NRBQ - Workshop original vinyl LP on Kama Sutra nice

$

41

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NRBQ - "Workshop" in stereo on Kama Sutra 2065. Hard to find and considered by many to be their high watermark.

Record Grade: Strong VG++, visually a 7.5 on a 1-10

Cover Grade: VG+, minor to average wear, staple top left corner

Labels: "Adam and Eve in the garden" logo

About the Album: by Lindsay Planer

This disc would become a true touchstone LP for the band. Originally titled Age of Aquariums, Workshop became the first album to feature what is considered by many to be the "classic quartet" version of NRBQ. This incarnation incorporated the talents of Terry Adams (keyboard/coronet/trumpet), Joey Spampinato (bass/guitar/sax/vocals), Al Anderson (guitar/vocals), and, making his final studio appearance with the band, Tom Staley (drums). Although they had been performing with an evolving makeshift horn section — which could (and often would) include Terry Adams (coronet/trumpet) and Joey Spampinato (sax) — this disc also debuts the semi-permanent Whole Wheat Horn section — consisting of Terry's brother Donn Adams (trombone) and Keith Spring (sax). The shift in personnel served the 'Q well, as Workshop was lauded and raved about by enthusiasts as well as pop music critics. Producer Eddie Kramer was able to further enhance the band's practically indefinable style — ranging from the undeniable Paul McCartney-influenced Spampinato rocker "Deaf, Dumb and Blind" to the understated grace and complex rhythmic syncopation of Terry Adams' "Miss Moses." Another Spampinato gem is the organic pop ballad "Mona." Instrumentally, the track is notable for Terry's accordion accents as well as the conspicuous absence of drums. In addition to the copious originals, they revived the C&W-tinged "Blues Stay Away From Me" — which had actually been recorded for inclusion on their previous long-player, Scraps. Likewise, their second stab at Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry's "Come On If You're Comin'" reinforced the popularity of the track, which became a performance and enthusiast favorite. A similar fate would befall the 'Q's unofficial anthem — the down-home rockabilly rave-up "RC Cola & a Moon Pie." Sadly, Workshop was never reprinted — although several notable compilations such as RC Cola & a Moon Pie (1986) have included key tracks.

MY GRADING SYSTEMS: I’ve been told that I grade conservatively. My NM (near mint) is my highest grade for opened records (which would also include unplayed records). It’s a 9 or 10 on a 1-10 scale. M- would be equivalent to an 8; VG++ to a 7; VG+ to a 6; VG to a 5; VG- to a 4; G to a 3; F to a 2 and P to a 1. The same scale applies when I grade covers (jackets). Significant defects are specifically noted and taken into consideration in the grade.

GRADING DESCRIPTIONS

• GRADING Grading is based on the following criteria
• Sealed = store stock new
• Near Mint = like new or near new with only one or two small insignificant defects, a 9 or better on a 1-10 scale
• Mint- = extremely nice. Would be Near Mint, except for a couple of light hairlines or scuffs, which do not affect play
• VG++ = still a very nice record with all or nearly all of its original gloss but may have a few more light, surface marks, hairlines, needle tracks or the like which should not materially effect play
• VG+ = a nice, but used record that may have a series of light scuffs or scratches. It probably plays with a few pops, but has no serious problems.
• VG = a well-used record that still should sound OK when played, but may have moderate surface noise, pops, etc.
• VG- = a very well-worn record that plays through without skipping, but will do until a better copy comes along.
• Good = not actually good at all but probably will play through but with much in the way of surface noise, pops, crackles, etc. Still, will have no cracks, chips or the like
• Fair = you’re getting this record just to own but not to play
• Poor = the sky’s the limit, generally I will discard a record this bad (and sell the cover, jacket or sleeve alone) unless the label holds some particular interest

  VISUAL GRADING: All records are visually graded only unless I state that they are play-graded. Some major labels such as the one that uses the Nipper logo - for example, were pressed on better quality vinyl and will sound better than a record which visually appears the same on budget labels. Recording techniques also varied. The sound on live albums may be far inferior to studio recordings. There may also be defects in the pressing which are invisible. The point is that an album on a major label graded VG+ may sound noticeably better than an album on a budget label that is visually graded Near Mint. I have no problem issuing a refund if you are dissatisfied with the sound on a record as long as it’s requested as per my stated return policy below. But please don’t be shocked if a record visually graded Near Mint doesn’t sound state of the art. If I base my grade on a PLAY GRADE, I will state this specifically in my grading section.

