CLOCKWORK 1973 Green Bottle TRIPPY LATE NIGHT ACID PSYCH weedburner LP LISTEN

$

35

CLOCKWORK "Clockwork"

Original 1973 LP on the GREEN BOTTLE label, STEREO GBS 1013

Cover:  EXCELLENT or even NEAR MINT, really well preserved with just a small cutout hole and very light ringwear

Vinyl:  Plays VG+ to VG++, light crackle

SUPER SUPER RARE original 1973 prog psych LP from the mysterious Clockwork, who, by the looks of the lone photograph on the inner gatefold, consisted of six slightly chubby dudes with Mark Volman hair and one guy who coulda been Phil Collins' stunt double.  Which is not to imply that they had trouble getting chicks or anything, I mean, even ugly bands get chicks if they play great music.  Just ask any Smithereens fan.  The record label musta had faith in 'em, 'cuz they decked this thing out in one of the most elaborate die-cut jackets I've seen, and it looks gorgeous.  As does the label itself, by the way.  But what the hey, this ain't a graphic design and marketing lecture, is it?  You're here for the music.  Sure, it's rare as hens teeth, and a couple dealers on here right now are asking somewhere around $175 or $188 for theirs.  So you're asking, is the Clockwork album worth it?  Does it live up to the Ebay hype?  Or at least whatever hype you've heard among the five people who've actually heard it?  Well, yeah, it is a good record.  The fuzzy hairy hard rock "Music Box" opens it on a good note.  And then there's a really nice prog/psych take on "Hazy Shade of Winter" that kinda approaches the song in the same way one of those 1968 Capitol label bands might've - Gandalf, Common People, Corporation.  They find their own sound on the five-minute "After Today," a nice stoned mellow harmony pop vibe with a cool sax solo and some stellar drum work.  Kinda like Steely Dan meets the Mandrake Memorial, or weedburning psychedelia meets 1973.  And the whole thing raps up with a superb take on Stephen Stills' classic "Rock 'n' Roll Woman," which once again proves these cats would probably rather be in 1967.  Can't say I blame them either what with all that Mark Volman hair.  And the chicks were easier too, or so they say.  Now is it worth the price of a new Barcolounger or marble countertops for the kitchen?  Or a used '77 Vega with rust on the fenders?  I say yes.  But click on the sound bytes and decide for yourself.  And let me know the mileage on that Vega.

PLEASE NOTE I NO LONGER SHIP TO ITALY DUE TO A CORRUPT POSTAL SYSTEM (THERE, NOT HERE).  BUYERS FROM ITALY AGREE TO PAY FOR GLOBAL PRIORITY MAIL INSURED ONLY!

The less exciting stuff

Media mail shipping with delivery confirmation starts at $4.00 in the US, with each additional record only $1 additional shipping.  Overseas shipping has, unfortunately, gone way up in the fast few months, which translates to $15 for the first LP to Canada ($3 each one thereafter) and $24 for the first LP everywhere else in the world, with each add'l LP an extra $5 (so it pays to buy more, nudge nudge wink wink).   I accept payments through Paypal. 

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. 

 For more security and international tracking, you may request GLOBAL PRIORITY MAIL - but bear in mind the cost of this service is upwards of $30.  For expensive items, however, it may be well worth it.  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.