SOFT MACHINE Volume Two 1969 UK PROBE 1st PRESSING - STUNNING SOUND
£
33
$
44
£ 33
Sold For
Jun 20, 2016
Sold Date
Jun 10, 2016
Start Date
£ 24
Start price
3
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
Auctioned at
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Description
SOFT MACHINE Volume Two 1969 UK PROBE 1st PRESSING - FLIPBACK - STUNNING SOUND
THE SOFT MACHINEVolume Two
UK PROBE (SPB 1002) FIRST PRESSING (December 1969)
AN EXCELLENT COPY OF SOFT MACHINE’S FIRST UK RELEASE
PRESSED WITH BLACK/SILVER PROBE LABELS LABELS
“MADE IN GT BRITAIN BY THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD.”
MATRIX: SPB 1002 A-1G / SPB 1002 B-1G
MOTHERS/STAMPERS: 1/A and 1/M
HOUSED IN THE ORIGINAL FRONT LAMINATED FLIPBACK SLEEVE "Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd.”
COMPLETE WITH THE ORIGINAL POLY-LINED INNER SLEEVE WITH UK PATENT NUMBER AND “FOREIGN PATENTS PENDING” PRINTED IN BLUE
Volume Two introduces a stronger jazz influence to the sort of humour, dadaism and psychedelia present on The Soft Machine (1968).
Volume Two was inspired by Frank Zappa's Absolutely Free and the album consists of two long compositions.
Acting on a recommendation from Frank Zappa, the band split the two tracks into smaller pieces which were given arbitrary names
The first Soft Machine LP usually got the attention, with its movable parts sleeve, as well as the presence of ultra-talented songwriter Kevin Ayers.
But musically, Volume Two better conveys the Dada-ist whimsy and powerful avant-rock leanings of the band. Hugh Hopper took over for Ayers on bass, and his fuzz tones and experimental leanings supplanted Ayers' pop emphasis.
The creative nucleus behind this most progressive of progressive rock albums, however, is Robert Wyatt. He provides the musical arrangements to Hopper's quirky ideas on the stream-of-consciousness collection of tunes on side one.
Unlike the first record, which sounded choppy and often somnolent, this one blends together better, and it has a livelier sound.
The addition of session horn players enhanced the Softs' non-guitar lineup, and keyboardist Mike Ratledge, whose musical erudition frequently clashed in the early days with the free-spirited Wyatt, Ayers, and Daevid Allen, lightened his touch here.
He even contributes one of the album's highlights with "Pig" ("Virgins are boring/they should be grateful for the things they're ignoring").
But it's Wyatt who lifts this odd musical jewel to its artistic heights.
He uses his tender voice like a jazz instrument, scatting (in Spanish!) on "Dada Was Here," and sounding entirely heartfelt in "Have You Ever Bean Green," a brief tribute to the Jimi Hendrix Experience, with whom the Softs toured ("Thank you Noel and Mitch, thank you Jim, for our exposure to the crowd").
Fans of the Canterbury scene will also relish "As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still," a loving tribute to ex-bandmate Ayers.
This is the one record that assimilates rock, absurdist humour, jazz, and the avant-garde to perfection
Side 1: (play is continuous)
Pataphysical Introduction Part 1
A Concise British Alphabet Part 1
Hibou, Anemone And Bear
A Concise British Alphabet Part 2
Hulloder
Dada Was Here
Thank You Pierrot Lunaire
Have You Ever Bean Green?
Pataphysical Introduction Part 2
Out Of Tunes
Side 2: (play is continuous)
As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still
Dedicated To You But You Weren't Listening
Fire Engine Passing With Bells Clanging
Pig
Orange Skin Food
A Door Opens And Closes
10.30 Returns To The Bedroom
LABELS: VERY GOOD+
Apart from moderate spindle traces and writing on Side One (VG) both labels are clean and attractive
VINYL Visual: VERY GOOD+
Both surfaces retain their original deep glossy sheen with some harmless marks
VINYL Audio: EXCELLENT+
Plays beautifully throughout with stunning depth and clarity - just two clicks noted on Side Two - nothing really - a superb playing copy - beautifully clean
SLEEVE: VERY GOOD
Clean and unmarked - some rub to the surfaces/edges - nothing major - and rippling to the front- all text on the pinched spine is clear and bold
POST & PACKING:
A PROTECTIVE POLY SLEEVE, NEW ANTI-STATIC LINER, QUALITY BOX (NOT ENVELOPE) MAILER AND AMPLE STIFFENERS ARE ALWAYS USED TO ENSURE THAT YOUR RECORD ARRIVES SAFELY
UK: FREE (2nd class standard)
UK: £9.00 (Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day by 1pm)
EUROPE: Airmail: £14.00 (International Signed For delivery)
INTERNATIONAL: Airmail: £17.00 (International Signed For delivery)
I will combine postage for items purchased within any 10 day period (@£2 for each additional LP).
However, at the end of each 10 day period, all outstanding items will need to be paid for in full and will be posted to you.
Any items purchased after payment will be included in the next 10 period.
I am continually adding new items which may be of interest to you and it is impractical for me to allow payment to be postponed indefinitely in the expectation that you might wish to bid on future items. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation
Guarantee: All records are unconditionally guaranteed (including sealed and/or unplayed) and I will offer a complete, no quibble refund upon return of the item should you not be pleased with it in any way I will email you when payment has been received to let you know when the item will be posted. Please leave feedback upon receipt of the item so that I know you have received it safely. Thanks 625 (GS 6.9.7 (625))
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