Sold Date: May 16, 2018
Start Date: May 9, 2018
Final Price: £52.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 3
Seller Feedback: 4672
Buyer Feedback: 41

"THE CORE" (Eric Clapton / Marcy Levy, 1977)

Every morning when I wake, a feeling soon begins to overtake me.
Ringing in my ears, resounds through my brain, it finally surrounds me.
There is fire, there is life, there is passion, fever and fury.
There is love and there is hate, there is longing, anger and worry.

Oh, I am a flame, feel it touch my heart,
And down at my core, is the hottest part.
I can run without fear.

If it should become too cold, I know I can endure the frostbite.
Oh, a blanket, then I'll wrap around me, I keep myself so close to my sight.
No one then can cause me harm, just as the river runs into the sea,
'Cause every day, a fire alarm is deafening the silence all around me.

It is burning,
It is burning.

You can trust me, we can laugh, together, we can share our sorrow,
I will give you secrets too, an attitude that you may borrow.
Gypsy woman said to me, "One thing you must bear in your mind,
You are young and you are free, but damned if you're deceased in your own lifetime."

Oh, you have a flame, feel it in your heart,
And down at the core, is the hottest part.
We can run without fear.

It is burning,
It is burning.
 

ERIC CLAPTON: "Slowhand" LP. UK FIRST PRESSING, RELEASED 19th NOVEMBER, 1977.
I must warn ebay buyers who are not familiar with the RSO label, only a comparatively few first pressings were pressed in the UK
in the 1970's and beyond.  The majority were made in Holland, Austria and Germany, the labels always have the country printed
where they were made, for "Slowhand" you look at the 12 o'clock at the outer top edges of the labels.  Sellers either are uninformed
or just withholding such imperative details, some sellers at least show the labels in pictures and you can easily find the country of
origin.  The text for the UK first pressings at 12 o'clock is of course, "Made In England", but the various other foreign imports
varied where they printed their own country's credit, usually in the info box spanning the spindle hole

RSO LABEL: RSO DELUXE 2479 201
Including 1980's budget RSO labels, with so many re-issues following this November, 1977 genuine first UK pressing , the easiest
identification is contained in the above catalogue number.   'Deluxe' between 'RSO' and '2479 201' was actually accurate because
only the first pressings came in gatefold covers.   About three years ago I discovered a few very rare laminated gatefold covers
were made, being 1977, there was hardly any covers being laminated any more, they had to be made to promote "Slowhand".
The overwhelming majority of first edition gatefold covers had a matt cover with a very thin sheen, this has a glossy top surface
that acted to  protect the white background of the whole 24" x 12"outside.  Covers will always have variations and regardless how
many copiesI have seen, there are always surprising to remind me how diverse records were in the 20th century and this is yet
another!  Interestingly, all first issue / original UK gatefold covers were made by "Howards Printers, Slough, London," so it was
not different printers creating the varying finishes, it was just how they were made.

MAITRIX: 2479 201  A // 1  ▽ 420   0    1  1   /   2479 201  B // 1    0  1  1
A very first UK pressing, the actual sequence of the main maitrix ending started with 'A // 1'  / 'B // 1', this first issue is
at the starting point of indexing.  Including the 'A // 1'  / 'B // 1' records, all the first pressings have the logo of the
original 1977 USAmastering studio machine stamped;
 
'MASTERDISK'
  
 
Side 1 had the wandering pair of '1' digits stamped very close to the 'Masterdisk' logo that looks like the letter 'D,' so they
can be seen in the pictures of all the indexing.
Often first pressing in the 1970's and beyond, had an extra maitrix, this and all very first made "Slowhand" records have at
least one side directly linked to mastering made at 'Masterdisk' in New York City.  I cannot name the sound engineer from the
logo, but he made a superb job of the UK first pressings.
 
THE USA MAITRIX WAS HANDWRITTEN;
SIDE 1: RS - 1 - 3030 - A
SIDE 2: RS - 1 - 3030 - B
  

ORIGINAL 1977 POLYDOR / RSO INNER SLEEVE, IN UNUSED, UNAGED, UNSPLIT MINT- CONDITION.
All to add are the glue lines from the factory assembling, I do go to great lengths to include everything possible but assembling
any printed item and gluing the edges and the poly-lining, had to show through the absorbent matt paper, it was how they were
made and first bought, that cannot and does not enter into grading.
 

