CHUCK BERRY AFTER SCHOOL MINT ORIG MONO LP FIRST PRESS

$

372

You are looking at a RARE Near Mint Original 1957 Chess Records MONO US Pressing of Chuck Berry's 1st LP entitled "After School Session" (LP 1426).  This is the rare first version of the cover without the "BOXED" Chess Logo in the upper right-hand corner of the front panel on the cover.  THIS IS FROM OUR PERSONAL COLLECTION!!!

Chuck Berry's first album boasts a picture of him lifted from his appearance in the 1956-vintage rock & roll movie Rock, Rock, Rock -- it's a daring pose if you look closely, the singer/guitarist/songwriter captured at his most animated, in what was a pretty bold pose for a black artist in an interracial movie, strutting and duck-walking across the screen with his guitar at full...exposure. That said, bold as the movie appearance was and the pose that was reflected in its cover, After School Session came out fairly late, given that his first hit, "Maybellene," dated from the summer of 1955. This was partly owing to the sheer novelty of rock & roll LPs -- during that period, only a relative handful reached the public, and a significant portion of those were the work of Elvis Presley or Bill Haley, whose associations with the gigantic RCA Victor and Decca labels, respectively, put them in virtually a separate universe from everyone else in the field, especially Berry, recording for the tiny independent Chess label. Chess Records hadn't even issued its first LP until the end of 1956, and that album, the soundtrack LP Rock, Rock, Rock, had included "Maybellene." After School Session was only the label's second-ever long-player, and its timing was predicated on the fact that, after "Maybellene," the rock & roll legend hadn't charted another major pop hit in almost two years (though he had generated some serious R&B hits, which are included here, among them the blues "Wee Wee Hours" -- which was what Berry originally purported to represent as his sound -- and the more rhythm-oriented "No Money Down" and "Brown Eyed Handsome Man").

It was the release and hit status of "School Day" in the early spring of 1957 that yielded this album, which is a brilliant compendium of the range, depth, and breadth of Berry's music across his first two years as a recording artist. The sounds ranged from the pounding, jargon-laden teen-oriented beat of "School Day" through those R&B and blues classics to the moody instrumental "Deep Feeling"; the Latin-flavored, Calypso-influenced "Havana Moon"; the slow, romantic ballad "Together (We'll Always Be)," which showed Berry working in a '40s R&B-pop mode similar to the music of the Ink Spots, and attempting a Nat King Cole style of soft singing; his more successful effort in that ballad vein, "Drifting Heart"; and the mysterious, ominous, darkly shimmering "Down Bound Train," which could almost have been Berry's (and black music's) answer to "Ghost Riders in the Sky"

IMPORTANT NOTE:  unless otherwise noted, we visually grade all records.  These are not Play-graded!  We grade records under a strong, diffuse room light or discrete sunlight.

The Original Glossy, Laminted cover is in EXCELLENT condition with no writing, no stickers, does have a one inch bottom seam split at opening (probably easily repairable).  The words printed on the spine are in perfect alignment and would be clearly seen if this album was sitting on a shelf.  The thick, heavy vinyl is in NEAR MINT condition retaining most of its original gloss.  Some VERY LIGHT and Superficial abrasions -- mostly sleeve scuffs -- barely visible, probably inaudible and do not affect the visual integrity or beauty of the vinyl.  The original Black Chess labels with Silver print are in EXCELLENT condition with no writing, no stickers, no paper loss.  Be sure to check our other auctions including more Original Chuck Berry albums along with other great artists such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, plus many others!

SHIPPING TERMS:  See rates below.  All records are shipped in sturdy made for LP boxes. NOTE: International buyers please be aware that your shipping costs are based on country location.  Insurance is optional for an additional fee. • If you choose not to insure your product please understand that we are not responsible if your item is lost or damaged in shipping.  • We do try to make shipments twice a week.  However, due to our work schedules, we generally ship items out on the Saturday following the end of auction [as long as payment has been received].

Flat Rate Shipping - United States (Priority Mail is 2 - 7 business days; Media Mail is 3 - 9 days): 

         One 12"/LP = $4.00 Media Mail
         One 12"/LP = $6.00 Priority Mail
         $1.00 for each additional 12"/LP auction won

Domestic Insurance:

Insurance is optional, but encouraged on auctions over $50. Statement in the description above still holds true whether you purchase insurance or not.  We are not responsible for any items once they are shipped.  Delivery confirmation is Free.  You will have the ability to check the tracking directly in the auction once item is shipped.

Up to $49.99 insurance cost = $ 1.75
$50 to $100 insurance cost = $2.95

          (Over $100 add $.90 per additional $100 increment of insurance.)

Flat Rate Shipping - International Airmail Airmail (usally arrives in 4 to 10 business days):

Canada/Mexico
$9.00 - add $1 each additional 12"/LP
Europe
$15.00 - add $2 each additional 12"/LP
Asia/Australia
$17.00 - add $2 each additional 12"/LP

International insurance is rather expensive.   Please contact us for a quote.

A Special Note Regarding Customs:
International buyers may be subject to duties and/or taxes which are applied when shipment reaches your country. Any charges for customs clearance are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Please contact your local customs office for information.  We are willing to mark customs forms as Gift and declare a lower value at your request.

PAYMENTS ACCEPTED:  Preferred method of payment is PayPal and Money Orders.  Personal checks are accepted but, item will be held for 5 days until the check clears the bank.