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THE FOUR C'S Featuring GALLOPIN' CLIFF GALLUP - Straight Down the Middle"  in stereo on Pussy Cat701. Private pressing of former Blue Cap member Cliff Gallup, Gene Vincent's outstanding lead guitarist, recorded in Norfolk, Virginia. Almost impossible to find. Supposedly only 500 were pressed. I sure wish this was in better condition (see below). The band (and especially Gallup) covers a variety of genres from rock 'n' roll to Brazilian to pop to jazz to moody, atmospheric instrumentals. It kicks off with Be Bop a Lula and includes Unchained Melody, September in the Rain, Downtown, Mean, Come On In, Girl from Ipanema, others.  Insanely rare.

RECORD GRADE: Good, plenty of gloss but also plenty of scuffs and surface marks and some scratches that can be felt. Still, despite clicks and pop, the sound quality is very good - must have been pressed on high quality vinyl using high end recording equipment. The first track on the second side is subject to repeats but on my turntable played through after repeating about 4 times.

COVER GRADE: VG, average wear, name written on back cover (see photo)

LABELS:  White and black

ABOUT THE ARTIST:  Artist Biography by Richie Unterberger (from the All Music Guide Website)

was the original lead guitarist in 's . His stint in the band was brief, encompassing much of 1956 and about 35 tracks in the studio. Yet in that short burst of time, he established himself as one of the greatest guitarists in early rock & roll, and certainly one of the greatest rockabilly guitarists ever. His name is not well-known to the public because he was a sideman to , the main star. Most rock fans have heard his riffs on "Be-Bop-A-Lula," if nothing else, and his speed and dexterous imagination on numerous other early tracks still dazzle.

might still be unknown today had not , a DJ in Norfolk, Virginia, gotten involved with managing in early 1956, after noticing his popular radio performances. assembled a band from local musicians, including , who was picked as lead guitarist. The story goes that when and went to Nashville for their first session in May 1956, producer had arranged to have top session musicians standing by in case the band wasn't up to par. But, goes the legend, as soon as ripped into the lightning solos on "Race with the Devil," they knew they wouldn't be needed. "Be-Bop-A-Lula" and "Race with the Devil" were among the songs recorded at this initial session, and both had solos that showcased 's slithery tone, quick hands, and knack for wildly imaginative, unexpected notes that fit.

"Be-Bop-A-Lula" was the only big hit cut while was still in the band, and the guitarist's talent was to some extent squandered when the band covered a bunch of pop standards on their second round of sessions in June. However, there were still a number of opportunities for to strut his stuff on uptempo rockabilly cuts, like "Bluejean Bop," "Jumps, Giggles and Shouts," and "Jump Back, Honey, Jump Back." With "Be-Bop-A-Lula" a big hit, hit the road, with initially in tow. , however, was already 26 and married, and didn't enjoy touring. He gave his notice in the fall.

Fortunately, asked to come to Nashville for another round of sessions in October, and the guitarist played lead, although he was technically no longer in the band. These sessions produced more than a dozen tracks which rate with 's finest work, although they're relatively undiscovered by the public. "Cruisin'" has a sensational skittering lead, and is a blueprint for ' arrangements; "Cat Man" shows 's ability to leap from aggressive high tones to growling, sinister low ones; and "B-I-Bickey-Bi, Bo-Bo Go," "Five Feet of Lovin'," and "You Better Believe" are all great cuts on which , , and the band crackle with rockabilly exuberance. Still, these would be the last tracks on which would appear. As a partial consequence of 's absence, 's own style would veer toward the softer and less exciting after 1956. In addition to his skill as a picker, was at the cutting-edge of mid-'50s technology. He played his Gretsch guitar with a Fender Tweed amplifier, and produced the reverb that has come to be associated with much classic rockabilly by using echo units he constructed himself from parts from old tape recorders. He used a flat pick in conjunction with fingerpicks on his middle and ring fingers, using his little finger to work the vibrato bar. It is amazing that a guitarist of 's phenomenal abilities had not recorded before 1956. It is also amazing, and disappointing, that became so obscure after 1956; surely he had enough chops and inventiveness to thrive as a session player in Nashville or Los Angeles, had he so chosen.

did say that after he left , had offered him a good contract, but turned it down. He did make a solo album for the local Pussy Cat label in Norfolk, Straight Down the Middle, in the mid-'60s. According to the liner notes for 's box set, this contained "a combination of supper club and country music instrumentals but included a few songs associated with , including 'Be-Bop-A-Lula.' 's style had mellowed by then but was still equally as ingenious." At the time of his death from a heart attack in 1988, he was the Director of Maintenance and Transportation for his regional school system. 's playing, however, influenced numerous subsequent guitarists, particularly (listen to ' "Jeff's Boogie"), who made an album-length tribute to in 1993, .

All records are carefully graded. In an attempt to give customers an accurate impression of condition rather than adhere to somewhat arbitrary criteria, I give an "overall presentation" grade, supplemented when necessary with additional remarks. Please refer to my grading system below for a more detailed explanation.

MY GRADING SYSTEMS: I’ve been told that I grade conservatively. My NM (near mint) is my highest grade for opened records (which would also include unplayed records). It’s a 9 or 10 on a 1-10 scale. M- would be equivalent to an 8; VG++ to a 7; VG+ to a 6; VG to a 5; VG- to a 4; G to a 3; F to a 2 and P to a 1. The same scale applies when I grade covers (jackets). Significant defects are specifically noted and taken into consideration in the grade.

