BIG STAR LP NO. 1 RECORD/RADIO CITY *Great 2-LP Gatefold* (Stax UK) Alex Chilton

$

36

CONDITION OF COVER ........ VG++


CONDITION OF DISCS ......... NEAR MINT



BIG STAR LP NO. 1 RECORD/RADIO CITY (Stax Records SXSP302).

 

    UK package of the first two Big Star albums on one two-record set. Beautiful glossy cover & sumptuous sounds. Stored long term in a protective plastic polybag. Big Star was Jody Stephens, Andy Hummel, Chris Bell & Alex Chilton. Engineered by John Fry. High-quality materials throughout. I know the original owner of this album. He is a long time collector who treats his albums well. (Matrix #: "STX 3021 A-1").

A two-fer combining Big Star's first and second albums, #1 Record/Radio City remains a definitive document of early-'70s American power pop and a virtual blueprint for much of the finest alternative rock that came after it. The lone Big Star record to merit the full participation of founder Chris Bell, the brightly produced #1 Record splits the songwriting credits evenly between him and Alex Chilton (in the tradition of Lennon-McCartney). But from the beginning, the group is tearing apart at the seams: Bell and Chilton's relationship seems less a working partnership than a battle of wills, and each possesses his own distinctive vision. The purist, Bell crafts electrifying and melodic classic pop like "Feel" and "In the Street," while Chilton, the malcontent, pens luminous, melancholy ballads like "The Ballad of El Goodo" and "Thirteen." Ultimately, their tension makes #1 Record brilliant. However, Radio City shifts gears dramatically: Bell is largely absent (though he guests, uncredited, on a few tracks, including the wonderful "Back of a Car"), allowing Chilton's darker impulses free reign. From the raucous opener "O My Soul" onward, the new Big Star is noisier, edgier, and even more potent. Erratic mixing, spotty production, shaky performances -- by all rights, Radio City should be a failure, yet Chilton is at his best when poised on the brink of disaster, and the songs hang together seemingly on faith and conviction alone. Each track recalls pop's glory days, from the Kinks-ish snarl of "Mod Lang" to the Byrds-like guitar glow that adorns "Way Out West." The much-celebrated "September Gurls" is indeed a classic -- everything right and good about pop music distilled down to three minutes of pure genius.

Track listing;

1 Feel     Bell, Chilton     3:34
2 The Ballad of el Goodo     Bell, Chilton     4:21
3 In the Street     Bell, Chilton     2:55
4 Thirteen     Bell, Chilton     2:34
5 Don't Lie to Me     Bell, Chilton     3:07
6 The India Song     Hummell     2:20

1 When My Baby's Beside Me     Bell, Chilton     3:23
2 My Life Is Right     Bell, Eubanks     3:08
3 Give Me Another Chance     Bell, Chilton     3:27
4 Try Again     Bell, Chilton     3:31
5 Watch the Sunrise     Bell, Chilton     3:45
6 ST100/6     Bell, Chilton     0:57
...................................................................................................
1 O My Soul     Chilton     5:40
2 Life Is White     Chilton, Hummell     3:19
3 Way Out West     Hummell     2:50
4 What's Going Ahn     Chilton, Hummell     2:40
5 You Get What You Deserve     Chilton     3:08

1 Mod Lang     Chilton, Rosebrough     2:45
2 Back of a Car     Chilton, Hummell     2:46
3 Daisy Glaze     Chilton, Hummell, Stephens     3:49
4 She's a Mover     Chilton     3:12
5 September Gurls     Chilton     2:49
6 Morpha Too     Chilton     1:28
7 I'm in Love With a Girl     Chilton     1:48

 COVER - VG++

  Cover has no seam splits, stains, tears, puncture holes, creases, gummy residue, stickers, writing, cut-out marks, water damage, ink smudges or color fading. Unblemished spine is fully readable. Sharp print & good color. Small degree of ring indentation & corner banging. Label is in excellent shape with no marks, tears, writing, stickers or color fading. Sharp-cut hole with a few faint transparent spindle brushings.

  If multiple items are won, we combine items for a shipping discount. Any questions feel free to email. Item will be securely packed in over four layers of cardboard (disc outside of jacket). Handling time is one day or less. Return policy: If this item is not as described, we do accept returns. Buyer will pay return shipping.

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