Val Stoecklein - Grey Life [Dot, 1968, Vinyl: EX] * BLUE THINGS’ SOLO DEBUT
£
26
$
35
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Description
Val Stoecklein - Grey Life, Dot Records LPD 527
Grey Life deserves an honorable place in the hall of half-forgotten songwriter albums of the late Sixties, amongst Gene Clark’s With the Gosdin Brothers (1967), David Ackles (1969), Scott Walker’s Scott 4 (1969), and Skip Spence’s Oar (1969). It portrays a scarred landscape of the soul that contains much beauty as well as poignant sadness. A dark, yet beautiful collection of very moving and melancholic songs by the leader and main songwriter of the now legendary folk rock/psych group The Blue Things. Stöecklein, playing his 12 string singing in a slick, depressed voice that sounds as if he's on the verge of total collapse, and he is accompanied by magnificent orchestral arrangements by Dick Hieronymus. The grandeur of the soaring string section, along with the use of the oboe on certain tracks really creates a melancholy atmosphere, the perfect touch. Stöecklein lays bare his deepest yearnings and despair. At the same time, he shows himself an excellent craftsman: with a strong feeling for melody and form — no doubt influenced by the Beatles — he steers clear of sentimentality. "Say It's Not Over" - Straight ahead GLEN CAMPBELL, Guitar sounds like "Wichita Lineman" or "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", without Glens' smooth vocals. Val's are SORROWFUL, STRAINED and Slightly Cracked (like Neil Diamond) - this is Not a disadvantage. "Now's The Time" is a slowed down acoustic BLUE THINGS song with Val aching for the girl to come home. "I Can't Have Yesterday" - Another sorrowful 'Lost-Girl' song. "French Girl Affair" - So sad and hurting ("...Would you say it's not over today..."). "Mourning Child" - One of the more upbeat songs '...take away two broken cups of emptyness'. " Possibility I Was Wrong" - THE BEST SONG. "I'll Make It Up To You" is another hurting, break-Up song for a guy who just can't get it right. "Second Ending" Seems to be a continuation of "French Girl" - He loses the girl, then learns that the baby is not his "...Your Eyes Are Going Cold...WHY DO YOU WANT ME TO DIE INSIDE" and then the LP ends. The Jacket states "...and then there was a love that broke up very badly..." and Val put it all on vinyl
Grading scale: NM > EX > VG+ > VG > Good > Poor)
Vinyl: EX. Stunning showing only slight tiny signs of use. The finish is shiny with some light marks where the vinyl has been in and out of the inner sleeve a few times. Labels are superb, clean and bright without marks. Spindle shows no sign of wear. And no warps.
Cover: VG+. SPINE: Clear, readable text | SEAMS: Slight wear | CREASES: None or minor only | RING WEAR : Light,(barely noticeable) | DEFACING: None | (Actual images so you can check the condition)
Will combine for shipping if you buy mixed singles and albums. If you buy multiple items wait for invoice with correct shipping cost.
Records are packed well with extra protection and LPs taken out of sleeves. Double-LP usually works as 1LP but no extra protection.
Tracks:
1 Say It's Not Over 2 Now's The Time 3 I Can't Have Yesterday 4 Color Her Blue 5 French Girl Affair 6 Morning Child 7 Possibility I Was Wrong 8 Seven Days Away From You 9 Sounds Of Yesterday 10 I'll Make Up To You 11 Second Endingprice rating
