JONI MITCHELL Blue A1/B1 1st Press Textured COVER / Blue INNER & Superb AUDIO
£
75
$
99
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Description
I 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. Joni Mitchell : Blue A1/ B1 1st Press 1971 Dark Blue Textured Cover
This collectable first pressing plays to a superb standard with only minimal intrusion at the start of each side. There is a little static but it does not last long and from then on the clarity and depth of the audio is stunning, very close to perfect in fact. Of course there are so many quiet sections and that in a sense makes the clarity of sound even more impressive. The vinyl has clearly not been played very much and I am basing that on the sonic quality and the fact there is hardly any spindle wear on the Reprise labels.
The textured gatefold is in excellent shape with only a little wear on one of the bottom edges and some light 'rubs' on the spine. The original blue inner is in superb condition.
The genuine first pressings ohave tan 'riverboat' labels without a small WB logo and no Made in the UK on the labels. There is no small 'v' on either label either. The gatefold is dark blue and textured and original inner sleeve has a deep blue colour also.
K-44128-A1 1C A / K-44128-B1 3 D
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 acoustic intro VG+)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 intro VG+ then Near Mint)
The gatefold is Ex- The blue inner sleeve is Near Mint
The labels are Mint-
Visual description
The vinyl is in excellent condition with a strong glossy look and no scratches. Under a bright light I can only see a few faint hairlines and a minor blemish on S2 that has no affect on the audio. There is nothing that stands out and there is no surface or groove wear. The tan 'riverboat' Reprise labels are in superb condition with only a couple of faint spindle traces on each side.
Play Grading
The acoustic intro on 'All I Want' has some static but other than the first few seconds it isn't that noticeable. Mitchell's opening vocal section then plays with great clarity and it progresses in the same way. There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static - there are no negatives. Let's grade the intro as VG+ and Mint- from then onwards.
The piano intro on 'My Old Man' has no background and the first vocal is just as clean and 'fresh' sounding. In fact this stunning clarity of sound is prevalent throughout. Just a piano and a voice so not bad really! No ticks etc and the long one note piano fade out has no background either. A sublime Mint version.
'Little Green' keeps up the standard and plays with incredible clarity once more. The opening two verses are perfect and the first verse is equal to that with zero intrusion. Not even a solitary dust tick and it continues in the same manner with a clarity and warmth that could not be any better. STUNNING audio and easily deserving of a Mint grade.
The more up tempo 'Carey' plays with superb audio from start to finish. Again there is no interference and if there is any inner groove distortion it is so so minimal and scarcely worth a mention. Call me stupid for even putting it here! Mint-
The piano intro on 'Blue' plays beautifully and that first brief Blue vocal is perfect also. The first verse has no interference and again I am struck by how impressive the clarity is. You might expect some background static but no there isn't any and remember this is very much a 'stripped down' track. It continues to play with exceptional sound quality with literally nothing getting in the way of the audio. To the final emotive Me and extended end piano note the playback is stunning and it has to grade as Mint- at the very least.
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Once again there is a little static on the 'California' intro and at the start of the vocal but it soon dissipates. Certainly less on the first vocal. From then on it plays as per S1 - deep clear sound with no interference. Perhaps a couple of mega quiet static 'moments' but you could easily miss them. Mitchell's vocal is clean and sharp and the long quiet fade out plays with wonderful clarity, just one minor static. I will grade the intro as VG+ and the rest as Near Mint
'This Flight Tonight' plays with outstanding quality from start to finish with no interference. With a harder sound the playback is so strong and Mint- is an honest appraisal of the audio.
The piano intro on the classic 'River' is perfect and the opening vocal has only a couple of barely audible statics at the start. This first vocal section then plays with STUNNING clarity and definition and the second 'verse' is on the same level. This truly is a superb version and the final vocal has no background either. Remember in true Joni style it's just her and the piano so there is no hiding place for any 'intrusion' and yet the clarity here is first class. A couple of minor statics at the end of the final piano piece but overall it has to grade as Mint-
'A Case Of You' is incredible! From the acoustic opening and then through every vocal and instrumental section the clarity and depth of sound is on a level you so rarely hear. The definitive version you could say - hard to believe I'm listening to vinyl here! That's a measure of the clarity on offer. Mint-
'The Last Time I Saw Richard' ends the album with sublime quality once more. The piano intro is 'as new' and the first vocal is just as impressive. Another sparse track and yet no interference, no background at all worthy of mention. It continues in the same way with audio of the highest calibre and again I have nothing but praise for it. The more powerful towards the end is crystal clear with no distortion and the quiet closing section has no background either. Another stunning version and easily deserving of a Mint- grade. A fine album that is so close to perfect aside from a little static at the beginning of each side.
The Gatefold & Blue Inner Sleeve
The dark blue textured cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear. This is mainly restricted to the bottom edge of the front cover which does have some rubbing and there are also a few small 'rubs' on the spine. The opening edge has some feathering in one area but apart from that the cover is very clean - the front and back cover in particular are in great shape with hardly any wear, just a handful of minor specks on the front. The inside of the gatefold is in superb condition also.
The original blue inner sleeve is in lovely condition with no side splits or tears and no marking. Hardly any creasing either, a stunning example.
K-44128-A1 1C A / K-44128-B1 3 D
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
Recent Feedback
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Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++
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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 : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra
USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £21.95 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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