THE PASTELS Been So Long R&B 78-ARGO 5287 E+

$

60

From 1957... OLD STORE STOCK! What a rare 78 from THE PASTELS. Their one and only recording for the ARGO record label. The record # is: 5287. The song "Been So Long" is on side a.) and the song: "My One And Only Dream" is on the b.) side. The record is in E+ condition... exceptionally nice! There is a tiny edge chip that does not affect play. The labels are in E+ to N- condition, with no writing or wear at all... Flawless! What a great, well cared for record. I have just made a major purchase of ultra rare rock, jazz & blues albums! They were from Radio Station Promotion Manager Lester "Len" Miller and are from his personal collection. ***INSURANCE IS REQUIRED BECAUSE OF THE FRAGILE NATURE OF 78's.*** Book value is way over $200.00 for this record... Look at the low starting bid!

The Pastels biggest hits... "Been So Long" and "My One And Only Dream" were released in November 1957, on Hull's Mascot subsidiary. The record was reviewed on December 2, 1957, along with Fats Domino's "The Big Beat," Sam Cooke's "For Sentimental Reasons," the Dominoes' "My Proudest Possession," Chuck Willis' "Betty And Dupree," the Chantels' "Maybe," the Falcons' "Now That It's Over," the Cadets' "Ring Chimes," the Cadillacs' "Buzz-Buzz-Buzz," Andre Williams' "The Greasy Chicken," and the Enchanters' "Mambo Santa Mambo."

As the record was hitting the charts, the guys were being discharged from the Air Force (Dee was the last to get out, in February of 1958).

When "Been So Long" showed signs of taking off, Hull leased it to Chess Records. "Been So Long" was reissued, on Chess' Argo subsidiary, in December 1957. (All of the Pastels' subsequent records would come out on Argo, but all recording was done for Hull.) The Argo re-release was reviewed on January 13, 1958 (with "Been So Long" getting a better rating than before – it helped to have a big company behind you). Other reviews that week went to Clyde McPhatter's "No Love Like Her Love," the Penguins' "Be My Lovin' Baby," the 5 Royales' "Dedicated To The One I Love," the Orbits' "Mr. Hard Luck," and the Rajahs' "Shifting Sands." On February 17, "Been So Long," was listed as a Tip in New York and Chicago. On the strength of "Been So Long" (which eventually reached #4 on the R&B charts and #24 on Pop), the Pastels did extensive touring, appearing throughout the south - Louisiana,

GRADING: STANDARD 78 RPM GRADING IS USED.

N- NEW MINUS: Full Original Luster. Appears Unplayed With No Signs Of Use. Highest Grade Used. Possible Slight Sleeve Or Storage Marks.

E+ EXCELLENT PLUS: Full Luster, Very Few Careful Plays. Slightest Indication Of Use Or Handling. Condition Is Just Slightly Below New Minus.

E EXCELLENT: Almost Full Luster. Mild Signs Of Careful Play But No Serious Scratches Or Scuffs. Highly Desirable Condition.

E- EXCELLENT MINUS: Some Luster Remains. Surface Shows Some Light Groove Wear, Light Scuffs And/Or Light Scratches. Still Pretty Clean. Acceptable To Most Collectors.

V+ VERY GOOD PLUS: Groove Wear, Scuffs And Scratches Are More Pronounced. Moderate Gray. Still A Decent Used Record With Moderate Surface Noise.

V VERY GOOD: Grooves Are Mostly Or Fully Gray Showing Deeper Wear. Obvious Surface Noise. Getting Rough Looking And Playing. An “Average Used 78” Is In The V To V+ Range.

V- VERY GOOD MINUS: Further Deterioration. Fully Gray With Deeper Groove Wear Causing Heavier Surface Noise.

G GOOD: Very Rough. Heavy Use. Deeply Gray. Surface Noise About Equals Music Level.

F FAIR: Really Beat. May Skip. Surface Noise Probably Exceeds Music Level.

P POOR: Barely Playable To Unplayable. Mostly Useful For The Label Or As A Filler Until A Better Copy Comes Along. Depending On The Rarity Of The Record, This Can Be An Acceptable Grade To A Serious Collector.

WHAT A RARE AND HARD TO FIND RECORD! BELIEVE ME... YOU WILL WANT THIS FOR YOUR COLLECTION!