THE VERY FIRST ISSUE,"Howards Printers, Slough,London." PRINTED GATEFOLD COVER WITH A WIDE SPINE.
THE RE-ISSUES CAME IN A SINGLE COVER AND BY THEN THE ABOVE CATALOGUE NUMBER WAS CHANGED AS WELL.
ANOTHER DISTINGUISHING FEATURE IS THE FRONT FAR RIGHT SIDE, CONTINUED OVER THAT EDGE AND THAT
WAS STUCK UNDERNEATH THE INSIDE'S FAR LEFT EDGE.  WITH A NEAR TEXTURED OUTSIDE, THIS HAS STILL HAS
THAT PROTECTED BY THE GLOSSY TOP SURFACE, AFTER 41  YEARS YEARS THE WHITE BACKGROUND ONLY HAS
ABSOLUTELY MINIMUM  AGEING TO THE ORIGINAL IVORY WHITE.   I CANNOT AND WILL NOT CLAIM NO AGEING, BUT IT
HAS BEEN PERFECTLY STORED AND ANYTHING HERE IS JUST A NATURAL EVENT FROM JUST STANDING UNUSED.
41 YEARS OLD HAD TO SHOW SOME DEGREE OF THAT PASSAGE OF TIME, I ALWAYS TRY MY BEST TO BE ACCURATE.
AN UNPLAYED RECORD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH USE OR HANDLING, THE OTHER OBVIOUS NATURAL OCCURENCE
IS THE EVER PRESENT  LIGHT RECORD IMPRESSION AND A FEW TINY EDGE LINES, AS USUAL THE SPINE  ABSORBS
THE MAIN STRESS POSITIONS LIKE ANY BOOK OR MAGAZINE.  GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE PASSAGE OF TIME DOES
NOT OFTEN FAVOUR WHITE LP COVERS, EVEN WHEN LEFT UNUSED BUT THIS IS A REAL BEAUTY. THESE FIRST ISSUES
 WORE POORLY BUT THIS ONLY HAS THE MEREST STORAGE TRAITS AND THERE IS NO WEAR TO DETAIL.  THE BACK
BOTTOM LEFT SIDE CORNER HAS LIGHT STANDING PRESSURE AND THAT WAS NOT FROM USE.
   
UNWORN AND IN OUTSTANDING CONDITION, THAT INCLUDES THE WIDER SPINE STILL BEING SQUARE SHAPED,
WITH ALL THE BLACK PRINTED TITLES PERFECT.   'UNWORN' APPLIES TO THE CORNERS AND EDGES.
THE COVER IS IN NEAR MINT CONDITION.
 

THE RECORD IS IN UNPLAYED, MINT CONDITION.

SIDE 1
"Cocaine" (J.J. Cale)
"Wonderful Tonight" (Eric Clapton)
"Lay Down Sally" (Eric Clapton / Marcy Levy / George Terry)
"Next Time You See Her" (Eric Clapton)
"We're All The Way" (Don Williams)
 
SIDE 2
"The Core" (Eric Clapton / Marcy Levy)
"May You Never" (John Martyn)
"Mean Old Frisco" (Arthur Crudup)
"Peaches And Diesel" (Eric Clapton / Albhy Galuten)
 

Eric Clapton - lead vocals & guitar
Marcy Levy - harmony & backing vocals
Yvonne Elliman - harmony & backing vocals
Carl Radle - bass
Mel Collins - saxophone
George Terry - guitar
Jamie Oldaker - drums, percussion
Dick Sims - keyboards

Recorded In May 1977, At Olympic Studios, London.
Produced & Engineered By Glyn Johns.

I have detailed Eric Clapton's recording career so many times in countless descriptions, mostly because I felt it was necessary
to remind today's buyers that his 1970's solo albums were still within touching distance of that extraordinary 1960's decade.
I accept repetition is inevitable for memorabilia and records alike, when listing the records made by the same artist, then you
have to say Eric Clapton is a very, very special artist and remains the greatest living blues / rock guitarist in the world and I
am discussing a masterpiece recorded 41 years ago now.  Eric's status in rock is in itself a complete history of how it evolved,
he innovated music so unique, I do not believe we will ever see his like again, to justify that I will start in a certain decade!
The 60's was when blues guitarists opened music to such an extent, a new form of music evolved from r&b and blues, Eric Clapton
was an innovator of psychedelia, Jimi Hendrix acknowledged the pivitol role Cream played.  The Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith,
Derek & The Dominos etc. were directly related to the 1970's albums and singles, so was his heroin and alcohol addictions, he
came very close to joining the very long list of musical genius' who had burnt out by the early 1970's.  Clapton finished off the
"Derek & The Dominos" / "Laya" album in November, 1970 without his name appearing on the front cover, the second album was
started in April, 1971, but heroin saw him retreating to his Surrey home, now Eric Clapton was on the same slippery slope so many
never recovered from.  Music was always their final refuge, but Eric was no longer able to record or tour, only managing a few
isolated sessions and live appearances, but even they began to slow to a  crawl as drugs and drinking completely took over his
life, time was fast running out.
   
