KING CRIMSON LIZARD 1st UK ISLAND PRESS MiNt AuDiO\ ViNyL PrOg RoCk PsYcH

	£		148
	$		196

KING CRIMSON ''LIZARD'' (EARLIEST EVER TO FIND ) 1ST UK PRESSING!!! CAT NO. ILPS-9141 ORIGINAL (PINK RIMED) ISLAND LABELS!! EARLIEST POSSIBLE MATRIX -2U -2U (only 1st press) LOOK ''2'' ''LA'' AND ''1'' ''G'' MOTHER STAMPERS  (MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE FOR THE BESTAUDIO! ) BARELY PLAYED  VINYL! Only ever played a few times by me ever!, AWESOME ORIGINAL AND EARLIEST E.DAY & CO.  GATEFOLD COVER NEAR MINT AUDIO

Another from my personal collection! Very rare to find 1st uk pressing in this awesome condition, Purchased from new and only initially ever played a few times to record to tape, and then stored in a case with the vinyl seperated from the cover and sleeve for protection for over 30 years! This is how I have always stored my records ! THESE EARLIEST PRESSINGS PRODUCE THE BEST AVAILABLE AUDIO QUALITY AVAILABLE ON THIS ALBUM IN MY OPINION! ALSO EARLY STAMPERS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE(LATER STAMPERS PRODUCE A MUCH MORE BLAND FEEL! THE AUDIO IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING ON ALL FREQUENCIES!

Lizard is the third album by the British band King Crimson, released in 1970. It was the second recorded by a transitional line-up of the group that never had the opportunity to perform live, following In the Wake of Poseidon. This would be the first (and only) album to feature bassist/vocalist Gordon Haskell and drummer Andy McCulloch as official members of the band!

Lizard is arguably in my opinion King Crimson's most jazz-inflected album, developing further in the direction suggested by the track "Cat Food" on In the Wake of Poseidon (also released as a single). King Crimson lyricist Peter Sinfield's contributions to Lizard include some of his most imaginative and evocative work!

The powerful opening track, "Cirkus", is perhaps the best-known track on the album, and begins with a hushed verse from Haskell before launching into a menacing theme played by Fripp on the mellotron. The song's verses then alternate with this signature theme, and the track boasts some of Fripp's most dextrous acoustic guitar playing, not to mention a soaring saxophone solo by Collins. With a memorable lyric by Sinfield rich in circus imagery, the track builds up into a cacophonous climax!

The next two tracks, "Indoor Games" and "Happy Family", are offbeat and full of mischievous humour - the former with lyrics evoking various forms of hedonism and borrowing heavily from the guitar breakdown of Led Zeppelin's Dazed And Confused, and the latter with lyrics about the dissolution of the Beatles. The Beatles are represented in "Happy Family"'s lyrics as 'Judas' (Paul McCartney), 'Rufus' (Ringo Starr), 'Silas' (George Harrison), and 'Jonah' (John Lennon).

 Haskell's vocals are distorted on both "Indoor Games" and "Happy Family", and the two tracks are separated by the sound of Haskell laughing uncontrollably, as he tries unsuccessfully to sing the words 'hey ho'. His laughter, he later explained, was provoked by the fact that he thought these words ridiculous - which seems to be representative of his attitude towards Sinfield's lyrics in general!

"Lady of the Dancing Water" is a more tranquil piece, whose lyrics and instrumentation have a medieval feel, in the tradition of "Moonchild" on In the Court of the Crimson King and "Cadence and Cascade" on In the Wake of Poseidon. The track is most notable for Mel Collins' beautiful flute playing!

The album concludes with the bombastic title track, "Lizard", the longest composed (as distinct from improvised) piece ever recorded by King Crimson. This piece is divided into several sections and even subsections, with a narrative running through its entirety, about a prince who takes part in an epic battle. The track's grandiloquence verges on (self-) parody!

