TOM WAITS Swordfishtrombones RARE ORIG UK 1983 NEAR MINT, PLAYS GREAT, A CLASSIC

	£		77
	$		102

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Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all, and records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time as most record buyers will already know. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS including full side protection and bubble wrap, the records removed from the covers of course. All this very safe packing means I lose money on every box I post, but safe delivery is, and will always be paramount. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives. Also, I will pay for insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received if possible. PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT send any item, no matter what its value without a Royal Mail or courier tracking number. ALL my items must be signed and trackable to comply with Ebay delivery rules. Please do NOT ask me to make any exceptions to this rule as no country offers 100% reliable service without it.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take longer from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion, as will any bidder who cancels a bid. Please only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: TOM WAITS

Album Title: Swordfishtrombones

Producer(s): Tom Waits

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Underground; Shore Leave; Dave the Butcher; Johnsburg, Illinois; 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought-Six; Town with No Cheer; In the Neighborhood.

Side 2: Just Another Sucker on the Vine; Frank’s Wild Years; Swordfishtrombone; Down, Down, Down; Soldier’s Things’ Gin Soaked Boy; Trouble’s Braids; Rainbirds.

Label/Format: Island, first issue format as seen, these have matt surfaces with a gentle hint of texturing.

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and attractive with only very small few very light, fine and faint spindle marks and no wear around the hole area. Another item purchased new by one collector, cover-protected and appearing hardly played.

Catalogue Number: ILPS 9762

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Few vintage records are ever perfectly ‘flat’, so some slight or very gentle arm movement is normal. If any record I offer has more than that, I will mention it, and it can be assumed all I offer should track without issues, even on budget turntables.

Weight of this Record: 119 grams.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: Scarce, and even more so as a first issue, like all his albums, this was no major seller. Most seen are later pressings that included an Island promotional inner sleeve. Originals included a graphic/lyric inner as seen on this copy, these are far more elusive.

Original Year of Release: 1983

Matrix Nos: ILPS 9762 A-1U-?-2 / ILPS 9762 B-1U-1-2

Run-Out Groove Etchings: ‘JS KENDUN’ [on both sides]

Musicians: Tom Waits – vocals, chair, Hammond B-3 organ, piano, harmonium, synthesiser, freedom bell; Victor Feldman – bass marimba, marimba, shaker, bass drum with rice, bass boo bams, Brake drum, bell plate, snare, Hammond B-3 organ, snare drum, bells, conga, bass drum, Dabuki drum, tambourine, African talking drum; Larry Taylor – acoustic bass, electric bass; Randy Aldcroft – baritone horn, trombone; Stephen Taylor Arvizu Hodges – drums, parade drum, cymbals, parade bass drum, glass harmonica; Fred Tackett – electric guitar, banjo; Francis Thumm – metal aunglongs, glass harmonica; Greg Cohen – bass, acoustic bass; Joe Romano – trombone, trumpet; Anthony Clark Stewart – bagpipes; Clark Spangler – synthesiser program; Bill Reichenbach – trombone; Dick Hyde – trombone; Ronnie Barron – Hammond organ; Eric Bikales – organ; Carlos Guitarlos – electric guitar; Richard Gibbs – glass harmonica.

Brief Info: The seventh album by the brilliant Tom Waits – one of my favourite solo artists – this I regard as one of his greatest ever albums, and that is saying something from a man whose album catalogue is pretty amazing. Now with a major shift in direction, even less commercial and abstract. Using a variety of unusual instruments and sounds, it paved the way for even more out-there albums that were to follow – this is classic-era Tom Waits. One thing remains the same: his deep gruff vocal that sounds even more incredible on these more challenging songs. Swordfishtrombones was issued to rave reviews and even briefly charted in the UK, albeit quite low. It features regularly in all-time great albums and that is more than merited. Finding first issues with the lyric inner sleeve is quite difficult and this copy appears hardly played. The only tiny blemish is micro pressing spot that emits four clicks, that at the start of track two, there is little else to fault, and this by a distance, is the best-pressed copy I have heard. Being a fairly long album (by vinyl standard), this has fine grooves and pressing quality was somewhat variable. But the tiny blemish apart, this was a genuine pleasure to play-grade. This was one of the very best and original albums of the 1980s – and arguably ever, and this brilliant and unusual songwriter simply went from strength-to-strength. This album is unmissable for those prepared to try something very different. Songs of late night bars, old run-down towns, returning soldiers and strange characters never sounded better than this.

Cover Grade and Format: MINT(–): a single unlaminated format with shiny varnished surfaces. Printed and made in England, uncredited. Includes the original black and white graphic/lyric thin card inner sleeve. This was withdrawn from even slightly later copies.

Cover Front & Back: A tiny few ultra fine edge hairlines apart, this front is immaculate. The coated surface makes this appear intense black and the effect on the graphic is fantastic. I doubt if I will ever see a better example – this so often ruined by heavy creasing, cracking and sticker issues which this has avoided.

Top Edge: Very straight with any traces of rubbing bordering on minuscule.

Bottom Edge: Superb, practically mint as-made.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, mostly very sharp with any thickening negligible. Record enters on this edge that is guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced.

Spine and Text: Again superb. Solid, straight with barely any trace of compression. All text is nigh-on perfect, also beautifully centred on quite a narrow depth. Any blemishes to the coated surface again tiny and faint.

Corners: Any tip rubs tiny, barely anything, virtually mint shape retained with no knocks or dinks.

Cover Summary: A supreme all-round example of this striking 1980’s cover, one that will prove immensely difficult to find better. This beautiful item should please most collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(++): a thin unlined card lyric inner sleeve with a deep recessed top opening that is crisp and sharp. All edges are naturally and solidly intact with no splits or repairs. No hard creases, ring wear and barely any rim impression, this very impressive for matt black surfaces. Any handling traces or crinkle gentle and faint, this elusive, even scarce original inner will also prove difficult to find better.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT(–): a superb visual copy that is very clean with equally fine shine and quite solidly pressed. A copy appearing hardly played on all the evidence with any surface traces few, ultra light and faint as seen critically under bright light. No penetrating stylus scratches, viewed in average room light, barely anything even registers. As-stated, there is a tiny pressing spot on ‘Shore Leave’; that emits four brief clicks – that a natural pressing blemish, so my grading does not take this into account as it has nothing to do with wear or usage – and the only one of any note on this brilliant album. Visually a super record that should please many, if not most collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing equipment, all listed further down.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This Tom Waits classic album plays mostly up it’s high visual grading with little to fault. Offering strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. This is superbly produced and recorded, any other surface sounds are minimal indeed and this is a very clean pressing with no tracking issues*. Especially so being quite long with fine grooves and some quiet songs and passages. Few available copies will outperform this early first pressing significantly I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been very well stored and carefully handled within a non-smoking environment. Nothing apart from those very brief ‘spot’ clicks spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record. It will prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended. Compared to all others I have heard thus far, this is close to exceptional.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2 grams. Records are a ‘contact’ format, and few will avoid the odd minor sound blemish.

I am one of the most established sellers on Ebay, trading since 2001 and offering the finest records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty all elements of the items I offer for sale. You may notice I only submit records quite sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade – visuals alone do not always tell a true story. I will try to mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same – just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are the item being offered with no digital enhancements. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. I hope the item below is to your liking – any questions can be emailed and I will do my best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, major warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 805 Nautilus (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable) with REL subwoofer. All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Nessie vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D7500 DSLR Camera.

PACKING – THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid bid retractions. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I only accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 2 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive – if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund if the item is returned in the same condition is was sent e.g. as per the listing pictures.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.