DURAN DURAN (THE WEDDING ALBUM) A5/B4 1st PRESS 1993 SUPERB COVER & AUDIO WOW
£
310
$
411
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.
Duran Duran : 'The Wedding Album' A5 / B4 1st Press Original 1993
This relatively rare first pressing plays with exceptional quality on both sides and as you tell from my audio grading below this is an album that has hardly been played. The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is sensational and the only background is a small number of ticks at the end of 3/4 fade outs. In essence there is no interference during the music and the sonic quality throughout is just STUNNING! A FINAL UPGRADE classic in every way that has been so well preserved over the last 30 years. The power of the audio also cannot be underestimated, there is no distortion, and 'as new' is no an exaggeration.
The vinyl is visually stunning with only a small number of insignificant faint hairlines, it is so impressive. The vinyl has always been stored in a pvc inner which has helped it considerably in keeping it in its original pristine condition. There is no obvious spindle wear - just one very small faint spindle trace on each label - and this album must have been bought as part of a collection not to be played.
The cover also pays testament to its 'time warp' condition and remains in beautiful condition with barely any wear. The lyric inner is in perfect untouched condition. A superb example of this increasingly rare album!
DDB 34 // A-05-01-1 / B-04-01-1 D
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The cover is Near Mint-
The lyric inner is Mint
The labels are Mint-
Visual description
The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches. Looking under a bright light I can only see a small number of wispy faint sleeve removal hairlines which you expect to see anyway. There is only one small faint spindle trace on each label and as you set the vinyl down onto the turntable you can still 'feel' a little vinyl flecking around the spindle hole. This has hardly been played and that is reflected in the audio. A superb example.
Play grading
The acoustic intro on 'Too Much Information' plays perfectly and Le Bon's opening vocal keeps up the standard. It continues to play with such clean audio and with clear separation. There is no 'muddiness' to the sound - the clarity and definition is stunning. Turn up the end section (well turn it all up!) the playback is phenomenal! A couple of minor static ticks on the fade out so I will grade as Mint- but really it could not play any better.The classic 'Ordinary World' has no background on the intro and the opening verse and chorus are 'as new'. From then on it plays as per an un-played / hardly vinyl - with a clarity that cannot be faulted in any way. Each note is so clean and precise and there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static. I cannot praise it highly enough - it is a beautiful version that only gets better with every listen! A perfect fade out also - a STUNNING Mint version.
The first thing you notice with the intro on 'Love Voodoo' is the deep rich tone of the audio and you only get that with a super clean vinyl. The bass sound is so strong! From then on every vocal and instrumental section exudes quality and I only 'picked up' a couple of very light ticks early on. Blink and you miss them they are so quiet! Mint-
'Drowning Man' plays with genuine quality from the get go. The intro is flawless and the first vocal has no intrusion either. This clarity of sound is very much in evidence throughout. Perhaps not one of strongest tracks on the album but there is denying how strong the sonic quality is here. Another Mint track.
The brief 'Shotgun' plays with great quality from start to finish with no interference either, not even a dust tick. Mint
The long intro on 'Come Undone' provides more evidence of a barely played vinyl, the playback is 10/10 perfect. The first verse and chorus are just as impressive and it continues to play with sublime quality from then onwards. This is another classic that just not play with any greater precision. Took me right back listening to this! There is no interference and only a touch of mega light static at the end of the fade out. I'm still going to say Mint it is that good.
'Breath After Breath' ends the side with genuine quality once more. A touch of barely audible static for a couple of seconds during the first vocal section but I'm being picky there as you barely notice it. The first verse is 'as new' and this high end standard is kept up to the very end. The vocals are so clear including all the Portuguese lyrics and this easily grades as Mint- at the very least.
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'UMF' continues where S1 left off and plays with superb audio. There is no interference and only a handful of barely audible dust tick near the beginning. A Mint start to S2.
The intro on 'Femme Fatale' is nigh on perfect with only one mega light tick and it then plays with sublime clarity from then onwards. I've always liked this cover and the sonic quality is very strong throughout. It is Mint- although the minus could be considered a little harsh!
'None Of the Above' plays with imperious quality through every vocal and instrumental section. The only background is a couple of static ticks on the fade out so I will grade as Mint-
The segue into 'To Whom It May Concern' is flawless and thereafter plays with stunning precision. Again the sonic quality is as it was 30 years ago - the clarity and definition is exceptional. I can't fairer than that. 'As new' and Mint
The 'intro' on 'Sin Of The City' plays so clearly with only a couple of insignificant static ticks at the start - so so quiet you could easily miss them - and as the track 'kicks in' the audio is superb. So strong and deep and the first vocal is more than equal to that. It continues to play with phenomenal quality for a final track. Another great track (an angry one!) with a very strong chorus and there is no distortion on the top end. Great work from Cuccurullo here and it is also indebted to the high level bass work from Taylor also. Running at over 7 minutes you cannot fault the audio here and Mint- is more than deserved. Wow what a finish!
In summary this genuine first press plays with STUNNING audio across with essentially no interference. This of course was pressed in limited numbers so is a relatively rare album and even more rare to find in this condition! It is without doubt a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic in that the clarity, depth and power of the audio is second to none. There are no clicks or pops, almost zero static, and only a handful of light ticks most of which are found at the end of 3/4 fade outs. It is patently obvious that this record has hardly ever been played and indeed every aspect of this album has been so well preserved over the last 30 years. I know it commands a good price these days and the winning bidder will not be disappointed with their purchase, it is a STUNNING example!
The Cover & Picture Inner
The glossy cover has been preserved so well with only the bare minimum of wear. The edges have barely any rubbing and the spine remains fully legible with only a couple of small 'crease' marks. The corners are also in superb condition and the opening edge is pristine. The front cover is stunning with only a couple of the usual small creases next to the spine and two tiny rubs next to the opening edge that hardly warrant a mention. The back cover has no marking, it is immaculate. This is a stunning example of this cover.
The lyric inner is in perfect condition with no wear and as stated it has a pvc sleeve inside.
Play tested on my Rega P2 with Rega Carbon Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
DDB 34 // A-05-01-1 / B-04-01-1 D
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.
THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD). AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH. MANY THANKS.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!
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