kentgirl22 is pleased to offer for sale the following very rare original 1970 UK 1st pressing vinyl LP:

ANCIENT GREASE

"Women And Children First"

1970 UK Mercury Original VERY First UK Pressing LP

One of the lost vertigo swirls so will interest vertigo collectors too!!

(VERTIGO VO PRICE CODE ON LAMINATED BACK COVER)

Was only on sale for a very short time and was a massive flop all those years ago, so an incredibly hard to find album!! Was quickly deleted from sale, hence the massive rarity of this awesome rock classic!!

This LP was originally intended to be issued on the famous vertigo swirl label but was just about to released, when it was abruptly amended to be on the Black Mercury label. One can confirm this to be the case as on reverse of the album sleeve is the mega rare VO code ONLY used on vertigo recordings and ONLY observed on the very first issue and fully laminated album covers!! So MEGA RARE and one of the lost vertigo presses. Not many records were switched like this so very, very scarce for collectors!!!

A CLASSIC EARLY 70's UK ORIGINAL PROGRESSIVE ROCK ALBUM ON THE HIGHLY COLLECTABLE MERCURY BLACK LABEL!! 

Here is an original 1970 UK Mercury 1st pressing of the band's only LP. Fantastic heavy-prog with Wild Turkey, Big Sleep and Man members, originally released in 1970. Very eclectic mix of riffy, fuzz-laden numbers with a few folk-prog, mellower tracks.  This four piece, coming from Wales, may well be another one of those 'better' early1970's lp's that you've never heard!! Among the many stand out tracks are the grinding heavy prog rock opener "Freedom Train", the foot-stomping "Don't Wait", the semi-Zeppelin like "Eagle Song", the well-played acoustic "Time To Die" and the title cut "Women And Children First". This album is highly recommended for fans of Free, Uriah Heep, early Led Zeppelin and maybe Humble Pie. A short lived project, this is not the squalling effort of clueless stoners but the work of pedigree members of Wales's music 'mafia', the core being future Racing Cars covers act Strawberry Dust. Penned largely by future Man drummer John Weathers, replete with the distinctive rasp of Graham 'Morty' Mortimer, it's a sub-Free and Led Zeppelin style early 70's period meaty hard blues progressive guitar-snarling rock from the opener 'Freedom Train' to the concluding title-track (with churning Hammond courtesy of Man's Phil Ryan) counterpointed by well-conceived melodies and even a singalong moment in the Lindisfarne-like 'Mystic Mountain'. Released in 1970 on Mercury, the band was to succumb to the familiar tale of bust-luck but find better fortune elsewhere in the world of Rhondda rock!

ANCIENT GREASE

GARETH MORTIMER - VOCALS

DICK OWEN - DRUMS

GRAHAM WILLIAMS - GUITAR

JACK BASS - BASS

GARY PICKFORD-HOPKINS - GUITAR/VOCALS

PHIL RYAN - KEYBOARDS

JOHN WEATHERS - DRUMS

UK MERCURY RECORDS FIRST PRESSING STEREO LP - Cat No.6338 033 - Matrix Numbers 1Y/2Y

AS WELL AS BEING INCREDIBLY RARE THIS, UNLIKE SOME COLLECTORS ITEMS, IS ALSO A REALLY GREAT ALBUM!!

Tracks

Side One

1. Freedom Train
2. Don't Want
3. Odd Song
4. Eagle Song
5. Where The Snow Lies Forever

Side Two

1. Mother Grease The Cat
2. Time To Die
3. Prelude To A Blind Man
4. Mystic Mountain
5. Women And Children First

Format: LP Record

Record Label: Mercury Records

Catalogue No: 6338 033

Matrix No's:

Side One: 6338 033 1Y//1 v 420 11  1

Side Two: 6338 033 2Y//2 v 420  11  2

Very First Original UK Pressing On The Black Mercury Label

Year of Release: 1970

Country of Origin: UK

CONDITION

Sleeve: VG+ near EX

 The original 1st pressing fully laminated cover has some crinkly creases near the lower half and a little ringwear. All the corners have some lightish creases, there is some rubbing / scuff wear on the bottom seams. The spine has a few small lamination cracks, nothing serious, just thought I should mention it. Otherwise OK with only light handling wear. The sleeve is strictly graded at VG+  heading to excellent.

