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Blues CD Elmore James
About Product Images
This image is a general representation of the item and the actual product may differ slightly in terms of color shading, logo placement, borders, or other small details. Used items may have various cosmetic differences as well.
Sky Is Crying – The Ultimate Collection (3CD set)
CD (Item 929107) Fire/Sunset Blvd, Early 60s — Condition: New Copy
Fire (label)
Sunset Blvd (label)
Blues (CD, LP)
A massive collection of late work from Elmore James – a 3CD set that brings together all of his famous material for Bobby Robinson's Fire Records, plus rare alternate takes, and some unusual bonus material as well! James passed away right after this work was recorded, but he's really on fire here – playing with a guitar style that's raw, raspy, and maybe even more breathtaking than some of his other early 60s electric contemporaries – still singing with his voice in the lead on most numbers, but maybe almost letting his instrument sing even more strongly too! The production is great – lots of sock-soul arrangements that really pack a punch – and which really make us wonder what Elmore might have done, had he lasted through the 60s. 3CD set features 54 tracks in all – with titles that include "One Way Out", "Person To Person", "Look On Yonder Wall", "Up Jumped Elmore", "Pickin The Blues", "Rollin & Tumblin", "The Sky Is Crying", "Bleeding Heart", "It Hurts Me Too", "You Know You're Wrong", "Sunnyland", "Mean Mistreatin Mama", "Done Somebody Wrong", "Bobby's Rock", "Dust My Broom", "She's Got To Go", "Standing At The Crossroads", "I Gotta Go Now", and "Stranger Blues". © 1996-2021, Dusty Groove, Inc.
We realize that there are many different interpretations of the standard grades used for pre-owned vinyl record albums & CD, so we thought we'd offer you the ones that we are working with, so you have an idea what we mean when we give the grade for a non-new item on our pages.
Used Vinyl Grades
Below are stated conditions for a used vinyl records at Dusty Groove. Grading for the cover should be assumed to be near (within a "+" or "-") the grading for the vinyl. If there is significant divergence from the condition of the vinyl, or specific flaws, these will be noted in the comments section of the item. However, please be aware that since the emphasis of this site is towards the music listener, our main concern is with the vinyl of any used item we sell. Additionally, all of our records are graded visually; considering the volume of used vinyl we handle, it is impossible for us to listen to each record. If we spot any significant flaws, we make every attempt to listen through them and note how they play.
The following grading conditions apply to the vinyl component of an album or single:
This is what it says, that the record is still held fast in shrink-wrap. We tend to be pretty suspicious about these things, so if the shrink-wrap doesn't look original, or if the record seems to have undergone some damage over time, we'll probably take it out of the wrapper to ensure that it's in good shape — which is why we don't have more of these. In some cases the shrink-wrap may be torn in spots, but if it's not possible the record has been taken out and played, the record will still qualify as "Sealed".
Dusty Groove does not use the grades of Near Mint (or Mint, for that matter) because in our experience, we find that no records ever qualify for such a high grade. Even sealed records tend to have one or two slight faults, enough to usually qualify them for a grade of NM- or lower. We've often found that records which are clearly unplayed will have a slight amount of surface noise, especially in quieter recordings.
Near Mint - (minus)
Black vinyl that may show a slight amount of dust or dirt.
Should still be very shiny under a light, even with slight amount of dust on surface.
One or two small marks that would make an otherwise near perfect record slightly less so. These marks cannot be too deep, and should only be surface marks that won't affect play, but might detract from the looks.
May have some flaws and discoloration in the vinyl, but only those that would be intrinsic to the pressing. These should disappear when the record is tilted under the light, and will only show up when looking straight at the record. (Buddah and ABC pressings from the 70's are a good example of this.)
May have some slight marks from aging of the paper sleeve on the vinyl.
Possible minor surface noise when played.
Very Good + (plus)
Vinyl should be very clean, but can have less luster than near mint.
Should still shine under a light, but one or two marks may show up when tilted.
Can have a few small marks that may show up easily, but which do not affect play at all. Most marks of this quality will disappear when the record is tilted, and will not be felt with the back of a fingernail.
