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Gravy Train : Gravy Train A 1 / 2Y3 1st Press 1971

The classic first pressing plays with stunning quality on both sides with a clarity, definition and power that is practically 'as new'.  There is only one light click on S2 and that is the only intrusion across the entire album!  This has been so well preserved by the previous owner and it is obvious that it has hardly been played over the last 51 years.  Pressed in only limited numbers this album is relatively rare especially in this condition.  The vinyl is also visually stunning with barely any spindle wear.

I have sold three or four of these over the years and this is easily the finest example I have ever seen or heard.  It is good that this classic band are finally getting the recognition they deserve even if success eluded them in the early 70s.

The textured gatefold is in fantastic condition and has retained its original shape and structure perfectly, it cannot have been handled very much at all.  It is so clean with only very minimal wear and the original swirl inner is also in excellent shape with just some age related fading.  A STUNNING album in every sense and the most 'complete' version I have ever seen...or heard.

6360023  A ▽ 1  1 1 5

6360023  2Y * 3  1 4

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T1 intro Ex+)

The textured gatefold is Ex++

The labels are Near Mint

The Swirl inner is Ex

Visual description

The vinyl is in beautiful condition with an immaculate glossy sheen and no marks or scratches.  There is no dulling to the surface, no groove wear and only under a very strong light can I detect a small number of faint hairlines.  The run out grooves are super clean and the iconic Vertigo labels have no marking or writing and barely any spindle wear.  The Side A label just has a few tiny 'ripples' around the centre hold.

Play grading  

The percussive intro on 'The New One' plays with superb audio and the 'sound' really reverberates around the room, the depth of sound is so strong.  The rest of the intro is so close to perfect with only one light static tick during the flute section.  Once the guitar 'kicks in' soon followed by Barratt's vocal the audio is STUNNING!  Has this ever been played?!  the sonic quality is of the highest standard and again it's the audio definition that really stands out.  It continues in the same way and there is nothing that detracts from the overall listen.  The final flute section plays with perfect clarity and this is easily a Mint- start to this classic album if not better!

The entire on 'Dedication To Sid' plays with exceptional clarity and power and again there is no sign of any interference.  The opening vocal is faultless and it continues to play with sublime quality for the remainder.  Through every vocal and instrumental section there is no 'background' and it sounds as crisp and clear as it would have done over 51 years ago.  Even when the volume decreases to near silence during the mid instrumental there is not even a single dust tick and it continues in the same precise way!  I heard just one minor static tick.  So many quiet sections here and yet the clarity is quite simply AMAZING!  As the volume increases towards the end the playback is phenomenal and this is easily another Mint- track although quite frankly I think the minus can be dispensed with.

'Coast Road' plays to the same 'high end' standard with...no interference.  There is just so much to admire here!  The clarity and definition of sound is equal to that of an un-played record and I cannot find fault at all.  The playback is so strong and powerful and there is no distortion on the top end.  The vocal towards the end is 'as new' despite being high in the mix and to the end it plays with stunning precision. More bluesy than progressive this is perfect Mint audio from start to finish - the long fade out is as perfect as could be with not even a solitary dust tick.

The intro on 'Enterprise' has no 'background' and the opening vocal more than keeps up this exemplary standard.  From then on it plays as well as the preceding tracks which is impressive when you consider it is the final track on the side.  Another indication that it has hardly been played i.e. no loss in sonic quality, no distortion etc.  The playback is so clean and powerful throughout and not one iota of interference.  The end instrumental and vocal is a case in point - so strong and powerful and yet this entire section is 'as new'.  Another Mint track and wow what a side!

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The 'spoken' intro on 'Think Of Me' has no 'background' and there is just one light click in the following instrumental section.  The opening vocal is flawless and continues in the same way with only a couple of light ticks between verses.  Barrat's vocal is so strong and there is no 'muddiness' to the sound at all with a clarity that is so impressive and each note can easily be heard.  A genuine rock track with no distortion and the end instrumental is a prime example of that.  Superb audio throughout and I will grade the intro as Ex+ and the remainder as Mint- the playback is as close to perfect as is possible.

The epic 'Earl Of Pocket Nook' plays with imperious quality from the get go.  The intro and first vocal sections play with sublime clarity and power and then the first extended instrumental showing off Barratt's musicianship on the guitar could not play with any better.  There is one light tick as you get into the sax section and then continues to play with outstanding quality.  I'm at the 8 minute mark now and there has been no 'background'!  This track does have an improv 'jam' feel about it but there is no denying the clarity, depth and power of the music.  During the quieter percussive section there is not even a single dust tick the clarity is STUNNING!  As it builds the audio can again be described 'as new' with no intrusion of any kind and the next quieter passage has no 'background' either.  This is playing with phenomenal quality!  So quiet here and yet again there is no interference - it has an almost CD like clean aesthetic quality but without the warmth and depth that only vinyl can bring.  As it builds (again) the audio is so strong and powerful and the final quiet passage (again) shows just how well this vinyl has been looked after, hardly played that much is obvious, and the end section completes the album with no interference.  I am sure many would grade this as Mint but I will say Mint- due to the one light tick earlier on but in all honesty audio does not get any better than this!

In summary this relatively rare and very collectable first pressing plays with exceptional audio on both sides with only one light click on S2.  That is literally the only intrusion!  The clarity, depth and power of the music is so impressive and one look at the visual quality of the vinyl, the minimal spindle wear and of course the sonic quality can only mean this record has hardly ever seen a turntable.  You would not be disappointed if you had just purchased brand new from a record store!  A stunning vinyl and a beautiful cover that is now over 51 years old - this is a genuine collectors' piece.

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

The textured cover is in superb condition with very little shelf wear. The edges have barely any rubbing and the wide spine has only a couple of very minor marks.  All the corners are very clean with no obvious wear and the opening edge is in fantastic condition.  The front cover is so clean with only one small faint scuff next to the spine and just the faintest of discolouration by the spine also but so minor it hardly warrants a mention really.  The back cover is in lovely condition with only faint ringwear at the top and bottom and one small thumbnail scratch line that you can only see when you hold the cover at a certain angle.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no marking and the inner spine is perfect.  A stunning cover that is so close to Near Mint but I think Ex++ is more than deserved.

The original Swirl inner (dated 0171) is in excellent shape with no side splits and only minimal creasing.  There is some age related fading around the edges however.

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

6360023  A ▽ 1  1 1 5

6360023  2Y * 3  1 4

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!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!