R. Crumb Ordinary Record 78 RPM LP Album

RARE R. CRUMB 78 rpm ORDINARY RECORD: NM/Mint in Sleeve

In 1972 Krupp Comic Works (Kitchen Sink Press) created an Ordinary Record division and issued Robert Crumb's very first recording (and his only record in which the band was called "R. Crumb and his Keep-on-Truckin' Orchestra.") Because Crumb and producer/publisher Denis Kitchen both collected 78 rpm records, they playfully manufactured it in the 10 inch 78 rpm format that was well obsolete even in 1972. The record label and sleeve are both designed by Crumb. Despite the fact that Krupp's core hippie audience was listening to rock and psychedelic bands and the critical fact that few consumers even had a record player with a 78 rpm speed, the record got good press in Creem, Rolling Stone and other publications and 5,000 copies quickly sold via Krupp/Kitchen Sink's head shop market.

A second printing of 5,000 was issued in April 1973. This copy is from that second and final production (see 2nd printing notation in lower right corner of the record sleeve).

Side A features "River Blues" with Crumb himself crooning a slow suicidal ballad. Side B is "Wisconsin Wiggles," a wild instrumental highlighted by fellow cartoonist Robert Armstong's musical saw and Al Dodge's slide whistle. Neither of these catchy tunes have ever been re-released on any of Crumb's several 33rpm Yazoo albums or later CDs. Interestingly, new "retro" phonograph records are being manufactured again with 78 rpm speed, available through Restoration Hardware and other outlets, so if you want to play this or other 78s in your collection, it is now much easier.

Some typical glue staining on the reverse seams of the record sleeve but otherwise NM/Mint condition and never played. Shipped well protected by layers of cardboard. $100.00