This is the kind of record that will play "near mint", but which will have some signs of use (although not major ones).
May have slight surface noise when played.
Vinyl can have some dirt, but nothing major.
May not shine under light, but should still be pretty clean, and not too dirty.
May have a number of marks (5 to 10 at most), and obvious signs of play, but never a big cluster of them, or any major mark that would be very deep. Most marks should still not click under a fingernail.
May not look near perfect, but should play fairly well, with slight surface noise, and the occasional click in part of a song, but never throughout a whole song or more.
This is clearly a copy that was played by someone a number of times, but which could also be a good "play copy" for someone new.
Very Good - (minus)
Vinyl may be dirty, and can lack a fair amount of luster.
Vinyl can have a number of marks, either in clusters or smaller amounts, but deeper.
This is the kind of record that you'd buy to play, but not because it looked that great. Still, the flaws should be mostly cosmetic, with nothing too deep that would ruin the overall record.
Examples include a record that has been kept for a while in a cover without the paper sleeve, or heavily played by a previous owner and has some marks across the surface. The record should play okay, though probably with surface noise.
Good + (plus)
Vinyl may be dirty, or have one outstanding flaw, such as a light residue, which could be difficult to clean.
May have marks on all parts, too many to qualify as Very Good-, or several deeper marks, but the record should still be ok for play without skips.
In general, this is a record that was played a fair amount, and handled without care. A typical example may be a record which has been heavily played by a DJ, and carries marks from slip cueing. Depending on the quality of the vinyl, may play with surface noise throughout.
A record that you'd buy to play, cheap, but which you wouldn't buy for collecting.
Will have marks across all parts of the playing surface, and will most likely play with surface noise throughout. May have some other significant flaws, such as residue, or a track that skips.
In most cases, a poor quality copy of a very difficult to find record.
This is a grade we rarely use, as we try not to sell records in very bad condition, though in some rare cases we will list a record in such bad shape that it does not conform to the standards above. A "Fair" record will have enough marks or significant flaws that it does not even qualify as "Good", but is a copy you might consider for playing, if you're willing to put up with noise and/or flaws. An example might be a recording with surface noise so heavy that it is equal to the volume of the music. For records listed as "Fair", we will describe the extent of the condition in the comments.
Like "Fair", we rarely list records in this condition, as they represent the extreme low end of spectrum. These records typically have multiple serious problems, and we offer them as "relics" or "objects" only — for those who want to at least have a copy of a record, even if it is not really worthy of play, perhaps for the cover alone. For these records, we will describe the extent of the condition in the comments.
Additional Marks & Notes
If something is noteworthy, we try to note it in the comments — especially if it is an oddity that is the only wrong thing about the record. This might include, but isn't limited to, warped records, tracks that skip, cover damage or wear as noted above, or strictly cosmetic flaws.
Used CD Grade
We have only one grade for non-new CDs at Dusty Groove — "Used CD". This grade is somewhat all-encompassing, but we choose it because we try to offer Used CDs in the best shape possible.
When you purchase a Used CD you can expect the disc to be free of all but the lightest of surface marks, the case to be clean (we often change the cases ourselves), and the booklet to be in good shape. Used CDs may show some signs of use but if there are significant details or defects we will list them underneath the item — just like we do with LPs — so look there for notes on cutout marks, stickers, promo stamps or other details.
All of our Used CDs are guaranteed to play without skipping or flaws. If you purchase a Used CD from Dusty Groove, you have 1 week to play it to determine that it plays correctly — and if it does not, then you may return it for a full refund.
