  Over a backing track that sounds like a funeral dirge played at half-speed, complete with weird backwards voices chattering away (look for clues here too while yer at it, kids!), "The Ballad of Paul" is basically a list of so-called "clues" proving that Mr. McCartney is dead.  After hearing "Wonderful Christmastime" 800 times this past December, I only wish it were true.

"Song lyrics are important, in fact they say it all,

At the end of "Strawberry Fields", John says "I buried Paul."

Okay, so here in 2010, we know it's "cranberry sauce," but back in 1969 remember, all this stuff was relatively new.  Here's what the song has to say about the newly-released Abbey Road:

"A cigarette is dangling from the right hand of the dead,

McCartney was left-handed, so everyone has said.

These are just a few things that I have found

Is he somewhere buried in the ground?"

Moments later, the singer concedes in a grammatically-awkward way that "the truth we'll never hear," but again, tell that to anyone who had to sit through "Say Say Say" a billion times in the Eighties.  The B-side, subtitled "Follow the Bouncing Ball," is about a hundred times creepier still, because it's basically the backing track without vocals, all dirgey organ and wrist-slitting minor keys.  Without the lead vocals, you can now hear the otherworldly backwards-sounding backing vocals and King Lear excerpts, so why not try and find your own "Paul is Dead" clues right here?  I spun it backwards myself at twice the speed, and I swear I heard "cash-in, cash-in, cash-in" or something like that.  Or, worse yet, "Ringo is still alive."

 HEAR IT!

The less exciting stuff

First class shipping is $4.00 in the US, with each additional record only $1 additional shipping.  Delivery confirmation included in the shipping costs.  Air mail shipping to Canada starts at $6 US, each additional record $2 shipping.  Air mail shipping everywhere else in the world starts at $8 US, with each additional record only $3 shipping.  Proof of shipment REQUIRED for all foreign orders, an extra $1.10.  

I try to grade as best as I can, and I list as many blemishes/imperfections I can find (writing, ringwear, scuff marks, etc.) – Also, please note that I DO listen to these albums – I may not listen to every track, but my grades are based on LISTENING, not just looking at it, since chances are you’ll be listening to the record you buy, not just looking at it.  Most of the albums I sell are the ones I’ve enjoyed for years – and I treat my records with kid gloves.  But sounds speak louder than words, so check out the sound clips below – they’re from the actual record you’re bidding on. 

SHIPPING AND PACKAGING

Listen, I buy a bunch of records too (when I’m not getting outbid at the last second, which is more often than not) – and I know what it’s like to get a rare, one-of-a-kind album packaged dangerously in a flimsy bubblewrap package.  I hate that too.  So rest assured, I ALWAYS package albums with stiff cardboard reinforcements, same for 45s.  And yes, the records are removed from the sleeves (for albums).  I ship out once a week, every Friday, because I have a regular day job.  But I’d be willing to give that up if you’d all be so kind as to bid my items up to stupidly high amounts. 

And finally, I include delivery confirmation on all shipments inside the US.  This is my proof of shipment, and also helps us to track your package if it doesn’t arrive when it should.  I will email you within 2 days of shipment and give you the confirmation number at that time.  Insurance is always optional, but for larger orders, it’s highly recommended.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a cost-effective way of tracking parcels to foreign countries yet, and shipping times vary depending on your country’s postal system.  Italy in particular seems to be really bad at delivering packages quickly, or delivering packages at all, now that you mention it.  I will always email you when your package ships, but once it’s on its way, please don’t ask me when it will arrive because I don’t know.  If the world’s postal systems can ever agree on a universal tracking system that’s affordable, I’ll be the first to use it.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN…

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