J.W. ALEXANDER SOUL 1970 2XLP- OUR YEARS TOGETHER/SAM COOKE M- VINYL

$

40

Thanks for checking out my vinyl albums for sale. After years of collecting I have learned that the many grading systems can cause disagreements. Therefore, I will describe each item as fully and honestly as I possibly can and provide a photo of the actual item for sale. All vinyl has been machine cleaned and play-graded on my classic PIONEER PL-530 turntable when noted. I will also assign grades per the following reference. All items are sold as described and pictured. ><> I live VERY rural in the mountains and mail twice a week.

Factory Sealed   Never opened or played - Rare and $$$

Mint / Unplayed / Brand New Opened, unplayed and vinyl shine

NM / M-           Small Sign of play if any

EX / VG++       Excellent. Some Marks Not Audible

VG                 Scratches, Marks and Audible Wear
POOR           Heavy background noise due to scratches and overall wear * These are only for sale due to the rarity of the record 

This Vinyl IS THE MEGA RARE J.W. ALEXANDER SOUL 1970  2XLP – OUR YEARS TOGETHER –REMEMBERING SAM COOKE. THRUSH 2004. SEE TRACK LIST BELOW.  

PLEASE READ THIS DESCRIPTION: VINYLS GRADED M- PER ABOVE STANDARDS. SOUNDS AWESOME! LABELS ARE CLEAN- GATEFOLD COVER HAS A LOT OF SOILING/ SHELF WEAR/NO SPLITS.  see photo)

James Woody Alexander (January 21, 1916 – July 8, 1996), usually known as J. W. Alexander, was an American singer, musician, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur who was a key figure in the development of gospel and soul music, most notably through his close association with Sam Cooke.

Alexander was born in Hamilton, Mississippi, but by his early teens was living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and started singing with local gospel groups. At the age of 18 he joined and began managing the Silver Moon Quartet, from Independence, Kansas, who toured around the Midwest. He also played professional baseball for a time, for the Ethiopian Clowns who became the Indianapolis Clowns, and worked as an extra in Hollywood.[1] In 1942 he joined the Southern Gospel Singers, and in 1945 began singing as first tenor in, and managing, another gospel group, the Pilgrim Travelers.[2][3]

The group began recording for Specialty Records in Los Angeles in 1947, and established a national reputation for their innovative and rhythmic musical style. Alexander also carried out A&R functions for Specialty, identifying new recording acts. In 1949 he heard the teenage Sam Cooke sing with the Highway Q.C.'s, and the following year, after Cooke had joined the Soul Stirrers, he signed the group to a recording contract. Alexander also brought several other gospel groups to the label, but devoted much of his attention to the Soul Stirrers, increasingly seeing Cooke as someone who could become a commercially successful teen idol by performing secular rather than spiritual music.[4] The Soul Stirrers, with Cooke, and the Pilgrim Travelers, with Alexander, toured extensively together in the early and mid 1950s.[2]

With Alexander's encouragement and guidance, Cooke began recording as a solo singer in 1957. He achieved great commercial success both before and after leaving Specialty and joining first Keen and then, in 1960, RCA. Alexander established the Kags Music firm in 1958, and in 1960 he and Cooke joined together as business partners to establish SAR Productions, with the aim of recording and marketing both gospel and rhythm and blues recordings. They later established the Derby label to record pop music,[2][5] and also collaborated as songwriters on songs such as "Stand By Me Father", "That's Where It's At", and "Together Let's Find Love".[6]

After Cooke's death in 1964, Alexander managed and promoted the career of another former gospel singer, Lou Rawls, who had also been a member of the Pilgrim Travelers; Rawls started having a series of pop and R&B hits in 1966. Alexander also recorded several future stars on his Derby label, notably Little Johnny Taylor, Billy Preston and The Valentinos. He also worked as an independent record producer, with musicians including Bobby Bland, Little Junior Parker, Bobby Womack, Solomon Burke, and Little Richard.[2]

Shipping is $3.49  in mainland USA via Media Mail. I will ship multiple LPs   in a single package up to 3 at their calculated postal rate. If you want expedited shipping, let me know and we can calculate cost. Shipping anywhere else in the world is the best rate available. Vinyl valued over $100 will require insurance paid by buyer.