Fans my age will remember a four year void that was only filled by compilations of his glory years, his first solo album had been
in 1970 as well, it was interesting just now to type the track listing to "Slowhand" because the song strongly condemning drugs
was written by J.J. Cale,"Cocaine."  In 1970 Eric recorded another of Cale's compositions on his first solo LP, "After Midnight",
in 1977 he produced another definitive interpretation on "Slowhand."  Incidentally, that affectionate name given to Eric Clapton in
the Yardbirds and appeared on their early records, was originated by their manager Giorgio Gomelsky, who was also the owner
of the Crawdaddy Club, where The Yardbirds took up residency before starting touring.  The choice of the title for this album and
even the artwork on the outside of the cover, was the ideal way of announcing Eric Clapton had recorded a really inspired album.
I have moved too far ahead, back in those very dark life threatening early 1970's, Eric did not return to recording a second solo
album, until April,1974, his road to recovery and onto recording the sublime "461 Ocean Boulevard," began in January,1973, all
thanks to Pete Towshend who organised the historic Rainbow Theatre concert in London.  Townshend had coaxed him back onto
the stage again and Eric's caring friends included an array of astonishing talent, along with Pete Townshend were, Steve Winwood,
Ron Wood, Rick Grech, Jim Capaldi, Rebop and Jimmy Karstein.  In September,1973 that concert was released as a live album and
the following November, Clapton began two months of acupuncture treatment to finally kick the heroin habit that looked likely to
end his career.  In April,1974, Eric contacted Robert Stigwood to announce he was ready to resume recording and make an album,
the owner of RSO Records and founder of the famous Reaction label Cream first appeared on, Stigwood laid on a celebration meal
in a Chinese restaurant, it had been two years since Eric abandoned making the second "Derek And The Dominos" LP.   Eric headed
to Miami in Florida and the Criteria Recording Studios, he was staying at a house in Miami Beach that the album was named after,
located at '461 Ocean Boulevard.' Like a man re-born Clapton's very long lay off created an album of true greatness, he no longer
felt obliged to live up to being a 'guitar god', now just the joy of making music again created such sublime records. He released
superb albums after that but never quite re-scaled the inspiration that had produced "461 Ocean Boulevard." You cannot replicate
circumstances that lead to musical inspiration, the 1976 "No Reason To Cry" had contained so many famous musicians, the list of
them is enormous, for example he sang a duet with Bob Dylan on one of Dylan's unreleased songs, "Sign Language."  A fantastic LP,
the recording studio was filled with legendary musicians in the studio, nothing replicates edge regularly performing together and
the 1975 live  "EC Was Here" was a triumph. Eric now turned to the same touring band to record a follow up to "No Reason To Cry."
I doubt if the greatness of "461 Ocean Boulevard" was his goal, but the awareness of needing to produce something special found
the tried and tested Yvonne Elliman, Marcy Levy, Carl Radle, George Terry, Dick Sims & Jamie Oldaker lined up in Olympic Studios
to record the new material in May 1977.  The only addition was Mel Collins who provided his sax when required, as I often write,
true great albums only exist if the songs are as inspired as the performances, I could end this description now by only mentioning
one track, the glorious melody of "Wonderful Tonight" and Eric's most stunning melodic guitar since "Layla", but that track was
just one of nine that together formed an album as inspired and a true masterpiece like "461 Ocean Boulevard" was, "Slowhand" is
perhaps the most underrated but greatest album of Clapton's entire catalogue.

