Free : Tons Of Sobs A2/B2 3rd Press 1969 (Pink 'I' Label)

This very early pressing on the famous pink 'I' labels plays to a superb standard with no obvious interference.  The clarity and definition of the audio is so good and this is certainly a record that has been so well looked after down the years and that is backed up by the stunning visual quality.  The sonic quality on both sides is stunning!

The cover is in excellent condition with only a little wear and the poly-lined inner has no splits or tears.

This is a third pressing as denoted by the smooth pink 'I' labels and that the production credit is lower on each label than earlier editions.

With international shipping (including Europe) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

ILPS + 9089 + A2

ILPS + 9089 + B2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint)  

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T3 intro Ex and then Near Mint)  

The gatefold is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint / Ex+

The original inner is Ex

The vinyl is in lovely condition and retains a stunning glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Rarely there are only a small number of very faint hairlines which obviously have no impact on the audio.  There is no dulling/clouding of the surface at all.  The run out grooves are super clean and the iconic pink 'I' labels do not have very much spindle wear.  The S1 label is unmarked but there is just one tiny white blemish on the S2 one.  This is the 'cleanest' example of this record that I have seen and that is reflected in the quality of the audio.  However, I will say the vinyl does have a small 'kink' in it resulting in a minor rise and fall of the stylus but this only lasts for about 6/7 minutes on each side.  It is nothing to worry about, only minor like I say, and has no affect on the actual cartridge - no jumps or skips obviously!

Play grading  

'Over The Green Hills (Pt. 1)' plays so clearly when you consider it is an acoustic number - so often the opening grooves on 50+ year old records have a fair amount of static/crackle but not here!  There is no intrusion and the only 'background' (if you can call it that) are a small number of dust ticks and one minor static on the intro.  A Near Mint start to the side.

The segue into 'Worry' could not play any better and Rodger's first vocal is also flawless.  Already I am struck by the clarity and power on offer here.  From start to finish it plays with such precision and there is no interference of any kind.  The clarity is just unbelievable and there is no distortion on the top end either.  This is Mint and then some!

'Walk In My Shadow' plays with stunning quality from the get go with only a minimal touch of barely audible static on the opening note and I do mean minimal!  From then onwards it plays as per the previous track and the power is tangible.  There is such depth to the music and again the clarity cannot be faulted.  No ticks, clicks or pops and no underlying static - a stunning Mint- version for sure although I am not entirely sure the minus is required!

'Wild Indian Woman' is of the same 'high end' standard with no intrusion.  This is clearly a record that has hardly been played.  The audio definition is again exceptional and Mint is an easy grade to give.

The quiet piano intro on 'Goin' Down Slow' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of mega quiet dust ticks and it then plays with remarkable quality which perhaps isn't surprising!  Kossoff's work is obviously so strong here and despite it being the final track on the side the clarity is so impressive and there is no obvious distortion at all.  Perhaps just a minimal amount towards the end but I may be doing myself a disservice by even mentioning it as it is so minor!  A Mint- end to the side.

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'I'm A Mover' plays with great precision from the very first groove and continues in the same way.  As the vinyl is so clean you can hear each note so clearly and Fraser's strong bass is very much to the fore as it is throughout the entire album.  The sonic quality is as 'fresh' as it was back in '69 and again Mint is very much deserved.

'The Hunter' is equally as good and the mid instrumental is absolutely STUNNING!  Pure power and no distortion at all.  To the end it is 'as new' with no sign of any interference.  Mint

The quiet intro on 'Moonshine' plays very clearly but with a small number of static ticks, hardly intrusive.  The first verse is close to perfect with only a handful of barely audible ticks and the second verse just has one light click.  There is no underlying static and as this is a relatively quiet track the actual clarity is very impressive.  I detected only a couple more minor ticks and overall this classic plays with tremendous quality.  I would grade the intro as Ex and the remainder as Near Mint but as I often say the vast majority is better than that!  

The intro on 'Sweet Tooth' plays perfectly and this quality is prevalent throughout.  Again there is such depth to the sound and clearly there is no groove wear.  Kossoff's long solo could not play any better.  A stunning version and Mint all the way.

'Over The Green Hills (Pt. 2)' ends this classic debut album with great clarity from the first note to the last.  There is no intrusion on the audio - just a handful of insignificant dust ticks.  A Mint- finish I am confident in saying.

In summary this very early pressing on the pink 'I' label plays to a wonderful standard with no real intrusion.  There are no loud clicks or pops just a small number of static ticks on one intro on S2.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is so good and it has certainly not lost any of its original sonic quality.  The lack of underlying static obviously enhances the clarity of the recording and it would be very difficult to find a better version than this in my opinion.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound, no distortion just incredibly clear sound on both sides.  Audio does not get much better than this!

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with not very much shelf wear.  The top edges are very clean with only minimal 'rubbing' and the bottom edges just have a little more.  The wide spine remains very strong with only minor wear and is still 100% legible.  All the corners are in excellent shape with only minimal wear and whilst the opening edges have some handling wear it is by no means excessive.  The front cover has a couple of very small faint marks that you can only see when you hold it at a certain angle, a couple of minor creases and a handful of faint scratch lines.  The back cover only has a couple of minor creases and a very small area of white 'specks'.  The inside of the gatefold has only a little of the usual creasing around the inner spine area but is otherwise perfect.

The poly-lined inner has no side splits or tears and hardly any creasing.  There is a little age related fading around the edges but is in excellent condition overall.  I'm not sure if it is the original inner but it does have 11 - 69 printed in one corner so is certainly from that era.

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

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

ILPS + 9089 + A2

ILPS + 9089 + B2

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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