BEATLES RUBBER SOUL 'LOUD CUT' UK 1ST PRESS

	£		352
	$		466

Thank you for viewing my listings. On this site, I have decided to list records that are at least excellent\excellent plus  condition only  All of the records will be play tested at loud volume prior to listing on a top system. I will describe the audio quality as honest as possible and as I hear it. I will be listing some of the albums I have decided to part with here on ebay as well as on my bluesvinyl4u website, while the majority of my albums are blues related from all eras. Please keep looking at my other rare original UK pressings that I have and will be listing soon!

This is listed for its collectiveness and awesome, stunning 'Loud Cut' mono audio quality only found on these earliest pressings! Audio is much superior to later pressings in my opinion.

Note the earliest possible matrix for this pressing -1 -1 ending , and the mega rare ''loud cut' version! only pressed for a very (very) limited time, (believed only for one day) George Martin was not happy with the original mix the matrix was soon changed to the more common -4  matrix endings! These -1 -1 matrix pressings are so collectable being the earliest possible for this album also for the fact that the volume was slightly enhanced on this original hence ''loud cut'' version.

Musically, the Beatles broadened their sound, most notably with influences drawn from the contemporary folk-rock of the Byrds and Bob Dylan. The album also saw the Beatles broadening rock n' roll's instrumental resources, most notably on "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)". This track is generally credited as being the first pop recording to use the sitar, an exotic Indian stringed instrument, and "Norwegian Wood" sparked a musical craze for the sound of the novel instrument in the mid-Sixties. The song is now acknowledged as one of the cornerstones of what is now usually called "world music" and it was a major landmark in the trend towards incorporating non-Western musical influences into Western popular music. Harrison had recently been introduced to Indian classical music and the sitar by David Crosby of the Byrds. He soon became fanatically interested in the genre and began taking sitar lessons from renowned Indian sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar.

Recording innovations were also made during the recording of the album — for instance, the keyboard solo in "In My Life" sounds like a harpsichord, but was actually played on a piano. George Martin found he could not match the tempo of the song while playing in this baroque style, so he tried recording with the tape running at half-speed. When played back at normal speed during the mixdown, the sped-up sound gave the illusion of a harpsichord. Other production innovations included the use of electronic sound processing on many instruments, notably the heavily compressed and equalised piano sound on Lennon's "The Word"; this distinctive effect soon became extremely popular in the genre of psychedelic music.

Lyrically, the album was a major progression. Though a smattering of earlier Beatles songs had expressed romantic doubt and negativity, the songs on Rubber Soul represented a pronounced development in sophistication, thoughtfulness, and ambiguity. In particular, the relationships between the sexes moved from simpler boy-girl love songs to more nuanced, even negative portrayals. "Norwegian Wood", one of the most famous examples and often cited as the Beatles' first conscious assimilation of the lyrical innovations of Bob Dylan, sketches a poetically ambiguous extra-marital affair between the singer and a mysterious girl. "Drive My Car" serves as a satirical piece of reverse sexism. Songs like "I'm Looking Through You", "You Won't See Me", and "Girl" express more emotionally complex, even bitter and downbeat portrayals of romance, and "Nowhere Man" was the first Beatles song to move beyond a romantic subject.

 After completing the album and the accompanying single "We Can Work It Out" and "Day Tripper", the Beatles were exhausted from years of virtually non-stop recording, touring, and film work. They subsequently took a three-month break during the first part of 1966, and used this down time exploring new directions that would colour their subsequent musical work. These became immediately apparent in the next album, Revolver.

Until very late in their career, the "primary" version of the Beatles' albums was always the monophonic mix. According to Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn, the group, producer George Martin, and the Abbey Road engineers devoted most of their time and attention to the mono mixdowns, and the band were usually all present throughout these sessions and actively participated in them. Even with their landmark Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band LP, the stereo mixdowns were considered less important than the mono version and were completed in far less time than the mono mixdown

While the stereo version of the original release of Rubber Soul was similar to that of their earliest albums, featuring mainly vocals on the right channel and instruments on the left, it was not produced in the same manner. The early albums were recorded on twin-track tape, and they were intended only for production of monaural records, so they kept vocals and instruments separated allowing the two parts to later be mixed in proper proportion. By this time, however, the Beatles were recording on four-track tape, which allowed a stereo master to be produced with vocals in the center and instruments on both sides, as evidenced in their prior albums Beatles for Sale and Help!. But Martin was looking for a way to easily produce a stereo album which sounded good on a monaural record player. In what he admits was some experimentation, he mixed down the four-track master tape to stereo with vocals on the right, instruments on the left, and nothing in the middle.

