1968 LHI ORIGINAL
Top Copy
RARE FIRST GRAM PARSONS UNDERGROUND HEADS BAND
The International Submarine Band
SAFE AS HOME
USA - LHI RECORDS - S 12,0001
RARE ... 100 guaranteed 1968 ORIGINAL pressing
MINTY CLEAN ... west coast pressing ... always been hard to find, here is a final collection copy
This recording marks the fact as being the very first Gram Parsons group album with his unique International Submarine Band...
Just 21 years old at time of the recording, Gram Parsons 1968 eternally underrated Safe At Home Lp was years ahead of its time. Prior to this Parsons had recorded solo demos, music with an early folk band the Shilohs and a few singles with the International Submarine Band all worthwhile stuff. Parsons formed this group after he had dropped out of Harvard and moved to New York City. While he was no stranger to the recording studio, critics and music fans unfairly label Safe At Home as a tentative early album that showed signs of greatness. While it was nowhere near as influential as his Burrito Brothers Gilded Palace of Sin or Sweetheart of the Rodeo, time has shown Safe At Home to be much more than just his first album.
The other group members consisted of rhythm guitarist Bob Buchanan, bass player Ian Dunlop and drummer Jon Corneal. The steel guitarist work is played with such a raw biting tone and attack, it s just so amazing to hear a raw steel guitar sound unfetted by convention. The album s performances are memorable and Gram s talent as a bandleader is clearly on display. Even so early on in his career Parsons vocal and songwriting abilities were obvious and on the money. The rest of the group is tight and engaging, reminding us of a garage band playing rural music reckless playing and soulful harmonies see garage Lp Hickory Wind for similar feel . There are four originals: an early version of Do You Know How It Feels To Be Lonesome which is sparse but very effective, Luxury Liner, Strong Boy, and Blue Eyes. The latter three tracks are rural rock classics, kind of like early benchmarks for the genre. Luxury Liner charges hard like a freight train and is probably the most popular track off the original lp. Without a doubt the album s most rock oriented number, this track is essential listening. Just as good is Blue Eyes and Strong Boy which are closer to pure rural-rock and show off great Parsons vocal performances. Strong Boy is one of the true country rock classics, an absolute must hear.
The remaining tracks are wisely chosen covers, all great renditions too. Satisfied Mind is notable for its powerful drum work, Folsom Prison Blues has great stinging guitar leads and I Must Be Somebody Else You ve Known sports a gorgeous, catchy chorus that s worth the price of admission.
The Lp was released off Lee Hazlewood s LHI Records. At the time it was praised widely by the likes of Glen Campbell and Don Everly though sales were pretty poor with virtually no other garage band with such a sound. There is really much more to this story that we re leaving out but the main objective was to comment on the strength of the songs and general quality of performance.
CONDITION: The Cover: is stiff, solid, and clean with 4 sharp corners, M- very clean, stiff sharp, hard tof ind a better 68 original ...final collection copy ... no delete marks, no bends, no writing and no split seams...
The Vinyl: is all glossy and clean, real clean and shiny M- looks and plays TOP level A beauty ... both LHI labels are spotless
A GREAT ADDITION TO ANYONE S COLLECTION
SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for head people...
EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING
All imperfections are noted both cover record