- "JOHNNY ACE MEMORIAL ALBUM" 1961 UK VOCALION VA 160177
£
50
$
66
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Description
For auction tonight is one of the rarest R&B Albums ever issued in the UK, the fabulous "Johnny Ace Memorial Album" a 1961 1st pressing on the grooved Vocalion label (see pictures), Cat. No. VA 160177. Not only is it an extremely rare item, but it features one of the outstanding R&B vocalists of his time, whose career was tragically cut short, after only 2 & half years, during which he had 13 consecutive hits.
He was absolutely huge in the early 50's, as big as Sam Cooke became later, filling the void left by Johnny Ace. Listen on YouTube to his original version of " Pledging My Love ", you'd be hard pressed to find a better version amongst the many artists who recorded it later. It's the first track of Side 1. on this album.
You will see many Johnny Ace Memorial Albums for sale/auction, but many of them are on either the MCA label (1973), or the US label Duke, where they are quite common. Also this album is in absolutely tip top condition for the Vinyl, which I grade in Ex+ Cond. (M- might be the same).I bought this myself in 1961 and only got around to playing it about a half dozen times. It looks as good as new, with a real nice gloss to the vinyl.
The laminated sleeve is graded in Ex. Cond. There is a crease in top l.h. corner and at bottom right there is a sort of wheel mark or something like that, in bottom r.h. corner. I don't know how it got there, but noticed it only a couple of months ago. The vinyl, which is quite thick, is not affected.
In the 2008 edition of the Record Collector Rare Record Guide, a Mint copy, which this not far short of, the book price was £160.00! I've seen this elsewhere at £200, even £315.00 believe it or night. A US collector seller has stated that you very rarely see the UK Vocalion grooved label, 1st pressing, coming up for sale/auction. Anyway here it is. This is my favourite R&B album ever. I have the CD, so it's not lost to me entirely, but you can't beat a vinyl album in a sleeve.
Good Luck if you're bidding and thanks for your interest, in the amazing talent of Johnny Ace, a guy with a unique voice.
Winning bidder may wish to insure this item, depending on sale price. Will advise after end of listing
P & P to USA/Canada/Worldwide is £7.50
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