ERIC ELDER San Tokay 1971 GLAM PSYCH GRAHAM GOULDMAN 45

$

54

WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS…

ERIC ELDER "San Tokay (mono)/SAME"

Original 1971 pr0m0 45 on the PHILIPS label

Vinyl:  Plays EXCELLENT

Okay, it’s time to play Six Degrees of 10CC.  What, you don’t know what that is?  Okay, so technically, that game hasn’t caught on with the music crowd the same way Kevin Bacon’s version caught on with the film geeks, but hey, better late than never, right?  This is Eric Elder’s uber-obscure 1971 single “San Tokay” and let’s say, hypothetically, you wanted to connect the Alan Parsons Project with 10CC.  Well, in our hot new board game, you’d have to go through this baby to get there.  Play along at home…

In the Alan Parsons Project, Alan’s right-hand man was Eric Woolfson, who coincidentally also wrote the Poets’ classic freakbeat killer “Wooden Spoon.”  “Eric Elder” is really a pseudonym for Eric Woolfson, so yes, the man responsible for this rare single is none other than Alan Parsons’ right-hand man in disguise.  And when you’re partially responsible for “Eye in the Sky,” a disguise is a good thing to have.  The A-side of this single, “San Tokay,” is co-written by Graham Gouldman, who also wrote many of the Yardbirds’ big singles and…you got it, went on to form 10CC.  And that’s Alan Parsons to 10CC in four easy steps.  And you know what they say (or will be saying once this game catches on) – all roads lead to 10CC!

There’s little doubt that Graham co-wrote “San Tokay” – it starts with the same minimal proto-glam stomp that he used on his own early 70’s single “Neanderthal Man” (as Hotlegs, of course).  Only this time, Eric Elder Woolfson doesn’t rely solely on Graham’s basic stomp to carry his single, so after 30 seconds, “San Tokay” turns into a much fuller, catchier slab of early strummin’ psychedelic glitter rock, caught somewhere between Johns Children and 1971 Sweet.  And if you can’t be trapped between the Olsen Twins, that’s really not such a bad place to get caught.

Glammy acid rock in glorious mono, and an indispensible link between 10CC and the Alan Parsons Project for your next Six Degrees of 10CC sleepover party.  Bring your “How Dare You” jammies.

 HEAR IT!

The less exciting stuff

First class shipping is $4.00 in the US, with each additional record only $1 additional shipping.  Delivery confirmation included in the shipping costs.  Air mail shipping to Canada starts at $6 US, each additional record $2 shipping.  Air mail shipping everywhere else in the world starts at $8 US, with each additional record only $3 shipping.  Proof of shipment REQUIRED for all foreign orders, an extra $1.10.  

I try to grade as best as I can, and I list as many blemishes/imperfections I can find (writing, ringwear, scuff marks, etc.) – Also, please note that I DO listen to these albums – I may not listen to every track, but my grades are based on LISTENING, not just looking at it, since chances are you’ll be listening to the record you buy, not just looking at it.  Most of the albums I sell are the ones I’ve enjoyed for years – and I treat my records with kid gloves.  But sounds speak louder than words, so check out the sound clips below – they’re from the actual record you’re bidding on. 

SHIPPING AND PACKAGING

Listen, I buy a bunch of records too (when I’m not getting outbid at the last second, which is more often than not) – and I know what it’s like to get a rare, one-of-a-kind album packaged dangerously in a flimsy bubblewrap package.  I hate that too.  So rest assured, I ALWAYS package albums with stiff cardboard reinforcements, same for 45s.  And yes, the records are removed from the sleeves (for albums).  I ship out once a week, every Friday, because I have a regular day job.  But I’d be willing to give that up if you’d all be so kind as to bid my items up to stupidly high amounts. 

And finally, I include delivery confirmation on all shipments inside the US.  This is my proof of shipment, and also helps us to track your package if it doesn’t arrive when it should.  I will email you within 2 days of shipment and give you the confirmation number at that time.  Insurance is always optional, but for larger orders, it’s highly recommended.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a cost-effective way of tracking parcels to foreign countries yet, and shipping times vary depending on your country’s postal system.  Italy in particular seems to be really bad at delivering packages quickly, or delivering packages at all, now that you mention it.  I will always email you when your package ships, but once it’s on its way, please don’t ask me when it will arrive because I don’t know.  If the world’s postal systems can ever agree on a universal tracking system that’s affordable, I’ll be the first to use it.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN…

I will always leave positive feedback for successful transactions, and would appreciate the same in return.  All I ask of you is the following – please pay for your items within 14 days of the close of auction.  Compared to other sellers, that’s a generous amount of time, so if you don’t pay within 2 weeks, then I have to assume something’s wrong.  You’ll get an Ebay payment reminder at that point, and possibly a decapitated horse head in your bed.  If, after 30 days, you still haven’t forked up the cash, I’ll relist the item and yell at you if I ever see you in town.