THEM 1965 ORGINAL UK ALBUM NEAR MINT

	£		182
	$		241

This is the Mega Rare 1965 Them Very First UK Mono Album on Red / Silver First Press Un boxed Decca LK.4700. The matrix numbers are as follows Side1 ARL – 6819 – 4A & Side2 ARL – 6820 – 4A. This is a long playing record by “Them” No excuses … no highbrow explanations …. No apologies, simply music and sounds that only THEM could produce. A collection of sounds & songs that mean a great deal to the artistes who poured their souls into the making of this L.P.

Of course they hope that you will like the sound – but more important thing is that when you play this L.P. you will be listening to the truth! Because these five young rebels are outrageously true to themselves. Defiant! Angry! Sad!

Reporters who try to interview them lament that they ‘don’t care’ Oh but they do!.. They care about their fans, the people who appreciate their music. But above all, they are honest to the point of insult. When asked to produce a track that they considered “a pretty song”, their answer was simply ‘NO! This is our music, you either like it or you don’t. We think you will like it…

Side One

Track one expresses the sheer exuberance with which these boys got together. This number was intended simply a non-vocal track – but on the session Van Morrison began to sing a few phrases towards the end – and suddenly the song came alive.

Van of course is not only the singer; he also plays harmonica & sax on some of these tracks. So alive and vibrant are the pure, basic thoughts that he writes, that it seems incredible that one man can have so much talent. His phrasing is so wonderful that in his hands even the most banal lyrics take on a new depth and meaning … and become touched with genius.

“Just A Little Bit” is of course one of the best R&B songs around today... this is THEM’s new, modern version very unlike the predecessors.

A&R man, Tommy Scott, who produced most of the tracks on this album, enjoys working with THEM very much. “They have”, he says,” a tremendous feel for this type of music, and I consider them to be the most individual group to emerge on the British scene.

“I Gave My Love a Diamond” was written by Brett Berns, who wrote such hit songs as “Twist & Shout”. He recorded THEM’s first successful record, “Baby Please Don’t Go”, and followed this up with the dramatic “Here Comes The Night”.

“Gloria” was the ‘B’ side of “Baby Please Don’t Go” and was released on its own merits in the states. It is without doubt an R&B standard of the future.

The final track on side one, “You Just Can’t Win” was also penned by Van Morrison. This is a contemporary blues set in London, lamenting a love lost to the “high life”

Side Two

“Go On Home Baby” is a driving, up-tempo number, again written by Bert Burns.

John Lee Hooker, hailed as one of the greatest R&B singers in the world... the man behind the magic of “Boom Boom” and extraordinary that this soulful ballad sounds uncannily like a Van Morrison composition. Obviously, they have a great deal in common.

With “I Like It Like That”, Van again comes up with a superb rendering of his own composition.

“I’m Gonna Dress In Black” is once again a contemporary number comparable to the old Country Blues.

“Bright Lights, Big City” introduces a song by Jimmy Reed since it was first written; “Bright Light” has become an R&B classic.

“Route 66” was recorded by the late, great Nat ‘King’ Cole. It loses none of its impact on this track – although THEM have given it a very different tempo.

The boy’s favourite track on this album is “If You And I Could Be As Two”. Of all the numbers that Van has written - this is his personal favourite.

A number of tracks on this album were recorded by Tommy Scott, the brilliant young A&R man from Scotland. So this is probably a unique record in another sense... Irishman , THEM, recorded by a Scot, “Tommy Scott”, an American , Bert Berns, and an odd track by Dick Rowe, Head A&R man at Decca… and English.                                         

The record labels are in excellent condition (see pictures) with no wear, writing & barely any spindle marks. This superb THEM album is pressed on thick heavy duty 60’s vinyl and still retains it’s just pressed look with a very shinny lustre. There are no visual defects only a few of the lightest surface marks which do not distract from this superb crisp & clean sound. There are no pops, crackles or jumps there is also no groove wear or distortion & is graded Near Mint. Simply Awesome.

The sleeve is in excellent condition with no spinal wear, barely any corner edge wear, barely any creases & no witting. The opening edge is straight and firm with just a tiny amount of feathering.              

The Greatest attention to packaging with all Albums housed in aluminium framed box to ensure safe delivery.

Buyer pays £5.50 airmail to the USA or Japan, £3.50 Europe or £2.00 in the UK.

Payment through Paypal or International money order through Bidpay on request. UK and US residents may also pay with personal cheques in their respective currencies. European bidders may pay with a Euro cheque made out in £ UK, all other countries to make payment by using an International money order which can be made out in $ US or £ UK or cash well wrapped.