Bill Morrissey
Bill Morrissey

Artist: Bill Morrissey
Title: Bill Morrissey
Release Year: 1984
Pressing Year: 1984
Label: Philo Records
Catalog Number: PH-1105
Format: 33 RPM • 12” Album • Stereo
UPC: none

It’s the songwriting that stands out here on Bill Morrissey’s debut album. These finely detailed vignettes, supported solely by Morrissey's acoustic guitar work, marked the beginning of the career of a startlingly good songwriter. His poetic observations create riveting imagery, as in Barstow, where he sings in the chorus, "Don't the freight yard sound like a drunk in a metal shop." This excellent storyteller knows how to create the characters who populate his songs, breathing life into them with a voice capable of pathos, humor, sympathy, anger, and more. For the CD version of this album, Morrissey re-recorded it in its entirety. This vinyl LP, of course, is the original — and some say better — version.

Side One: Side Two: Barstow My Baby & Me Small Town On The River The Packard Company Darlin’ Lisa A Problem With Logic Oil Money Run You Through The Mill Morrissey Falls In Love At First Sight Grizzly Bear Texas Blues Rosie

VINYL GRADE: VG+
Notes: Minimal surface noise. A good cleaning is all this one needs.

LABEL GRADE: VG+
Notes: Neither side has spindle wear, writing, ring wear, or tape. Standard white Philo logo on light green. Text is black on light green. 

SLEEVE GRADE: VG+
Notes: Original plain white paper with circles cut in the centers of both sides to display the labels. No splits, no marks, no tape, no stains, a few crinkles, no writing, very little yellowing.

INSERT GRADE: VG+
Notes: Original 8.5x11 plain white paper. Printed one side only. Has text and mail-in section for Roundup Records catalog.

JACKET GRADE: G+
Notes: Barely visible ring wear. No marks, no writing, some crinkling, a few nicks. Edges and spine (readable) are in good shape. Corners are slightly worn. Radio station identification in black marker at center of left side of cover. Cut-out snip at top right corner. (See my original scan.) Back cover has “Jan 86” in black marker written on back cover. Nothing obscured. 

Shipping is $4.00. NOTE: I will NOT be responsible for items lost or damaged in the mail.

PayPal accepted.

Combined shipping: I will be happy to combine multiple items. If you buy more than one item from me, the shipping cost will be the highest original shipping fee plus $1 per additional item.

This is not a cut-out or a record-club pressing. It is the original issue.

Note: I haven't cleaned this 36-year-old vinyl record because everybody seems to prefer their own methods. I'll leave the cleaning up to the buyer. Also, I'm not a professional vinyl seller or buyer. This comes from my own collection. Bought at a flea market in Salem VA.

Enjoy the auction — and good luck!