Patto Hold Your Fire UK LP Vertigo Swirl Spiral RARE

	£		150
	$		199

Patto – Hold Your Fire was issued in the UK on Vertigo (Swirl) 6360 032 in December 1971. It was Patto’s 2nd album and generally considered to be their best. Of course it is one of the rarest and most collectable Swirl LPs probably because of the gimmick sleeve – I am happy to say that in this case the three flaps are completely intact.

Patto's second album, "Hold Your Fire", presents a great collection of songs that explores somewhat more complex musical territory than the debut album, "Patto".  There are still relatively straight-ahead songs like the title cut and "You, You Point Your Finger".  But the album contains a lot more experimentation, with unusual time signature changes present in nearly all of the tunes.  There's plenty of great rock, and the jazz influence still presents itself in many of the songs, particularly in Halsall's Air-Raid Shelter.  

In just a year, Halsall's guitar playing had improved incredibly since the debut album, having perfected his legato hammer-on/pull-off technique.  His fast, fluid, and inventive playing is the star of this album.  Nearly every track on "Hold Your Fire" includes extraordinary guitar playing that to which words cannot possibly do justice, and he had only been playing guitar for four years!  If you are into great guitar playing and you haven't heard this album, you are urged to rectify that situation as soon as possible.

Muff Winwood's production on "Hold Your Fire" is not as minimalist or in-your-face as it is on "Patto".  More time was spent on overdubs.  Halsey's drums have a fuller sound.  Halsall's keyboards are more present throughout the album.  There are also more backing vocals.  "Hold Your Fire" is a fine sounding album with impressive songs and musicianship of an extraordinary calibre.  It is a shame that it has not been discovered by more rock music and guitar enthusiasts.

Despite the relatively poor sales of the debut album, "Patto", Vertigo/Mercury did not skimp on the packaging for "Hold Your Fire".  

The UK cover was designed by the band and was based on a game known as consequences.  The game involved a group of people drawing characters - one draws the head, the next draws the body, etc.  The band had created a bunch of their own consequences drawings and gave these to Roger Dean to use for the cover.  Dean proceeded to lose them all and had to create his own for the album cover.
   

The front cover of the album was cut into three sections, allowing the flaps to be individually lifted up revealing parts of the three characters printed on the inside of the gatefold.  Different combinations would produce up to 8 different sets of characters.

Tracks:

Side 1

1.    Hold Your Fire                

2.    You, You Point Your Finger   

3.    How's Your Father         

4.    See You At The Dance Tonight      

Side 2

1.    Give It All Away

2.    Air-Raid Shelter

3.    Tell Me Where You've Been

4.    Magic Door

Band:

Mike Patto: Lead Vocal

John Halsey: Drums. Percussion

Olly Halsall: Guitar, Piano, Vibes, Organ, Vocals

Clive Griffiths: Bass, Vocals

Produced by Muff Winwood

Unlaminated centre-loading gimmick gatefold sleeve is in Very Good + overall. As mentioned above, the three flaps are all firmly attached to the spine (if a little floppy), the main problem here is that the black colour on the underside of the flaps has rubbed onto the white background of the “fixed” characters underneath. This gives the inner a scruffy look when opened. The front of the sleeve, however, looks very fine indeed with the flaps closed up. In addition there is a small patch of sticker residue on the rear sleeve and a little edge and cornerwear.

Supplied with the original Swirl inner sleeve which is rather yellowed and has split along each side.

The vinyl has a single stick on S1T3 on my equipment. I have not been able to rectify this. You may have better fortune on your equipment. Other than this the LP plays beautifully (an easy Excellent). Labels perfect. Downgraded to Very Good (+) on account of this one stick.

