NINETEEN 87 Engagement Party 1967 RARE KIWI RUBBLE FREAKBEAT PSYCH 45 ORIG HEAR

$

40

NINETEEN 87 "Engagement Party" b/w "Mr. John"

Original 1967 45 on the Australian PARLOPHONE label

ON ORIGINAL EMI SLEEVE

Vinyl plays VG+

Here’s an amazing Kiwi double sider for fans of Procol Harum, Love, Toby Twirl and the Kinks – from that magic year, 1967.  This is Melbourne’s own Nineteen 87, with what appears to be their only single, the monstrously rare and equally great “Engagement Party” b/w “Mr. John” on the Australian Parlophone label.  Exactly why they chose to name themselves after a year dominated by Klaus Barbie, Oliver North, Moonstruck and thirtysomething is beyond me, but how were they to know?  What’s most amazing, beyond the music of course, is that this plucky little single remains elusive even in its homeland – thanks no doubt to the fact that it’s been pretty much uncomped for the past 40 years.  I say “pretty much” because theoretically you can find “Engagement Party” on the Kicks LP, which I’ve never seen, and a Kiwi edition of Setting the Trends, which is dubious at best.  Everyone else has simply been dropping the ball. 

So if you’ve never heard of this one before, you’re not alone.  But check out the sound clip, and at the very least, it’s proof that there are still some buried treasures of popsike out there yet to be discovered.  “Engagement Party” starts off just like Procol Harum’s “Conquistador,” then explodes into a big dramatic baroque slice of orchestrated pop, somewhere between A Salty Dog and Love’s Forever Changes.  Over on the flipside, the pounding staccato machine gun fire tempo of “Mr. John” sounds more like prime British freakbeat, or anything off the Great British Psychedelic Trip compilations.  Think Toby Twirl, the Kinsmen or Turquoise.  And then try to figure out exactly who “Mr. John” really is: 

“Mr. John, you come to put me to sleep,

Rest my aching feet.

Out of the blistering heat,

And away from the dead old street.” 

Sounds to me like Mr. John works at a homeless shelter.  Which is pretty fitting when you think about it, considering this single has yet to find a home on any compilation, despite its obvious worthiness.  It’s about time to take this one in off the street.

UPDATE: SORRY, I NO LONGER SHIP TO ITALY DUE TO A CORRUPT POSTAL SYSTEM (THERE, NOT HERE).

(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.  US International postal rates just shot up nearly double this past week, so please take note of the new rates.  I don't make a profit on shipping costs - these are what the post office charges me.  Air mail shipping to Canada starts at $10 US, each additional record $3 shipping.  Air mail shipping everywhere else in the world starts at $13 US, with each additional record only $4 shipping.  

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. 

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN…

I will always leave positive feedback for successful transactions, and would appreciate the same in return.  All I ask of you is the following – please pay for your items within 14 days of the close of auction.  Compared to other sellers, that’s a generous amount of time, so if you don’t pay within 2 weeks, then I have to assume something’s wrong.  You’ll get an Ebay payment reminder at that point, and possibly a decapitated horse head in your bed.  If, after 30 days, you still haven’t forked up the cash, I’ll relist the item and yell at you if I ever see you in town.