"Slowhand" was recognised for it's greatness in America,"No Reason To Cry" had not quite set the charts on fire but this time the
No.2 position on Billboard, said it all, plus if not for the massive selling "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack in 1977, "Slowhand"
would have hit No.1.  In Britain "No Reason To Cry" had been a resounding success, breaching the Top Ten and making No.8, but
a year later and in spite of rave reviews, "Slowhand" only reached No.23 but strangely still remained in the charts for 13 weeks.
I often write the expression,'First issue only' for printed items and usually for the pressing's quality, only chart figures give
the reasons for an alarming dip in quality albums can and do undergo, just take the deluxe quality of this gatefold cover with a
wide spine, during the course of over four months there is plenty of time and scope to cut back on expenses for record companies.
If anything though, the musical reputation of "Slowhand" spread more by word of mouth and created the UK's hesitant but prolonged
sales,not forgetting of course how the album spawned three absolutely stunning singles, an unforgettable blues riff in "Cocaine",
the sublime melody of  "Wonderful Tonight" and the infectious r&b of "Lay Down Sally."  Once again in Britain though, only one of
them charted, but "Lay Down Sally" only reached No.39, "Cocaine" was a commercial disaster and so was "Wonderful Tonight."
It might surprise a few people but facts are facts, "Wonderful Tonight" finally made a UK chart entry at No.30 in November, 1991,
fourteen years later, even that was a live version recorded at Eric Clapton's annual residencies at London's Royal Albert Hall.
The "Slowhand" album version of "Wonderful Tonight" was issued in multiple formats after that and is among the greatest tracks
of all time now.  In 1977, Eric's beautiful composition for Patti Boyd was almost unknown and that repeated exactly the same fate
of "Layla" in 1970, somewhere in my descriptions there are connecting threads because I am not just looking back, I followed all
the twists and turns since the Yardbirds debut single in 1964.   I leave copy and pasting someone else's work from websites to
other ebay sellers!   My favourite track on "Slowhand" opens Side 2, a fantastic near ten minutes of Eric Clapton given space to
'step out' as well as sing a wonderful duet with female vocalist Marcy Levy, the co-composer, surely Eric's finest ever vocals.
For blues, his guitar was never better employed than this album, I love the version of Arthur Crudup's "Mean Old Frisco" and for
a riveting instrumental, "Peaches And Diesel" features 'melt in the mouth' Clapton guitar.  The perfect blend between melodies,
blues, rock and even a venture into country with a brilliant version of Don Williams' "We're All The Way, " for me the real test
of a true great album is whether it can sustain constant plays, on that score "Slowhand" definitely ranks as a masterpiece!
  
The distinctive matt textured cream colour RSO labels, do not have any spindle traces and the record is gleaming like it was just
pressed, completely untouched and unmarked, an unplayed genuine mint first pressing.  I mentioned the colour of 1977 RSO labels
for a good reason, I regularly see the cheap budget black RSO label re-issues of not only "Slowhand" but all Eric's albums in the
1970's decade, being sold on ebay as 'first issues,' for most titles the black RSO labels were re-issued at least a whole decade
after the event.  They do not have the stunning sound of these first pressings and nor do the single covers without the wonderful
pictures & handwritten track listing inside the gatefold cover, an essential companion on your lap while listening to the record.
You may gather I was eager to hear this amazing condition very first pressing, but ultimate condition very first pressings have
to be presented without personal listening pleasure involved, this unplayed "Slowhand," saw common sense prevailing.  All the
records I sell feel like they are initially bought for myself, take that way and I could not function, a rare Mint, unplayed first
pressing so I will not play it myself, I have always taken great pride presenting Eric Clapton's records in pristine condition.
{Roy}
 

R & M RECORDS.
My lifetime's love of music and records began at a very young age, the arrival of the Beatles and the 1960's decade
in general had a very profound effect. It was only natural to bring all my first hand experience of collecting vinyl
into becoming a professional record seller.  Nearly thirty years ago we entered into the wonderful atmosphere
of record fairs with the highest possible standards set. When the Internet became the world's new market place for
vinyl, in 2001 it was time to join ebay. Those standards were rigidly adhered to as they will always continue to be,
the basics of honesty and integrity were very much part of the era the music I love originated in, so here is our friendly
and very efficient service we are proud to provide;

EVERY RECORD IS FULLY PLAYED AND COMES WITH A 'NO ARGUMENT' MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.
I USE GOOD OLD COMMON SENSE AS WELL AS A GLOBALLY ACCEPTED GRADING TERMINOLOGY
FROM THE U.K. "RECORD COLLECTOR PRICE GUIDE" BOOK.
THERE IT CLEARLY STATES "Sound Quality" AFFECTS EVERY GRADING LEVEL AND THAT IS THE ONE
AND ONLY POSSIBLE WAY TO ACCURATELY GRADE RECORDS. i.e. COMBINING A STRICT VISUAL
INSPECTION WITH VERY CLOSELY LISTENING TO EVERY SECOND, UNLESS PERHAPS IN THE CASE
OF GENUINELY UNPLAYED VINYL.  EVEN THEN WE STILL TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR A RECORD
WHEN A CUSTOMER RECEIVES EITHER A SEALED OR AN UNPLAYED RECORD.
 
