Neighb'rhood Childr'n, orig. lp, Acta

$

183

Neighb’rhood Childr’n – S/T

Year: 1968

Label: Acta 38005

Fidelity: Stereo

Condition (vinyl:cover, see below): EX:VG+/EX.   

Tough record in lovely condition. Vinyl is clean and glossy, cover is solid with a small round sticker on the front and small area of sticker residue on back.

From the AllMusic Guide: It's truly a marvel the impact that travel, locale, and hallucinogenic drugs can have on talented young musicians. The Navarros were a band from the sleepy town of Medford, Oregon, specializing in R&B and surf material, who decided to pay a visit to San Francisco in the summer of 1967. While they only planned to hang out for a few days, they ended up diving head first into the local hippie scene, and leader Rick Bolz started a new band with a handful of local players who shared his new taste for psychedelia. He called the band Neighb'rhood Childr'n, and their sole album, released in 1968, suggests a mid-point between classic San Francisco psychedelic rock and the poppier constructs of acts like the Turtles and the Beau Brummels. The goofy playfulness of their cover of "Over the Rainbow," the Baroque pop touches of "Please Leave Me Alone," and the waltz-time eccentricity of "Happy Child" are a bit of out of step with what one would be likely to hear on a typical night at the Fillmore West, but the wickedly fuzzy guitar leads from Bolz and the spaced-out textures of "Long Years in Space" and "Hobbit's Dream" are clear indicators of the time and space that spawned this music. (Bolz and keyboard player Dyan Hoffman also deliver harmonies that would have done the Jefferson Airplane proud, while the hooky concision of the songs suggests they'd listened to Moby Grape's debut album a few times.) This music leans toward the commercial end of the psychedelic rock spectrum, but only just; between the guitar interplay of Bolz and Ron Raschdorf, the steady and versatile drumming of W.A. Farrens, and the strong original songs (mostly by Bolz and Hoffman), Neighb'rhood Childr'n clearly had an edge in talent and potential over most of their compatriots on the Bay Area scene of the day, and while it's unfortunate they never released another album, this set is an overlooked gem that still sounds fresh and enthusiastic more than four decades after it quietly came and went.

General information, shipping, and payment:

Unless stated otherwise, all records are original pressings; no reissues, no bootlegs.  Records are graded according to the guide below.  Any noticeable flaws or imperfections will be noted above.  As nothing is more irritating as receiving a VG record when NM is expected, I try my best to grade conservatively.  If you like what you see here, please take a look at my other listings on eBay this week for similar records.

Prior to shipping, records will be cleaned on my Nitty Gritty record cleaner, placed in a plastic sleeve with the record outside of the its cover, and secured in a new record mailer. 

Within the US the records can be sent by either USPS first class ($4 for the first lp, $1 for each additional) or priority mail ($6 for the first lp, $1 for each additional. Acceptable forms of payment for US buyers are: PayPal or personal check. If, once received, the record is not as described, I will refund the bid price as soon as the record is returned.

International shipping via airmail will be quoted at cost plus $2 for the first lp ($2 for each additional lp (average is about $13 for one lp to most European locations). International winners must use PayPal and all sales are considered final.

Condition and grading:

Near Mint (NM): A nearly perfect record: Any visible defects are the type that "disappear" when the record is tilted under a strong light and should not affect play. Sleeves in near mint condition will have no

obvious signs of wear. Practically imperceptible ring wear may be allowed but no creases, seam splits, or other easily detected flaws will be present

Excellent (EX): A very clean record.  In other words, near mint with the exception of slight, superficial signs of wear. Sleeves in this condition may have marginal defects, but will not have significant creases or splits. Otherwise, a NM cover with a cut-out hole or similar remainder mark.

Very Good Plus (VG+): A generally well-cared-for record that is noticeably less than perfect, but defects are not visually or audibly distracting. Record surfaces may have slight scuffs or light scratches, but are still primarily clean. Sleeves may have some creases or ring wear, but should not have noticeably split seams.  Otherwise, an EX cover with a cut-out hole or similar remainder mark.

Very Good (VG): A used, reasonable copy to play. Many of the defects found in a VG+ copy will be more pronounced in VG condition. Surface noise may be evident and sleeves may look worn, but, still a reasonable copy that should play through with only minimal distractions. 

As in my other listings, items will be shipped internationally at cost. Ignore the blather about an extra $2. Average cost to Europe/UK is $13 to $15.