**RARE White Label Promo** JOHN BALDRY It Ain't Easy (1971) VG++/VG
$
40
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Description
Up for sale is an original 1971 White Label Promo (WLP) pressing of Long John Baldry’s breakthrough blues-rock masterpiece, "It Ain't Easy".
Promotional records of this caliber were pressed in very limited quantities using brand-new stampers, resulting in superior audio fidelity that collectors highly prize.
This legendary album features production and guest performances by music icons Elton John and Rod Stewart.
It Ain't Easy is a legendary blueprint of the 1970s British blues-rock explosion. It serves as a monumental tribute to the towering influence of Long John Baldry. Standing 6-foot-7, Baldry was a massive figure who mentored the very musicians who shaped the generation's sound.
The Production Concept: A Tale of Two Sides
To launch Baldry into a modern, edgy, hippie-era rock audience, Warner Bros. hit upon a brilliant marketing and recording concept: they split production duties down the middle between two of Baldry’s famous proteges.
- Side 1 (Produced by Rod Stewart): Recorded at Morgan Studios in London, Rod Stewart captured a raucous, gritty, acoustic-and-electric hybrid sound. This side matches the exact vibe of Stewart’s own iconic 1971 record, Every Picture Tells a Story, using many of the same studio musicians.
- Side 2 (Produced by Elton John): Recorded at I.B.C. Studios in London, Elton John brought a polished, piano-driven, gospel-tinged southern soul perspective to the recordings.
The deep history behind the tracking and personnel makes this a fascinating piece of rock history.
Matrix / Runout Identifiers
- Side 1: S9893-1B WS-1921-A (Columbia Santa Maria Pressing) BH (etched)
- Side 2: 39894-1A WS-1921B
- Vinyl Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
The record surface retains its original factory gloss with minimal visible wear appears to have been played very little. Very nice condition. Plays very clean and warm.
- Jacket Condition: Very Good (VG)
- The original outer sleeve shows some expected vintage shelf wear along the edges and corners, but it remains bright and structurally solid. Please note the timing strip affixed to the front panel as shown in the photos.
- Inner Sleeve: Intact
- Includes the original inner sleeve.
Please see photos for condition and record markings.
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