M- TOPS 1973 UK HOME ALCHEMIST Concept PROG PSYCH
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IMPRESSIVE 1973 BRITISH ELECTRIFED PROGRESSIVE COLLECTIBLE!
HOME
THE ALCHEMIST
UK - CBS RECORDS - 65550
ORIGINAL 1973 SCARCE first pressing in gatefold sleeve...a strong progressive rock conceptual with moving keyboards and guitar work highlightomg and accenting perfectly throughout...
Includes the original printed UK CBS inner sleeve
'The Alchemist' is a well-defined concept album that tells the tale of a young lad who assumes the powers of a dying wizard and uses those powers to save his town from some sort of rather vague disaster, apparently suffering from the same fatal affliction as his mentor as a result. Because of his diminished powers he is reviled by those same citizens when he is unable to stave off the second wave of doom, and is murdered by an angry mob. The album closes with a kind of eulogy to the alchemist, although the lyrics don't quite match the album artwork so it's not completely clear which wizard is being eulogized. That's the concept part.
The album flows seamlessly from beginning to end as the story unfolds. Laurie Wisefield contributes some of his most striking guitar work ever, while Stubbs vocal performance is simply outstanding. It is all but impossible to find reference points for the music here. To call it a blending of NEKTAR and WISHBONE ASH might give a vague indication, but the truth is the album is unique.
The music builds from the early soft scene setting tracks to the first "Disaster", a powerful, menacing, keyboards/guitar driven crescendo. This segues into "The Sun's Revenge" where Wisefield offers some of his hardest guitar playing. "The Disaster Returns" presents an even greater cacophony of sound, leading to a striking unaccompanied electric guitar chord introducing "The Death of the Alchemist". The guitar work at this point is supremely atmospheric, not in terms of a solo, but as a dramatic interlude. The story concludes with a disintegration of the music and peeling bells before a final guitar chord lays the Alchemist to rest.
If that was it, we would be revering one of the finest progressive albums of its time. The masterstroke though is a separate coda simply titled "The Alchemist". This passionately atmospheric ballad acts as the most effective counterpoint to an album we have come across. The songs stand proud in its own right, but here it is quite majestic.
A truly awesome album which stands as a forgotten gem of progressive rock.
1. Schooldays (2:57)
2. The Old Man Dying (3:47)
3. Time Passes By (2:05)
4. The Old Man Calling (Save the people) (3:15)
5. The Disaster (2:36)
6. The Sun's Revenge (4:00)
7. A Secret To Keep (1:18)
8. The Brass Band Played (1:25)
9. Rejoicing (2:49)
10. The Disaster Returns (Devastation) (8:03)
11. The Death Of The Alchemist (4:35)
12. The Alchemist (3:48)
CONDITION: The cover is a nice gatefold in TOP M- clean and sharp stiff condition...one which the lucky winner should greatly appreciate (so clean...) ...no bends, no wroting and no split seams ... TOP LEVEL
The vinyl is all glossy clean and clear M- play graded smooth and clear ...the old orange UK CBS labels are both clean nice 38 years old collectible....
keeper copy!
A GREAT ADDITION TO ANYONE'S COLLECTIBLES!
SEE: SELLERS OTher items for more & more of similar cool sounds for "head" people...
EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING
All imperfections are noted both cover & record
NOTE: All Items backed by money back guarantee! IF you have a problem PLEASE let us solve for you BEFORE leaving negative feedback. Thanks! >> GRADING SCALE: M, M-, EX, VG++,VG+, VG, VG- M Completely clean, no marks M- Carefully used, looks clean, plays clean, shiny gloss, no marks EX Faint scuff or superficial mark, near M-, high gloss, plays clean VG++ Glossy with minimal scuffing or light mark playing very nice, clean VG+ a bit more scuff or markls still plays well with very minimal surface at worse VG more marks/scratches only minor, nothing deep, no loud clicks or pops this grade is abused by many, VG here does not mean "trashed" VG- surface noise present, will not have skips or jumps SHIPPING: (Attention: Items are sent out every Friday of each week) $4.00 = Media Mail = U.S.A / delivery confirmation included (add 1.00 each additional LP/disc) $8.50 = Priority = U.S.A. /delivery confirmation included. (add $1.00 each additional LP) NOTE: Please wait until receipt of OUR invoice for proper shipping charges $8.50 = Airmail = Canada/Mexico (add $1.50 each additional Lp/disc) ***To our international OVERSEAS customers*** Due to the increase in U.S.A. postal shipping rates, we are forced to restructure shipping charges. Please see chart below. It is our hopes to provide you with our best possible service and keeping your shipping costs as low as possible. We have had problems with many international shipping orders costing us more than actual (higher) charges; The more Lp's you get in one parcel, the better the shipping costs, so we urge you to take advantage that we will HOLD your purchases to save YOU on shipping costs. IMPORTANT: Pay each invoice you receive, and, if you wish, ask us to HOLD your order reach lowest shipping costs. We value ALL our customers and will continue to list MANY interesting "rare" 60's & 70's Lp's that we obtain in our constant search and travels over all parts of the U.S. Thank you for your continued interests. International AIR MAIL shipping charges (all countries apply): 1 Lp = $14.00 2 Lp = $18.00 3 Lp's = $24.00 4 Lp's = $30.00 5 Lp's = $36.00 6 Lp's = $42.00 7 Lp's = $45.00 8 Lp's = $48.00 9 Lp's = $51.00 10 Lp's = $54.00 11 Lp's = $57.00 12 Lp's = $60.00 13 Lp's = $63.00 14 Lp's = $66.00 15 Lp's = $69.00 MULTIPLE LP SETS COUNT EACH DISC FOR SHIPPING COST (double Lp count as 2-Lp, etc.) We Are Not Responsible For Uninsured Parcels Once They Are In Post Office Transit! Items In All Parcels Are Well Protected = The disc of an LP will always be separated from its cover (avoiding seam splits,etc) ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN 5 DAYS after ending of auction Appropriate Feedback Is Left AFTER Yours Is Left Do Not Bid If You Are Not Serious About Following Through The Transaction! ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED FOR WINNING BID LESS SHIPPING!
