Uriah Heep : ...Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble...1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press

This very collectable first pressing plays to a superb standard with barely any interference.  The vast majority is 'as new' the clarity and definition of the audio is outstanding.

It was released in 1970 on the Vertigo 'swirl' label.  A first pressing is denoted by a large 'swirl' on the label with the song writing and publishing credits.  The gatefold is laminated and has the Vertigo logo on the front and 'Real Turned On' and 'Walking In Your Shadow' are printed the wrong way round on the inside.

The gatefold is in superb condition with hardly any wear.  On the inside there is just minor rubbing on the top edge and a very small name written top right, it is easily missed!  The original swirl inner is in fantastic order also.

6360006  1Y // 1? 420   1 1  5

6360006  2Y // 1? 420   1 1  4

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (Track 1 intro Ex-)

The gatefold is Ex++ almost Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint-

The original 'swirl' inner is Mint-

 Visual grading

  The vinyl is in lovely condition has a superb jet-black glossy sheen, it is very clean indeed.  There are no scratches and only a handful of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  There is a faint hairline scuff line on S1 but this has no affect on stunning quality of the audio.  S2 is in immaculate condition and at first glance is 'as new'.  You will not find many better first pressings than this!  There is some spindle wear but certainly not an excessive amount and the run out grooves and labels are in great condition.

Play grading

The heavy intro on 'Gypsy' has hardly any 'background'.  There are 3/4 light light static sounds but aside from that the playback is stunning and it continues to play with great precision as the vocal begins.  From then on the audio plays with remarkable depth and power and the instrumental section is a prime example of that and has no interference at all.  It is 'as new' the playback is so strong!  The following quiet section is also very impressive with barely any static and the remainder does not disappoint either.  This is a superb start to the album, great power and no distortion and is worthy of a Near Mint grade.

The percussive intro on 'Walking In Your Shadow' is faultless and then proceeds to play in a very similar way.  I heard only one light click and there is no other 'background'.  The clarity is outstanding - there is no groove wear and thus no loss in audio quality, the definition is superb and again this qualifies as Near Mint

The reflective 'Come Away Melinda' plays so well on the intro and for such a quiet track the clarity throughout would be heard to beat.  Each note can be heard so clearly and as the tempo builds the audio is just sublime.  There are four light consecutive ticks in the final section but they are not intrusive as they are very quiet.  In fact this emotive section plays beautifully and really shows off Byron's almost operatic vocal.  A stunning Near Mint version again.

'Lucy's Blues' ends the side with no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  A strong bluesy number that has only a small number of barely audible dust ticks which you find on a vinyl pressed yesterday let alone one that is 50 years old!  A 'high end' version that grades as Mint- in my opinion.  No inner groove distortion either which is rare for a vinyl from this era.

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The intro on 'Dreammare' has a little crackle for the first few seconds but soon disappears as the volume increases.  The next section has only the lightest of static and as the vocal begins the playback is fantastic!  I keep on about clarity and depth but here it is absolutely outstanding!  The audio is 'as new' there is no other way to describe it and I am pleased to say it continues in the same exact way.  I would say this is Ex- on the intro but Mint- for the remainder.  It is such a powerful version and the music plays with such definition.  An immaculate fade out also.

'Real Turned On' is a real gem!  From start to finish the audio is of a standard that you so rarely find on a genuine first pressing.  There is no interference and again the power and depth cannot be underestimated, the bass is so strong and adds so much to the mix.  This is Mint no need for a minus here!

There are some crackle in dead wax but this disappears as soon as 'I'll Keep On Trying' begins and I am pleased to say the entire instrumental opening plays with Mint precision.  The first vocal section is equally as good and the following quieter passage has only one mega light static tick which is not intrusive obviously.  From then on it plays with tremendous quality and there is just no interference to be heard.  The vocals are so strong and as for the solos - wow I have never heard better!  The power and definition is without equal.  A breathtaking version that I will grade as Mint- just to be safe :-)

'Wake Up (Set Your Sights)' has only one tick on the intro and the first verse is flawless.  It then proceeds to play with sublime quality and no 'background' at all.  A song of two parts this first up tempo section plays with such powerful audio, great clarity, and no distortion.  The second half is where you so often find some interference but not here!  It is so quiet and yet it plays with such delicate precision right up to the drum roll fade out.  It is again unbelievable to think this is a 50 year old vinyl and with only a couple of inconsequential dust ticks this is as close to audio perfection that you will find on a first pressing, on any pressing!  I cannot overstate how beautifully it plays, it provides a stunning finish to this classic debut album and Mint- is fair reflection of the audio here.

In summary this first pressing plays to a wonderful standard with barely any interference.  There is just the one light click on S1 and a little crackle for the first few seconds on S2.  Aside from that this classic plays with Near Mint / Mint audio with the vast majority being Mint and that is me just being honest, no sales 'speak' here!  The clarity, depth and power of the music is exceptional and this record and cover has been so well looked after down the years.  A stunning album.

The Gatefold

This laminated cover is certainly one of the most impressive examples you will find today.  The edges and spine are so clean with no sign of any wear and the corners are also in fantastic condition with no obvious rubbing at all, how rare is that!  The opening edge has barely any handling wear and remains very clean.  The front cover could not be any cleaner and there is no laminate damage at all - there are just a couple of minor creases next to the spine, something you always find.  The back cover is almost as good with just one very small white 'scuff' on one of Byron's arms!  The inside of the gatefold is in superb shape with only minor wear on the top edges caused by them being stuck together at some point and as stated there is a small name written in pen top right.  This is not obvious at all and at first I missed it!  Like I say a super clean gatefold with barely any wear and it also remains very strong as if it hasn't been handled too much over the years.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels have no marking or writing and only some spindle wear as stated.  Very clean indeed!

The 'Swirl' Inner

This is without doubt one of the best original poly-lined 'swirl' inners I have seen.  It is in superb order with no side splits or marking and barely any creasing.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

6360006  1Y // 1? 420   1 1  5

6360006  2Y // 1? 420   1 1  4

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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