Pearls Before Swine~Original US LP Balaklava EX 1968 ESP Tom Rapp Folk Psyche

Pearls Before Swine

Balaklava

Rare Original US LP released in 1968 on Esp-Disk Records. Cat: Esp-Disk 1075. Matrix Numbers: ESP-S-1075-A/ ESP-S-1075B.  

Over the next several months we have the pleasure of listing a spectacular vinyl collection of over 6000 LP's. This collection consisting of mostly Jazz but also Blues, Folk ,Rock, Soundtracks and Classical was kept in amazing condition. Most of the records were played once, transferred to tape for listening and then stored away in cliplock sealed bags in specially made cupboards. The overall condition of this collection is sublime to say the least and whatever items I list as Near Mint you can be assured that it was probaly only ever played once!! Over the last few weeks you may have noticed some of the lovely jazz & rock titles I have listed, these are just the tip of the iceberg here. I hope you enjoy seeing these listings as much as I have in offering them.

A record that virtually defies categorization, Pearls Before Swine's 1968 epic Balaklava is the near-brilliant follow-up to One Nation Underground. Intended as a defiant condemnation of the Vietnam War, it doesn't offer anthemic, fist-pounding protest songs. Instead, Rapp vented his anger through surrealist poetry, irony, and historical reference: Balaklava was the 1854 Crimean War battle that inspired Alfred, Lord Tennyson to write his epic The Charge of the Light Brigade; in reality, the "Charge" was a senseless military action that killed scores of British soldiers. Balaklava begins with "Trumpeter Landfrey," an 1880's recording of the actual voice and bugle charge of the man who sounded the charge at Balaklava. It makes the transition into "Translucent Carriages," a mix of acoustic guitars, a basic vocal, and ghostly narration ("Jesus raised the dead...but who will raise the living?"), all the more stunning. "Images of April" continues the mystical feel, combining flutes, cricket chirps, and frog croaks for a nether-worldly effect. Rapp virtually cries "I Saw the World," backed by a powerful string arrangement that makes the song even more impassioned. 

Tracks: Trumpeter landfrey/ Transulcent carriages/ Images of April/ There was a man/ I saw the world/ Guardian angels/ Suzanne/ Lepers and roses/ Florence Nightingale/ Ring thing.

There are no signs of spindle marks at all. There are a few light scuff marks on record. Record is in Excellent condition. Cover has very light scuffing on corners and is in Near Mint condition.

Payment is accepted by Paypal. Within Australia we also accept Direct deposit transfer and Australia Post Money Orders.

Wrapping method: All records are sent in stiff cardboard mailers then wrapped in brown paper and sealed around edges with brown packaging tape. Records are taken out of sleeve to avoid seam splits and ring wear.

Post methods within Australia: All records are posted via Australia Post. Within Australia all items come with a tracking number.

Post method for overseas: All parcels are sent via Australia Post and are sent on a standard airmail service. There are no tracking numbers on these items. If you require a tracking number the item will have to be sent as an insured item which incurs a further postage fee.  

We also hold our own online vinyl auction's every few months with over a 500 pieces in each auction.

Find us on Facebook under Timewarp Records.