Humble Pie, "Town and Country" (IMSP-027) VG+/G+ RARE UK Vinyl

$

50

RARE original UK pressing of Humble Pie's second album "Town and Country", long unreleased in the U.S. Record acquired by a Brooklyn-based vintage shop that specializes in vinyl from a private collection. Previous owner was an audiophile who played exclusively on high-grade equipment.
Grading Vinyl graded in-store conservatively and competitively: NM - A nearly perfect record, never played. Never assigned unless a record is sealed. (Open records that look unplayed are graded down to VG+) VG+ - Some signs that the record was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. May contain slight scuffs or light scratches that do not affect play. VG - Light surface noise upon play, but will not overpower the music. No skipping. G+ - Surface noise and groove wear will affect play and overpower the music in some sections. No skipping. G - Surface nose and groove wear will overpower the music in most sections. Record may contain skipping in some sections.
Label: Immediate Records- IMSP-027 Genre: Rock/Hard Rock/Folk Rock Condition: Vinyl/VG+, Sleeve/G+ (Front cover has 4 small tears, spine has extensive rubbing, corner wear, but no splits, see photos)

• Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, etched exc. -1U stamped): IMSP 027 . 1y - 1 U RL SS
• Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, etched exc. -1U stamped): IMSP 027 . 2y - 1 U RL SS

From Wikipedia:

"Town and Country" was Humble Pie's second studio album, released in November 1969, in the UK only.

Conceived at Steve Marriott's 16th century "Arkesden" cottage in Moreton, Essex, England, "Town and Country" offered a different approach for Humble Pie. The finished LP was a departure from the "heavy" sound prevalent on Humble Pie's first album. Humble Pie's effort blended these elements into a tasteful, and very listenable, record. The album bolstered the group's reputation, despite their record company's woes, and disappointing sales. Immediate Records rushed the album into UK record shops in the Fall of 1969, hoping the record would enter the charts before the company went bankrupt. However, with no promotional budget to promote it, the album quickly sank without a trace. The LP wasn't released in the US, at that time, although the band was on its first American tour when the album was released, but it got a lot of attention on underground FM stations.

All four members of the band contributed songs. On the recordings, Peter Frampton contributed acoustic, Spanish, and lead guitars, Steve Marriott played guitar, sitar, percussion and keyboards, and took a turn on bass. Greg Ridley also contributed guitar and tambourine, while Jerry Shirley handled not only his drum kit, but added a percussion saw on the first cut, and as well as tambourine, tablas, and maracas, and Wurlitzer piano on his own composition.

Two of the more memorable Marriot-driven tracks were a cover of the classic Buddy Holly song "Heartbeat" and the notable Marriott composition "Every Mother's Son". Of greater merit, both in the moment and historically, Peter Frampton's delicate lead guitar work throughout the album is what lifts the record beyond the pedestrian. "Take Me Back" and "Only You Can See" are beautiful, easily identifiable Frampton tracks. The original album closer is a group effort but the roots are clearly from Frampton. The song, "Home and Away" just smokes. The guitar solo in this track is simple perfect within the context of the song...a control that many of his contemporaries did not understand. A worthy "road song" by any measure, Frampton's framework, which would carry forward into his soon-to-be solo career, is both atmospheric and pure, late '60s rock. Come to this album to hear Marriott's vocal work, but stay for the joyous guitar work of a young Peter Frampton.

Most, if not all, of the material dated back to recordings in the spring and early summer of 1969, when the band recorded more than two albums' worth of material. Legal wrangling with Frampton's old management had delayed a release until August; the band hit the road for the last half of the year, to practice their chops live, and generate interest with the record-buying public.

Like the band's early live shows, which opened with an acoustic set, before returning to rock out with electric guitars, in the second half of the show, "Town and Country" displayed an eclectic mix of acoustic ballads, country-rock, folk and blues, with a couple of hard rock songs to balance it out. After this album, Humble Pie returned to what would become their trademark "heavy" sound. Following Frampton's departure, in 1971, the band would continue in the "boogie rock" vein, until the remaining and replacement members disbanded in 1975. Although Marriott revived the band in the 80's, Humble Pie never again enjoyed wide popularity. With Steve Marriott's death, in 1991, at age 44, the story came to an end. Humble Pie fans would have to rely on the few albums the band recorded.