I am not a dealer but a serious collector. All my records come from my private collection. Please read my ME page for details of my philosophy on descriptions and gradings. I absolutely guarantee my gradings as played through my system. All my records are cleaned on a Moth Mk II RCM and play-graded on a Rega Planar 3 turntable (MC cartridge) through an azur 840a amp into Matrix MX-1200 Reference speakers. Inferior component-type turntables without proper tracking are more prone to sticking and jumping than high-grade turntables. If you love vinyl, do yourself a favour and invest in a decent system if you don't already own one. You don't have to pay thousands. Excellent quality 2nd hand turntables are available on eBay for under £100 (about the price of 1 rare LP). Your investment will be more than rewarded by the additional listening pleasure you derive. BUT if, unexpectedly, you are unhappy for any reason, please get in touch.

Please see my other similar LPs for sale. Over the coming weeks and months I will be listing hundreds of classic prog, psych, folk and jazz LPs, including numerous Swirls and many other collectors' holy grails. Don't miss out - keep watching and bookmark me in your favourite sellers. Once they are gone, they are gone!!

Grading :

M = Mint - as new

NM = Near Mint - very few, light signs of usage that don’t affect play - the cover has only minor signs of wear.

EX = Excellent - some signs of usage, but very little lessening in sound quality – the cover might have slight wear and/or creasing.

VG = Very Good - 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.

G = Good - 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, discolouration, etc.

+ and - are used as appropriate.

Payment

Payment is expected within 5 days of auction end. PAYPAL is welcomed and there are no charges for anyone. In the UK cheques or direct credit into my bank account (please ask for the account details) are also fine. For buyers in Euroland I am happy to accept transfers into my bank account in Austria (please ask for the account details).

Non-paying bidders will be reported to eBay.

Shipping Policy :

The records are taken out of the sleeve to avoid splitting - if not still sealed. They are sent in professional mailers with proper stiffeners for extra protection. A polythene sleeve is included in every case. 

Postage / Shipping Charges

UK

SECOND CLASS (My standard service for items below £36.00 in value)

1 LP                                £1.90

2 LPs                              £2.40

3 LPs                              £2.90

4 and more LPs will be sent as a STANDARD PARCEL. Please enquire before bidding and await invoice prior to payment.

BUT PLEASE NOTE: Automatic compensation cover is limited to a value of £36.00.

All packages with a value exceeding £36.00 will be sent SPECIAL DELIVERY NEXT DAY (unless the buyer expressly declines the service), the rates of which depend upon the value and weight of the goods, as follows:

Value not exceeding £500

1 LP                      =  £5.60

2 to 3 LPs             =  £7.60

4 to 6 LPs             =  £9.60

7 to 30 LPs           = £23.00

Value £501 to £1000

1 LP                      =  £6.50

2 to 3 LPs             =  £8.50

4 to 6 LPs             = £10.75

7 to 30 LPs           = £23.75

Value £1001 to £2500

1 LP                      =  £7.50

2 to 3 LPs             =  £9.50

4 to 6 LPs             = £11.75

7 to 30 LPs           = £24.75

OVERSEAS

Under no circumstances will I send items via Surface Mail. Standard Airmail to all parts of the world contains no compensation. Compensation up to a value of £36 is available via the AIRSURE or INTERNATIONAL SIGNED-FOR services for an additional fee of £4.50 whilst compensation up to £500 is available for an additional fee of £7.00.

Compensation for packages with a value from £501 to £2500 is also available via PARCELFORCE INTERNATIONAL DATAPOST, but is very expensive (e.g. a 2 kilo package to Japan with a value of £2500 would cost in excess of £110).

I offer you these services. If you decline to pay for compensation, the goods will be shipped Standard Airmail AT YOUR OWN RISK. Standard Airmail charges are as follows:

Europe

1 LP                                =  £4.00

2 LPs                              =  £6.25

3 LPs                              =  £7.75

Add £1.50 per additional LP up to a MAXIMUM of 6.

Quantities above 6, please enquire BEFORE purchase and I will let you know.

USA / Asia / Rest of the World

1 LP                                =  £6.25

2 LPs                              =  £9.25

3 LPs                              = £12.00

Add £3.00 per additional LP up to a MAXIMUM of 6.

Quantities above 6, please enquire BEFORE purchase and I will let you know.