Unused HUDSON BROTHERS "Hollywood Situation"
1974 Vinyl LP TEST PRESSING

• You are bidding on one unused copy of the HUDSON BROTHERS stereo vinyl LP "Hollywood Situation," released in 1974. This is a TEST PRESSING - it may not be the final album. The jacket is labeled "Advance Promotional Copy Only." Produced and arranged by the Hudson Brothers. Engineered by Dee Robb, Ken Caillat, Laurie Wallace, Peter Granet, Rod Dirk. Recorded At Studio 3 Productions Ltd., Wally Heider Studios and Cherokee Studios. Duration: 35:02.

• According to the label, test pressings are "intended for use in determining the technical quality of the recording only. It is not intended for sale or distribution outside of this company." As such, this is an exceedingly rare LP.

• Personnel:
  • Vocals - Bill Hudson, Brett Hudson, Mark Hudson
  • Guitar - Bill Hudson, Mark Hudson, Phil Reed
  • Harp - Mark Hudson
  • Bass - Brett Hudson
  • Organ - Mike Parker
  • Drums, Percussion - Craig Krampf
  • Piano - Mark Hudson, Mike Parker
  • Synthesizer - Barry Pullman, Bill Hudson, Mark Hudson

• The LP and jacket is USED but in excellent condition; we believe the disc is unplayed. (See grading legend below). The disc is considered Near Mint (NM) and is not warped. There are no marks or scratches on either side. The jacket is Near Mint; there is no contact or ring wear on either side; there is one 1/4 inch edge divot on the top left. There are no creases in the cardboard. The inner sleeve is generic white paper and in good condition. The pictures below are of the actual item; the label is the same on both sides.

• Sold AS-IS. NO RETURNS.

• Side One:
  1. Hollywood Situation - 2:49
  2. So You Are A Star - 3:45
  3. Ma Ma Ma Baby - 2:30
  4. Strike Up The Boys In The Band - 2:33
  5. Coochie Coochie Coo - 2:53
  Side Two:
  1. Sometimes The Rain Will Fall - 2:45
  2. The Adventures Of Chucky Margolis - 6:45
  3. Three Of Us - 3:12
  4. Song For Stephanie - 2:55
  5. Cry, Cry, Cry - 3:02
  6. Razzle Dazzle - 1:36

• AllMusic Review by Joe Viglione:
  After their Playboy Records recording, and before signing to the Rocket label, the Hudson Brothers had a minor hit on Neil Bogart's Casablanca imprint with the dreamy, very British "So You Are a Star," and all indications were that this band would be huge. The problem here is image, image, image. Looking like Tony Orlando flanked by two male Dawn clones on the cover, this ensemble has much more substance than the New Kids on the Block, the Bay City Rollers, and other pop confections attempting to appeal to the teen market. A concept that would seem so simple to launch into stardom is a pop culture asterisk instead, and that is a shame. Despite the hokey six minutes and 45 seconds spent on the ridiculous live comedy piece "The Adventures of Chucky Margolis," making the second half of the disc lopsided at over 20 minutes long (side A is a mere 14 and a half minutes in length), there is still a lot of musical magic here. Just as Tony Orlando has a better resumé than musical reputation/perception, the Hudson Brothers' place in history is that of a teen idol group that didn't grab the brass ring. Had they been as serious about their image as they were about their music, things would be different. They come off like a modern Three Stooges in the 1983 film Hysterical but, just as they aren't the Beatles -- the group that they emulate on this and other discs -- they fall short of being as innovative as the Three Stooges as well. When the Hudson Brothers are themselves, like on the title track, "Hollywood Situation," they shine. "Three of Us" rocks like the Raspberries, while "Sometimes the Rain Will Fall" and "Song for Stephanie" are precursors to R.E.M. The "Chucky Margolis" episode is so bad that it really throws the flow for a loop, because the elegant sounds -- like guitars lifted from the Abbey Road medley and the eeriness of "Strawberry Fields Forever" ambience that fills the spaces under the teeny-bop harmonies -- are really sublime. "Razzle Dazzle" is experimental, and one of the weaker musical tracks, but for the most part Hollywood Situation drives harder than their Bernie Taupin produced follow-up, Totally Out of Control, and contains moments of sheer pop pleasure.

• Casablanca NB 9008 (promotional release catalog number, assumed)
  Runout ID:
  • Side One Etched: 1 NB 9008 60017-1A
  • Side Two Etched: 1 NB 9008 60018-1B

• Sold AS-IS. NO RETURNS.

• To protect this collectible recording, this auction also includes the packaging necessary to ship a vinyl record. Included is a new cardboard container specifically designed for vinyl records. The record will be shipped in the original paper inner sleeve. The jacket will be shipped empty in a plastic sleeve to prevent damage.

Please contact us if you have any questions about the auction. We will respond as quickly as possible.

• M = Mint. In all but the rarest cases, still sealed. If we know that an open record has never been played, and the rating otherwise applies, it will be graded mint.
  
• NM = Near mint, or unplayed condition. Cover is near perfect, new looking, with no surface or ring wear.
  
• EX = Only slight signs of wear; very clean, only light surface marks which do not distract significantly from the sound. Cover has only slight surface wear and is still in nice collectible condition.
  
• VG+ = Evidence of play, with moderate surface wear and some minor noise - still plays well. Cover is solid with no breaks but may have minor surface wear or some ring wear.
  
• VG = Overall wear, but no skips or serious defects. May be somewhat noisy during quiet passages. Cover is worn, with considerable ring wear, and may have partially broken edges.
  
• VG- = Playable, but both the record and cover are well worn.
  
• G or G+ = Poor or Rough condition. Holefiller only!

We make every effort to describe all items as accurately as possible, including defects. However, if you find that this item was not accurately described, or if you have any other claim, dispute, grievance or request, please contact us using the eBay "Contact Seller" function within 3 calendar days (72 hours) of receipt of the auction item and we will discuss the issue. The delivery date and time will be established by USPS Tracking.