[zipedit] [zipedit] [zipedit] Queen  ("Queen II") 1st UK Pressing 1974
Cat No:  EMA 767
Original Very Rare 1st UK Pressing EMI Labels
Super Ist Issue FULLY laminated Garrod & Lofthouse Top Opening Cover WOW!

Very Rare Near as Mint Audio Archive Copy! ( Looks Un Played in my opinion!) No Visable Spider Marks!
Complete With Original Lyric Inner Record Sleeve (Rounded Corners!
Crossed out/Corrected Mother Stampers Side 1
Look "Earliest "1" to "1" Mother Stampers Side 2

42 Years Old Like This! Absolutely Astounding Vinyl/Audio Archive Copy!


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Another from my personal collection of over 50,000 UK albums that I have collected over a period of more than 45 years! 1st UK pressing of Queen's 2nd album Queen II " on the original EMI labels. This album was purchased from new and originally only ever played to record to tape and then stored in a case with the vinyl separated from the cover and sleeve for protection. This is how I have always stored my records!! Features -8 & -7 Matrix endings, features "Blairs" and "Blairs Cut" Hand etched on the run off grooves (Only Early UK originals)  This album is complete with the original and beautiful 1st issue Fully laminated Garrod &Lofthouse Top loading gate fold cover! The audio is truly stunning/exceptional through out! (Note: Earliest "1"to "1" Mother Stampers on side two) The audio is graded at Near as Mint in my opinion!  No loud constant clicks or pops! So rich and vibrant throughout! Looks and sounds like it has never ever been played at all in my opinion! Visuallly I struggle to see any spider marks on the labels! This is complete with the original lyric inner record sleeve in superb condition with no edge splits or tears. (Note this has fold over clear tape at the dges noted, but not really noticed unless looked for in my opinion) Rarely seen complete in this top condition!
44 years old like this! Final Audio Upgrade Copy! Read the full full description below!


Listen to the complete album in the player below. Actual recording from the record listed!

Actual recording from the vinyl:

Deep Purple Concerto For Group and Orchestra: Side1.

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Deep Purple Concerto For Group and Orchestra: Side2.

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Queen II is the second studio album by the British rock band Queen, released on 8 March 1974.

It was recorded at Trident Studios, London in August 1973 with co-producers Roy Thomas Baker and Robin Cable, and engineered by Mike Stone. The album is notable for its combination of a heavy rock sound with an art rock sensibility.





It has been called "a pillar of grandiose, assaultive hard rock" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.





Queen II is not a concept album but a collection of songs with a loose theme running throughout.





The two sides of the original LP were labelled "Side White" and "Side Black" (instead of the conventional sides "1" and "2"), with corresponding photos of the band dressed in white or in black on either side of the record's label face. The white side has songs with a more emotional theme and the black side is almost entirely about fantasy, often with quite dark themes. Mick Rock's album cover photograph was frequently re-used by the band throughout its career, most notably in the music videos for the songs "Bohemian Rhapsody" (1975), and "One Vision" (1985).





Released to an initially mixed critical reception, Queen II remains one of the band's lesser-known albums. Nonetheless, the album has retained a cult following since its release, has garnered praise from musicians such as Axl Rose, Steve Vai and Billy Corgan, and is significant in being the first album to contain elements of the band's signature sound of multi-layered overdubs, vocal harmonies, and varied musical styles.





After their debut album Queen was recorded and mixed by the end of November 1972, Queen set about touring and promoting it. Management problems forced the album to be released on the independent Trident label, but only after eight months had gone by since completion. During that time, Queen were writing new material and eager to record it.








 Several new songs were written immediately after the first album, and some dated from even earlier. "See What A Fool I've Been" was left over from the Smile days. "Ogre Battle" was written during the debut album sessions, as was "Father To Son", but the band decided to wait on recording them until they had more freedom in the studio.







The Queen II album cover features a photograph taken by Mick Rock of, according to VH1, "Queen standing in diamond formation, heads tilted back like Easter Island statues" against a black background The band had hired Rock because they wanted to, in Rock's words, "graft some of [the trademark] decadent 'glam' sensibility" of his work with artists such as David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed. Subsequently, the brief the photographer received from Queen was to have a black and white theme for the Queen II artwork. According to Rock, the group were looking to grab people's attention with the cover, especially since their first album had failed to do so; "They realised that if you could catch people's eyes you could get them interested in music." Describing it as a "sort of a knockoff of an old Marlene Dietrich shot", the photographer took inspiration for the cover from a still of the actress from the 1932 film Shanghai Express. "And of course no one was ever more 'glam' than the divine Ms Dietrich", Rock quipped.





Although the band almost rejected the photograph because they felt it too pretentious, Rock convinced them otherwise; "It made them look like much bigger a deal than they were at the time, but it was a true reflection of their music."The image was reused by Queen for the promotional video of their 1975 single "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "One Vision" (1985).





