BAND-X How Good the Rain 1966 MICHIGAN garage psych 45

$

34

WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS…

Band-X "HOW GOOD THE RAIN/COME BACK TO ME"

Original 1966 single on the SMF label

Vinyl:  Plays VG+

THIS is why we collect 45s, kids.  On the surface, this unassuming little baby blue single looks like NOTHING special.  Boring typeface.  No label design.  Cryptic label name.  And a group whose name makes you think this might be an early take on "We Are the World."  But again, this is why we collect 45s.  Because, like a 1970 Chevelle SS454, it might not look like much on the OUTSIDE, but put this baby on a strip of asphalt (okay, your turntable), and it'll take you there faster than anything you've ridden in before.  I'm shocked something as amazing as "How Good the Rain" has STILL not been comped, but I'm not Bevis Frond, so what do I know?  Still, this little band from Manistee, Michigan popped out a downright BRILLIANT garage pop song all the way back in 1966 forgodsake - a galloping slab of waltzing baroque genius that oozes big budget class with every ahead-of-its-time harpsichord break, every unexpected minor key twist, and of course every time that positively ANGELIC chorus parts the clouds with every note.  It's like a lost recording on the day the Left Banke jammed with the Buffalo Springfield, with Michael Brown sharing notes with a young Stephen Stills while some naked flower children in body paint bounce around the studio floor singing "It's raining, it's pouring," which the band then decide to use on the fade.  In my dreams, of course, I long for the day when a whole album of unreleased songs somewhere between "Bluebird" and "Pretty Ballerina" are finally found on a beat-up reel-to-reel at a flea market outside Grand Rapids.  But yeah, these are the same dreams that have me cruising around town in a cherry red 1970 Chevelle.  So for now, this will have to do.

 TO HEAR THIS SINGLE, PLEASE VISIT MY HOMEPAGE AT WWW.KATHLEENTURNEROVERDRIVE.WIKISPACES.COM - YOU CAN ALSO HEAR SOUND CLIPS FROM ALL THE SINGLES AND ALBUMS I HAVE UP FOR AUCTION ON THIS PAGE TOO.

The less exciting stuff

First class shipping is $3.00 in the US, with each additional record only $1 additional shipping.  Delivery confirmation REQUIRED for all domestic orders, an extra 75 cents.  Air mail shipping to Canada starts at $6 US, each additional record $2 shipping.  Air mail shipping everywhere else in the world starts at $8 US, with each additional record only $3 shipping.  Proof of shipment REQUIRED for all foreign orders, an extra $1.10.  I accept payments through Paypal, or you can send checks and money orders made out in US dollars.  Items paid by check are held 14 days for the check to clear.

I try to grade as best as I can, and I list as many blemishes/imperfections I can find (writing, ringwear, scuff marks, etc.) – Also, please note that I DO listen to these albums – I may not listen to every track, but my grades are based on LISTENING, not just looking at it, since chances are you’ll be listening to the record you buy, not just looking at it.  Most of the albums I sell are the ones I’ve enjoyed for years – and I treat my records with kid gloves.  But sounds speak louder than words, so check out the sound clips below – they’re from the actual record you’re bidding on. 

SHIPPING AND PACKAGING

Listen, I buy a bunch of records too (when I’m not getting outbid at the last second, which is more often than not) – and I know what it’s like to get a rare, one-of-a-kind album packaged dangerously in a flimsy bubblewrap package.  I hate that too.  So rest assured, I ALWAYS package albums with stiff cardboard reinforcements, same for 45s.  And yes, the records are removed from the sleeves (for albums).  I ship out once a week, every Friday, because I have a regular day job.  But I’d be willing to give that up if you’d all be so kind as to bid my items up to stupidly high amounts. 

And finally, I include delivery confirmation on all shipments inside the US.  This is my proof of shipment, and also helps us to track your package if it doesn’t arrive when it should.  I will email you within 2 days of shipment and give you the confirmation number at that time.  Insurance is always optional, but for larger orders, it’s highly recommended.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a cost-effective way of tracking parcels to foreign countries yet, and shipping times vary depending on your country’s postal system.  Italy in particular seems to be really bad at delivering packages quickly, or delivering packages at all, now that you mention it.  I will always email you when your package ships, but once it’s on its way, please don’t ask me when it will arrive because I don’t know.  If the world’s postal systems can ever agree on a universal tracking system that’s affordable, I’ll be the first to use it.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN…

I will always leave positive feedback for successful transactions, and would appreciate the same in return.  All I ask of you is the following – please pay for your items within 14 days of the close of auction.  Compared to other sellers, that’s a generous amount of time, so if you don’t pay within 2 weeks, then I have to assume something’s wrong.  You’ll get an Ebay payment reminder at that point, and possibly a decapitated horse head in your bed.  If, after 30 days, you still haven’t forked up the cash, I’ll relist the item and yell at you if I ever see you in town.