Queen : News Of The World 1/2 1st Press

This first pressing plays to an incredible standard with no interference at all, there is not one tick let alone any clicks or pops and there is no underlying static either.  For a first press to play with such pristine clarity is a rarity indeed and it easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE version.  The vinyl is visually stunning and has hardly been played judging by the minimal spindle wear and by the audio of course, the playback is just exceptional!  As always I have play tested it in full and a 'complete' grading is given below.

The cover is in lovely condition with only minimal shelf wear and the lyric inner is almost 'as new' with no side splits (how rare is that!), no marking and barely any creasing.  This is a stunning first press that has been so well preserved over the last 44 years.

EMA 784 // YAX 5355-1 / YAX 5356-2 / MO 2 / GT 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The lyric inner is Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

Visual grading

From the opening beat the iconic 'We Will Rock You' plays with outstanding quality.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and there is no background static either.  It plays with great depth and power and is as good as it would have been back in '77.  A superb Mint start to the album.

The quiet intro on 'We Are The Champions' again has no 'background' and the first chorus is just as impressive.  It continues to play with a clarity that is second to none.  There is literally no interference - not even a dust tick - and Brian's final note is 'as new' also giving you a good idea of the clarity on offer here.  Each note is so 'clean' and precise and I have no hesitation in grading this classic as Mint

'Sheer Heart Attack' plays stunning power and definition from the first note to the last with no interference.  A powerhouse of a track I feel the percussion should be higher in the mix but then I always say that!  However, this is Mint without question and the power of this 'high octane' track just envelops the room totally!

The piano intro 'All Dead All Dead' plays beautifully with no intrusion.  The first verse has only one barely audible dust tick and from then on it plays as a hardly played vinyl should - with immaculate clarity.  It is rare to find this quiet track playing with such precision and the playback here really is 'crystal clear'.  Another Mint track.

The piano intro on 'Spread Your Wings' is flawless and it progresses in exactly the same way with no intrusion.  Once more I am amazed at the sonic quality as there is just no interference to be heard.  This is a vinyl that is been so well preserved down the years and 'as new' is again fully justified here.  Every verse and chorus plays perfectly and the long fade has no 'background' apart from a couple of dust ticks right at the end.  Mint

'Fight From The Inside' often plays with inner groove distortion but this is a very impressive version to say the least.  It plays with sublime power and definition from start to finish and I did not detect any distortion.  A stunning Mint version in my opinion.

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It's often the opening grooves on any record that are often affected by static etc, especially on a 44 year old record, and yet the intro on 'Get Down Make Love' again defies its age and plays with perfect clarity.  The first verse and chorus play to the same 'high end' standard and it continues in the same way.  The psychedelic section is 'as new' and the final vocal section is just as strong.  Dare I say another Mint track.

The bluesy 'Sleeping On The Sidewalk' plays with impeccable precision with audio that has such a deep rich tone to it.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static and again Mint is very much deserved.  Call me stupid but have you ever heard the 'laugh' right at the end after the music has finished?  I haven't and this just provides further evidence of the clarity on offer here.

'Who Needs You' has to be heard to be believed!  There is no 'background' of any kind and the clarity is exceptional on every level.  This is MINT and then some!

The quiet intro on the classic 'It's Late' is stunning.  With only a couple of insignificant dust ticks the playback could not be any better and Freddie's opening vocal is equally as good.  The chorus is then 'as new' and it continues to play with breathtaking power and depth, wow this is good!  This is as 'complete' a version that you could ever wish to find and the 'heavy' section is just phenomenal!  Pure power and no distortion at all.  The remainder more than keeps up this fine standard and from start to finish there is no intrusion on the sublime Mint audio.  It doesn't get any better than this!

The gentle 'My Melancholy Blues' ends the album with a rare clarity of sound.  I say rare because this track often plays with a fair amount of static/crackle and yet this version is so clean and precise and it begins with a perfect piano intro.  Throughout the entire playback the audio is superb and...there is no intrusion.  A couple of dust ticks and a couple of mega light ticks on the fade out it provides a STUNNING end to this outstanding album.  I will grade as Mint- just to be on the safe side but I'm sure I would be forgiven if I dropped the minus!

In summary this first pressing plays to a unbelievable standard and it easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE album in every regard.  In all my years I am not sure I've ever heard such incredible audio from the first note to the last.  So often on a super clean vinyl you will find one click but not here!  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is sensational and as stated it is patently obvious that this record has hardly ever been on a turntable.  A time-warp classic for sure, this audio could not be bettered!

The Gatefold & Lyric Inner

The cover is in great condition with only minimal shelf wear and it has retained its shape and structure so well which results from a cover that has hardly been handled down the years.  The edges have only a little rubbing and the wide spine is very clean with only a couple of white 'rubs' and minimal wear on the corners.  The right hand corners have very little wear and the opening edge is nigh on perfect.  The front cover is similarly in superb condition and it is only on close inspection that you can detect a 3/4 small faint scratch lines that you can only see when you hold it at a certain angle.  The back cover is in beautiful shape with no marking and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no damage to the inner spine.  A fine example overall and easily one of the best around.

The paper lyric inner (with rounded corners) is on beautiful condition with no side splits or marking and no obvious creasing.  The thumb notch is also in superb shape which makes a change.  A stunning inner!

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers

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