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    Just one of inkFrog's Creations

Description

HANK BALLARD

and The Midnighters

"THE MIDNIGHTERS VOLUME TWO"

1961 US ORIGINAL MONO PRESS

DEEP GROOVE CLEAN LABELS

BLACK & SILVER LABEL

TWO INCH CROWNLESS

KING

581

• RARE ORIGINAL KING MONO 1959 US PRESSING on the deep groove black "2-INCH WIDE" KING stock label (see photo). This is a very clean high grade ORIGINAL PRESSING of KING 581 from my personal collection. This has been my keeper copy. One of my favorites as there is not a bad song on the whole album. It rocks end to end. Classic Hank Ballard & The Midnighters Rhythm and Blues. Great sultry smoking girl ORIGINAL ALBUM cover art (see photos).
• Please take a look at my other Rock, Psychedelic, British Invasion, and R & B LP auctions on the ATLANTIC, ATCO, ABC PARAMOUNT, BRUNSWICK, CADENCE, CAPITOL, COLUMBIA, DECCA, DUNHILL, ELEKTRA, EPIC, FOLKWAYS, GORDY, HARVEST, IMMEDIATE, IMPERIAL, ISLAND, KING, LIBERTY, LONDON, MERCURY, MGM, MOTOWN, PROBE, RCA, REPRISE, SMASH, SOUL, SUE, TAMLA, TOWER, VERVE, UNITED ARTISTS and WARNER BROTHERS labels.

In the world of early rhythm & blues and doo wop, Hank Ballard was the very definition of earthiness. Though influenced by high-energy gospel vocal groups, Ballard's music with the Midnighters couldn't have been more diametrically opposed in terms of subject matter: his lyrics were filled with raunchy double-entendres that left little to the imagination, pushing the envelope of what was considered acceptable in the '50s. His songs were sometimes banned on the radio, but that only made him an even bigger jukebox favorite among black audiences. Ballard's hard-driving, rhythmic style was also an under-appreciated influence on the rawer side of R&B, particularly on a young James Brown; plus, his composition "The Twist" — recorded for a hit by Chubby Checker — became one of the biggest hits in rock & roll history. Hank Ballard was born November 18, 1927 (according to his birth records) in Detroit, but moved to Bessemer, AL, as a young child following his father's death. There he began singing in church and when he returned to Detroit at age 15, he set about forming a doo wop group while working on the Ford assembly line. Around the same time, singers Henry Booth and Charles Sutton were organizing a doo wop outfit called the Royals, which reputedly at one time also featured Jackie Wilson and future Four Top Levi Stubbs; it eventually grew to include vocalists Lawson Smith and Sonny Woods, plus gritty guitarist Alonzo Tucker. Initially copying the smooth style of Sonny Til & the Orioles, the Royals were discovered by Johnny Otis in 1952 and signed with Federal Records. However, when Hank Ballard replaced Smith in 1953, they adopted a rougher, more hepped-up sound in keeping with Ballard's numerous original compositions and Clyde McPhatter influence. Ballard's first recording with the group was 1953's "Get It," which hit the Top Ten on the R&B charts, but it was the following year's ribald "Work With Me Annie" that really broke the group (they changed their name to the Midnighters around this time, to avoid confusion with the Five Royales). "Work With Me Annie" topped the R&B charts and nearly reached the pop Top 20, despite a number of radio stations refusing to air the song. It inspired a number of answer records and the Midnighters themselves entered the fray with the sequels "Annie Had a Baby" (another R&B chart-topper) and "Annie's Aunt Fannie." They also scored another major smash with the Ballard-penned "Sexy Ways," which solidified their reputation as R&B's most risque act.

However, after the momentum of "Work With Me Annie" slowed, the Midnighters seemed at a loss as to how to recapture it. They went nearly three and a half years without another big hit, and with the decline in their fortunes came numerous personnel shifts. Lawson Smith returned to the fold to replace Sutton, Norman Thrasher replaced Sonny Woods, and Tucker's guitar post was taken first by Arthur Porter, then Cal Green. Ballard attempted to take his 1958 composition "The Twist" to Vee-Jay, which declined to release the version they recorded; King, Federal's parent label, issued it as the B-side of the Midnighters' R&B comeback ballad hit "Teardrops on Your Letter" in 1959. Still, "The Twist" gained some notice and found a fan in American Bandstand host Dick Clark, who brought the song to Chubby Checker's attention; the rest was history, as "The Twist" became the first song to hit number one during two completely separate chart runs. Ballard and the Midnighters benefited from the exposure, scoring their first Top Ten pop singles in 1960 with "Finger Poppin' Time" and "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go." A few more R&B hits followed, generally dance-oriented songs in the vein of "The Twist," before the well dried up for a second time. The Midnighters gradually disintegrated and Ballard became a solo act; by the end of the '60s, he was working with longtime fan James Brown, who produced several singles for Ballard during the late '60s and early '70s. After a lengthy absence from music, Ballard re-formed the Midnighters during the mid-'80s, first as a female group, then male, and began touring once again. In 1990, Ballard received his due as an R&B innovator with his election into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (AMG)

Bid according to the condition stated below
FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MY GRADING SEE POLICY BELOW

Record Condition: Side 1 & 2: Very Good+ ...the SUPER THICK non flexible vinyl has full like new gloss with just a few very light surface/handling marks. The beautiful black MONO deep groove KING labels are clean without wear, writing, stains or tears (See photos). This one plays clean even better than the visual grade would suggest.

Cover/Jacket Condition: Very Good+ ...the FAMOUS original cover is printed in thick non flexible cardboard stock with vibrant and bright colors and only the beginning of wear other than a small scrape at about 11 AM on the clock (see photo) The seams are intact with only very light wear but do show some light tape residue on the back at the opening corners (see photo). The spine is also intact with only light wear in a couple of spots (see photo). A really nice cover for this rare US original LP.

Thanks for looking!!!

WHY BID ON THIS ITEM?

HERE'S WHY!

ALL MY LISTINGS INCLUDE:

UNDERSTANDABLE GRADING DESCRIPTIONS My cover/vinyl condition descriptions have NO AMBIGUOUS TERMS Words such as "JUST A HINT OF, ASSUMED TO BE, COULD BE, SHOULD NOT, MAY HAVE, MIGHT BE, BELIEVED TO BE, USUALLY, PROBABLY, BARELY, FAIRLY INSIGNIFICANT, MODERATELY VISUALLY DISTRACTING, WE ESTIMATE, OR WE SUSPECT THAT" do not exist in my descriptions. CLEAR PHOTOS My listings always include individual front cover, back cover (both showing the seams) and record label photos at a minimum, with no CROPPING or RETOUCHING EVER. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED RETURN POLICY No once in a lifetime return policy gauntlets to navigate through, no debates, no questions, no hassles, no problems. THE ULTIMATE GOAL Know what you are bidding on! It REALLY is the only way to bid! Don't you agree! BID WITH CONFIDENCE! PLEASE SEE THE PICTURES INCLUDED IN THIS LISTING WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET GUARANTEED! All images shown are ACTUAL PHOTOS OF THE ITEM you are bidding on. NO recycled photos of better condition copies from prior auctions to confuse you.  

Vinyl Grading Policy:

• All records and jackets are visually graded unless noted otherwise. CAUTION: Please be aware that the play grade may differ from the visual grade. If you want me to play a particular song and give you an assessment of background noise, etc. Please email me. We all have records that look worn but play great and vice versa. It is not possible to play as well as visually grade each LP listed. I TRY TO GRADE CONSERVATIVELY under the guidelines on this page, which generally follow the GOLDMINE standards. Although I try to be conscientious as a grader, there is the possibility that something could slip by me. In the event an item is not as described, REST ASSURED I will always offer a money back guarantee for purchase price of the item if returned safe and secure and requested within seven days of receipt.
• Mint = A mint item must be absolutely perfect. Certainly never been played if not still sealed. This would be an item where it was opened but not played maybe just to check the label variation.
• Near Mint = The record shows no obvious signs of wear. The vinyl should show no wear from playing only the slightest of paper scuffs are acceptable. The jacket should look as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink-wrap.
• Near Mint-/Very Good++ = The record or cover is clearly better than VG+ but not Near Mint. There should be some signs that the vinyl was played infrequently and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took excellent care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have light scuffs and or very minor light scratches that do not affect the listener experience at all. The label and spindle hole will be without flaws other than the lightest of spindle trails from being played only a few times if at all. The cover should be bright and sharp and will have only the very first evidence of discoloration or ring wear or creased corners. Although there may be some evidence of seam/spine wear, seam splits are not permitted for this grade. The jacket may be marked as a cut out by a drill hole, saw mark, cut corner or punch hole. I will try to list any cover flaws of significance.
• Very Good+ = This is equivalent of the VG+ grade in Goldmine. The record will show signs that the vinyl was played but taken care of. Record surfaces will show signs of wear including some light scratches/scuffs that do not significantly affect the listener experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Spindle holes will have some wear but not be enlarged or damaged in any way. The cover will have general wear/ring wear but not to the extent that it materially impairs enjoyment of the picture cover. Slight seam splits are OK for this grade. Again I will try to list any cover flaws of significance.
• Very Good = Unless it is a rare collectible, I usually will not sell records where both the cover and vinyl are below a VG+ grade PERIOD. This grade is included since some times there may be either a cover or record that the flaws in VG+ grade above are more pronounced but the other part of the package is of a higher grade. If it is the vinyl I will play grade it to be sure that the listener can still enjoy the music.
• BID WITH CONFIDENCE! All items are FULLY GUARANTEED. If requested within five days of receipt, I will refund your full purchase price (excluding refund of shipping costs) upon return of the item if you are not satisfied, period. If you want protection related to lost or damaged shipments you must insure your winnings. I pack all records removed from the jacket, sandwiched between corrugated cardboard before insertion into the mailer box. Many times I will also use bubble wrap or a box inside a box packing method to further protect your item.
• I do not grade inner sleeves but will let you know if there are any inserts, posters, stickers or other items included with the RECORD or TAPE.
• Items that do not sell are usually not re-listed. Please contact me if interested and provide sufficient information to identify the item.

Payment and Shipping

Payment & Shipping Terms:

• All payments in US dollars only, Paypal, Cashiers Checks, Bank Checks According to ebay policy, I can also no longer accept cash by mail as a form of payment even if the buyer is using registered mail and is willing to accept the risk of loss. All non personal check acceptable payment methods get shipping within 2 business days of receipt. Personal checks are accepted if drawn on a US bank and buyer is willing to wait for me to ship until your check clears. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding acceptable payment methods.
• Please wait for an invoice before checkout. Winning Bidder must contact me or make payment within 3 days (72 hours) from receipt of my auction closing invoice..MY AUCTION TERMS ARE THAT PAYMENT IS REQUIRED WITHIN 7 DAYS FROM CLOSE OF AUCTION.
• I follow the ebay non payment rules so if you have not made payment do not be surprised if you get a eBay non paying bidder notice after 7 days. I agressively work to get my final value ebay fees back if the item is not paid for within the auction terms.
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• Buyer pays all Shipping and Handling charges. Media Mail shipping in the US generally runs $4. Priority Mail is quoted at cost upon request.
• PLEASE READ THIS: For buyer protection, I only ship priority airmail with insurance and tracking for international destinations unless the total value of the shipment is below $50. In this case, upon buyer request I will ship First Class Airmail quoted at actual postage cost based upon weight. INTERNATIONAL First class airmail generally runs $18.50 for the first LP and $3 for each additional LP. CANADA runs $9 for the first LP and $3 for each additional LP.
• PLEASE NOTE: RATES MAY CHANGE WHEN SHIPPING MORE THAN 6 LP's or 4 POUNDS SHIPMENT WEIGHT. I will also require that ALL orders over $50 include the cost of registration or some form of tracking (priority mail international shipping) so that both the buyer and seller have a tracking number for the parcel.
• Registered mail costs $11.50 additional beyond basic shipping costs.
• I also reserve the right to require that orders are shipped via express international mail in special situations depending on details of the transaction and the buyers feedback rating.
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