Modern Lovers - Jonathan Richman - RARE LP - Route 128

$

243

The Modern Lovers - Route 128 Revisited -
                RARE LP
       Jonathan Richman - Italian Bootleg

        Recently found tucked away in a dark corner of a small record shop, this Modern Lovers LP is sure to impress both collectors and ML fans as rare and valuable.  From what I've gathered, the album is an Italian bootleg made in the late 80's and circulated scarcely.  The album sleeve denotes a run of only 300, and each one was hand numbered in pen.  This particular example is #89, and is written in the bottom right hand corner.  The album art is typical underground bootleg; photocopied paper glued to a plain white sleeve.  The front depicts an illustration of Jonathan Richman ala Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited”, complete with triumph t-shirt and leather jacket. 

The back of the sleeve is titled “Chapter One” and explains the various songs on the record.  It defines the song selection as “eight remarkable (and remarkably rare) Jonathan Richman originals dating from the legendary 1972-1973 era of the Modern lovers; seven of which are making their vinyl debut.”  It also defines three of the songs as being recorded at a Harvard “mixer” (Cambridge Clown, Wake up Sleepy Head, Dignified and Old), as well 4 songs from early studio sessions, including an eight-minute “Plea for Tenderness”.  There is a fine picture of a young Richman and a description of the album composer’s encounter with Richman at a party in Cambridge, where Richman put on the Velvet Underground’s “Loaded” and danced in the kitchen.  The bottom right hand corner under the limited edition notation is thanks to Diane T. and Patty G. 

Pick up this album now; you’ll never see another one again.  Who knows how many of these things are left.  The vinyl, jacket and sleeve are all in NM condition with no noticeable show of neglect or much (if any) play.  Very minimal shelf-wear on the sleeve.  I’ll ship flat in cardboard and in a plastic dust jacket.  Bid with confidence and don’t miss this great opportunity to pick up a piece of rock history.  Please E-mail me with any questions.