  We take 100% responsibility after an item has been posted and offer our fullest support in the event of any problems.

"There Are No Problems, Only Solutions" (John Lennon)

MY DESCRIPTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE 100% HONEST AND TOTALLY ACCURATE ON ALL GRADINGS
FROM 'V.G.' ( VERY GOOD), TO THE ULTIMATE 'MINT' CONDITION.

ANY QUESTIONS ON OUR ITEMS ARE WELCOMED AND WILL BE PROMPTLY REPLIED TO.
 
WE ARE FULLY EXPERIENCED AT SHIPPING WORLDWIDE AND NO EFFORT IS SPARED TO PROTECT
RECORDS AND COVERS ETC.  WE WELCOME BIDDERS FROM ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

ALL RECORDS ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR SLEEVES AND PLACED INTO NEW PROTECTIVE CARD
SLEEVES AND THEN PLACED INTO NEW, HEAVYWEIGHT PLASTIC OUTER SLEEVES.
THE GREATEST ATTENTION IS PAID TO MAKING THE PACKAGING EXTREMELY STRONG & SECURE.
EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE A SAFE DELIVERY AND WE ONLY USE THE VERY BEST
QUALITY PACKAGING MATERIALS, THE COST OF THE ITEM IS IMMATERIAL, EVERY RECORD IS
TREATED EXACTLY THE SAME.

WE DO NOT TREAT POSTAGE AS A MONEY MAKING PROJECT, POSTAGE IS LESS THAN COST, USING
ONLY PROFESSIONALLY PACKED BOXES WITH SUBSTANTIAL PROTECTIVE PACKAGING THAT DOES
WEIGH A LITTLE EXTRA.

UNDER PAYPAL & EBAY'S GUIDELINES, ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA A FULLY INSURED TRACKABLE
SERVICE.

For LP's valued above £50, the cost will be £9, we are unhappy about either increase but our high standard of packaging has meant
in 16 years of ebay trading, there has not been one record damaged, we are determined to maintain that in the present and future.

IN THE UK RECORDS UP TO THE VALUE OF £50 WILL BE SENT RECORDED DELIVERY, OVER £50 WILL BE
SENT SPECIAL DELIVERY.
   FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA 'INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR.'

POSTAGE  COST FOR LP's
UK: UP TO VALUE OF £50, FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY  £5.00
UK: OVER VALUE OF £50, FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY £9.00

  EUROPE: FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR  £15.00

  USA,JAPAN & REST OF THE WORLD FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £20.00

POSTAGE COST FOR EP's & 7" SINGLES
UK: UP TO THE VALUE OF £50 FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY £3.00
UK: OVER THE VALUE OF £50 FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY £6.00
EUROPE: AIR MAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £10.00
USA, JAPAN ETC. AIRMAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £12.00

  PAYMENT DETAILS.
  WE WILL SEND ALL WINNING BIDDERS AN INVOICE WITH THE FULL PAYMENT AND POSTAL DETAILS,
AS NEAR TO THE AUCTION ENDING AS POSSIBLE.

OUR AIM IS TO MAKE YOUR PURCHASE SMOOTH AND TROUBLE FREE.


FOR UK BUYERS;
WE ACCEPT:  PAYPAL, CHEQUES, POSTAL ORDERS & BANK WIRES.

  FOR OVERSEAS BUYERS;
  WE ACCEPT  PAYPAL, INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDERS IN POUNDS STERLING ONLY.
OR BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFERS.

WE WILL NOT MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS ON CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORMS AND WILL ALWAYS
CONDUCT ALL OF OUR BUSINESS WITH TOTAL HONESTY.
AS MUCH AS WE SYMPATHISE WITH THE WAY SOME COUNTRIES CHARGE SUCH HEAVY IMPORT
DUTIES, WE WILL NOT LIE.