SHELAGH McDONALD - HER SECOND LP - STARGAZER - B&C VINYL RECORD - CAS1043 - 1971

	£		130
	$		172

SHELAGH McDONALD - HER SECOND LP - STARGAZER - B&C VINYL RECORD - CAS1043 - 1971. Condition is "Used". Dispatched with Royal Mail  "Signed For"  Service   Available from the sellers private collection. The second album by the elusive SHELAGH McDONALD - An album for connoisseurs.   
STARGAZER  B&C (Beat & Commercial) Records. Released SEPTEMBER 1971
This is the genuine B&C original, which I acquired upon its release.  The record is graded between Excellent (EX) to Very Good (VG) Which is remarkable considering its age of 50 years. The faces A&B of the record have no scratches or surface scuffs and both sides play perfectly. There is also no hole distortion.   The album cover is graded (G) it has some ageing around its edges, some hairline creasing, but no splits  and some ring wear on the surfaces. The unique "Star" inner sleeve has some very minor wear upon its faces, but no tearing.  I have viewed it on various sites for ove £300 and it is valued by RCM at £200(M) original B&C copies are now very rare. 
Shelagh McDonald was born in Edinburgh, hailed from Glasgow Scotland. Like her first album, this eagerly awaited follow up was produced by Sandy Robertson, and like her first, contained elaborate arrangements by Robert Kirby and in addition, string and choral works with Latin Texts by Johannes Kepler. Musical and instrumental support was more complex and the luminary list included :-  Keith Christmas (12 String & Electric Guitar), Richard Thompson (Guitar),  Ian Whiteman (Organ & Piano), Dave Richards & Pat Donaldson (Bass), John Ryan & Danny Thompson (String Bass), Harvy Burns & Dave Mattacks (Drums) & Ray Warleigh (Sax), Mac & Katy Kossoon & Mike London supplied additional vocals.  
The album was recorded between February & May 1971 at Sound Techniques, Chelsea London. "Stargazer" was from every aspect, apart from sales, a triumphal advancement upon her equally prodigious first album. It ranks as a real masterpiece of early seventies Folk/Rock- Singer/Songwriter genre. Comparisions were made with the (then) blossoming talent of Joni Mitchell as Shelagh's songwriting abilities grew in stature & output. Three months after this Gem of a release  she taped a session for Pete Drummond on Radio 1. Dispairingly, these recordings were removed from the BBC archive. Her last recording session was 7th December 71. After which occured the unfortunate acid incident, that led to here dissapearance for some 50 or so years. Numerious re-releases have been made of this record, throughout that period. Like a good book, it is always special to have the first edition. 
Some observations upon Grading :-  Mint (M) The record is in brand new condition, no surface marks, no sound quality deteriation. Records designated sealed or un-played quality as mint. Excellent (EX) The record shows  some signs of being played, but with minimal lessening of sound quality. The cover and/or packaging may show slight wear and/or creasing. Very Good (VG) The record has obviously been played many times, but manifests no sound quality deterioration. Despite noticeable surface marks and/or light scratching. Visible wear and tear on the cover or additional items, without major defects is  acceptable.  Good (G) the record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, pehaps with some sound distortion and mild scratches.  The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing, of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc. Fair (F) the record is still just playable, but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable suface noise, it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.