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Black Sabbath : Paranoid 1Y2 / 2Y1 early Vertigo Swirl Pressing

This very collectable second pressing on the iconic Vertigo swirl label plays to a superb standard with very little interference.  The only intrusion you could say is on 'Planet Caravan' which does have some of the usual static but it is by no means loud and plays better than many versions I have heard.  There are no clicks or pops on either side and overall the clarity, depth and power of the audio is very impressive.  Whilst you can tell the vinyl has been played a number of times the actual visual quality is stunning.  There are no marks or scratches and I haven't seen many better.

The laminated cover is in fantastic condition with hardly any wear and is easily one of the best examples I have ever seen.  The 'Plastic Bags...' inner is also in great condition.

As this is a second press it still has a large swirl on the label and VERTIGO can also be seen at the foot of the S1 label.  There is still no break between the tracks 'Hand Of Doom' and 'Rat Salad' making it look as if there are only three tracks on Side B.  The matrix is 1Y2/2Y1 and the cover is laminated rather than matt textured.  There is also no 'Big Bear' management credit on the inside which only came with the first pressing.

6360011 1Y // 2 ▽ 420  1 2 1 0

6360011 2Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 1 3 3

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T3 Ex-)

The audio S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T4 a couple of brief Ex+ sections)

The gatefold is Ex++

The labels are Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  There are only a few very faint sleeve removal hairlines on both sides and a small number of mega faint specks on S1 that obviously have no impact on the audio, they are not easy to locate!  The run out grooves are pristine and the Vertigo labels are also super clean with just some spindle wear but not an excessive amount.

Play grading  

The intro on 'War Pigs' plays superbly with no 'background' and the air-raid siren is also very 'clean' with only the lightest of static for 2/3 seconds.  The quiet percussive section that follows also plays very clearly and the Osbourne's first vocal is just as good.  From then onwards there are no negatives.  It plays loud and true with no distortion and with no interference.  It has lost none of its original sonic quality and still has that deep menacing 'sound' - there is no 'muddiness' whatsoever.  The next 'quiet' percussive section is perfect and the same can be said for the next vocal.  The remainder plays to the same 'high end' standard and from start to finish the clarity, depth and power cannot be faulted.  This is easily a Near Mint start to the album.

As you would expect on such a clean vinyl 'Paranoid' plays with superb power and definition from the first note to the last.  There is just one very light tick after the mid instrumental but so quiet you could easily miss it!  The final vocal is flawless and to the end there is no interference.  I will grade as Near Mint although I am sure many would grade higher!

'Planet Caravan' so often plays with a fair amount of static or crackle and it is just a matter of how much.  This version is certainly not exempt but I am pleased to say it still plays very well with no ticks, clicks or pops.  There is some background static but each note can still be heard very clearly.  The vast majority of the gentle solo that brings the track to a close plays very clearly and that includes the long fade out.  I think Ex- is a fair assessment of the audio.

The percussive intro on 'Iron Man' has no 'background' and the 'spoken' section is nigh on perfect with only a minor touch of barely audible static.  Iommi's opening section is 'as new' as is the first vocal.  It continues to play with genuine quality and with no inner groove distortion.  The mid instrumental plays with sublime power and precision and having played it twice now I can categorically say this is a stunning version!  The final vocal is of the standard and to the very final note there is no interference of any kind.  Mint- is justified here.

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The intro on 'Electric Funeral' has no interference and the opening two verses then play with great clarity.  There is no decrease in quality as it continues - no ticks, clicks or pops and no underlying static.  The mid instrumental is nigh on perfect with only a couple of dust ticks and the 'high octane' vocal sections are 'as new' with no intrusion.  The remainder of the track is of the same standard with only a little static at the end of the fade out.  This is without doubt a Mint- start to S2.

The quiet intro on 'Hand Of Doom' has only only 2/3 light ticks, the audio is very clean.  Osbourne's first vocal is the same with just one light tick and as the volume increases the audio is faultless.  There are of course so many quiet sections and yet they all play so clearly and with very little 'background'.  The 'heavy' mid section could not play any better, the power and depth of the audio is superb, and the quieter section that follows again plays with wonderful clarity.  Right through to the end it plays incredibly well and the quiet 'finale' has only minimal static.  This is a fine version and Near Mint- is about right.

'Rat Salad' has only minimal light static on the intro and then plays with great quality and...no interference.  Ward's solo is outstanding!  This ranges between Near Mint and Mint- the audio is so strong.

The long intro on 'Fairies Wear Boots' plays with stunning power and definition and just one light tick.  The first classic riff has no 'background' and the opening vocal is of the same 'high end' standard.  It proceeds in the same way and this is one track you can turn up to max without fear of distortion, it demands to be played loud!  It plays with great depth and resonance and there are no clicks or pops etc.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and the original sonic quality is still there.  It is a fantastic version and the mid instrumental does not disappoint either.  I did detect just a minor amount of light static just before the final vocal comes it is hardly intrusive.  It has dissipated by the time the final verse begins and the 'echo' effect on Osbourne's final 'yeah' plays with perfect clarity.  Just a little clarity for the final few seconds.  Near Mint is an honest appraisal of the audio with a couple of brief Ex+ sections.  It is a very impressive end to this classic album.

In summary this very early Vertigo pressing plays with superb audio for the vast majority with not one single click or pops.  There is only very minimal static and whilst there is some of the usual static on 'Planet Caravan' it is not overly intrusive.  The clarity, depth and power of the music is very impressive and just by looking at the vinyl you can tell it has always been very carefully handled.  The laminated gatefold is also in fantastic condition as detailed below.

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

The laminated cover has been so well preserved and is rarely seen as good as this today.  The edges have only a couple of tiny rubs and the wide spine is in great shape and remains 100% legible with barely any wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are also super clean with next to no wear and the opening edge has just one very small 'crimp' near the top and has only very minimal handling wear.  The front cover is in lovely condition with just one mega small scuff on the sword and a few of the usual laminate creases around the edges.  The back cover if anything is even better with just one minor white mark next to the opening edge and a handful of creases around the edge.  The colours on both sides have lost none of their original gloss.  The inside of the gatefold is so often marked and yet this is easily one of the cleanest I have ever seen, it is practically 'as new' with only a couple of 'specks'.  The top 'flipbacks' have none of the staining that you so often see.  A fine example of this iconic cover for sure!

The 'Plastic Bags...' inner (dated 0672) is in great condition with no side splits or tears and barely any marking, just a couple of specks.  There is only very minimal creasing.  Not all of the Vertigo pressings came with a swirl inner.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

6360011 1Y // 2 ▽ 420  1 2 1 0

6360011 2Y // 1 ▽ 420  1 1 3 3

At the moment eBay do not allow shipping to Russia due to the ongoing crisis.  Apologies to my Russian customers, you know who to blame.

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

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