MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA w/JOHN McLAUGHLIN BIRDS OF FIRE ORIG '73 QUAD AUDIOPHILE LP

$

28

WE CURRENTLY HAVE  MORE THAN 300  LISTED ITEMS

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·       MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA (JOHN McLAUGHLIN; JAN HAMMER; BILLY COBHAM; JERRY GOODMAN AND RICK LAIRD) - BIRDS OF FIRE - ORIGINAL 1974 COLUMBIA RECORDS QUADRAPHONIC LP CQ-31996

·       ORIGINAL U.S. PRESSING

·       ORIGINAL GOLD QUADRAPHONIC COLUMBIA LABEL WITH RED AND BLACK PRINT

·       THIS IS THE ORIGINAL, AUTHENTIC, FIRST U.S. PRESSING; THIS IS NOT A REISSUE, AN IMPORT, OR A COUNTERFEIT PRESSING.

·       ORIGINAL, THICK CARDBOARD COVER (AMERICAN STYLE)

·       CLEAN, WEAR-FREE LABELS

·       FAIRLY THICK VINYL PRESSING On the scale from 1 to 10 (1 being the least, and  10 being the most severe), we assess the thickness of the vinyl as 6.

·       MATRIX NUMBER IN TRAIL-OFF VINYL (DEAD WAX) ENDS WITH '-1C/-1C'.  ON SOME LABELS,  SUFFIX '–1' DENOTES THE VERY FIRST, ORIGINAL PRESSING)

·       Of course, QUAD version of this album has NEVER been available on a compact disc or  'surround sound' recording. This is the ONLY way you can obtain this great album in its rare multichannel version.

(►PLEASE SEE THE IMAGE OF THE COVER, LABEL OR BOTH, SHOWN BELOW)

(Note: this is a REAL image of the ACTUAL item you are bidding on. This is NOT a "recycled" image from our previous auction. What you see is what you’ll get.  GUARANTEED!)

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Emboldened by the popularity of Inner Mounting Flame among rock audiences, the first Mahavishnu Orchestra set out to further define and refine its blistering jazz-rock direction in its second -- and, no thanks to internal feuding, last -- studio album. Although it has much of the screaming rock energy and sometimes exaggerated competitive frenzy of its predecessor, Birds of Fire is audibly more varied in texture, even more tightly organized, and thankfully more musical in content. A remarkable example of precisely choreographed, high-speed solo trading -- with John McLaughlin, Jerry Goodman, and Jan Hammer all of one mind, supported by Billy Cobham's machine-gun drumming and Rick Laird's dancing bass -- can be heard on the aptly named "One Word," and the title track is a defining moment of the group's nearly atonal fury. The band also takes time out for a brief bit of spaced-out electronic burbling and static called "Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love." Yet the most enticing pieces of music on the record are the gorgeous, almost pastoral opening and closing sections to "Open Country Joy," a relaxed, jocular bit of communal jamming that they ought to have pursued further. This album actually became a major crossover hit, rising to number 15 on the pop album charts, and it remains the key item in the first Mahavishnu Orchestra's slim discography.

(EXCERPT FROM AN ONLINE REVIEW BY RICHARD S.GINELL, ALL MUSIC GUIDE  /ALLMUSIC.COM/)

Quadraphonic recordings of the early 70's died a slow and agonizing death because of their hopeless incompatibility with the existing stereo and mono equipment (they can be played on stereo equipment, but not to the full effect), but they live on in the hearts of the collectors, and for good reason: some of the finest audiophile recordings ever made - whether rock, soul or classical, were released on some of these, little known and poorly advertised, albums. And, what a gorgeous presentation these recordings are: with rich audio-textures and stunning multi-channel separation which is truly a jaw-dropping, head-spinning experience.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire this great album in its FINEST audio format, no longer in print, and no longer easily obtainable.