The Vinyl

This is the original thicker heavier and deeper grooved vinyl and more robust than later pressings. On initial visual inspection lies perfectly flat on the turntable and I can't see any scratches or marks that would be audio sounding at all. Any marks\scuffs that could possibly be seen would be light wispy sleeve removal type only and nothing that would be detrimental or that would cause any loud clicks, ticks or pops.  

The Audio Quality

 I have played this vinyl track for track as usual at high volume on a top  system, and importantly using a dedicated mono cartridge two times prior to listing.

The 1st thing to note is there is amazingly I heard no distortion during the play of this vinyl, and the audio is crystal clear and vibrant throughout, very rare to find like this indeed. There was no clicks or pops heard during the audio and certainly no skips or jumps, also even in between tracks this is almost silent with very very isolated static in between one or two tracks only. In my opinion this vinyl has certainly not been overplayed, it has a very rich deep vibrant mono audio, that can only ever be found on these earliest 'LOUD CUT' mono pressings! Even the track 'Michele' plays very well with a minimum amount of crackle usually found (this track is notorious for sounding terrible on this pressing)  This album played superbly throughout on my systems graded as excellent plus in my opinion!

Please allow for the odd static/dust type tick/crackle, there was nothing persistent but this is a 45 year old record.

The Matrix

''XEX 579-1'' ''XEX 580-1'' (earliest possible)

Mother Stampers

Side 1. ''3'' ''GA'' 

Side 2. ''3'' ''GA''

The Labels

These feature the (YELLOW AND BLACK) Parlophone labels (only early press) (see photo) Please note spidering can be seen around both labels. ''sold in the UK ......'' is featured across the labels (only 1st press) and ''The Gramophone Co........'' around the rim (only 1st press There is little or no spindle ware the hole is perfectly round ''made in Gt Britain'' is featured (UK press)

The Record Sleeve

This is the original poly lined  Emitex record sleeve with no splits,tares or writing. The sleeve only shows very minor age colouring amazing condition after 45 years.

The Cover

This is the original  GARROD & LOFTHOUSE fully laminated  flipback  cover.  Absolutely superb condition, super glossy laminate with just very minimal storage wear , only really noticed if scrutinised! Amazingly there is only very minor creasing (very rare to find like this) the spine is square and straight with all the writing perfectly legible.  Please note no splits or tears, The rear is exceptionally clean (see photos)  This must grade as at least excellent if not much better in my opinion.

PLEASE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE RARETY OF THESE ORIGINAL EARLY PRESSINGS!!! THEY ARE BECOMING SO HARD TO FIND ESPECIALLY IN THIS CONDITION AND THIS ORIGINAL AWESOME COVER!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE VINYL AND COVER WILL BE INSERTED SEPARATELY IN POLY SLEEVES AND WRAPPED WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLEWRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION.

I have tried to give an honest assessment of the item listed. I have played the item track by track and again given my honest view on the audio quality. The photos I have taken are intended to give you the clearest impression of the visual quality. Please note, photos are the actual item for sale.

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding the album or details regarding the listing.

Shipping 

USA \ Canada \ Japan \ Australia - 11.76 GBP Including International Signed For Delivery With Insurance & Tracking

EUROPE - 8.76 GBP Including International Signed For Delivery With Insurance & Tracking

UK FREE - Sent by Recorded Delivery

All items are covered by insurance up to a value of £36.00 for loss or damage in transit. Higher value insurance can be arranged for an additional charge.Some countries however have a maximum value for insurance purposes.  Items will be dispatched by Royal Mail signed for 1st class delivery. normally the next working day on receipt of cleared funds. Tracking details are will be e-mailed to the winning bidder after dispatch.

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases, but buyers must pay for the items as they are won.  

New ebayers with low, poor or no real history, please contact me before bidding otherwise bids will be cancelled

I WILL BE LISTING MORE BLUES RELATED ALBUMS ON THIS SITE OVER THE COMING WEEKS PLEASE BOOKMARK ME

Please view my other rare  Blues And Blues Related 1st UK pressings

Listed Now On Ebay at wwwbluesvinyl4ucom

Click below