SLENDER PLENTY Silver Tree Top School 1968 UK RUBBLE PSYCH 45 David Bowie LISTEN

$

80

THE SLENDER PLENTY "Silver Tree Top School For Boys" b/w "I've Lost A Friend And Found A Lover"

Original 1968 45 on the UK POLYDOR label

IN ORIGINAL POLYLDOR SLEEVE!

Vinyl plays VG to VG+, crackle but mostly under music

David Bowie wrote this song, but never recorded it.  The Beatstalkers recorded the most famous version of it, but that’s not saying much since it’s still pretty obscure even for Bowie fans.  And it should be noted that this version, by the nobody-on-the-Internet-knows-anything-about-‘em Slender Plenty, was released three months before the Beatstalkers’ version.  It’s been rumored that both versions feature David Bowie on backup vocals but I’d believe that Britney Spears doesn’t need an autotuner first.  Bowie wrote “Silver Tree Top School For Boys” inspired by a pot scandal at a posh English school, hence lyrics about schoolmasters swinging from trees and going crazy because “everyone just loves the grass at Silver Tree Top School for Boys.”  As to how and why a band whom no one can seem to remember today got the prestigious gig of recording a Bowie song is a mystery, although I guess back in 1968 he wasn’t as well-known as he is today.  They do a bang-up job with it, though, and yeah it’s better than the Beatstalkers version by far, riding a bouncy staccato rhythm with no shortage of lyrics.  In fact, almost all of the song is words, punctuated only briefly at the end of each verse with quick “yeah yeah yeah”s and short bursts of fuzz.  As for the flip, it wasn’t written by Bowie so doesn’t get the love, but believe it or not, “I’ve Lost A Friend And Found A Lover” is actually very similar to “Silver Tree Top School,” bouncing along on the same descending Sesame Street rhythm only a tad less manic and wordy.  Two great sides here, one blessed by the hand of Bowie, and yet the Slender Plenty were never heard from again.  Sounds like Adrian Belew now, doesn’t it?

HEAR IT!

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.