SHOES One In Versailles LP PRIVATE '75 OBSCURE LIMITED OOP

MEGA-RARE 1975 debut home-recorded, private-press album of proto-power pop/rock stylings by the legendary and incredible Shoes! First time available on vinyl since the original 1975 issue.

“Shoes” were formed in Zion, Illinois, in 1974 by brothers John and Jeff Murphy, and Gary Klebe. The Murphy brothers and Klebe were high school friends and decided to form a band following graduation. In the fall of 1974, Shoes was in its infancy as a band. Members Gary Klebe, John Murphy and Jeff Murphy had just completed their first official recording project, Heads or Tails, recorded in a basement on a Teac 4-channel tape machine. In college at this time, Gary was an architecture student signed up to study abroad at the campus in Versailles, France. In his absence John and Jeff decided that it would be a fitting tribute and testament to their commitment to the new band to record a new batch of songs in their newly established home base in Jeff's small rented flat (referred to as La Cabane) and dedicate it to their pal Gary. The title would be One In Versailles, in his honor. The inspiration of Versailles, France became the basis of an imaginary long-distance romance between a boy and his overseas girlfriend. Despite the limited resources, limited equipment and strained working schedule, the elemental sounding One In Versailles proved to be a crucial link in the fundamental development of the band. The initial pressing of 300 copies have become sought-after collector's items among record collectors the world over. Appearing here on vinyl for the first time since its limited, 1975 pressing, the songs on One In Versailles provide a look inside the very earliest days of the band and represent a snapshot in the development of Shoes, one of the first do-it-yourself bands to embrace and capitalize on the home-recording technologies. The Shoes have released over 20 recordings over the years. Really amazing album. No so power-pop as the others. This has an underground charm, with lots of heavy guitar, great vocals and tight song-structure. It sails in-between a great wave/pop album with a touch of Spoils Of War avant-garde underground on a rough but clear ocean.'

'The first Shoes album was released by the band in a limited number, some of which were ruined in a flood. Supposedly only 200-300 survived. The homemade album is one of the rarest and most sought-after power pop collectables, since the band would eventually become one of the most well-loved bands in the genre. As you might expect, this early offering by the band is quite crude. All of the elements of their sound are there, including sharp harmonies, quick-witted songs of love and seduction, and fuzz guitars (though these would get much louder and more frequent on their latter albums.) They're clearly finding themselves as songwriters and as a band with an identity. Much of the album has a nice understated charm, and a few of the ballads are very good ("Do I Get So Shy", in particular, is irresistible). What's yet to develop is their knack for the killer hook, and their ability to construct songs tightly and concisely. A few songs drag, and I have to think that a few years later Shoes would have shortened them, sped them up, piled on layers of guitar, and improved them dramatically. "Un Dans Versaills", thus, while a very enjoyable and melodic record, is a few notches below the band's best work (which is on their next three albums.) The album's title refers to the fact that band member Gary Klebe was away in Versailles while the resto of the band recorded without him.' - Aaron Milenski/Acid Archives

Shipping is AIRMAIL REGISTERED with a tracking number