SEALED LP: STEVE HARLEY: LOVE'S A PRIMA DONNA

$

20

Steve Harley: Love's a Prima Donna

FACTORY SEALED LP

Format: Sealed LP
Country: U.S.A.
Record Company & Release Number: EMI: ST-11596
Original release date/year: 1976
Bar Code: NONE
Condition of the cover: Mint
Condition of the record: Sealed - Assumed Mint
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds, 1 ounces
My inventory number: 209063A
Notes: It appears this album was not sealed correctly because the shrink wrap was not sealed at the top of the cover. The shrink wrap is about 1 inch below the top of the cover. This does not affect the condition of the cover.
Please contact me if you have any difficulty viewing the photos.
The Sealed LP shown in the photos is the exact one being sold.
I DO NOT END ANY OF MY AUCTIONS EARLY. PLEASE DON'T ASK (unless you are willing to offer enough to pay off my mortgage. Songs

• Seeking a Love
• G.I. Valentine
• Finally a Card Game
• Too Much Tenderness
• (Love) Compared With You
• (I Believe) Love's a Prima Donna
• Sidetrack II
• Seeking a LovPt. 2
• If This Is Love (Give Me More)
• Carry Me Again
• Here Comes the Sun
• Innocence and Guilt
• Is It True What They Say?

Credits

• Jo Partridge: Guitar
• Tony Rivers: Vocals
• Duncan Mackay: Keyboards
• John G. Perry: Vocals
• Jim Cregan: Guitar, Vocals
• Jean Paul Crocker: Violin
• Lindsey Elliott: Percussion
• Stuart Elliott: Drums
• George Ford: Bass, Vocals
• Steve Harley: Vocals, Main Performer, Producer
• Yvonne Keely: Vocals

Album Review

• Although he created a decadent glam rocker image through early albums like The Human Menagerie and The Psychomodo, Steve Harley soon revealed a romantic heart beating beneath all the artsy sleaze on singles like "Judy Teen" and "Make Me Smile (Come up and See Me)." This 1976 album, the last studio outing Harley would record under the Cockney Rebel banner, allowed him to give full vent to his romantic thoughts via lushly crafted songs about the travails of love. Love Is a Prima Donna features two of Harley's finest songs in the title track, a bracing song that features the writer waxing comical about the pitfalls of love over a briskly paced pop tune that fleshes out its pub-piano melody with flamenco guitar and a choir, and "(Love) Compared With You," a delicately orchestrated love ballad that manages to be touching and heartfelt without lapsing into sappy sentimentality. This album also produced one of Harley's biggest hits with an arty, synthesizer-laced cover of the Beatles' classic "Here Comes the Sun." The remainder of the album juggles genres as diverse as prog rock, folk, doo wop, and reggae as Harley carefully balances his musical ambitions with his knack for pop hooks. Harley's ambitions occasionally overwhelm him ("Innocence and Guilt" goes a bit overboard on studio effects), but the best songs rank with Harley's finest work and the album manages to overcome its occasional excesses thanks to a crisp, consistent production that keeps its genre-hopping sounding smooth. In short, Love Is a Prima Donna takes a few listens to assimilate, but it is an impressively crafted album that offers plenty of rewards for Harley fans and anyone who can appreciate glam rock at its most artsy. ~ Donald A. Guarisco, All Music Guide

Biography
Steve Harley biography by Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

• British rocker Steve Harley was born Steven Nice in London on February 27, 1951; the son of a jazz singer, he was stricken with polio at age two and spent the better part of his adolescence in and out of hospitals. After trying his hand at journalism, by the early '70s Harley was busking throughout London, forming the band Cockney Rebel in 1973 with guitarist Jean Paul Crocker, bassist Paul Jeffreys, keyboardist Milton Reame James, and drummer Stuart Elliott. Signing to EMI, the group debuted with The Human Menagerie; the single "Judy Teen" followed in early in 1974, becoming Cockney Rebel's first hit. Psychomodo was also a success, but as Harley's combative relationship with the press worsened he dissolved the group soon after. A Harley solo single, "Big Big Deal, " preceded the formation of a new Cockney Rebel lineup, which again featured drummer Stuart Elliott in addition to new guitarist Jim Cregan, bassist George Ford and keyboardist Duncan McKay.
• 1975's The Best Years of Our Lives generated Harley's first U.K. chart-topper, "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me), " on its way to selling over a million copies; the follow-up Love's a Prima Donna also launched a Top Ten hit with its cover of the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun." But in the wake of 1977's Face to Face -- A Live Recording, Harley again disbanded Cockney Rebel and relocated to the U.S., recording the better part of Hobo With a Grin in Los Angeles before returning to Britain. 1979's The Candidate failed to restore his commercial lustre, and with the exception of a minor 1983 hit "Ballerina (Prima Donna)" he spent the better part of the '80s removed from the pop scene. When his recording of "Mr. Soft" experienced a rebirth thanks to its use in a television commercial, Harley assembled a hits collection of the same name. Soon after he formed a new incarnation of Cockney Rebel and regularly toured into the following decade. 1999's Stripped to Bare Bones documents an acoustic set recorded the year previous. Yes You Can was issued in summer 2000.