Side one

1. "Cirkus" – 6:27 Including:
   • "Entry of the Chameleons"
2. "Indoor Games" – 5:37
3. "Happy Family" – 4:22
4. "Lady of the Dancing Water" – 2:47

.

Side two

1. "Lizard" – 23:15
   1. "Prince Rupert Awakes"
   2. "Bolero: The Peacock's Tale"
   3. "The Battle of Glass Tears"
      1. "Dawn Song"
      2. "Last Skirmish"
      3. "Prince Rupert's Lament"
   4. "Big Top"

The Matrix

side 1 ''ILPS 9141 A-2U (EARLIEST 1ST PRESS ONLY)

side 2 ''ILPS 9141 B-2U (EARLIST 1ST PRESS ONLY)

The Mother stampers

side 1 ''2'' ''LA'' (MEGA MEGA EARLY)

side 2 ''1'' ''G'' (MEGA MEGA EARLY)

The Vinyl

There is not much to say about this awesome looking vinyl! On initial inspection THIS LOOKS ALMOST LIKE NEW! Please note! This is the thick,heavy, chunky original vinyl only found on early press!! Only in strong light can possibly any surface marks be seen, Imoprtantly  non audio sounding!! 

The vinyl lays perfectly flat on the turntable! Even in strong light i can hardly see a blemish at all! Any marks that could possibly be seen would be sleeve removal only

The Audio Quality

I have played many copies of this album and the audio quality on this vinyl will be hard to surpass, possibly one of the best copies that I have heard! Please note! it is too easy to be critical about these early 70s (Island) pressings especially this album, which has many quiet tracks and it is of the upermost importance to find the cleanest vinyl to produce good audio quality on this pressing! Important note! The earliest stampers produce the best quality from my experiance, which is why pressings with early stampers are in such a demand, these are very hard to find!! !

I played this through track for track prior to thisd listing on a top system at very loud volume!,, The audio is cristal clear and vibrant with (no) signs of grooveware or any distotion what so ever! In fact this has only ever been played by me a few times only when initially purchased incredibly in 38 years! Any general critisism that i can make is please allow for the slight static  (not) consistant throughout the audio perhapes only really heard during some very quiet places (in which in my personal experiance is very common on these 1st pressings) but there is nothing in my personal opinion that spoils the overall awesome audio experiance! 

 Please note! This vinyl has been stored in a case laying dormant for at least 30 years! ,, A build up of dirt and dust in the grooves causes static crackle\ticks  A constant clean before each play is recomended! This will reduce any static and enhance the audio quality! I would class myself as highly critical! Please look at my completed listings of records that i have sold of this calaber and you will see that i normally get it right!!! I would grade the audio at least excellent plus to very near mint!!

The Labels

These are the original Island Pink Rim labels (only 1st press) minimal spidering can be seen angled to the light only. This has only ever been played a few times by me. Little if no spindle ware the hole is perfectly round!

The record sleeve

This is the original light blue Island sleeve. This has light creasing fading\staining with age only. This is the original!

The Cover

This is the original earliest 1st press E.DAY & CO printed  laminated gatefold cover! In superb condition for 42 years old with just light storageware/scuffing to mention only.  (no) splits or tares!  The front is  (super glossy)  The spine is near perfect with just a hint of creasing in the laminate,  lovely and square (normally seen flattened with age) All writing can be see clearly! The rear is also superbe only angled in the light i can see light creases  (in my opinion hardly noticable unless you are looking for it in my opinion) All corners are super sharp and square  Unbeleivable for 42 years old like this! This cover must grade at least excellent in my opinion!

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLEWRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

.As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed!

 Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 800 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light!!!!!Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!!!!!!!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!!!!

SHIPPING TO THE USA IS 11.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 8.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS FREE SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Please note! All items are now despatched by signed for 1st class delivery!!!! I normally despatch within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds!!!!!

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement!!!!!!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!!!!!

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

>>>>     <<<<