Junior Parker
Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On (aka Outside Man)
Groove Merchant/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1970. New Copy
CD...$18.99
One of the funkiest albums ever from Junior Parker – a great little set that shows he had a lot more to offer than just the average bluesman! The album's got a nice little soul sound in the backings – tight rhythms from Horace Ott, who nicely avoids a lot of the cliches that the blues ... CD
Big Bad Bo
Chess/Get On Down, 1974. New Copy
CD...$6.99 14.99
Heavy funk from the legendary Bo Diddley – one of his amazing comeback albums from the early 70s for Chess, all of which are plenty darn great! For this set, Bo's traded in the scratchy guitar mode of his classic work for a sweeter, tighter funk-based sound – a groove that's supported ... CD
Kent & Modern Records Blues Into The 60s Vol 2 – If I Have To Wreck LA
Kent/Ace (UK), Late 60s. New Copy
CD...$12.99 18.99
Fantastic west coast blues from the 60s, none of issued at the time – collected together here in a set that really shows the continuing evolution of the sound of LA! During the 60s, the city's blues took on some of the transformations that were happing in Chicago – with similar roots ... CD
Jimmy Rogers
That's All Right (plus bonus tracks)
Black & Blue/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1973. New Copy
The great Jimmy Rogers was a key figure on the Chicago blues scene in the 60s – yet apart from a few recordings for Chess, it always seemed that some of his best recordings were done overseas – as is the case with this great French session from the early 70s! Despite the overseas ... CD
Guitar Slim Green with Johnny & Shuggie Otis
Stone Down Blues (with bonus tracks)
Kent/BGP (UK), 1970. New Copy
A blues album, but one with a difference – thanks to some tremendous help from the legendary Johnny Otis and his young son Shuggie! Despite the fact that the leader is billed as Guitar Slim Green, Shuggie actually plays some lead guitar on the record too – adding in some cool, ... CD
T Bone Walker
Brunswick/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1968. New Copy
An overlooked gem from blues legend T Bone Walker – recorded for the Brunswick Records label in Chicago, but cooked up with some gritty swamp production from the great Huey P Meux – who steeps Walker's guitar in lots of Texas and Louisiana elements, which makes for a much heavier record ... CD
Documenting The Sensation Recordings 1948 to 1952 (3CD set)
Ace (UK), Late 40s/Early 50s. New Copy 3CD
A really amazing package – not just for fans of John Lee Hooker, but for anyone who loves postwar blues in general! The work here is all from the tiny Sensation Records label in Detroit – the label to first record John Lee Hooker in the late 40s, and who continued to do sessions with ... CD
Bo Diddley & Chuck Berry/Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, & Bo Diddley
Two Great Guitars/Super Super Blues Band
Chess/BGO (UK), 1964/1968. New Copy
A pair of amazing all-star albums from Chess Records – back to back on a single CD! First up is Two Great Guitars – in which Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry come together in a really unique album for Chess Records in the 60s – and that's saying a lot, given all the groundbreaking ... CD
Bobby Blue Bland
His California Album
ABC/BGO (UK), 1973. New Copy
CD...$8.99 (CD...$6.99)
A nice little record from Bobby Blue Bland – quite different from his 60s sides for Duke/Peacock, and recorded in California (as you might guess from the title!) with a smoother more soulful approach that comes off surprisingly well! The style works well for Bobby – and kind of gave ... CD
Tony McPhee & Friends
Me & The Devil/I Asked For Water She Gave Me Gasoline
Liberty/BGO (UK), 1968/1969. New Copy 2CD
Two early solo albums from Tony McPhee – one of which is more of a mixed group affair overall! First up is Me & The Devil – fantastic acoustic blues from Tony McPhee – maybe best known as a member of The Groundhogs, but working here in a looser, more stripped-down mode – ... CD
Stranger I May Be – Savoy Gospel 1954 to 1986 (3CD set)
Savoy/Honest Jons (UK), Late 50s/1960s/1970s/Early 80s. New Copy 3CD
CD...$23.99 (LP...$23.99)
An insanely fantastic look at the strong legacy of gospel music from Savoy Records – a company who were initially a powerhouse in the fields of jazz and R&B, but who moved into the gospel world and dominated that market for decades! Savoy is a bit like Chess Records – a company who ... CD
Gus Jenkins
Too Tough – West Coast Blues & R&B 1953 to 1963
Jasmine (UK), 1950s/Early 60s. New Copy 2CD
A huge collection of work from the overlooked Gus Jenkins – one of a number of blues musicians who started in the south, then moved out to the west coast during the postwar years – and found a way to change his older style into a great mix of jump blues and raw R&B! Jenkins both ... CD