Rick Hayward’s 1971 ultra-rare BLUE HORIZON LP (EPONYMOUS). authentic and original A1/B1 UK pressing on the legendary BRITISH BlueS label - VINYL & SLEEVE ARE BOTH IN NEAR-MINT (EX+) CONDITION.

Serial Numbers: 2431 006a / 2431 006b. Matrix stamp numbers: 2431 006 A v 1 11  1 (side one); 2431 006 B v 1 11  2 (Side two).

The vinyl is unmarked with a deep “as new” lustre; there are no marks, scratches or SLEEVE scuffs – it looks almost unplayed and sounds resplendently resonant.

the BLUE-PRINTED white record labels are as new, very clean and unmarked, just one very light spindle mark (on side two). 

The album sleeve is the original, UNLAMINATED AND micro-TEXTURED issue, a relatively lightweight and FRAGILE type that CAN get marked or damaged quite easily.

This copy has no colour fading, creases, tears, splits, marks or feathering. You might just pick out the fine surface embossing from some of the photos.

THE FRONT colour photo & its “scrolls” artwork are both very clean, as are the beautiful full-size sePia photo and light-orange printed sleeve notes on the rear.

THE sleeve HAS ONLY VERY SLIGHT RING WEAR AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM of its front cover - though NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO SCUFF THE FAMOUS “BH” EMBLEM OR any ARTWORK. there’s NO NOTICEABLE RINGWEAR ON THE rear of the SLEEVE.

The straight Spine shows clear TEXT; the opening edge IS ALSO clean and without any handling damage – as shown in   pictures.

The innner sleeve is the original “polydor” white polylined issue, also in excellent clean condition, unmarked withminimal creasing and no tears or stains. 

ARTIST/ALBUM INFO:

MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST Rick combined his many influences and presented his talents on this great lost 1971 LP.  He wrote all the songs, and apart from singing them and playing all guitar parts, he also played bass, harmonica, drums and percussion on this set which was produced by the one and only Mike Vernon – he also wrote the sleeve notes. 

Rick’s guitar skills were honed through backing many other Blue Horizon roster legends, including Christine Perfect, original Yardbird Top Topham, Gordon Smith, martha velez and Dana Gillespie.   

It’s quite folksy in places, obviously influenced by Bert Jansch & Davy Graham, with strong blues and jazz flavours there in the mix – though there’s some fuller “rock” arrangements, including a burst of psychedelic wah-wah guitar, as “Weasel” develops from a quietly acoustic intro to its raga-rock fade-out.

Perhaps reflecting the era’s fading hippie dreams – and maybe rick’s personal fortunes - the mood and vocal style is sometimes rather brooding and melancholic, but the album is a fascinating slice of Blue Horizon history from that great “british blues boom” period of 1966-72.

Rick is from Bradford and moved to London to seek his fortune within its folk-blues & roots music community. I just wonder if his multi-instrumental talents on this album were heard by a certain Mike Oldfield, who was developing his ideas for Tubular Bells at the same time when this album was released. I seem to hear echoes of Rick’s style and approach in Mike’s fantastic 1973 creation.

I’d be really interested to know if my theory is good! ARE YOu THERE to tell us, Mike?!   

I’m listing this classic LP at a low price relative to Record collector’s “Price Bible” valuation, so it represents a true investment opportunity for music enthusiasts, particularly “BH” collectors, who will already know that it’s now a very scarce record to find, especially in this superb condition.    

PLEASE NOTE:

This and other SELECTED Albums I’m now selling are some rare & cherished artefacts from my personal vinyl collection. 

MY MANY Albums are kept upright in dedicated cabinets, away from sunlight, excessive heat, smoke, frost, damp, pets, infants or any other strange and hitherto undiscovered lifeforms that may readily consume plastic, cardboard or paper.

 collectors can therefore browse my “rare vinyl” offers and bid with confidence!

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ADMIN. INFO:

PAYMENT VIA PAYPAL IS PREFERRED; OTHERWISE THE WINNING BIDDER CAN PAY CASH ON COLLECTION, CHEQUE (CLEARED BEFORE DESPATCH OR COLLECTION), postal order OR BANKER’S DRAFT.

PLEASE PAY WITHIN 3 DAYS – OTHERWISE THE RECORD MAY BE RE-LISTED AND OFFERED TO GENUINE BIDDERS.

THE FULL INVOICE VALUE (WINNING BID PLUS ALL POST & PACKING CHARGES) MUST BE PAID BEFORE THE RECORD IS DESPATCHED.

IF PAYING UPON COLLECTION IN PERSON is agreed, the FULL ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFO of the buyer SHOULD BE SUBMITTED.

I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO PASS ON ANY EXTRA PACKING AND DELIVERY CHARGES, ESPECIALLY IF THE WINNING BIDDER REQUESTS ANY SPECIAL DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS. THE STANDARD EBAY COSTS STATED MAY BE INADEQUATE,  BUT I WILL CHARGE ONLY AT ACTUAL COST.  

THE RECORD WILL BE SECURELY PACKED FOR POSTING IN A RIGID CARDBOARD OUTER CASING WITH THE RECORD AND INNER SLEEVE SEPARATED TO PREVENT ANY “KNIFING”, WITH STIFFENER CARDS TO PROTECT THE RECORD AND SLEEVES AND complete with A NEW CLEAR PROTECTIVE OUTER SLEEVE.

THERE IS NO “BUY IT NOW” OPTION ON THIS RECORD – ALL COLLECTORS HAVE AN EQUAL CHANCE TO MAKE THEIR WINNING BID FOR THIS VERY RARE LP.

A ‘NO RETURNS’ POLICY APPLIES.

COLLECTORS IN NON-UK COUNTRIES:

 PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE BIDDING so that I can check & advise on ANY EXTRA COSTS THAT MIGHT APPLY FOR SPECIAL SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS. AIRMAIL TO EUROPE MAY COST APPROX. £15, to be added to winning bid value.

THANKS FOR LOOKING -  HAPPY BIDDING & AND GOOD LUCK!