Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe : Barcelona  Vinyl LP 1S1/S2

This relatively rare pressing from '92 plays with stunning audio with only a few seconds of interference of interference on S2.  The vast majority is 'as new'!

It could be said that this repress, with the different front cover, is rarer than the original first pressing as it was certainly produced in fewer numbers.  It was re-released to commemorate Freddie's passing the year before and also to celebrate the Olympic games being held in Barcelona.  Other than the front cover all other aspects are the same as the original.

The actual gatefold is in lovely condition with very little shelf wear and the lyric inner is pristine.

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POLH 44 // 837 277  -  1 S 1   1 3 1 1 / 837 277  -  1 S 2   1 3 1 4

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 2 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 2 intro G+ for 10 seconds)

The gatefold is Ex+

The lyric inner is Mint

The labels are Mint

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and S1 in particular is stunning with no marks or scratches and no obvious hairlines either.  S2 does have three very small dull marks on the first track and another couple on the second but they are very faint and are only visible when you hold the vinyl at a certain angle.  It is still a very impressive looking side with no other marks or scratches and only a handful of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  There is no spindle wear and the record retains a very healthy glossy sheen.  The run out grooves and labels are supremely clean, 'as new' in fact.

Play grading

The intro on 'Barcelona' is 'as new' with no 'background of any kind.  This opening 'instrumental' section is stunning and it just could not play any better!  The quiet piano piece prior to the first verse has only the bare minimum of light static and as the vocals come in the audio is fantastic with not even a dust tick!  From then on it continues to impress with no interference and rarely does this classic play with such distinction.  Not one single click or pop just pure classical operatic pop right to the final note!  This is Mint- without a doubt.

The quiet intro on 'La Japonaise' is stunning with only a handful of mega light dust ticks.  Thereafter it plays with great clarity and definition with no intrusive 'background' of any kind.  There is the odd light static tick but you will find these on new vinyl let alone one that is 27 years old!  There are so many quiet sections and the playback is very impressive indeed and Near Mint- is a fair assessment here.

'The Fallen Priest' has a perfect intro and then the first two verses play very cleanly with only a small number of dust ticks which are non-intrusive.  The remainder then plays to an incredible standard with no interference at all.  The clarity is second to none and there is no distortion on the top end.  A superb version which grades as Mint- overall.

'Ensueno' of course has such a quiet piano intro and yet it plays beautifully with not so much as a dust tick.  It continues in the same way and is one of the best versions I have ever heard.  So often this track will play with some static or crackle (or worse!) being such a quiet number and yet this plays with amazing clarity from the first note to the last.   this has to be one to play with sublime clarity ends the side with perfect clarity once more and no intrusion on the audio.  A truly breathtaking Mint- version to end S1.

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'The Golden Boy' has a near perfect intro with only a couple of very light ticks just prior to the vocal.  The first two verses then play with stunning 'as new' precision and first 'I love you...' verse has only a mild hint of mega light static.  The gospel section cannot be faulted as it plays with great power and no interference and the remainder is also nigh on perfect with only very light static on the fade out.  A Mint- version.

'Guide Me Home' does have eight dull click type sounds on the intro and this is the first interference on the entire album!  As the vocal begins the audio is so 'clean' and to the end grades as Mint- the clarity is sensational.  Just a shame about the G+ intro!

The segue into 'How Can I Go On' plays perfectly and carries on in exactly the same way.  This is a fantastic version!  The audio is so deep and rich and this is undeniably one of the greatest version I have ever heard.  There is just no 'background' of any kind, not even a dust tick.  It has a CD like aesthetic about it but with an added warmth and depth that you only get with vinyl.  The fade out also plays with superb precision and from start to finish this is Mint it is that good!

'Overture Piccante' is practically of the same standard and again it's the quieter sections that really stand out here.  So quiet and yet the clarity is just astounding.  There are no clicks or pops and only a couple of mega light dust ticks near the beginning.  This is a truly outstanding version that would impress any collector and it has a stunning fade out also.  I am confident in grading this as Mint- as it could hardly play any better.  A stunning way to finish the album.

In summary this rare 1992 repress plays with stunning sonic quality and it is only that one brief section on S2 that plays with some interference.  This is quite clearly a vinyl that has hardly been played judging by the lack of spindle wear and the incredible clarity that is on show for the vast majority.  The gatefold and lyric inner are also in lovely condition.

The Gatefold

This rare cover is in lovely condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges have hardly any rub marks and the spine is near prefect with only a couple of mega tiny rubs.  The is very little corner wear and the opening edge has no obvious handling wear either.  The front cover is super clean with no marking and the only 'real' wear are a few small creases around the edges and the back cover is the same.  The inside of the gatefold is in superb shape with no marking etc.  Overall this is a fine example of this often overlooked cover that is relatively hard to find today and especially in this condition.  

The Lyric Inner

The paper inner has stood the test of the time extremely well and has no splits, marking or creasing.  Absolutely stunning!

The Labels

They are 'as new' with no marking or spindle wear.

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 // 837 277  -  1 S 1   1 3 1 1 / 837 277  -  1 S 2   1 3 1 4

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I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

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Postage & Packaging

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