SILVER APPLES- BOTH LPS 60s ELECTRONIC PSYCH

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SILVER APPLES

SELF-TITLED 1ST LP

1968 LP  KAPP RECORDS(KS 3562)

TRACKS: OSCILLATIONS *  SEAGREEN SERENADES * LOVEFINGERS * PROGRAM * VELVET CAVE * WHIRLYBIRD * DUST * DANCING GODS *                   MISTY MOUNTAIN

CONTACT

1969 LP  KAPP RECORDS(KS 3584)

TRACKS: YOU AND I * WATER * RUBY * GYPSY LOVE * YOU'RE NOT FOOLIN' ME * I HAVE KNOWN LOVE * A POX ON YOU * CONFUSION * FANTASIES

The Silver Apples started around 1967 in New York. The were a 5-piece band who frequented the Cafe Wha?. Originally they were called "The Overland Stage Electric Band" and they had three guitarists. After plugging an old oscillator in one night Simeon decided to flood the Cafe Wha? with electronic sounds. One by one all the guitarists left, leaving just Simeon on the simeon and vocals and Dan Taylor, playing percussion and vocals. At this stage the simeon consisted of nine oscillators and eight-six manual controls. The Lead and Rhythmn oscillators were played with the hands, elbows and knees, and the bass oscillators were played with the feet. Dan Taylor's drums included thirteen drums, five cymbals and other percussion instruments. I bought the 1st LP when it came out and was entranced. A few weeks later, I learned that the Silver Apples had played at my little brother's elementary school for a school assembly! (Damn! I missed them LIVE!) I didn't hesitate to purchase the second one. A few years later I ran into Dan Taylor selling waterbeds in some odd NYC store. We spoke of "the Apples", and what Simeon was doing at the time (TV work) and I don't think either of us realized at the time just how archetypal the Silver Apples would become. Along with The United States of America, "The Apples" were the pioneers of synthesizer-electronic rock music, not just in America, but in the world. (Well yeah, there was Pink Floyd, but they pretty-much started out as a pop-psychedelic guitar-dominated rock group, not mostly-electronic.) Although these LPs were reissued (both legally & illegally) on CD, the vinyl (and I mean the original vinyl, which these most certainly are) is very rare indeed (especially CONTACT) as you can tell from the prices they fetch on eBay. Which brings up the last point- why would I want to sell these gems? Well, as I really loved them, I played them a lot. They're not in perfect condition, I've got the CD reissue and I'm condensing my record collection. So here's the scoop on the records- first, the good news; they're both very playable and listenable (no skips whatsover!)  Okay, now for the reality check. I can only rate the cover of the 1st LP a "G" beacause of seam splits ( 2 out of 3)  and very obvious ring wear. (If you bid & win these albums, I'm sure the seams could be taped or glued). Also, the insert poster(s) are missing, and though I think I know where they might be, there's no guarantee I'll find them. The cover of CONTACT is a little better (still has ring-wear) but only one out of three seam splits, and that's the spine. I wrote in the track times on the back cover by the songs, and God knows why I did that. Maybe a "G+" for the CONTACT cover, but that's being generous. Also, it comes with theKAPP inner sleeve (picture of current release's album covers) if that means anything.  Vinyl- In play, both actually sounded pretty good considering their age and amount of play. (Maybe Kapp used superior vinyl.) Their was initial surface noise evident at the beginning of the LP before the music started but it quickly subsided. There were no skips whatsoever but there was an occassional non-repetitive click on both records. (Indicating no long deep scratches.) Perhaps CONTACT might have been the better of the two with a little less surface noise, although the difference was audibly marginal. On a sound scale I'd give them both an impartial  "VG++". Visually, the vinyl rates a "VG" to "VG+" on both, depending on lighting conditions and just how picky you are. If these records didn't sound halfway-decent I wouldn't even bother putting them up for auction but they passed my listening test and they're rare enough to be worth something to a collector. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.

ing bidder to contact Seller within 24 hours from end of auction regarding method of payment. Payment by Pay Pal preferred, money orders also accepted. Shipping & handling is $4.50 by USPS to destinations in the United States. Shipping & handling (and insurance if available) will be higher to foreign destinations. Insurance optional at buyer's expense. Seller NOT responsible for uninsured items damaged in shipping. Please feel free to contact me via email with any questions.