URIAH HEEP Look At Yourself SCARCE Orig UK 1971 EX LP

	£		62
	$		82

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Artist or Band: URIAH HEEP

Album Title: Look At Yourself.

Producer(s): Gerry Bron.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Look at Yourself; I Wanna Be Free; July Morning.

Side 2: Tears in My Eyes; Shadows of Grief; What Should Be Done; Love Machine.

Label/Format: Bronze - Original ‘Evolution of Man’ format that includes the Island i distribution credits. (Please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: Both very clean and attractive with only very light and faint spindle marks and no wear around the hole area.

Cat Number: ILPS 9169.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 130 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 135 to 145 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, many records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 50 records from these eras.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Scarce, early copies of this album did not sell well and it failed to even chart in the UK. Not only that, this has a gimmick mirror cover, in the best Vertigo Spiral type style, their previous label. It rarely survives unscathed, the die-cut frame that surrounds the shiny reflective ‘mirror’ is nearly always torn with frayed edges, the mirror dulled with heavy surface marks and creasing. Only a small percentage survive intact with high shine and freshness - this is one of those small percent survivors and although the cover has some rubbing on the front, it still looks lovely. Lastly, the thin card inner lyric sleeve is very rarely seen in top conditions, the edges usually split and grubbiness and creasing is hard to avoid – this one has and again it looks fantastic. This all-round lovely, intact and early example is lovely and like this can be considered quite rare.

Original Year of Release: 1971

Matrix Nos: ILPS 9169 A-1U / ILPS 9169 B-1U

Mother & Stamper Codes: 1 P / 2 GT

Run-Out Groove Etchings: ‘PORKY’ on side one.

Musicians: David Byron - lead vocals; Ken Hensley – organ, piano, guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals; Mick Box – lead guitar, acoustic guitar; Paul Newton – bass guitar; Ian Clarke – drums.

Brief Info: Scarce and more elusive third album from the band the critics loved-to-hate. Like most all their albums, issued to scorn and hostility by the reviewers of the day, it’s almost miraculous how this band survived and actually thrived selling millions of albums. From the very beginning they were loathed by the music press: their Spiral debut attracted one of the most famous and memorable reviews in the history of rock; Melissa Mills of Rolling Stone magazine started with ‘If this group makes it I’ll have to commit suicide. From the first note you know you don’t want to hear any more.’ Harsh to say the least, whether the lady was true to her word or not, I don’t know, but Uriah Heep went from strength-to-strength and sold many records and still perform even today under the same name (all-be-it with different members). So her comments fell on deaf ears. Live they are always great entertainment, I saw them on at least five occasions in the 70s and early 80s. A very solid and fine progressive band that were a little more commercial sounding than many. But this success took some time, their first three albums failed to sell well and none of them charted in the UK. Only with the issue of the next two albums with their famous Roger Dean designed covers did sales pick-up. This was their first issue on the then new Bronze label, a subsidiary of Island at the time after they left Vertigo. This gimmick cover would have been just ‘so-Vertigo’ with its unique reflective mirror front. The viewer can see themselves all distorted and the results can be hilarious and truly scary – in my case, both! This is one of my personal favorites within their vast catalogue, including the epic ‘July Morning’, one of their very best loved-songs. A album hard to find in attractive and undamaged conditions as outlined above, this one has a totally intact mirror and frame and never take this for granted. For fans of these evergreen progsters, a fine vintage copy that most will enjoy.

Cover Grade and Format: Grading this EX does not really do this justice, the front so delicate and fragile, this is worthy of an EX+ grading. An unlaminated single format with a huge die-cut mirror frame that weakens the cover considerably, hence so many are torn, bent and with frayed frame rims. The shiny surface card ‘mirror’ is beyond wear-prone and few retain original gloss. Printed and made in England by the E. J. Day Group and including the early Island distribution credits on cover and labels.

Cover Front: Although there is a mildish rim rub near the top edge and slight rubbing around the edges, this front looks lovely and will never too easy to find much better. Here that fragile frame is fully intact with NO repairs, burring or splits. Crisp, neatly sharp die-cut edges that are really exceptional. The is immensely shiny and undulled and works as the intended mirror perfectly. A tiny few ultra fine surface mark traces and just a couple of very mild crinkles, not really creases, much lighter than that. The silver ink on the frame is unforgiving to handling and rubs so easily. So now nearly 40-years-old, this has survived in very fine condition with just enough minor wear and blemishing to remind of that fact.

Cover Back: The back is fantastic and on its own grades EX++ with any marks faint and wera very mild indeed. The lack of ringwear and creasing unusual and this looks really lovely.

Top Edge: Odd faint rub trace and small chip, but given the silver ink, this is again exceptional.

Bottom Edge: Light, patchy rubbing.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with minimal traces of wear and no feathering, no trimming guaranteed. Record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: Thin and fragile with a little patchy rubbing and compression. The text largely present but difficult to read even from new with a pale turquoise ink on silver. Some rubbing and erosion to characters has occurred, which will rarely be avoided.

Corners: The fragile corner tips have rubbed, fine shape is retained.

Cover Summary: Another one of rock’s more fragile and delicate covers, seldom seen even this fine. This would have made a classic Spiral cover and only a change of label away from Vertigo stopped it being the case. This still attractive and fully infact example should please many, if not most realistic collectors.

The Inner: Mint(-) and few ever will be these days. An unlined thick paper inner with lyrics. This is very clean, uncreased, fresh with all edge unsplit with no tears. The top opening is recessed and ultra neat.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Strong EX and arguably better, with just faint and fine surface marks, whispy removal type hairlines that have no sound. A super visual copy that is very clean, shiny, intense black and very solidly pressed. A copy with modest plays on all the evidence. Visually a super record that should please many collectors again.

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 snippetts or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This lovely Bronze-Island record plays mostly above its high visual grading with little to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds are minimal, very faint traces just about noted towards the end of side two, but this on very revealing equipment and being critical also, no pops or clicks were noted and this is generally a clean pressing. Few copies will outperform this early pressing significantly I feel sure. Practically nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record, the failure of this to sell well is still a surprise but the music press of the day certainly did them no favours. This copy will prove difficult to find significantly better and can be highly recommended.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded 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 as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will 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 its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: 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.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, mostly the very next day after payment is received or within three days maximum (unless on holiday). All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with TWO VERY THICK stiffners for even extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 5,000+ items sold in over 8 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per packet. I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included in the advert.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

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.

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

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

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £8. (insurance optional extra £3).

NOTE: I NO LONGER SEND TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. ANY BIDS WILL BE IGNORED.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (any part); 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 [£39 maximum]) = £12. (insurance optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

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

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

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 neccessarily 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, actually 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.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.