GRADING DESCRIPTIONS
RECORDS: GRADING is based on the following criteria Sealed = store stock new Near Mint = like new or near new with only one or two small insignificant defects, a 9 or better on a 1-10 scale Near Mint Minus (or NM-) = very nice. Would be Near Mint, except for a couple of light hairlines or scuffs, which do not affect play VG++ = still a very nice record with all or nearly all of its original gloss but may have a few more light, surface marks, hairlines, needle tracks or the like which should not materially effect play VG+ = a nice, but used record that may have a series of light scuffs or scratches. It probably plays with a few pops, but has no serious problems. VG = a well-used record that still should sound OK when played, but may have moderate surface noise, pops, etc. VG- = a well-worn record that plays through without skipping, but will do until a better copy comes along. Good = not actually good at all but probably will play through but with much in the way of surface noise, pops, crackles, etc. Still, will have no cracks, chips or the like Fair = you’re getting this record just to own but not to play Poor = the sky’s the limit, generally I will discard a record this bad (and sell the cover, jacket or sleeve alone) unless the label holds some particular interest

VISUAL GRADING: All records are visually graded only unless I state that they are play-graded. Some major labels were pressed on better quality vinyl and will sound better than a record which visually appears the same on "budget" labels which were pressed on lower quality vinyl. Recording techniques also varied. The sound on live albums may be far inferior to studio recordings. There may also be defects in the pressing which are invisible. The point is that an album on a high quality label that was visually graded VG+ may sound better than an album on a budget label that was visually graded Mint- or even Near Mint. Please refer to my return policy, below. But please don’t be shocked if a record visually graded Near Mint doesn’t sound state of the art. If I base my grade on a PLAY GRADE, I will state this specifically in my grading section.

COVERS: There are really too many possible defects regarding covers to be as specific in my definitions as I had been with my record grades. But please keep in mind these general grading guidelines:

I will give greater weight to the condition of the front cover than back cover when assigning an overall grade No cover with a cut out hole or saw mark will be graded Near Mint even if it is still in factory shrink and there is no other wear I will not reduce the grade of a cover for stickers which are glued to the jacket by the record company (eg. Contains the hit song Expressway to Your Heart); but will reduce the grade for stickers glued on the cover by stores, previous owners, etc. If I write that a cover has a bb hole, I’m talking about a small cut out hole A saw mark is a narrow cut in the perimeter of the cover, could be anywhere and vary in length from 1/2” to 2” at the most. The overall grade takes into consideration any stated defects. For example, if I grade a cover VG+ and then state it has 6” top and bottom seam splits - I’ve already reduced the grade because of the seam splits. If the seams weren’t split, the cover would be graded higher such as VG++ or Mint-.

Shipping Costs: CURRENT SHIPPING RATES AND POLICIES. The winning bidder pays for shipping.
Combined shipping discounts given for all purchases made within 5 days of first winning bid or buy it now. If you are still bidding when you receive my invoice, please let me know and wait for combined invoice.

DOMESTIC SHIPPING WITHIN THE UNITED STATES: Due to increase in postage rates, I have sometimes been losing money on shipping as I send all records in sturdy professional Bags Unlimited mailers with one or more fillers. Therefore, I am now using the eBay postage calculator to determine postage. This will also result in a more equitable charge for priority mail shipments. Instead of a flat fee, those who live in the southeast and mid-east will reap the benefit of reduced priority mail rates.

DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS: COMBINED SHIPPING - Save money when I mail 2 or more records in the same package. Please wait until I send you an invoice or request an invoice when combining two or more records or cd's in one shipment -prior to making payment.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS: Overseas customers are invited to bid. As with U.S. shipments, I will use eBay's postage calculator for all overseas shipments. Postage to Canada is substantially less than to other countries - if you live in Canada and don't see a separate rate for Canada , please e-mail me and I'll modify the invoice to reflect the lower shipping charges. Surface mail is no longer available for overseas. Express Mail International and Priority Mail International are available - rates are substantially higher than first class international and will be quoted for each purchase if buyer requests this service. Express Mail International or Registered mail is now required for purchases over $100. Generally, Express International costs $35 for 1 album and additional albums are about $5-6 more. Registered costs about $26 for 1 album, about $5 more for each additional album. Registered mail may not be available to certain countries. I am sorry but the increased risks and costs must be passed on to the international buyer. On the bright side of things, Express Mail International will get you the package faster and it is safer. Registered mail is the safest form of shipment (but not as fast as express mail international). So there are benefits to the buyer as well as the seller. Please wait until I send you an invoice or request an invoice when combining two or more records or cd's in one shipment -prior to making payment.

Please check out my other eBay auctions and stores listings.

I’ve been listing all types of records - mostly LP’s - including 50’s and 60’s rock ‘n’ roll, country, folk jazz, blues, personalities, new wave and punk, surf, psych, spoken word, comedy, etc., etc....... I try to list unusual, unique or obscure records, not the ones that you see all the time. While a majority of my listings are albums, you’ll often find a nice selection of 45’s, EP’s or picture sleeves...and an occasional 78 or two.

My return policy: . You may return an item if it's not in the condition described. You may not return items if you decide you don't like the music. I will return the base price of the item unless I make an error in shipment such as sending you the wrong record or cd. In that case, you will be reimbursed for the cost of the item and shipping both ways. In addition, the item must be returned in its original condition , i.e. the way it was shipped when it left my hands. While a very high percentage of my records arrive safe and sound (I use professional mailers and a filler or two, more for 78’s), they occasionally are damaged in transit. If that happens, I won’t accept the return of the record or other item.

Sealed Records: After a sealed record is paid for, I will gladly open it before mailing to make sure that the record is new & unplayed. If the record is not, I will give a full refund. Even though it is easy to spot most resealed records from the 50's and 60's [I will mention that in the desription if it looks like a possibility], not all records from the 70's & 80's are quite as obvious. Please ask for any details about the seal of a particular record & I will be happy to answer.