RARE Columbia, various live unreleased 1957, 2 LP, Rockabilly, Jazz Vocals, Pop+

$

162

Freakishly rare 2-LP set from the Columbia 1957 National Sales Convention, this features four sides of otherwise unavailable live performances from various Columbia stars of the day.  Apparently the Columbia conventions were huge affairs--this one in Miami--and loads of artists played live at them.  Those performances are captured here, and the recording quality is top notch.   The records are white-label promos that were apparently given to Columbia employees only, to commemorate the convention.  Gatefold cover includes attached 20-page book of pictures from the event--including pictures of the performers--and a letter from Goddard Lieberson, Columbia's president at the time.  Front cover pocket has 6-inch seam split at top, rear has three-inch split at top outside edge and five-inch split at inside edge, the latter of these formerly taped, with tape stain on cover.  First page of book has a three-inch tear.  Note that these sides are numbered 41991 through 41994, but they were apparently so obscure even in-house that Columbia later gave the same four numbers to some Mitch Miller releases.  Disks are strong VG+ to M-, very pretty.

Tracks (more or less:  there is no artist or track listing on the LP or cover, so this is just my accounting of what's there):
SIDE 1
Jerri Adams:  Suddenly, and Love
Don Cherry:  I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter and 14 Carat Gold
Trio Los Panchos:  El Malinera and Malaguena
Kenny Bowen:  How Come and Half a Mind

SIDE 2
Mel Tillis:  Honky Tonk and Jukebox Man
Carl Smith:  Mr. Lost and You Are the One
Ray Price:  Crazy Arms and It's All Your Fault
Marty Robbins:  Singin' the Blues and A White Sport Coat
Johnny Mathis:  It's Not for Me to Say, Day In-Day Out, and Black Magic

SIDE 3
Eileen Rodgers:  Love Thy Neighbor/Let's Be Buddies (medley) and Third Finger Left Hand
Norman Petty Trio:  (instrumental) and a vocal song about the convention
Hi-Lo's:  My Sugar Is So Refined, Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair, and I Could Write a Book
Les Elgart:  a couple instrumentals
Bobby Lord:  Hawkeye and Just Wonderful

SIDE 4
Ray Conniff:  three or four songs, including S'Wonderful
Rhonda Fleming:  Around the World in 80 Days
Leonard Bernstein bit
Frankie Laine:  Lonesome Road, Annabelle Lee, and Jezabel

GRADING
M-  A flawless or nearly flawless record that appears to have seen little or no play.
VG+  Full gloss, a few light marks.  A very, very attractive record that has seen limited play and has been well cared for.
VG   More marks and scratches, but still a nice record.  Scratches may be fairly numerous, but will be light.
VG-  Lots of marks and scratches but no gouges or major problems.  Not a beautiful record, but still serviceable, not junk.
G+ and G  Heavy wear and marks, plays through okay.

GUARANTEE
Records can be returned within seven days for a full refund, including shipping both ways.