  COVERS: There are really too many possible defects regarding covers to be as specific in my definitions as I had been with my record grades. But please keep in mind these general grading guidelines:

  • I will give greater weight to the condition of the front cover than back cover when assigning an overall grade
  • No cover with a cut out hole or saw mark will be graded Near Mint even if it is still in factory shrink and there is no other wear
  • I will not reduce the grade of a cover for stickers which are glued to the jacket by the record company (eg. Contains the hit song Expressway to Your Heart); but will reduce the grade for stickers glued on the cover by stores, previous owners, etc.
  • If I write that a cover has a bb hole, I’m talking about a small cut out hole
  • A saw mark is a narrow cut in the perimeter of the cover, could be anywhere and vary in length from 1/2” to 2” at the most.
  • The overall grade takes into consideration any stated defects. For example, if I grade a cover VG+ and then state it has 6” top and bottom seam splits - I’ve already reduced the grade because of the seam splits. If the seams weren’t split, the cover would be graded higher such as VG++ or Mint-.

    Shipping Costs:

    The buyer pays for shipping. For one or two albums, the cost for priority mail in the United States is $6.50. For media rate postage within the U.S. the cost will be $3.50 for one or two albums.

    The cost for shipping a 7” record via 1st class is $2.50 and the cost for shipping a compact disc via 1st class is $3.20.

    Save money when I mail 2 or more records in the same package.

    Insurance is optional but highly recommended for “high ticket” purchases. Insurance is available only on purchases of over $50.00. The cost for insurance is $2.20 for up to $100; $3.20 for up to $200 and $1.00 additional for each additional $100 of insurance. Rates are quoted in my winning bid notices. The shipping charges for box sets, multi-record sets and other items of non-standard size and weight will be quoted.

    International Shipments: Overseas customers are welcome to bid. Postage to the U.K., western Europe and Latin America is $12.00 for airmail and $6.50 for surface for one album. Canada is $6.00 airmail (no surface option). To all other countries, postage is $15.00 airmail and $7.00 surface. 7“ records are $5.50 airmail anywhere in the world. Save on shipping cost per record when I mail two or more records in one package.

    Please check out my other eBay auctions

    . I’ve been listing all types of records - mostly LP’s - including 50’s and 60’s rock ‘n’ roll, country, folk jazz, blues, personalities, new wave and punk, surf, psych, spoken word, comedy, etc., etc....... I try to list unusual, unique or obscure records, not the ones that you see all the time. While a majority of my listings are albums, you’ll often find a nice selection of 45’s, EP’s or picture sleeves...and an occasional 78 or two.

    My return policy: I don’t get many returns but customers are important to me so I like to offer a relatively hassle-free return policy. However, in order to return the record or other item, you must notify me by e-mail of your intent shortly after your receipt of the record or other item and within a reasonable time after the auction’s close. Also, the item must be returned in its original condition , i.e. the way it was shipped when it left my hands. While a very high percentage of my records arrive safe and sound (I use professional mailers and a filler or two, more for 78’s), they occasionally are damaged in transit. If that happens, I won’t accept the return of the record or other item - that’s why you have the option of obtaining insurance.

    My Feedback Policy: Because I've been burnt on a few occasions, I've decided I'm only going to respond to feedback once it is left for me (and I'll try to do so on a weekly basis if not more often). Most recently, a fellow from Belgium e-mailed me after a couple of weeks and said he never received his Reparata & the Delrons album which he won for $7.50. I told him it was mailed about two weeks before and he should be a bit patient. A couple of weeks later, he e-mails me again and said it didn't arrive. I offered to mail him a copy of my postal receipt if that would make him feel better. Next thing I know, I get negative feedback. When I attempted to leave him an appropriate response, I discovered I had already left him positive feedback. This is about the 4th time this has happened over the years, getting unfavorable feedback thru no fault of my own. Unwarranted negative feedback can end up costing me $. Unfortunately a few bad apples ruin it for the large percentage of honest and reasonable folks.

    Any other questions? About anything? Please e-mail me at ibuyvinyl@nc.rr.com .