RODD KEITH Preview Records SONG POEM/NORTHERN SOUL

$

35

 Rodd Keith was an American multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. He is perhaps the best known figure in the obscure musical sub-genre known as song poem music. He worked for several companies active in the song-poem business, a practice also known as song sharking, and generally dismissed as a scam.

Keith recorded hundreds of musical compositions based around lyrics sent in to song-poem companies by amateur songwriters, based upon small ads in the backs of mass market magazines promising success in the profitable field of songwriting. After a letter was sent by the company, the amateur songwriters would then be convinced to pay the company a fee to have a recording made and records pressed. Keith sang on many of these recordings as well as playing several different instruments, including saxophone, accordian, and all manner of keyboards.

During the late 1960s he had his most prolific period working for Clarence Freed's Preview Records label in Los Angeles. Keith masterminded recording sessions for hundreds of 45's and dozens of albums, working with female singers Teri Thornton, Charlotte O'Hara, and Nita Garfield (all four used "nomes de disque"). Keith, who was born into a religious household and was even a musical evangelist for a time, fell in with a hard-living crowd in Los Angeles during the late 60s and early 70s, experimenting with different psychedelics. His music, at first jazzy, somewhat stilted, and ill-suited for the pop world, became more loose, funky, and with the times. Since the 1990s, record collectors who seek out old vinyl recordings have rediscovered these obscure discs.

This particular record, Preview 1576, is one of the few where Keith used his real name; making it even more valuable. The songs here are examples of his attempts at northern soul: "A Lot Of Love" and "Baby You're Just A Lovin' Thing". The vinyl is rated VG+/VG and the label is in super condition. Plain white paper sleeve. Don't miss this rare collector's item!

Terms and Conditions

Payments: We accept PayPal only – no checks.

Payment due at end of auction.

Shipping and Handling - records will be shipped within four business days.

We ship via Media mail (for US locations) unless you request otherwise. Up to three 45 RPM records can be shipped for the price of one. For multiple purchases and international shipments, please contact us for actual shipping charges. We include insurance on all purchases.

We offer a 7 day return policy. No refunds on shipping charges.

We want you to be happy with your purchase. If there are any problems, please contact us.

Record Grading

The condition of a record is all-important in determining its value. Our records are inspected visually and rated according to Goldmine standards.

M         Mint – new, never played. Vinyl is perfect.

NM      Near Mint – No visible defects. Vinyl looks like new. The record could have been played before and still be rated NM as long as it was played on a high quality turntable and cared for properly.

VG+    Very Good Plus – Vinyl still looks great.  May have a few light scratches or scuff marks. Nothing that affects the listening experience.

VG      Very Good – More obvious flaws such as scratches and evident groove wear. There may be some surface noise but nothing that overpowers the music.

G         Good – This doesn’t mean bad. The record will play through without skipping. Will show more wear and may have significant surface noise.

F          Fair – These records are in rough shape and are offered for collectible value only.

Please note that some records have slight surface noise even when new. This is fairly common and one of the charms of 45 RPM records. If you have any special requests or questions, please email us and let us know!