THE SAINTS - ALL FOOLS DAY LP - BEAUT AND SCARCE

	A$		20
	$		13

I OFFER FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE THIS SCARCE ALBUM OF

THE SAINTS

ALL FOOLS DAY

Roaring out of Brisbane, Australia, in 1977 with the punk-era classic "(I'm) Stranded," the Saints, despite going through numerous incarnations, were a part of rock & roll for more than 20 years, thanks mainly to their indefatigable leader and founder, Chris Bailey. Although they didn't play anything that passes for punk rock after about 1978, and despite extended dormant periods, the Saints never officially broke up, and Bailey always seemed to have another version of the band and record ready to release. Saints fans generally fall into two distinct camps: the punk-era fans (up to about 1980) and the mature pop fans. After co-founder Ed Kuepper left in 1979 and the band became Bailey's show, and the twists and turns he took them through (horns, folk/blues arrangements, as well his numerous solo excursions) produced some good music, but it was mostly scattershot and lacked focus, though Bailey did record two fine records with the late 80s incarnation of the band.
Punk-era Saints were exactly what you'd expect: buzzsaw guitars, Bailey's pissed-off, nasal vocals, and locomotive rhythms supplied by bassist Kym Bradshaw and drummer Ivor Hay. After the LP Stranded became a modest hit in England, the follow-up record, Eternally Yours, showed some changes (more varied tempos, acoustic guitars) that would set the stage for their third record, Prehistoric Sounds, which combined horn arrangements into a punk-ish sort of R&B. It was at this point that the Saints were beginning to change enough to not resemble the band they were just a scant two years earlier. Kuepper left to form the arty Laughing Clowns and eventually made a number of records as a solo act. Bailey, however, got to keep the name the Saints and soldiered on, taking time here and there to record his own solo records.
So, by the time All Fools Day was released in 1987, there were many who thought the Saints were a brand new band — and they were right. Gone were the rapid-fire guitar sound and bellowing vocals, replaced by sophisticated pop arrangements and more technically accomplished singing. The music was strong, intelligent pop that was better than much of the late 80s "new wave." The next LP, Prodigal Son, wasn't as good, but did nothing to hurt the reputation of the "new" Saints.

AN AUST ISSUE ON MUSHROOM LABEL RELEASED BY FESTIVAL IN 1987 - L-38522

THE UNLAMINATED GATEFOLD SLEEVE LOOKS LOVELY. THE OPENING EDGE AND THE SEAMS ARE CLEAN AND SHARP. THERE ARE TOW MODERATE CREASES IN THE SPINE THAT ARE AT THE END OF TWO SMALL IMPRESSIONS GOING A LITTLE WAY TOWARDS THE CENTRE; THIS IS NOT A DRAMA. IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE THE RECORD HAS BEEN STORED IN ONE OF THOSE SILLY VERTICAL RACKS THAT WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR RECORDS. THE TOP HALF IS A LITTLE WAVEY FRONT AND BACK BUT THERE IS NO STAINING AT ALL. THERE IS A LITTLE VERY LIGHT RING WEAR. 

INSIDE THE GATEFOLD SLEEVE IS BEAUTIFUL - THERE IS A LARGE NEGATIVE PHOTO OF A HEAD AND A LISTING OF THE CREDITS.

THE SHINY VINYL IS BEAUTIFUL - ALMOST LIKE NEW - ONE OR TWO VERY LIGHT MARKS

PLAYS LIKE IT LOOKS - BEAUTIFUL - LOUD AND CLEAR.

THE LABELS ARE BEAUT TOO - ONE OR TWO LIGHT SPINDLE MARKS - NO WRITING - NO STICKERS.

TRACKS ARE:

JUST LIKE FIRE WOULD == FIRST TIME == HYMN TO SAINT JUDE == SEE YOU IN PARADISE == LOVE YOUR IMAGINATION == CELTIC BALLAD == EMPTY PAGE == BIG HITS == HOW TO AVOID DISASTER == BLUES  ON MY MIND == TEMPLE OF THE LORD == ALL FOOLS DAY. 

VERY HARD TO FIND A COPY OF THIS SCARCE ALBUM IN ANY CONDITION

THIS ONE HAS A LOVELY SLEEVE AND THE SHINY VINYL PLAYS BEAUTIFUL.

HAPPY BIDDING FANS

ALL RECORDS COME IN NEW DUST COVERS AND ARE SECURLY PACKED IN SPECIAL MAILERS WITH NEW BUBBLE WRAP FOR EXTRA PROTECTION DURING TRANSIT.

I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR UNINSURED ITEMS THAT ARE LOST OR DAMAGED IN THE POST

INSURANCE IS RECOMMENDED.