LENNY BRUCE DEATH ROW 172 - BEAT GENERATION RARE FANTASY RED VINYL WLP '45 GOOD

$

88

     This auction is for the RARE RED VINYL '45 BY LENNY BRUCE -- "DEATH ROW 172  /  ODE TO A BEAT GENERATION".  

     There is virtually NO information out there about this single (or a couple of other LB singles).  Most info consists of a listing, and that's about it.  I've seen the year of release as being either 1957 or 1958.  Good luck with anything after that. 

     This was released by Fantasy Records, catalogue number 541X -- F-1734 / F-1735.  The A-side has Lenny Bruce doing a spoken word piece over the playing of a lone harmonica, with an occasional sound effect.  The credits say "Plus Jack Weeks Orch.", but the harmonica is the only instrumentation I hear.  The B-side is fully credited to the Jack Weeks Orchestra, and is an instrumental with no "spoken" Lenny involvement.

     From what I've seen, this came with either a red Fantasy label, or a white label promo label.  THIS is the WHITE LABEL PROMO version.  The labels are in very good condition.  There is a small ripple on the A-side label above the word "promotional" (pic #3), and some light ring wear.    The B-side has slightly more ring wear, and a label-wide ripple (or a thin label break?...pic #5) above the word "generation".  The words "Promotional Copy" can plainly be seen on either side of the label. 

     The RED VINYL is in GOOD / VERY GOOD MINUS condition (B-side / A-side, respectively...see way below for the grading system).  There is definitely moderate scratchiness / static throughout both sides.  The instrumental side is more worn than the LB side.  On "Death Row 172", Lenny's voice is mixed WAY out in front, so that helps in cutting through the scratchiness.  Amazingly, there were NO skips, and not really any loud pops either.  This '45 has probably been bopping around for 60+ years without a protective sleeve, so to find it in even in this condition is a rarity.  You can definitely see scratches (one that you can feel) and scuffs.  Again, the vocal and instrumentation aren't TOTALLY obliterated by the wear, but the scratches are definitely now a part of the mix.  Not mint...not even very good...but good enough if you don't already own it....

     By the way, Lenny's daughter Kitty Bruce lives a few towns away from me.  Really...look it up.

     If you have any questions about this item, please feel free to email me.  Also, check out my other auctions going on NOW of various other items of interest (including the 3-lp Murray Hill "The Legendary Lenny Bruce" box set).  Thanks again for looking...during these most very...very...very...troubled times...

Record Grading:

MINT (10) Perfect! Still sealed albums are presumed MINT, but covers may not be. I will not grade any opened album as "mint", since there's obviously been some handling.

NEAR MINT (9.5) ---- Close, but one or two tiny flaws that do not impact play. Vinyl may have a barely visible scuff mark, but no scratches. Label is bright, clean and unmarked. Covers close to perfect with very minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident.

EXCELLENT (9) ----Disc plays near-perfect. There could be scuffs or a hairline scratch or two that does not impact play. Vinyl is bright and shiny. Label is clean and unmarked. Cover may have some slight corner creases or minor ringwear.

VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS (8) ---- Record handled and played occasionally, but very carefully. Very minor scratches and/or scuffs that should have little impact on the sound quality, or minor label imperfection---noted, but otherwise clean. VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS records may have some light surface noise during quiet passages or between tracks. Covers: one or two minor wear issues such as writing on cover, corner creases, some ringwear, minor staining, etc. (All noted).

VERY GOOD PLUS (7) ----The record has been cared for, but has some minor flaws. Light scratches and/or marks/scuffs that won't make a big impact. Light surface noise here and there, but nothing to overwhelm the listening experience. Covers may have a few minor defects (duly noted). Those who are looking for pristine-only might not be pleased, but most music fans would be happy to have a collectible album in this condition.

VERY GOOD (6)---- The record has been played often with some care, but also a little neglect. Record displays visible surface wear---scratches or scuffs that will cause some minor to perhaps occasionally moderate surface noise. Vinyl could be "dull" at this point and not "shiny', or still perhaps shiny, but then a little more scratched-up. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc. Most music fans would be happy to have a highly collectible album in this condition.

VERY GOOD MINUS (5) ---- Well-played with little luster and moderate surface noise, but skip-free. Lots of scratches/scuffs or fewer but more deeper marks. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork---seam splits, significant ring wear, tears, cuts, taping (all noted). I will only sell RARE "VERY GOOD MINUS" records.

GOOD (4) --- Pretty beat-up with lots of scratches, but not dead yet. Record should still appear not to skip, though it's possible it can. Surface noise is moderate to occasionally heavy. Seam splits are usually a bigger issue around this level with the records better off in a plastic sleeve. I only sell VERY RARE "GOOD" records. They are certainly "good enough" until another copy comes along.

GOOD MINUS (3) --- Even more beat with tons of scratches and LOTS of surface noise. Skips are possible, though I wouldn't intentionally sell a record that does. Given the right moment, fans could probably enjoy a GOOD MINUS record, but might also be irritated by it at times. I will only sell VERY VERY RARE "GOOD MINUS" records. Covers are hanging together by a thread (seams shot) but not intentionally defaced.

FAIR (2) ----FAIR records appear and sound lousy (significant surface noise, horrific scratches). I won't sell these, unless I find something that is SO INCREDIBLY RARE. Expect skipping or a very unpleasant listen. Covers may be defaced, seamless, stained beyond belief.

POOR (1) ---- Unlistenable and undisplayable.

5-31-20

FORMAT : 7inch 

COVER CONDITION : NO COVER, as issued.

VINYL CONDITION : VG scuffs & surface marks, nothing too bad, RED VINYL.

NOTES : scarce & barely documented very early RED VINYL 7" release from 1957, one of his first & hardest to find. b-side is an instrumental.

Lenny Bruce 10" repro of Recording Submitted As Evidence In The San Francisco Obscenity Trial in March, 1962 or, better still, those two Fantasy singles that only came out as promotional copies (“Death Row 172”/“Ode To A Beat Generation” and “It Don't Take Money”/“My Werewolf Mama”).