STEVE HOWE Beginnings 1st Press NM Audio YES

	£		14
	$		19

A BREAKDOWN OF THE ARTIST/S :-

Born Stephen James Howe, 8 April 1947, Holloway, London, England. Best known as the guitarist with Yes, Howe began his career with the Syndicats in 1963. Playing R&B and Chuck Berry numbers, the outfit released three singles without much success before splitting in 1965. Howe then joined soul band the In Crowd. The group added John "Twink" Adler (drums) and changed its name to Tomorrow in 1967, embracing psychedelia and flower-power. They became popular at London "Underground" venues UFO and the Roundhouse alongside Pink Floyd and the Soft Machine. Their "My White Bicycle" was a classic of the genre and was later revived by heavy rockers Nazareth, reaching UK number 14 in June 1975. After singer Keith West's solo success with "Excerpt From A Teenage Opera" (UK number 2, August 1967), on which Howe played, the band fell apart. Howe then teamed up with Bobby Woodman (drums) and Dave Curtiss (bass/vocals) in Bodast. Augmented by Clive Maldoon (guitar/vocals) and Bruce Thomas (bass), the band gigged sporadically but never lived up to its early promise. Their album, recorded in 1969, remained unissued until 1981. After Bodast's demise, Howe joined P.P. Arnold's backing band but was seeking a greater musical challenge and an opportunity presented itself when Peter Banks left Yes in March 1970. Howe's adventurous playing, drawing on his love of jazz, ragtime and rock 'n' roll, was perfectly suited to the elaborately arranged, quasi-symphonic epics the band were striving to create. He first appeared on The Yes Album which was the first in a series of increasingly successful albums. During his 10-year stint with Yes, Howe recorded his first two solo albums and also played sessions for Lou Reed, Rick Wakeman and Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

When Yes folded in 1981, Howe helped form Asia with John Wetton (bass/vocals), Geoff Downes (keyboards) and Carl Palmer (drums). This critically unfashionable supergroup proved remarkably successful, particularly in the USA, where their debut Asia was number 1 for nine weeks. Howe's next project was the short-lived group GTR with ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, after which he rejoined former Yes colleagues as Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe, rivalling the reformed Yes led by Chris Squire. After lengthy court battles, the two line-ups settled their differences and suprisingly merged into one megagroup, releasing Union and embarking on a mammoth tour in 1991. Howe has also recorded further solo albums, reuniting with West for 1993's Grand Scheme Of Things. He has also contributed to Miles Copeland's Guitar Speak and Night Of The Guitar projects, and albums by ex-Ultravox keyboardist Billy Currie.

Discography:
Beginnings (Atlantic 1975)**, The Steve Howe Album (Atlantic 1979)***, Turbulence (Relativity 1991)**, The Grand Scheme Of Things (Relativity 1993)***, Not Necessarily Acoustic (Herald 1994)***, Portraits Of Bob Dylan (Eagle 1999)***, Natural Timbre (Eagle 2001)***, Skyline (InsideOut 2002)***, with Martin Taylor Masterpiece Guitars 1996 recording (P3 Music 2003)***.

THE HISTORY OF THE RECORD :- The five Yes band members each released a solo album in 1975/6. Members Alan White and Patrick Moraz from that line-up guest on Beginnings, while Howe performed on White's Ramshackled album. The album also features former Yes band-member and drummer Bill Bruford on "Pleasure Stole the Night" and "Break Away From It All". There are also members of the English medieval progressive rock band Gryphon, Graeme Taylor, Malcolm Bennett, Dave Oberlé on one of the songs

THE COVER :- Textured gatefold sleeve

THE LABEL :- Atlantic labels

THE VINYL VISUALLY :- On initial inspection of this piece of vinyl I cannot see any areas of immediate concern. The vinyl sits perfectly flat on the turntable so there are no nasty warps to worry about. The vinyl still retains its just pressed quality, full of deep shine and lustre. I have not noted anything that would affect play. A stunning piece of vinyl. Near Mint visually. 

THE VINYL PLAY GRADED :- The playgrading of the vinyl reveals no lessening in the sound quality whatsoever. It lives up to its visual grading. There is next to no surface noise. What there is can be only heard on the run in and run out of tracks and extra quiet areas of the album but that is me being very picky probably. The sound quality is high with a full dynamic range and very detailed sound. I feel certain this album has been played carefully if atall and stored well over the years. I would grade the audio playback as Near Mint condition.

THE SLEEVE FRONT CONDITION :- This is the very earliest 1st press textured sleeve. The front of the sleeve is free from writing, free from stickers or evidence of previously removed stickers. The sleeve reveals no ringwear and no creases. There is a small bump in the top left corner. There is one small mark towards the bottom. There is some light corner rubbing and some light seam rubbing The colours are bright and crisp. I would grade the front of the cover taking everything into account as Excellent condition.

THE SLEEVE REAR CONDITION :- The rear of the sleeve is free from stickers or evidence of previously removed stickers. There are no creases on the rear of the sleeve and only a light ringwear tide mark. There is a small squiggle in ink at the bottom right that is just visable in the photo. There is a small bump in the top right corner. Other than that just some very light corner wear. Again the rear still retains its original crisp colours and just pressed feel. I would grade the rear as Excellent condition also.

THE INNER GATEFOLD CONDITION :- The inner of the sleeve is free from stickers or evidence of previously removed stickers. There are no creases on the inner of the sleeve and only a light ringwear tide mark. There is a small bump in the top corner that has been transfered from fron and back. Other than that just some very light corner wear. Again the inner still retains its original crisp colours and just pressed feel. I would grade the inner as Excellent condition again.