All songs on the White Side (side one) written by Brian May except "The Loser in the End" by Roger Taylor. All songs on the Black Side (side two) written by Freddie Mercury.




White Side (Side One)
1. "Procession" (Instrumental) 1:12
2. "Father to Son" 6:14
3. "White Queen (As It Began)" 4:34
4. "Some Day One Day" 4:23
5. "The Loser in the End" 4:02

Black Side (Side Two)
1. "Ogre Battle" 4:10
2. "The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke" 2:40
3. "Nevermore" 1:15
4. "The March of the Black Queen" 6:33
5. "Funny How Love Is" 2:50
6. "Seven Seas of Rhye" 2:50





The Matrix
side 1. "YAX 4735-8" "Blairs" (Hand Etched)
side 2. "YAX 4736-7 " "Blairs Cut" (Hand Etched)





The Mother Stampers
Side 1 "4" "OG" (Crossed out/Corrected Mother Stampers)
Side 2 "1" "GOR" (Look "1" to "1" Mother Stampers)





The Vinyl
On initial visual inspection the vinyl looks absolutely superb, Just like it has just come from the shop in my opinion, and I can't see or feel any scratches or marks that would cause any loud constant clicks or pops at all! Any marks that could possibly be seen would be light whypsy surface scuffs and sleeve removal type only.. ,  This lays perfectly flat on the turntable and are free from any warping. (Note! I have double checked this) The vinyl looks superb, still retaining its original glossy sheen from new.  (no) deep needle scratches or marks that would cause any loud constant clicks or pops at all!

The Audio Quality
I have played the vinyl prior to listing on a top system at very loud volume! The audio is superbe cristal clear and very vibrant throughout! Top audio seperation on all frequencies only heard like this on early original  pressings! Note! This is the best sounding copy that I have heard,, so vibrant and clear, you will not find a better sounding album!  Importantly there were no loud constant clicks/ticks, pops or any jumps truly awesome and very rare for a 1st pressing. The audio is graded at Very Near as Mint in my opinion!

PLEASE NOTE! I always add this disclaimer! I have played this album prior to listing as usual and have given my honest opinion on the audio quality. Please remember this is a 44 years old original vinyl (not a reissue) Please allow for the odd interference/static/crackle/tick but importantly nothing consistant through out the audio! Please remember  that this would have been originally played on a system that is 44 years old!
All indications i.e. that this vinyl has (not) been overplayed and in fact looks barely ever played, I would even say looks totally unplayed in my personal opinion (No spider marks or traces!), at least no more than one or two times in my opinion and the audio quality superbe on all frequencies.
 
The labels
This features the "EMI" labels. These are superbe I can't see any spider marks at all on the labels, (even when angled to the light) and little if (no) spindle ware! This vinyl looks almost as unplayed in my personal opinion!

The Record Sleeve
This is the original 1st issue white lyric paper sleeve with rounded edges. No splits or tears. Light browning at the edges and vinyl impression with age only. Note: Clear tape had been put at the edges to prevent edge splits from the vinyl which was successful in my opinion, I did not notice this until taking photos and not noticeable unless looked for. Superb for 44 years old like this!  The vinyl is now and has always been stored seperately from the sleeve. Note This is the original and often seen split!

The cover
The original 1st issue fully laminated Garrod & Lofthouse gate fold "Top Loading" cover  cover is absolutely superbe!  Rarely seen in decent top condition like this one.  There are (no) edge splits or tears.   The spine is generally square but there are some signs of laminate lift here if looked for. Note: slight laminate lift noted at the rear top edge.    A truly superbe example rarely seen like this.!  Super glossy  No nasty rubbing or ring wear worth to mention. (note very light rubbing noted at the rear if you look for it and being primarily black this is very common if not almost impossible to find better originals than this one) No real nasty creases at all, Any imperfections/rubbing edge creases, are not noticed unless looked for in my opinion. Note, light minor vinyl impression noted, only really noticed if looked for in my opinion. The inside is very clean and straight slight yellowing but nothing too bad in my opinion.  Must be at least better than Excellent to Very, very Near excellent plus in my opinion rarely ever seen like this after 44 years on this cover!

An audio archive copy Never Need To Upgrade!

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLEWRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

                           

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality as i hear it. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 1000 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light!!!!!Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!!!!!!!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!

SHIPPING TO THE USA, CANADA & JAPAN IS 18.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 15.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

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Please note! All items are now despatched by Royal Mail signed for 1st class delivery!!!! I normally despatch weekdays within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds!!!I POST ON WEEKDAYS ONLY (NOT OVER THE WEEKEND)!! Tracking details are always emailed to the winning bidder after despatch.

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement (It is my prime interest to make sure that the items arrive in the same condition that they left me!!!!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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