C.O.B Spirit of Love UK LP First Press CBS ISB COB Clive Palmer Folk Pysch VG+

	£		135
	$		179

I have several rare collectible first pressings for auction this week, including all three Nick Drake albums and both Clive Palmer C.O.B albums. Please be sure to look at my other items. All start at 99p with NO reserve. Please await invoice BEFORE you pay. Shipping rates include insurance (see the bottom of this listing). Combined shipping rates are always offered.

C.O.B – Spirit of Love was issued in the UK in 1970 on CBS S69010. This is a first pressing. Matrix numbers are: S69010 A1 / S69010 B1.

C.O.B stands for Clive’s Original Band and Spirit of Love was their first album. Clive Palmer was a founder member of the Incredible String Band and played on their eponymous debut album before leaving to travel to India. On his return Palmer spent some time playing with legendary folk-jazz guitarist Wizz Jones before forming the Famous Jug Band with whom he recorded the album “Sunshine Possibilities” which came out in 1969. Again restless, he left to form C.O.B and made what is considered to be the best music of his career over the band’s two album career.

Spirit of Love has a hymnal, rural English vibe that is more folk than folk-rock. Some of the tracks have very authentic-sounding medieval stylings. Other tracks seem to have biblical references within the lyrics and a strong gospel influence.The naive charm of the music and willingness to sound different makes Spirit of Love a great psych-folk album.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Spirit of Love

2. Music of the Ages

3. Soft Touches Of Love

4. Banjo Land

5. Wade in the Water

Side 2

6. Scranky Black Farmer

7. Evening Air

8. Serpent's Kiss

9. Sweet Slavery

10. When He Came Home

Musicians:

Clive Palmer: Guitars, Banjo, Vocals

John Bidwell: Dulcimer, Recorder, Banjo, Organ, Indian Hand-Organ, Vocals

Mick Bennett: Organ, Washboard, Tambourine, Bongos, Percussion, Vocals

Ralph McTell: Guitar, Drums

Steve Bonnett: Bass Guitar

Ursula Smith: Cello

Chrissie Quayle, Christina Bonnett, Gillian McPherson, Reina Sutcliffe: Backing Vocals

Produced by Ralph McTell

Recorded at Marquee Studios, Wardour Street, London

The unlaminated gatefold sleeve - where the front gatefold is a single cardboard flap and the record slides into the centre of the gatefold – is in Very Good + condition with gentle edge and cornerwear. The spine text remains fully legible. There is a small price sticker tear top right front (see photo). The front gatefold has slight surfacewear at the very top and at the very bottom. The rear gatefold also has slight surfacewear at the very top and at the very bottom, consistent with mild, embryonic ringwear. Overall very solid and presentable.

The vinyl is in Very Good +(+) condition. The playing surfaces are mostly beautifully clean but there is a light scuff line on Side 2 that runs across tracks 1 to 3, but this is completely superficial and produces no adverse sound beyond that described below. The record plays through nicely with absolutely no sticks or jumps. On Side 1 there are a few ticks as Track 1 moves to Track 2, there is a little light crackle here and there and one or two light sporadic ticks. On Side 2 there are 5 or 6 ticks at the very start of Track 1. There is light crackle in Track 2 and 2 pops. The rest of the side plays through with nothing worse than an occasional light tick. Excellent clear audio with no distortion. The labels are beautiful and clean with a little light spindlewear. 

I am not a dealer but a serious collector. All my records come from my private collection. Please read my ME page for details of my philosophy on descriptions and gradings. I absolutely guarantee my gradings as played through my system. All my records are cleaned on a Moth Mk II RCM and play-graded in their entirety on a Rega Planar 3 turntable with RB300 tonearm and Denon DL-304 MC cartridge tracking at 1.5 g through an azur 840a amp via Chord Odyssey 4 bi-wired cable into KEF Q900 speakers. Inferior component-type turntables without proper tracking are more prone to sticking and jumping than high-grade turntables. If you love vinyl, do yourself a favour and invest in a decent system if you don't already own one. You don't have to pay thousands. Excellent quality 2nd hand turntables are available on eBay for around £100 (about the price of 1 rare LP). Your investment will be more than rewarded by the additional listening pleasure you derive.

BUT if, unexpectedly, you are unhappy for any reason, please get in touch.

Grading :

M = Mint - as new

NM = Near Mint - very few, light signs of usage that don’t affect play - the cover has only minor signs of wear.

EX = Excellent - some signs of usage, but very little lessening in sound quality – the cover might have slight wear and/or creasing.

VG = Very Good - no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch - normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items.

G = Good - the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches - the cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

+ and - are used as appropriate.

Payment

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end. PAYPAL is welcomed. In the UK cheques or direct credit into my bank account (please ask for the account details) are also fine. 

Non-paying bidders will be reported to eBay.

Shipping Policy :

If not still sealed, records are taken out of the sleeve to avoid splitting. They are posted in professional mailers with proper stiffeners for extra protection. These are pre-used and so are provided free of charge. A polythene sleeve is also always included. 

Postage / Shipping Charges

The following rates insure all packages up to a value of either £250 or £500, dependent upon destination. Additional insurance may be available for a higher fee.

UK 

1 LP                     £7.35

2 – 3 LPs            £8.65

Europe

1LP      £13.60

2LPs    £15.30

3LPs    £16.60

The Americas / Asia / Australasia / Rest of the World (ROW)

1LP      £16.55

2LPs    £19.45

3LPs    £22.30