MOONDOG (Louis Hardin) - S/T, scarce 1969 UK 1st press on CBS, S 63906 EXCELLENT

	£		49
	$		65

MOONDOG - MOONDOG

Louis Thomas Hardin (May 26, 1916 – September 8, 1999), better known as Moondog, was an American composer, musician, poet and inventor of several musical instruments. He was blind from the age of 16. In New York from the late 1940s until he left in 1972, he could often be found on 6th Avenue between 52nd and 55th Street wearing a cloak and Viking-style helmet, sometimes busking or selling music, but often just standing silent and still. He was widely recognized as "the Viking of 6th Avenue" by thousands of passersby and residents who weren't aware of his musical career. It's hard to define the genre of his music since it covers several genres, ranging from jazz to rock, and from classical to downright experimntal!

A 1969 very first UK A1 B1 pressing on the CBS record label, STEREO S63906

 Matrix Numbers :

  Side 1  S63906 A1    Side 2   S63906 B1

The appearance of the vinyl is excellent+. Each side of the vinyl has retained a wonderful sheen with no adverse marks at all in normal daylight. Under a bright light, and only when held at the right angle, it's just possible to make out a few wispy hairlinse and paper scuffs but these are negligible and do not impact upon the excellent+ visual grading.

Each label is pristine. I can't fault the condition of either label at all.

The outer non-laminated gatefold sleeve is excellent. The rich colour vibrancy of this very first pressing has been retained but there is some light to mild scuffing on the edges, the corners, and the spine where some of the scuffing has obscured some of the "MOONDOG" writing (see photo). There is no creasing or unwanted writing, either on the outside or inside of the gatefold. Indeed, the inside of the gatefold remains in virtually unmarked condition. A truly iconic record sleeve which has more than stood the test of time.

The quality of the audio is excellent. Great clarity and tone and no distortion whatsoever even on the higher frequencies. There is the very occasional light static "pop" with just the merest hint of some occasional, very light background crackle. But I put this down to dust in the grooves from some 45 years of storage and nothing that a professional clean would not cure. Both sides of this vinyl make for excellent listening.

The tracks are :

Side A :

1. Theme

2. Stamping Ground

3. Symphonique No. 3 (Ode to Venus)

4. Symphonique No. 6 (Good For Goodie)

Side B :

1. Minimism No. 1  I - Allegro   II - Andante adagio  III   III - Vivace

2. Lament I, "Bird's Lament"

3. Witch Of Endor   I - Dance   II - Trio   A. Adagio (The Prophesy)   B Andante (The Battle)  C. Agitato (Saul's Death)   III Dance (Reprise)

4. Symphonique No. 1 (Portrait of a Monarch)

Comes with original CBS inner sleeve which remains in excellent, fully functional condition.

In summary, a truly excellent and increasingly sought after very first UK pressing of this jazz/classical/experimental 1969 classic!

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other listings for more 50's, 60's and 70's classic vinyl.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 45 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but over the years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boots, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but now I am retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in removing the record from the outer sleeve in order to prevent sleeve damage in transit. I do NOT profiteer from postage costs. I DO take great care in minimising all risk thereby ensuring, as far as possible, that your purchase reaches it's destination in exactly the same condition as when I post it. For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail 1st class signed for : UK £4.00, continental Europe £7.00, and Rest of the World £12. I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. Good luck with your bidding. Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

Description: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packag­ing might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good

Description: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable sur­face marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

Description: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for prop­erly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

Description: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

Description: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.