THEM - THEIR ONLY ORIGINAL DECCA EP - PICTURE SLEEVE - 1965 - DFE 8612 - MONO 

	£		50
	$		66

THEM - THEIR ONLY ORIGINAL DECCA EP - PICTURE SLEEVE - 1965 - DFE 8612 - MONO.
From the sellers private collection  An EP  record for 1960s enthusiasts & connoisseurs.
THEM - THEIR ONLY ORIGINAL DECCA EP - PICTURE SLEEVE - 1965 - The elusive Decca EP with the UK non album tracks that dissapeared quite quickly . 

This record was purchased in one of the major record shops in London in 1965. Most probably HMV  Records, Oxford St, London.  
This particular disk was released in UK, France, Germany & Australia. There were potentially 7 plus variants of this EP.  The record identification is as follows :-  The Label has an all over (mono)  deep blue colour, featuring lettering in silver. DECCA  unboxed logo (top centre)  ffrr logo centre LHS.   EXTENDED PLAY.  Plus Record No below.  RHS  Song titles & THEM bottom center.   The Matrix/Runout Side 1  :-  (Stamped)  EFF-2789- 2K.  The Matrix/Runout Side 2  :- (Stamped )  S-EFF- 2790-1K.
The Record is graded between Excellent (EX) to Very Good (VG)  It has some varely visible  scuffmarks on  Side 2 but will play through without issue.   The label information is perfect & there is no hole distortion. It is in superb condition for its 56 years of age. RCM valued the disc at £120 Excellent (EX) & £75 Very Good (VG) 
The cover is graded between Good (G) and Fair (F) (See Grading Discriptions) the laminated front face has some hairline creasings & laminating fractures around the edges & some ringwear markings However the front corners are not torn. The rear non laminated face has sufferd some damage over its 56 years particularly around the surrounding edges as shown with a piece missing from the BLH corner There was some protective tape around the edges which has disintergrated through time leaving a mark.  The group image and the written discriptions within the centre of the face are perfect & undamaged    Recorded in 1965 At Decca Three Recording Studios  Braodhurst Gardens West Hamstead  London, W1
The producer was Decca's veteran arrainger, & head producer Dick Rowe  
The musicians playing on this record  were :- Van Morrison (Vocals)  Billy Harrison  (Lead Guitar), Pat McAuley (Organ) Alan Henderson (Bass) Ronnie Millings (Drums)  Additional Musicians were Arthur Greenslade (Organ ) Bobby Graham (2nd Drums on Gloria, One two brown Eyes)  Andy White (Drums) Phil Coulter(2nd Organ) Jimmy Page (Rhythm Guitar)(On Baby Please Don't Go )  
This EP featured the groups 1st & 2nd UK released singles, plus 2 Morrison penned songs not added to their 2 UK released Albums.  "Don't Start Crying Now" (1st single) was penned by American Blues singer Slim Harpo (James Moore) with additional input by Jerry West (J Miller) &  "Baby Please Don't Go" (2nd Single) was penned by  American Delta Blues guitarist Joseph Williams. 

Them's first recording session happened at Decca Three Recording Studios Hamsted on 5th July 1964. Both sides of their first single, "Don't Start Crying Now" and "One Two Brown Eyes" were recorded as well as "Gloria" &  "Philosophy"  &  additional tracks.  The session was unique in the use of 2 two drums tracks, which are clearly evident in the stereo mixes of "Gloria" and "One Two Brown Eyes".

On their next aforementioned  single "Baby Please Don't Go",  recorded October 1964 & produced by American Bert Burns. He  added  Andy White (Drums) Phil Coulter (2nd Keyboard) & Jimmy Page (Rhythm Guitar) The exciting lead guitar was exicuted by Billy Harrison. It was released on 6th November with "Gloria" as the 2nd Side.  Them's manager  Phil Solomon, got the single to become the signature tune on the Friday evening  pop program "Ready Steady Go"  Following this, the record reached No 10 in the UK Charts. 

Them secured a further chart success Firstly, with the  emotional "Here Comes the Night" B/W The non album track "All for Myself "  which reached 2nd place in the UK chart. Secondly,  with the frentic  & unbelievable semi instrumental "Mystic Eyes"  which reached 33 in the USA chart. Them participated in a tour of the USA in May1966, , their highlight was a short residency at the  Whisky A Go Go club in West Hollywood California in which they participated in jamming sessions with the Doors. Them went on to headline at the Fillmore in San Francisco, & Hawaii. Where disputes over money with management violently errupted, tearing the band apart. Following a short time period Morrison returned to the USA on the invitation of Burt Berns & the rest is history.   

Them continued under the guidence of founder member Alan Henderson releasing 6 plus albums, with various personnel.  He unfortunately,  passed away in April 2017,  in Minnesota at the age of 72.

Them, along with the Pretty Things, had a reputation for rebelion & aggressivenes in their lives & in their music.  Van Morrison held Phil May in high regard & was a guest at the Pretty Things final electric performance at the O2 Arena.  This aggression manifested itself, in both bands recorded output in the 1960's . Sadly we shall not see their like again. 

In 1973 I witnessed Van the Man playing the Rainbow Theatre, London, with the Caladonia Soul Orchestra & what a privilage that was, but prior to that in early 1965,  Them played at the  Cricketers Inn,  a now defunct Public House in Southend on Sea & I, with some other mates watched the gig . We were all under age I remember, but then it did not matter.       

Some observations on Grading :-