Labels: Ex

Clean and Unmarked with only some spindle marks evident

Vinyl: VG+

Plays Excellent

 The record has been well played and the vinyl does have some light surface marks and superficial hairlines, NO deep scratches....it gets a VG+ visual grade. It is great to find that the record plays GREAT throughout with only a couple of tiny clicks/pops (mostly in the gaps), NO sticking, NO jumps, barely ANY crackle AT ALL and only a VERY low level background sound in just a couple of places (VERY low level - and only really noticeable in the gaps/run on grooves - NOT in the music)!!! The record must grade at a STRICT Very Good (plus) if not better PLAYS EXCELLENTLY!!! THIS is a SERIOUSLY rare AND GREAT prog/psych rock album!!

Notes

Ancient Grease were actually a band named Strawberry Dust from Neath in South Wales. This album was a collaboration between a few people from the hippy underground band Eyes of Blue and Stawberry Dust. The result features some fine dirty rock'n'roll alongside a number of mellow songs, such as the dreamy, psychedelic-folk of 'Time To Die' and the rootsy 'Mystic Mountain'.

What's interesting about Ancient Grease is that the album was intended to be released on the famous VERTIGO SWIRL LABEL (catalogue number VO5?). You can still see the VO Price Code on the reverse of the album sleeve. For some reason, the record company changed it at the last minute and released it on the black Mercury label in July 1970. The album was also curiously credited to Ancient Grease, not Strawberry Dust!!

Anyway on offer here, from my own collection, we have this extremely rare and seldom up for sale original 1970 UK heavy prog/blues/psych LP by the afore-mentioned Ancient Grease entitled "Women And Children First". This is a very first UK Mercury black label 1st press with 1/Y, 2Y matrix numbers (same as Vertigo) and comes in the original fully laminated sleeve. This album sold in tiny numbers on release and soon vanished without trace, hence it's massive rarity these days! Strange that this happened as it's such a great album!

This is one of the best obscure early 70's progressive hard rock albums I've heard, you can group it with other rare and cool early 70's underground hard rock LP's such as Elias Hulk, Human Beast, Red Dirt and Czar. Ancient Grease play like there is no tomorrow and sound like Led Zeppelin without inhibitions circa 1970. Exceptional album of an experienced band combining powerful hard rock with heavy prog & psych touches, similar to other early 70's bands such as the afore-mentioned Red Dirt, Uriah Heep, Free, Procol Harum, Led Zeppelin etc.. etc.. Foot-stomping anthems, guitar riffs, heavy organ-driven psychedelic ballads - it's all here and more!! A truly great album and one that is becoming ever more sought after as the years roll on!!

"Ancient Grease" were not unknowns - they started their life as a Welsh R&B band "Eyes of Blue" who had a couple of moderately successful 60's albums and as vocalist had Gary Pickford -Hopkins (later "Wild Turkey" and THE VOICE on Rick Wakeman's "Journey to the Earth")."Eyes of Blue" became "Strawberry Dust" and, finally, "Ancient Grease" (when they got signed by Mercury). The album didn't get enough support from brainless execs of the label - usual story - although it had a huge potential. The lead guitarist, Graham Williams, sounds like Jimmy Page on overdrive. The lead singer, Graham Mortimer (Morty) is excellent and later was the main man in the group Racing Cars.

On offer here is the very rare LP by Ancient Grease called 'Women & Children First' and is a 1970 Stereo UK 1st Pressing!!!! THIS LP IS EXTREMELY RARE AND VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND!!!!  THE LP SUNK WITHOUT TRACE ON RELEASE AND FINDING ANY COPIES OF THIS RARE LP TODAY IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE!!!! SO DONT MISS OUT!!!! This is an ORIGINAL Mercury UK 1st Stereo pressing from 1970 and is in VERY GOOD+ condition!!!! The record is pressed on THICK heavy early 70's vinyl. The Cat. No is 6338 033 on the ORIGINAL Mercury Label (see picture) and is a UK Stereo 1st pressing!!!!

