Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe : Barcelona A2/B1

This FINAL UPGRADE first pressing is of a standard that is so rarely found today.  The clarity and depth of the audio on this 30+ year old record is exceptional and there is no obvious interference at all.  The playback is stunning!  The record has hardly been played as there is no spindle wear and the definition of the audio is equal to that of a vinyl that has only been on a turntable once or twice!  

The gatefold is in superb condition and remains strong with no real shelf wear.  This is the most impressive audio I have ever heard and the 'cleanest' gatefold I have ever seen!  A stunning 'package' with a super clean lyric sleeve also!

POLH 44 // A - 2U / B - 1U

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 1 first verse Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 1 one small section NM- / track 2 intro NM-)

The gatefold is Near Mint+

The lyric inner is Mint-

The labels are Mint

Visual grading

The vinyl is visually stunning and has hardly ever been played!  There is no spindle wear and it retains a stunning glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  There is just one small section on track one of S2 where you can see a handful of very faint hairlines but they have very little affect on the audio.  This is definitely one of the 'cleanest' first pressings I have ever seen and the audio as detailed below pays testament to that.  The run out grooves and labels are also in perfect condition.

Play grading

 'Barcelona' plays with stunning quality from the very groove.  There is just no 'background' on the long intro whatsoever!  It continues to play with breathtaking audio and as the first verse begins the clarity is superb with no obvious intrusion on the sound quality.  There are a few light dust ticks static ticks but they are so quiet as to be inconsequential.  Thereafter the audio is so powerful and again the clarity is incredible!  It is no exaggeration to say the vast majority of this classic plays as Mint with the first verse grading as Near Mint and it is clear this record has hardly ever been played.

The quiet intro on 'La Japonaise' is Mint as it just could not play any better and the entire track plays to a standard that is unbelievable!  I do not think I have heard audio definition as impressive as this on a first pressing.  Aside from a couple of light ticks in the middle section this is pure Mint audio from the first note to the last.  There are so many quiet sections and yet they all play with the same remarkable clarity.  Mint- overall, wow!

'The Fallen Priest' again provides further evidence of a beautifully preserved vinyl.  There is no interference of any kind, not even a dust tick and no distortion on the top end.  This is Mint from start to finish.

'Ensueno' ends the side with perfect clarity once more and no intrusion on the audio.  There are so many quiet piano sections and they all play with the same immaculate precision.  I repeat not even a dust tick!  This is the most stunning S1 I have ever heard on a first pressing as there is barely any 'background' and there are certainly no clicks or pops!

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The orchestral intro on 'The Golden Boy' has only a minimal amount of mega light static.  It is only minor and it does not intrude on the quality of the listen.  The first verse is 'as new' as is the majority of the second.  Towards the end of this second verse there is the odd very light static sound and this continues into the two 'I love you...' verses.  However, it really is very quiet and not intrusive in my opinion and I do sit very close to the speakers which is why it is a little more audible to me!  Perhaps it is not even worthy of mention!  The clarity remains very impressive.  From the gospel section onwards the audio cannot be faulted and this is also the case with final 'classical' section.  A stunning fade out also that plays 'as new'.  I would grade this section as Near Mint- and the remainder as Mint as the clarity and depth of the audio is just perfect.

The classic 'Guide Me Home' is superb!  There is only the lightest of static on the quiet piano intro and as Freddie's vocal comes in the audio is perfect.  The remainder is stunning and there is no interference at all.  This is similar to the previous track - Near Mint- on the intro with the remainder playing as Mint.

The segue into 'How Can I Go On' plays with impeccable precision and I cannot emphasise enough how superb the audio is on the rest of the track.  The clarity and warmth is fantastic!  This is Mint from beginning to end - I am quite simply blown away the quality here!  The fade out plays to perfection and this really is a stunning version of this emotive classic.

'Overture Piccante' plays to the same sublime standard.  From the intro to the final section the quality here cannot be underestimated.  There is no interference and I suspect has never been played before.  The quieter 'moments' play with clarity that can only be described 'as new' and this also applies to the louder sections.  This is Mint from start to finish I am confident in saying.  What an album!

In summary you would have to search far and wide to find a first pressing as stunning as this!  As stated the vinyl has scarcely been played and that is reflected in the clarity and warmth of the recording.  It is a FINAL UPGRADE album in my opinion and the only 'background' is a minimal amount of mega light static on S2 but even then the playback is very 'clean' with no clicks or pops.  As always I have listened to every second of this album and I don't mind saying when you find audio such as this it sends shivers down the spine!  I am music fan first and foremost and nothing beats the depth you find on vinyl and this is a perfect example of that.  The gatefold is also in fantastic condition as if the lyric inner.  A stunning album that belongs in any Near Mint / Mint collection!               

The Gatefold

As stated the cover is in beautiful condition with barely any shelf wear.  The edges are amazingly clean with only the bottom edge of the back cover having a minimal amount of light rubbing.  The wide spine is as strong and clean as the day when it was first purchased back in '88!  The corners are incredible with no rubbing/creasing at all and the opening edge is equally as impressive with no handling wear.  The front cover is nigh on perfect with only a faint sticker mark top right.  The front cover really is in fantastic condition and remains very strong and robust as if it has hardly ever been handled.  There is one faint crease next to the spine but it is certainly not obvious.  The back cover is just as immaculate with just one tiny 'white' mark near the top and a couple of mega faint creases next to the spine.  The inside of the gatefold is 100% pristine!

This is a stunning gatefold and so rarely found in this condition today.

Lyric Inner

This is near perfect with only a couple of very minor faint creases by the thumb notch.  Hardly noticeable!  There are no side splits and it remains super clean with no marking etc.

The Labels

They have no spindle wear, marking or writing and remain in perfect condition.

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

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

POLH 44 // A - 2U / B - 1U

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I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

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Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

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