RODD KEITH THE RAINDROPS I'M A MAN / SPACE RARE SONG POEM VINYL '45 PREVIEW 1967

$

179

     This auction is for a RARE SONG POEM '45 BY RODD KEITH AND THE RAINDROPS -- I'M A MAN / SPACE.   This single is one of the rarest by THEE most prolific "song-poem" artist of the genre, Rodd Keith.

     As evidenced by all his single and album releases, Keith recorded HUNDREDS of musical compositions based around lyrics sent in to song-poem companies by amateur songwriters.  I think a lot of us remember the small ads in the backs of mass market magazines promising success in the profitable field of songwriting.  After a letter was sent by the company, the amateur songwriters would then be "convinced" to pay the company a fee to have a recording made and records pressed.  Keith sang on MANY of these recordings as well as playing several different instruments.  His earliest song-poem work was for the Film City label.

     This single is from his most prolific period in the late 1960s working with the Preview Records label in Los Angeles.  Keith masterminded recording sessions for hundreds of '45s and dozens of albums, including working with female singers such as Teri Thornton, Charlotte O'Hara, and Nita Garfield.  I bring the ladies names up because I also have another Preview Records release up for auction right now by Bonnie Graham...AKA Charlotte O'Hara.

     The catalogue number for this Rodd Keith record is Preview Records 1301-A --  U4KM-6654 / 1301-B -- U4KM-6652.  I have seen a release date of 1967 for this disc.  I looked for the A-side "I'm A Man" on youtube, but I couldn't find this elusive song.  However, you can still hear what the rhythm track sounds like because they used the exact backing track for other songs...at least twice!  Check out the songs "Gloria" AND "Like The Lord Said" by Rodd Keith.  Both use the same track, plus added instrument flourishes here and there.  I guess they figured how many buyers would actually connect the dots and know that they recycled the backing tracks? 

     "I'm A Man" starts with a great stomping piano intro, with flutes here and there.  There is a very slight sibilance issue on the A-side...nothing too bad, but I noticed it.  There are a couple of visible scratches on the A-side, but they do not affect playback at all.   The chord progression of the B-side "Space" reminds me of a faster version of the song by Chad & Jeremy called "Summer Song", or the song "Georgie Girl".  It has that mid-1960s pop feel.  NO skips or loud pops.

     The vinyl itself looks like it has never been played.  I am sure that the mastering of these discs was almost non-existant, as the idea was to get them down on tape, pressed, and out the door ASAP.  Even though my opinion is that the slab was never played (until I play-tested it), I have to give it a VERY GOOD + as a condition grade.  I grade super, ultra-conservatively, so it probably borders on this grade and the next one up.   The labels have no wear.  The A-side label has this small black squiggle under the record label name, but to me, it looks like it is a part of the label (and not made by a magic marker...but that's just my opinion).

     If you have any questions about this item, please feel free to email me.  Also, check out my other auctions going on NOW of various other items of interest (including TWO other song-poem Preview Records releases).  Thanks again for looking...during these most very...very...very...troubled times...

Record Grading

MINT (10) UNLESS SEALED (which would be unusual), ALL SINGLES ARE HANDLED IN SOME WAY, SO GRADING BEGINS AT NEAR MINT

NEAR MINT (9.5) ---- Close, but one or two tiny flaws that do not impact play. Vinyl may have a barely visible scuff mark, but no scratches. Label is bright, clean and unmarked. Sleeves close to perfect with very minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident.

EXCELLENT (9) ----Disc plays near-perfect. There could be scuffs or a hairline scratch or two that does not impact play. Vinyl is bright and shiny. Label is clean and unmarked. Sleeve may have some slight creases or minor ringwear.

VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS (8) ---- Record handled and played occasionally, but very carefully. Very minor scratches and/or scuffs, but should have little impact on the sound quality. Labels may have some minor imperfections, but otherwise clean. VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS records should only have minor surface noise at the beginning or end of play, or during quiet passages. Sleeves are clean, but could have one or two minor wear issues such as writing on sleeve, creases, some ringwear, minor staining, etc. (All noted).

VERY GOOD PLUS (7) ---- The record has been cared for, but some minor flaws. Light scratches and/or marks/scuffs that won't make a big impact. Light surface noise here and there, but nothing to overwhelm the listening experience. Sleeves may have a few minor defects (duly noted). Those who are looking for pristine-only might not be pleased, but most music fans would be happy to have a collectible record in this condition.

VERY GOOD (6)---- The record has been enjoyed and played often with some care, but also a little neglect. Record displays visible surface wear---scratches or scuffs that will cause some minor to perhaps occasionally moderate surface noise. Vinyl could be "dull" at this point and not "shiny', or still perhaps shiny, but then a little more scratches. Usually a sleeve is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, splits, creases, loss of gloss, stains, etc. Most music fans would be happy to have a highly collectible single in this condition.

VERY GOOD MINUS (5) ---- Well-played with little luster and occasionally distracting surface noise, but skip-free. Lots of scratches/scuffs or fewer but more deep marks. Several sleeve flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork---seam splits, significant ring wear, tears, cuts, taping (all noted). I will only sell RARE VERY GOOD MINUS records.

GOOD (4) --- Pretty banged-up with lots of scratches, but not dead yet. I will listen to any record in this condition to guarantee no skips. Surface noise is moderate to heavy. Sleeve splits are usually a big problem here with the records better off in a plastic sleeve. I only sell VERY RARE GOOD records. They are certainly "good enough" until another copy comes along.

GOOD MINUS (3) --- Even more beat with tons of scratches and LOTS of surface noise. Skips are possible, though I wouldn't intentionally sell a record that does. Fans of a particular artist or style could probably enjoy a GOOD MINUS record, but might also be irritated by it at times. I will only sell VERY VERY RARE GOOD MINUS records. Sleeves are hanging together by a thread (seams shot) but not intentionally defaced.

FAIR (2) ----FAIR records appear and sound lousy (significant surface noise, horrific scratches). I won't sell these, unless I find something that is SO INCREDIBLY RARE. Expect skipping or a very unpleasant listen. Sleeves may be defaced, seamless, stained beyond belief.

POOR (1) --- Unlistenable and undisplayable.

3-1-20