This record only occasionally comes up for sale!! Don't miss this rare chance!!

Low Start....No Reserve

Don't Miss Out On This Very Rare Original ANCIENT GREASE 1st UK Pressing Early 70's Progressive Hard Rock LP!!

PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER RARE ORIGINAL LP'S CURRENTLY LISTED ON EBAY

Shipping Cost: - Due To Paypal Rules This Very Rare LP Will Only Be Shipped By Registered Delivery (For Security) At The Buyers Expense - See Below

UK: £3.00 (First Class) (Shipping cost for each additional 12" / lp will be £1)

Europe: £4.50 (Air Mail) (Shipping cost for each additional 12" / lp will be £2)

Rest Of World: £8.00 (Air Mail) (Shipping cost for each additional 12" / lp will be £3)

Please see below for additional information regarding multiple purchase shipping rates and insurance options 

Note: The pictures provided are REAL images of the ACTUAL item you are bidding on. What you see is what you'll get!

Records Are Graded In The Following Way:

MINT (M): The record displays barely any signs of use, if any, with no marks or deterioration in sound quality. Extra items and cover are near perfect.

EXCELLENT (EX): Shows only minor signs of being played with very little lessening in sound quality. The Cover and extras will have some light wear and or creasing

VERY GOOD (VG): Has been played many times but has no major deterioration in sound quality, despite some noticeable surface marks and occasional light scratches. Cover and extras will have normal wear and tear but no major defects

GOOD (G): Has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and any extras may suffer from folding, scuffing, split spine, discoloration etc.

FAIR (F): The record is still just playable and has considerable surface noise and may even jump. Cover and contents will be torn stained and/or defaced.

POOR (P): The record will not play properly. Covers badly damaged or partly missing

+ or - : Indicates slightly better (+) or slightly lesser (-) condition than main grade

All records are from my personal collection and have been carefully play graded before listing. In many cases I have owned them from new and all have been looked after very well. Please check out my other similar LPs currently listed on eBay.

Auction Conditions - Important : Please read before bidding

UK Bidders

Acceptable methods of payment :

• Cheques
• Postal Orders
• PAYPAL

Non-UK Bidders

Acceptable methods of payment :

• PAYPAL

All payment to be made within 7 days of end of auction.

At the end of the auction I will send you an invoice confirming your winning bid(s) with the total amount payable. Do not send any payment until you have received this invoice.

Paypal To: kentgirl22@gmail.com

Postage & Packaging Notes:

For items to be shipped within the UK

All items are automatically insured for up to £39.

If the value of your win(s) is more than £39 then insurance is highly recommended. The cost of insurance within the UK for items over £39 in value will be £4. If you do not select the insurance option offered in your invoice, then I am not responsible for any loss or damage to your item(s) and cannot refund you should loss or damage occur. By not selecting the insurance option you are stating that you agree to this.

For items to be shipped outside of the UK

The standard air mail postage prices do not include any insurance. For an additional £4 (for packages up to £39 value) or £6 (for packages over £39 value), Royal Mail 'International Signed For' delivery is available. This provides tracking and compensation should your item be damaged or lost.

If you do not select the insurance option offered in your invoice, then I am not responsible for any loss or damage to your items and cannot refund you should loss or damage occur. By not selecting the insurance option you are stating that you agree to this.

Packing Procedures: All 12" / LPs are securely and well packed in top quality material to avoid any unnecessary damage during transit. When posted the records are removed from the cover, if possible, and placed in a PVC outer protective sleeve to prevent sleeve splits in the post. I use brand new mailers, either the envelope style with thick stiffeners to prevent any sleeve bends in transit, or the "cruciform" style that wrap around the LP. I aim to dispatch all items within 48 hours of receiving payment. It is recommended that you choose the insurance option for higher value items. As stated above I cannot be held responsible for any item(s) lost or damaged in the post that are not shipped via insured / registered mail. I always obtain a certificate proof of posting receipt for every item sent, which will complete our transaction. Thank you for taking the time to look at my listings, I hope you will be lucky if deciding to make a bid. 

                                                                                                                                SHIPPING COSTS:

Thanks for looking and good luck with your bids