QUEEN II 4U/4U 1st Press 1974 *Stunning* AUDIO & BEAUTIFUL COVER NEAR MINT
£
106
$
140
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Description
QUEEN II 4U/4U 1st Pressing
This first pressing plays to a sublime standard with a sonic quality that is so hard to find today. There is only some interference at the end of 'Some Day One Day' on S1 but apart from that the audio is amazing! The vast majority is 'as new' and there are just so many highlights on this classic album!
The iconic cover is also in fantastic condition and is practically 'as new', it is so clean. The original lyric inner (with the four cut corners as per all the first pressings) is also in superb order with only one tiny split. A stunning 'package'!
Please could you wait before making payment so I can calculate the exact cost.
EMA 797 // YAX 4?7?3?6? 4735 - 4U / YAX 4?7?3?5 4736 - 4U // GRO 3 / GGP 4
The audio on S1 is Near Mint (T1 & 2 Mint- / T3 Near Mint- / T4 fade out VG-)
The audio on S2 is Mint- (T4 Near Mint)
The gatefold is Near Mint
The lyric inner is Near Mint-
The labels are Near Mint
Visual grading
The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a very impressive glossy sheen. There is just one tiny scratch on S1 that results in a little interference but there are no other faults. The vinyl is super clean with no other marks and I can only detect a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines. There is not very much spindle wear and the run out grooves are also in pristine condition.Play grading
If I've ever heard a better 'Procession' I cannot remember when that was! From the quiet percussive intro to the final note the clarity is exceptional and there is no interference at all. With only a couple of dust ticks this is as close to a perfect start as is possible and Mint- is easily deserved.
The segue into 'Father To Son' is faultless and the first verse and chorus are of the same 'high end' standard. It continues to play with STUNNING clarity and power and as for the 'heavy' mid section? Wow the playback is out of this world! There is no 'muddiness' to the sound i.e. every note can be heard with sublime precision and in essence the audio is 'as new'. I can over-enthuse somewhat when audio is this impressive but I can categorically say I have never heard a stronger version and to think this is a 4U/4U first pressing! Even the super quiet 'A word in your ear from Father to son...' section has no 'background' and the remainder of this classic track plays to an incredible standard also. The long fade out has no interference and I am confident in grading this as Mint it is outstanding!
The quiet intro on 'White Queen' is often affected by static/crackle but there is only a very minimal amount of light static here and it is totally non-intrusive. Very quiet! The first vocal is also very 'clean' with only a handful of imperceptible dust ticks and it continues to play with fantastic clarity and depth. As the volume builds into the first chorus the audio is so powerful and there is no interference. The next verse has only a couple of barely audible ticks and the mid section instrumental has only a small number of ticks which you can hardly detect when you stand in the centre of the room! The 'high octane' section near the end is spectacular and the quiet section that brings this classic to an end has only a couple of dust ticks at the end of the fade out. An impressive Near Mint- version for sure.
'Some Day One Day' plays with stunning quality for the vast majority. There is just one light click during the mid instrumental and annoyingly some consecutive clicks on the fade out caused by a very small scratch. I would say this is Near Mint for the majority but with a VG- fade out.
'Loser In The End' has only a couple of minor crackle sounds on the intro and then plays with a power and definition that could not be any stronger. There is no inner groove distortion and ends the side with Near Mint audio.
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The slow build up on 'Ogre Battle' has barely any static and the first 'heavy' section is as dynamic as it gets, superb! The first verse is flawless and from then on plays with perfect clarity and depth. The 'instrumental' section is 'as new' and this is undoubtedly one of the finest versions I have ever heard. There is no interference and is a Mint- start to the side.
I am pleased to say 'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke' is of the same 'high end' standard with not even a single dust tick. I often find it's difficult to convey in mere words the subtle differences in 'clarity' but suffice to say the clarity here is 'as new' as it plays as it would have done back in '74. Mint
The piano intro on 'Nevermore' plays with stunning precision as does the first verse. The second verse is nigh on perfect with only a couple of very minor light ticks at the end. Mint-
The intro on 'The March Of The Black Queen' could not play any better and the first vocal is also faultless. It continues to play with unbelievable quality and the opening verses have a clarity that is second to none. The mid instrumental section is of the same immaculate standard and has no distortion on the top end. The quiet 'A voice from behind me...' section plays extremely well but with 3/4 crackle sounds. On the plus side there is no underlying static and as the music builds again the audio is back to its best! The 'I reign with my left hand...' verse is a prime example of that as is the next one. STUNNING in every way! The following quieter passage has barely any static and the final vocal completes this classic track with incredible precision once again. The vast majority plays to a Mint standard but Near Mint is a fair reflection overall.
'Funny How Love Is' goes one better and grades as Mint as from start to finish there is no interference of any kind - the sonic quality could not be improved upon. The long fade out plays perfectly also.
'Seven Seas Of Rhye...' ends the album with wonderful power and definition...again. This track often has some 'background' I find on the first pressings but this is 'high end' quality for sure. For once there is no inner groove distortion and the playback is sensational in every way. Even the seaside 'singalong' plays with stunning clarity! A Mint finish to what is often regarded as Queen's finest album. I tend to agree :-)
In summary this first pressing plays to a standard that is rarely found today. It is a shame that the fade out on 'Some Day One Day' has some interference but the rest of the album is mega impressive! Aside from 3/4 clicky/crackle sounds during 'The March Of The Black Queen' the audio is as close to perfect as could be. 'White Queen' is stunning and 'Father To Son' is STUNNING etc etc! It is interesting to note that there is no distortion on either side which shows this vinyl has only been lightly played down the years on high end equipment. A fantastic album that any collector would be very pleased to have in their collection.
The Gatefold
The fully laminated cover is beautiful! Rarely have I seen one as well preserved as this and has no obvious shelf wear. The edges and spine are 'as new' and there is barely any corner wear either. The opening edge has no handling wear, it is pristine, and the front cover retains that stunning glossy 'look' with no marking at all. The back cover is almost as good with just one minor scratch line on the right side. There is no laminate damage as such inside or out. Talking of which the inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no marking, creasing etc and the inner spine is undamaged which makes a change. So often it is worn from being opened numerous times so this again shows that it has always been very carefully handled. There is always no yellowing of the white background, another rarity. This is a FINAL UPGRADE cover and is also very strong and robust and has lost none of its original shape. A stunning example!The Lyric Inner
The original lyric inner, with the four cut corners, is near perfect with only one very small split on the bottom edge which is hardly noticeable anyway. There is no creasing and even the thumb notch area at the top is in superb condition. The white background has none of the staining that you often see and has only 3/4 very faint spots. A fantastic example overall and rarely found this 'clean' today.
The Labels
The original EMI labels are in lovely condition with no marking or writing and only a little spindle wear.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
EMA 797 // YAX 4?7?3?6? 4735 - 4U / YAX 4?7?3?5 4736 - 4U // GRO 3 / GGP 4
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
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