MY AIM IS TRUE - Elvis Costello - 1977 Columbia JC 35037

Description: My Aim Is True is the debut studio album by the English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello. Produced by Stiff artist and musician Nick Lowe, it was recorded from late 1976 to early 1977 and originally released in the United Kingdom on 22 July 1977 through Stiff Records. The backing band was the California-based country rock act Clover, who were uncredited on the original release due to contractual difficulties. Three singles preceded the album, all of which failed to chart. By June 1977, Costello formed a new permanent backing band, the Attractions, to better match his new image and commenced live performances with them for the rest of the year. In August, My Aim Is True reached number 14 in the UK. On release, My Aim Is True was met with critical acclaim, with many praising Costello's musicianship and songwriting; it appeared on several year-end lists. In later decades, commentators consider it one of Costello's finest works, one of the best debut albums in music history and has appeared on numerous best-of lists. FUN FACT #1: My Aim Is True was recorded in a series of six four-hour sessions, from late 1976 to early 1977 for about £2,000. Costello kept his day job as a data entry clerk at Elizabeth Arden during the sessions; he would call in sick, travel to Headley Grange to rehearse the songs with Clover and head back to Pathway (Pathway Studios in Islington, London) the next day to record. FUN FACT #2: At the time, Costello was performing under the stage name "D.P. Costello" as a tribute to his father. With "Less Than Zero" being readied for release as a single in March 1977, Robinson and Riviera decided to adjust his image to better match the rising punk rock movement. In Clayton-Lea's words, he looked an "average ordinary-looking computer operator geek. As a marketing tactic, Riviera suggested changing Costello's name from Declan to Elvis after American singer Elvis Presley. Considered irrational but accepted by Costello himself, the change sparked controversy in both Britain and America, facing opposition from both Costello's supporters and Presley's fans. Costello later stated that the change was not meant to "insult" Presley; it "meant people would pause just that little bit longer". FUN FACT #3: Wardrobe-wise, Costello became more exaggerated, donning Buddy Holly-style glasses, tight jackets and "turned-up" jeans. He made his live solo debut under the new name and look on 27 May 1977.FUN FACT #4: Look closely at the checkboard on the cover to see "ELVIS IS KING" repeated over and over. My Aim Is True was released in revised form in the United States through Columbia Records on 1 November 1977, adding "Watching the Detectives" as the final track on side one. By then, it was the biggest-selling import album in US history, it reached number 32. Costello was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 20th Annual Grammy Awards in 1978, but lost to the group A Taste of Honey. THIS COPY is a 1978 Terre Haute repress of the 1977 U.S. debut on the Columbia label (see Notes, below). Note that only the year 1977 is referenced on the cover and disc - the telltale sign of this being a repress is that the back cover background is white instead of one of the colors used on the first pressings. The vinyl has some visible marks / light scratches - including one across the last three songs on side one that looks bad - but per a close test listen, none of them affect playback at all. The vinyl is in Very Good [VG] or better condition. The original cover, with a couple of wrinkles and the ghost of ring wear visible on the while back cover, is in Very Good [VG] or better condition. The inner sleeve - believed to be original from time of purchase - is plain white, with square corners and no center label hole. With only a small tear near the record opening on the back, it is in Very Good [VG] or better condition. Notes Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute pressing denoted by "T" etch in runouts. Second issue release with white back cover. Initial releases have yellow back. Barcode and Other Identifiers Matrix / Runout (A Side label matrix): AL 35037 Matrix / Runout (B Side label matrix): BL 35037 Matrix / Runout (A Side Runout): P AL 35037-2B \T o Matrix / Runout (B Side Runout): P BL 35037-2B \T ENJOY!

Price: 18 USD

Location: San Rafael, California

End Time: 2024-08-25T23:06:13.000Z

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