For additional historical or discography information on this album, including track listing ►click here

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·                               CONDITION:

·                               RECORD

 (IMPORTANT NOTE: unless otherwise noted, ALL records are graded visually, and NOT play-graded!; we  grade records under the strong, diffuse room light or discrete sunlight)

(a)          WE GRADE THE VINYL AS STRONG VG++, JUST A NOTCH BELOW NEAR MINT. A few light abrasions (probably just sleeve scuffs inflicted in storage over the years) ARE VISIBLE, but they appear fairly  insignificant relative to the overall condition of the vinyl, and are only moderately visually distracting. For most part, the vinyl looks impeccable, without any MAJOR visual flaws or imperfections. Much of the original luster is intact, and the vinyl shines and sparkles almost like new (a superficial, 'hairline' scuff noted across much of side 2)

(b)          The record comes in the original (quad-specific) stock inner sleeve.

(c)           The record is pressed on a RELATIVELY  thick, inflexible vinyl. This is NOT a thin, flimsy ('dynaflex' type),  vinyl, but not the thickest, most rigid vinyl, either.

(d)          Quad pressing of this title is much rarer, and by far more  preferable to its stereo counterpart. The mix is more natural, humane, "organic" and in some instances (we cannot guarantee) the mixes may be somewhat different than on the stereo version. We estimate that stereo copies of this album outnumber quad by a ratio of at least 15:1.

(e)           Of course, this is a full-bodied ANALOG recording, and not an inferior, digital recording!!!

·       COVER

THE COVER IS NICE --- ABOUT EXCELLENT OR VERY GOOD++ (VG++).

The following flaws or imperfections are noted on the cover:

-        Cover has a partially split spine (less than 1 inch / 2.5 centimeters)

-         Cover has JUST A HINT of ring wear (nothing significant); On the scale from 1 to 10 (1 being the least, and  10 being the most severe), we assess the severity of ring wear as 2.

-         Cover has some writing on its back side (initials of the previous owner written in blue ballpoint pen, about ¼ x ¼ inches in size)

-         Cover has a few tiny wrinkles along the spine

-         Minor discoloration (color fading) noted along the spine

-         Cover has two corners slightly worn / dinged  (nothing significant)

-         Cover has some fraying/wear along the spine

-         Cover has a visible wrinkle (crease) in the cardboard base on the back panel

NO OTHER IMPERFECTIONS ON THE COVER:

-        No cut-out (drill) holes.

-        No cut-out corners

-        No saw-marks or indents

-        No dirt/dust rubbing stains (friction marks caused by rubbing against other covers)

-        No yellowing from aging

-        No stamps

-        No peel-off marks

-        No mold or mildew spots

-        No stickers or labels

-        No water damage

-        No razor marks, scratches, pressure marks, lines, streaks, or  cuts.

-        No warping

-        No wax, glue, paint or liquid drops on the cover

-        No glue traces or wax residue.

-        No bar codes

-        No RIAA stamps or stickers. 

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POSTAGE & SHIPPING:

We offer THREE postage rates for both Domestic and International Mail: Media Mail, Priority Mail and Express Mail for domestic, and First Class, Priority International Mail, and Express International Mail for international orders. INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: WE RECOMMEND that you pay for USPS International Priority Mail OR International Express mail when making a payment in order to obtain tracking information, which is NOT available for First Class International shipments.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE rates vary from country to country. For SPECIFIC international and domestic postage rates ►click here. While you can be rest assured that ►our packaging is careful, sturdy and impact-proof, please note that damage, loss or theft in transit is always possible, and in the case of some countries even PROBABLE. To discuss this potential problem and ensure flawless delivery, please contact us thru eBay BEFORE placing a bid.

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OUR REFUND POLICY :

WE OFFER UNCONDITIONAL MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE RECEIPT OF THE MERCHANDISE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED (THE BUYER PAYS FOR THE RETURN POSTAGE); Still sealed items MUST be returned sealed in order to be eligible for a refund Some restrictions apply. Please read our complete refund policy before placing a bid. ►Click here  for the full text of our policy

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