THE LABEL SIDE ONE CONDITION :- Original Atlantic label in excellent order free from stickers or writing and no damage at all, no signs of play around the spindle hole. Near Mint condition.

THE LABEL SIDE TWO CONDITION :- Original Atlantic label in excellent order free from stickers or writing and no damage at all, no signs of play around the spindle hole. Near Mint condition.

THE SPINE CONDITION :- The writing on the spine is all clear, no spine splits at all just very light signs of shelfwear along the length. Excellent Plus condition

THE INNER SLEEVE CONDITION :- Generic white inner in Excellent condition

THE EXTRAS :- No extras were given with this album

THE CATALOGUE NUMBER :- K 50151

THE YEAR OF RELEASE :-  1975

THE LABEL :- ATLANTIC

THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN :-  UK

PLAYING FORMAT :- STEREO

THE MATRIX NUMBERS :-  K50151 A/3  &  K50151 B/2

TRACK LISTING :-

SIDE ONE :-

1. DOORS OF SLEEP
2. AUSTRALIA
3. THE NATURE OF THE SEA
4. LOST SYMPHONY

SIDE TWO :-

1. BEGINNINGS
2. WILL 'O' THE WHISP
3. RAM
4. PLEASURE STOLE THE NIGHT
5. BREAK AWAY FROM IT ALL

WHAT WE PLAY THE RECORD ON :- 

We use a Project 6 Perspex Turntable to play grade our records which delivers a rich authoritative sound and achieves a rich and weighty vibrancy unrivalled by the majority of decks within its price range

HOW WE CLEAN YOUR RECORD :- 

We use a V.P.I. HW-16.5 record cleaning machine to clean your vinyl. "A highly recommended machine" as quoted by Stereophile magazine. This removes any excess dirt before playing

HOW WE PACKAGE YOUR RECORD :- 

Your record will be package very securely to minimise any risk of damage during transit. We remove the record from the outer sleeve unless asked not to do so. This helps to minimise the risk of seam spliting. We use a high quality record mailer which is designed to give superior protection for your vinyl record. We place stiffeners either side of the record for added protection. The album will also be placed in a 450 gram Poly outer sleeve for even extra added protection

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING CHARGES FOR UK CUSTOMERS :-

We advise that items reaching over £50 in price to be insured and sent by Special Delivery. This protects both of us and ensures better handling of the parcel during transit.We are in no way out to make money from postage. The postage price includes the record mailer, stiffeners and plastic sleeve. We just want your item to reach you in the best possible condition. A breakdown of insured postal services are listed below. Please choose to use the relevant postal service for your own protection as once these rare records are lost they can quite often seldom be replaced

SECOND CLASS RECORDED (INSURED UP TO £50) :- FREE

FIRST CLASS RECORDED (INSURED UP TO £50) :- £0.45

SPECIAL DELIVERY NEXT DAY UPTO 500g :- £3.80

SPECIAL DELIVERY NEXT DAY FROM 500g - 1000g :- £5.00

(SPECIAL DELIVERY INSURES YOUR ITEM UPTO £500)

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION :-    

All records reaching under £15 are sent to the European Union by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £15

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS  :-  £6.22 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :-  £11.37 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :-  £13.97 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE USA AND CANADA :- 

All records reaching under £15 are sent to the USA & Canada by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £15

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS  :-  £8.78 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £13.93 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £16.53 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING FOR THE AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN AND ROW :- 

All records reaching under £15 are sent to the Australia & Japan by Airmail small packets. We will not ship abroad without insured post for items reaching over £15

AIRMAIL SMALL PACKETS :- £9.06 (For items under £15)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £14.21 (For items £15 - £50)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR :- £16.81 (For items £50 - £500)

(These prices are based on a package weight of no more than 500g and can vary for heavier packages)

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT PROFIT FROM POSTAGE, THE PRICES WE QUOTE ARE QUITE ACCURATE AND INCLUDE THE PACKAGING MATERIALS AT COST PRICE

NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS:

PLEASE AWAIT AN INVOICE BEFORE PAYING SO WE CAN WORK OUT THE CORRECT POSTAGE/SHIPPING CHARGES

BUYERS OF MULTIPLE ITEMS :- 

Postage prices and courier methods for multiple purchases will be calculated after the auction end. It is impossible for us at the pre auction stage to determine these prices as the final weight is unknown.If you are the winner of multiple items the please await contact from us or alternately contact us yourself for a breakdown of the shipping costs.You will only pay the stamp price + relevant packaging charges so there are big savings to be made with multiple purchases

HOW TO PAY FOR YOUR RECORD :-

We can accept the following payment methods

UK BUYERS :- 

• PayPal
• Personal cheque (Please allow to clear)
• Bankers Draft
• Postal Order

OVERSEAS BUYERS :-

• Paypal only

TERMS AND CONDITIONS :-

We always try to appraise the record for sale as openly and honestly as possible and provide plenty of pictures for you to look at but please be aware that errors however rare do occur and not everyone has the same audio  equipment. There is no problem that cannot be worked out in a civilised manner. We urge you to contact us so that we can discuss any small problems that may occur. We offer a refund of the purchase price for returned items within 7 days of purchase and are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have during the auction

SAVE US TO YOUR FAVOURITES LIST AS WE INTEND TO LIST MANY MORE RARE VINYL TREATS OVER THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS