Jimmie Haskell Count Down Space Age Pop LP 1959 Exotica

$

100

Hello record collectors and vinyl junkies, here we go again with another batch of  LP's this week in an effort to raise money that I can throw into my bottomless money pit, the restoration of a 1958 Edsel.

Anyway, let's continue with this hard to find outer space themed album by Jimmy Haskell and his Orchestra Count Down released by Imperial Records in 1959. (LP 9068 High Fidelity Monophonic). Original black label with silver print, white lettering/multi-color logo on top.

Countdown not only features fabulous cover art but the wild music contained within will appeal to fans of space age pop or exotica...this is one of the great lost gems of fifties music - plenty of Theremin, electronic sound effects and female wordless vocals to bring you back for repeat journeys! ...And as an added bonus, this copy is autographed on the back cover by Jimmy Haskell.

Roman's Easy Listening & Instrumental blog had this to say about Count Down:

This is THE outer space album of that era. And to me it´s one of the best either. It features the theremin and some talking alien, and the style is close to surf-music. On the cover you can see Mr. Haskell himself playing his self-developed synthesizer. This one is a must-have, if you like space-age music.

Spaceagepop.com (most informative site out there for great pop music) offered these words on Countdown:

While with Imperial, Haskell composed and conducted a space age-flavored album now highly sought after by exotica fans, Count Down. On Count Down, Haskell used much of the same kind of arrangements he used in his rock and roll knock offs, but he dealt with other worldly themes and mixed in squeaks, beeps and tones from a variety of electronic equipment. 

From the liner notes:

This is an unusual album. Others talk of going to the moon, but we've done it, and we're going back again. You can join us if you wish. Don't worry about bringing a space suit ...all you need is a good woofer and tweeter, a comfortable chair, and a vivid imagination. Jimmie Haskell and his crew will do the rest. Jimmie composed, arranged, and conducted this musical journey, and if you wonder about some of the electronic sound effects that come crashing out at you, ask Jimmie about them, for he conceived every whistle, boom and crash.

All set? Then, here we go. The final preparations have been made, and now starts the Count Down. Four, three, two, one - Blast Off. With tremendous force, our ship leaves the ground and heads into outer space...

This LP contains the following tracks:

1. Count Down/Blast Off
2. Weightless Blues
3. Rockin' In The Orbit
4. Starlight
5. Hydrazine
6. Moon Mist
7. We Get Messages
8. Moonlight Cha Cha Cha
9. Astrosonic
10. Venus
11. Asteroid Hop
12. Homeward Earth
    

Both LP and cover are in very good condition. The LP has a couple of light hairline marks that are visible under a bright spotlight and cause an occasional pop, click or bit of surface noise when played. The cover has wear and seam splits along the top edge and a 3.5" split on the bottom right corner but no writing (aside from the autograph) no cut out marks, rips, tears or other problems.  
  

I grade on a stricter scale than Goldmine! (or at least the watered down version that seems to exist here on eBay). I'll take the time to describe any flaws rather that give a letter grade that means something different to seemingly every record seller and buyer... I've received too many LPs graded by sellers VG++ or NM that were pretty beat up, and I'm willing to bet it's happened to your too.

Sorry if the cover looks washed out in the photo below…this is caused by a reflection from the camera flash… the colors are brighter and bolder in person.

If this LP caught your eye, please check my other auctions over the next few months for several other albums including space age pop, lounge, bachelor pad, exotica and weird & strange recordings and more. I will combine shipping on multiple purchases.

Please feel free to e-mail with any questions.

The Fine Print:

Payment is due within seven days after end of auction. I accept payment by Paypal - If you do not have a Paypal account, please e-mail me BEFORE bidding to inquire about alternate payment methods.

Due to overwhelming requests, I generally ship domestic packages by Media Mail. However, please keep in mind that while media mail is the cheapest shipping method it is also the slowest. Media mail can take up to one month or MORE to arrive. Media Mail shipping within the United States is $3.50 including mandatory Delivery Conformation.

I do combine shipping for multiple purchases. The $3.50 covers between one and two albums. Additional albums (three and up) are an additional 25 cents each. (Please wait for an invoice from me, as the Paypal system does not calculate the combined shipping)

If you need your purchase quicker than Media Mail will provide, please e-mail me and I'll let you know the Priority Mail shipping cost. Depending on your location Priority rates range between $5.20 to $8.75 for one LP.

I do not charge any "shipping" or "handling" fees... you pay what the post office charges me.  I usually ship within 48 hours of receiving Payment.

Overseas shipping is by Air Mail Only (surface mail is not available!) Shipping for one LP to Canada is $7.00, Mexico is $11.00. Anywhere else in the world is $14.00. Overseas shipping is by regular air mail and can take anywhere from one and four weeks to arrive.  I do combine shipping for overseas purchases also - I will send an invoice with the shipping amount if purchasing more than one LP.

Sorry, I no longer ship to Italy or the Russian Federation due to the high number of "LOST" packages.

All records are mailed in cardboard record mailers with cardboard inserts to prevent damage. LP will be removed from cover for shipping to prevent seam splits while in transit.

I do offer a money back guarantee if you are not pleased with your purchase. I don’t do this for a living, it is supposed to be a fun hobby, so If there is a problem at any point during the transaction, please let me know so we can work out a solution!  

Thanks for looking and good luck!