Queen : News Of The World 1/2 1st Press 1977

This genuine first press plays with stunning quality with only one very brief section of light interference.  There are five ticks on 'All Dead All Dead' but the good news is that they are by no means loud, in now way are they intrusive clicks!  Apart from that both sides play with wonderful clarity and depth and 'It's Late' is a fine example of that.  It also plays with a genuine warmth and resonance something you only find with vinyl of course.

The gatefold as detailed below is superb!  It is in fantastic condition and has clearly always been very carefully handled.  The lyric inner is also in great shape with hardly any wear.

EMA 784 // YAX 5355-1 / YAX 5356-2 / MP 3 / HR 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T4 VG for 4/5 seconds / T5 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T5 intro Ex)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The lyric inner is Near Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The run in on S1 is unbelievably clean and then the iconic intro on 'We Will Rock You' has no background either.  The opening vocal has just one very quiet tick and from then on plays with genuine quality.  The clarity is stunning and the power and depth of the audio is so impressive also.  The tick is so quiet so I think Mint- is fair.

The quiet opening vocal on 'We Are The Champions' plays beautifully and the first chorus is equal to that.  It continues to play with a quality that can only be described 'as new' and there is no distortion on the top end.  Every section plays with superb audio - showing off Freddie's voice to its full capacity this is Mint from start to finish.  A perfect fade out also.

'Sheer Heart Attack' plays with its usual power and because the vinyl is so clean there is no loss in sonic quality.  There is no interference and my only complaint is that Roger's drums should be higher in the mix!  Mint

The gentle piano intro on 'All Dead All Dead' plays perfectly and Brian's first verse is on a par with that.  The chorus is 'as new' and then the next piano piece just has five static tick type sounds due to the very small mark on the record.  They are not loud and honestly do not intrude very much on the audio.  The rest of the track plays with stunning precision so I will grade the majority as Mint but with a brief VG section.

'Spread Your Wings' has just one very quiet tick on the first verse but otherwise plays with exceptional quality.  Every vocal and instrumental section is so clean and precise, I cannot fault it.  A fan favourite this is a high end version and the long fade out just has a handful of ticks right at the end so I will say Near Mint but the music has practically finished by this point anyway!

'Fight From The Inside' ends the side with superb audio and for once there is no inner groove distortion, a genuine rarity.  There is no interference and Mint is well deserved.

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The intro on 'Get Down Make Love' again plays perfectly and the opening vocal is just as strong.  The first chorus plays with great power and clarity and it progresses in the same way.  The psychedelic section plays with sensational sonic quality and the final vocal section is flawless.  Another Mint track.

'Sleeping On The Sidewalk' plays with that real depth and warmth throughout with no intrusion.  Such a strong 'bluesy' number and the audio is so deep and rich.  Mint all the way.

'Who Needs You' plays beautifully from start to finish without any background, not even a single dust tick.  The definitive Mint version in other words.

The quiet intro on the classic 'It's Late' plays with wonderful clarity and the opening vocal has just one mega quiet static.  The chorus is stunning and it continues in the same way - the 'heavy' section is phenomenal and clearly has to be turned up to max!  The power and definition of the audio is up there with the best I have ever heard and again there is no distortion.  Sonic quality at its very best.  This high end standard is kept up to the very end - I will grade as Mint- although I am sure I would be forgiven if the minus wasn't there!

'My Melancholy Blues' has only a small number of light statics right at the start and then the opening vocal plays with great clarity.  This track is often affected by a fair amount of static I find but this is a very clean version.  The background on the intro is very quiet and then every verse and instrumental passage plays with sublime quality and no intrusion aside from a couple of barely audible ticks.  I will grade the intro as Ex and the rest as Mint- I think that is a fair assessment of the audio.

In summary this first pressing plays with superb audio on both sides and the only real intrusion is that 4/5 seconds on S1 but even then it is quiet and really not that intrusive.  A handful of minor statics on the final track on S2 but the rest of the album is absolutely stunning!  Together with a lovely cover and lyric inner this is a very impressive album.

The Gatefold & Lyric Inner

This is easily one of the finest examples of this iconic cover that I have ever seen.  It has been so well preserved and has retained its original shape and structure perfectly.  Only the top edge has minimal light rubbing and I do mean very minimal!  The wide spine is still very strong with only the usual 'line' running down the centre caused by the gatefold being opened all of the corners are in great shape with only very light wear.  The opening edge is pristine and the front cover is totally unmarked with only a couple of small faint creases next to the spine.  The back cover is just as impressive and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no damage to the inner spine.  A superb example of this iconic cover.

The paper lyric inner (with rounded corners) is near perfect with just one tiny rub on the bottom edge and an even small er 'crease' on the top edge.  Both sides are unmarked (a rarity) and it has hardly any creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

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