• This Sealed LP came from a record store called "Phantasmagoria" which was located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Phantasmagoria went out of business in 1978. I purchased most of their unsold inventory some years later when I owned "Music Madness" - a new & used record store in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania.
• Phantasmagoria used round colored stickers to indicate the price of the albums. They had a chart on the wall with the color sticker combinations for the customers to use so they knew the price of the albums. Most of the albums still have these stickers on them, and in some rare cases, the stickers are written on. Some of the records have prices on them. This is the price you would have paid for the record in 1978 if you would have bought it at Phantasmagoria. Please don't confuse these prices with their current value.
• All Sealed LP(s) are being sold as collector's items and cannot be returned due to manufacturer's defects. It may be almost impossible to replace many of the sealed albums that I am selling.

• If I list an album as "New", but not sealed, it is because the album is probably an import or from a small USA record company. Back in the 70's, many imported albums were not sealed by the record companies, and the importers/distrubutors did not spend the time or money to seal them before being sent to the stores. I will not knowingly misrepresent an album as new if I have any doubts.
  
• All pictures are of the exact Sealed LP being sold.
• I always leave feedback before your item ships. Please consider leaving feedback for me after you have had a chance to inspect and enjoy your purchase.
• Please avoid questions on the last day of the auction. I might not have enough time to give you an answer before the auction ends.
• All reviews, credits and artist biographies are from All Music Guide. If you haven't been to their web site, you have to check it out. It's one of the most comprehensive music references on the internet. In some cases, credits may include reissue (CD) information. Obviously any credits referenced to CDs do not apply to this album release.

Shipping and pick-up

Your Sealed LP(s) will be shipped within 2 business days after I receive your cleared payment. When possible, if payments are made by 2 PM Eastern time, I will try to send your package the same day if my local Post Office is open.

I photograph all packages before taking them to the Post Office to confirm their condition prior to being handed over to the Post Office. Damage to your package after being handed over to the postal system will not be my responsibility. If you are concerned about damage during shipping, consider upgrading to Priority Mail. It includes free insurance.

If you have ANY special shipping requirements (extra padding, oversized boxes, etc., you must let me know BEFORE making your payment. The pre-calculated cost of your shipping is based my standard packaging (new boxes, padded envelopes, etc.).

WITHIN U.S.A.

• The default shipping is Media Mail. You can opt to pay extra for for Priority Mail if you choose.
• Priority Mail  is faster and includes free insurance.
• Pick-up is fine with me, but be prepared to pay by cash. E-mail me to setup a time and place that is convenient for the both of us.

OUTSIDE U.S.A.

• International Shipping is calculated by the weight of your package.
• If you purchase multiple items, please wait until after all the auctions end for eBay to send an invoice.
• I cannot ship by International First Class if it is not available to your country. The USPS discontinued this service to several countries. If it is not an available option, I will send a revised invoice with the least expensive option available to your country. This is non-negotiable because I have no control over the shipping options and rates to your country.
• The buyer is responsible for all customs regulations and fees in their own country. I will declare the value of all items at $10 each on the Customs Form. Please let me know if you want the actual winning bid price listed on the Customs Form. This is something to consider if you think there is a potential for damage or loss of your package. Insurance (if purchased by the buyer)will only reimburse you for the actual declared value.

I collect Grand Funk Railroad's music and memorabilia. If you think you might have something to trade for this item, let me know well before the auction ends. I normally do not end an auction early, but I will make an exception if we can work out some sort of trade for something that I can add to my Grand Funk collection.
If you also collect Grand Funk, let me know if you have anything that you might want to sell or trade. I am always looking to add something new to my collection.