BLACK WIDOW - II Ultra rare Progmonster 1st UK Press (Black Sabbath ) 1970 EX

	£		80
	$		106

BLACK WIDOW -

2nd album

     CBS S 6433

1st UK Press

Machined matrices  A1  B1

This auction is for the formidable second Black Widow album, released in the same year as Master of reality by Black Sabbath. This album in my opinion is at least at the same level qualitywise if not better. It hardly sold any copies at all, probably because of poor distribution caused by the occultist themes of the previous album (like also e.g. Zior). This is a fantastic album that needs exploring by all lovers of well crafted music. This copy is a splendid example!!!

The band originally formed in 1966 as Pesky Gee! with Kay Garrett (lead vocals), Kip Trevor (lead vocals, guitar and harmonica), Chris Dredge (guitar), Bob Bond (bass guitar), Clive Box (drums and piano), Jess "Zoot" Taylor (organ), Clive Jones (saxophone and flute).[1]Jim Gannon (guitar, vocals and vibes), replaced Dredge in Spring 1969. The band split in September 1969.

The band released one album for Pye Records as Pesky Gee!, 1969's Exclamation Mark, before Garrett left the band. The remaining band members continued on as Black Widow and released their debut album Sacrifice in 1970.[1] Perhaps better known than their music was the band's use of occult references in their music and their live performances, which were made more controversial with the mock sacrifice of a nude woman. These acts at time were very shocking but now a common use in the underground music scene and black metal. 

Controversy aside, Sacrifice reached No. 32 on the UK Albums Chart.  The band also performed at the Whitsun Festival at Plumpton  and at The Isle of Wight Festival in 1970.  By 1971, the band had moved away from its darker occult imagery in an effort to gain a wider audience, which was unsuccessful.  Having replaced Bond and Box with Geoff Griffith and Romeo Challenger, Black Widow released the  formidable self-titled Black Widow album in 1971 and Black Widow III in 1972 (by which time Gannon had left, replaced by John Culley) to general disinterest before being dropped by CBS Records. The band recorded an album, Black Widow IV, later in 1972 without a recording contract. It was not released then due to the band breaking up, shortly after replacing lead vocalist Kip Trevor, with another singer known as Rick "E" (born Frank Karuba; formerly of 'Plum Nelly').

I have played this in FULL> The replay is ASTOUNDING!!! There are not any jumps, pops or skips.  Very remarkable for this 1970 vinyl!!! The heavy vinyl with high groovewalls provide a fantastic audio experience with channelling not equalled by the later re-issue. I played this on my Technics turntable with a Linn cartridge and through my very revealing B&W three way speakers!!! A beautiful CLASSIC with supreme songcraft, a joy to listen to!!!!

Vinyl: EX to EX+.  A sublime copy with only a couple of light retraction type mini hairlines. It is indeed megarare now in this kind of condition. A fantastic album that still sounds relevant now but throws you back to a magical time that once was .  Nothing beats this, the original first press with marvellous sound separation. This is the original first press on the CBS label. The vinyl is extremely heavy and solid. These earliest CBS presses are the vinyl equivalent of a Rolls Royce oozing quality!! This has not been played much at all as is also evident from the fact that there are no spindle traces to be seen. Needless to say NO jumps, clicks or ticks. This will be a fantastic upgrade for most long time collectors!!

Gatefold Sleeve: VG+ to EX.   Matt sleeve without any damage but some light edge wear.  All edges are perfectly straight. The opening is still very crisp and the spine is fully legible. Beautiful rich colours, no creases. A fantastic gatefold that is rarely ever seen these days. No splits,  no marks, no writing.

 Inner sleeve: EX. The original company inner sleeve with advertising for other iconic prog LP's like "Skin Alley", the "Soft Machine" etc. 

Labels: EX++. 

This is a unique investment opportunity!!! The next prog album to go completely through the roof. Finding this album in any condition at all is nearly impossible so late in the day. Get this while you still can. This value of the album is only going to go one way ... up and up ... until it will be totally unavailable at all for a reasonable price.

Important : International postage will be registered and insured if over GBP 30.00.  Please wait for my invoice before paying. Postage will be according to Royal Mail rates. Postage is NOT a money spinning exercise for me.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bidlists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.