The "Wonder of Woolies" Rock 'n' Roll Bundle – 5 x Embassy 78rpm Records
£
30
$
40
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Description
This curated collection celebrates the golden era of Embassy Records, the legendary budget label sold exclusively in F.W. Woolworths stores between 1954 and 1965. These records are prized for their high-quality session performances and their role as the "everyman’s" soundtrack to the 1950s.
The Collection
Shorty Mitchell – "All Shook Up" / "Teddy Bear" (WB 249): A crown jewel for any collector. These Elvis Presley covers are notoriously difficult to find—many fans consider this Shorty Mitchell release harder to track down than the original Elvis 78s themselves! As seen in 1000030310.jpg and 1000030311.jpg, this is a piece of rock history.
Paul Rich – "Yakety Yak" (WB 293): Paul Rich was the most prolific Embassy artist, a seasoned professional who could nail a track in a single take. Captured here in 1000030312.jpg, his version of this Lieber-Stoller classic captures the quintessential 1958 energy.
Paul Rich – "Witch Doctor"/ All I Have To Do Is Dream (WB 287): Another stellar turn by Rich, shown in 1000030313.jpg. This was the kind of rapid-fire recording that defined the label's "New Bond Street" studio sessions.
Penny Nichols – Bo Weevil/ Hot Diggity (WB 190): A mid-50s gem featuring the versatile Penny Nichols, a staple voice on the label. See the classic maroon label in 1000030314.jpg.
The Tunettes – "Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now" (WB 234): Providing the perfect vocal harmonies, The Tunettes (a name often used by the famous Mike Sammes Singers) deliver this upbeat classic as seen in 1000030316.jpg. The Mike Sammes Singers were the backbone of the label’s sound, providing a professional sheen that helped these budget discs often outsell the original hit versions.
### Historical Context
Embassy Records were born from a partnership between Oriole Records and Woolworths. By utilizing professional session talent—often recording songs in as little as 30 minutes—Embassy could rush "cover versions" to Woolworths shelves just days after a hit was released, all for roughly half the price of a major label record.
Shipping and Packaging
The disc is sandwiched between corrugated cardboard and wrapped in bubble wrap. This is then placed inside a double-skin box filled with packing void to prevent movement and provide maximum protection. Carefully packed and promptly dispatched.
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