HELP YOURSELF Beware The Shadow A-1U/B-2U 1st Press 1972 Ex COVER & Superb AUDIO
£
27
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35
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Description
4I 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.
Help Yourself : Beware The Shadow A-1U / B-2U 1st Press 1972
This first pressing plays with exceptional quality and the clarity, depth and power of the audio on both sides is remarkable considering its age. S1 especially is stunning with every track grading as either Mint- or Mint and S2 is not far behind that. The only 'real' intrusion on S2 are 4/5 static ticks on the final tracks but there are no clicks or pops to be heard on either side. It's not purely a psychedelic / progressive album as there are some southern / country rock elements also and musically in my opinion it is very strong. Better than I was expecting to be honest!
The laminated cover has only very minimal wear and the original inner sleeve (1-72 R.S.) is in excellent order.
This first pressing uses the EMI system and it doesn't get much earlier than G1 / R1. Was there a G1 for S2 - it doesn't say on Discogs sadly.
UAS 29413 A-1U G1 --- UAS 29413 B-2U R1 PARKUM (I think!) etched
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 opening section Near Mint / T4 second half Ex+)
The cover is a very strong Ex
The original inner sleeve is Ex
The UA labels are Near Mint
Visual description
The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy look with no marks or scratches. Under a bright light I can some faint hairlines but there is nothing to affect the audio. There is groove or surface wear and no 'bag-rash' either. The UAR labels are close to perfect with barely any spindle wear on S1 and only a minimal amount on S2.
Play Grading
The intro on 'Alabama Lady' has no background and the opening vocal section is equally as strong. As it continues you really notice just how clean, sharp and precise the audio is. Every vocal and instrumental section deserve the 'as new' tag and I am confident in grading it as Mint as there is literally nothing to detract from the audio, not even a solitary dust tick.
The quiet builds up intro on 'Reaffirmation' plays with great clarity, a handful of very quiet statics that is all. The first vocal plays with perfect clarity as does the following instrumental. The second vocal is on the same level and the next instrumental (it's long!) plays with STUNNING clarity and definition also. Great guitar and drum work here and this epic continues in the same exact way with zero intrusion. The Reaffirmation vocal section is flawless and as the progressive guitar mid section builds the playback is phenomenal! The next instrumental passage is again outside of this with a depth and power that is second to none, this truly is audio of the highest standard. There is no 'muddiness' to the sound, no distortion, I cannot praise it highly enough. Unfairly called a bar band by some the writing and musicianship is far better than that. The closing section has no intrusion and this deserves a Mint- grading at the very least which you have to say is impressive for a 12+ minute track that is now 54 years old! In essence there is no interference, just some mega quiet statics on the intro.
The acoustic 'Calapso' completes S1 with impeccable quality once more. Wonderful clarity all the way through including the fade out and Mint is well deserved. What a side!
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The intro on 'She's My Girl' has one very light tick right at the start and then the opening vocal section plays with 'as new' clarity and warmth. The first chorus is just as impressive and again I am amazed by the clarity of sound on offer here. The instrumental bridge / next vocal keep up the standard and to the end it plays with clinical precision. So close to Mint it has to grade as Mint- surely. A couple of very quiet statics on the fade out but that does not downgrade it!
The unique 'Molly Bake Bean' has only a handful of very quiet statics on the intro and at the beginning of the first vocal but thereafter plays with sublime clarity and depth. The mid section is extremely quiet and yet there is no background. Another hugely impressive track! It's Near Mint at the start and Mint- from then onwards.
The entire intro on 'American Mother' plays with exceptional quality i.e. no interference or background of any kind. The opening vocal section is of the same standard and it continues to play with a quality that belies the age of the album. It's a very strong vocal here, a raw sound does, and again the melody / musicianship is superb. Another long track at over 8 minutes it is sonically superb and the closing instrumental is a case in point. Incredible audio including the siren! Mint- is more than fair.
The acoustic intro and opening vocal section on 'Passing Through' play with imperious quality. It's a quiet track so there is no hiding place and from then on it plays very clearly. At the mid point there is one light tick and then 4/5 minor static ticks for the remainder, nothing really intrusive though. The vocal 'sound' is perhaps not quite as distinct and clear on this second half but as per usual I am being super critical as I mention any background however minor. It's very minimal. I'll grade the first half as Mint- and the second as Ex+
The Cover & Inner Sleeve
The laminated is in superb condition with very minimal wear. The edges have no rubbing etc and the spine is very clean with just a slightly rough feel here and there. The bottom left corner has a minor rub and the one opposite has just a little more wear. The top two corners are in superb shape and the opening edge is close to perfect with hardly any wear. The front cover is unmarked and has just one small corner crease by the bottom right corner and a handful of small edge creases next to the spine. There is also a little laminate 'lift' next to the spine but you can only see this and the edge creases when you hold the cover at a certain angle. The back cover again has some laminate 'lift' by the spine, a little creasing in the bottom right corner and even less in the bottom left corner. A fine example overall and the colouration is still strong and vivid on both sides.
The original poly-lined inner (dated 1-72) is in excellent condition with not too much wear. The top right corner is cut and it has just one tiny side split. There is minimal creasing and only a little glue residue showing through around the edges mainly on the reverse side.
UAS 29413 A-1U G1 --- UAS 29413 B-2U R1 PARKUM (I think!) etched
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT VM-95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine
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 will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping. This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage. The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered. Any over-payment will always be refunded.
The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD). An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known. Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing. Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Many thanks.
All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection. They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection. I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.
The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each. There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up! Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra
USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra
If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed. If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!
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