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            ORIGINAL  1972  RARE  FIRST PRESS
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          TOWNES  VAN  ZANDT

    " High, Low and In Between "

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            USA -POPPY RECORDS - PSY 57000

One of the *best* examples of this sought rarity we have encountered!

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" High, Low And In Between "  

                         1972

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VERY SCARCE and highly sought after for good reason!

Although the album was reissued in 1989, this is the hard to find 1969 first print...with even harder to find cover that shows very little wear (extremely prone to wear, hard to find a better copy)

Original "Poppy" inner sleeve

In 1972 Van Zandt cut the "perfect" album: High, Low and In Between. 'Poppy Records' owner Kevin Eggers, who was responsible for many of Van Zandt's best records, produced this album with minimal backing that keeps the spotlight on Van Zandt's vocals and his songwriting. The record includes "To Live Is to Fly," the song Van Zandt considered his best, "No Deal," an absurd hard luck blues, a couple of righteous songs, "Mr. Gold and Mr. Mud," one of his most baffling poetic tunes, and the title track, an aching tale of heartache and confusion. The spare arrangements are as much folk as country, the two genres Van Zandt was most comfortable with. "Two Hands," a rollicking spiritual with bright female backing vocals and tinkling gospel piano opens things up. It's the most straightforward gospel tune Van Zandt ever wrote, full of exuberant joy. "You Are Not Needed Now" radically changes the pace, with its bleak, hopeless message accented by weeping pedal steel and Van Zandt's plaintive vocal. The title track is another forlorn ballad, cut with standup bass and piano providing a sorrowful counterpoint to a vocal that details lost connections, hard work and alienation. It's almost a prayer for salvation, although the lyrics don't shy away from the difficulties of finding comfort in a cold world. "To Live Is to Fly" is another Van Zandt classic, full of the ambivalence that makes his love songs so affecting. Piano and standup bass give the song a gospel feel, while the lyrics address the fleeting nature of love and the loneliness of life on the road. There are two talking blues on the album, "No Deal," which is full of absurd scenarios and Van Zandt's fatalistic humor, and "Mr. Gold and Mr. Mud" a surrealistic tale of a card game between two gamblers with nothing to lose or win, using the language of gambling and poker to describe the struggles of life. Van Zandt crams an amazing amount of brilliant imagery into the songs brief two-minute duration, a performance that's both impressive and impenetrable. "Highway Kind" is a minor-key blues, a brief aching tune in which Van Zandt addresses the perfect lover he's never met while taking full responsibility for his failings and foibles. He sounds so isolated and disconnected from the world that it's hard to listen to. "When He Offers His Hand" is a simple song of faith, without Van Zandt's usual ambivalence or humor, while "Blue Ridge Mountains" is a rewrite of a traditional bluegrass tune that balances spirituality and carnality into its bubbly arrangement. Musically low key, but emotionally potent, High, Low and In Between shows Van Zandt digging deep into his troubled psyche and turning his heartache into soul-stirring art.

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     Two Hands     2:28
     You Are Not Needed Now     4:14
     Greensboro Woman     2:17
     Highway Kind     2:15
     Standin'     3:30
     No Deal     3:12
     To Live Is To Fly     3:13
     When He Offers His Hand     2:57
     Mr. Gold And Mr. Mud     2:18
     Blue Ridge Mountains     2:08
     High, Low And In Between     3:11

        

CONDITION: The cover: rated: VG++ front shows a trace of previous use, see photo, a solid collection copy keeper. Back cover is M- ...all told, hard to find any better ...There are no delete marks, no split seams, no bends, and no writing  ... VERY collection worthy ...

The vinyl: Rated: M- TOP COPY , very clean all the way around and overall plays highly enjoyable without the usual alarming surface noise present on many POPPY label records due to the labels often inadequate pressing plant . Both POPPY labels are perfect - clean - no spindle marks.

      

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

 

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

 

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record

  NOTE: All Items backed by  money back guarantee! IF you have a problem PLEASE let us solve for you BEFORE leaving ANY negative feedback. Thanks!   GRADING SCALE: M, M-, EX, VG++,VG+, VG, VG- M    Completely clean, no marks M-   Carefully used, looks clean, plays clean, shiny gloss, no marks EX   Faint scuff or superficial mark, near M-, high gloss, plays clean VG++ Glossy with minimal scuffing or light mark playing very nice, clean VG+ a bit more scuff or markls still plays well with very minimal surface at worse VG   more marks/scratches only minor, nothing deep, no loud clicks or pops         this grade is abused by many, VG here does not mean "trashed" VG-  surface noise present, will not have skips or jumps     ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN 5 DAYS Of AUCTIONS END   BIDDERS PLEASE = Do Not Bid If You Are Not Serious About  Following Through The Transaction!   ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED FOR WINNING BID - LESS SHIPPING!