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

This first pressing on the Vertigo label plays with superb audio and the vast majority is Near Mint if not better.  Only the end of S1 has a little interference but even then it is kept to a minimum.  The sonic quality on both sides is stunning, it would be difficult to find better clarity and definition than this.  This is easily one of the finest first pressings I have ever listened to and has clearly not been played very much.

A first pressing has a large swirl on the label and 'Real Turned On' and 'Walking In Your Shadow' have been swapped around on the cover credits / label.  It was also released with a laminated cover.

The gatefold is in superb condition with very little wear and for once no-one has written their name in it!  The original swirl inner is also super clean and looks like it has hardly been removed from the cover!

6360006 1Y//1 ? 420 1 1 4

6360006 2Y//1? 420 1 1 9

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T1 Ex+ for one brief section / T4 VG+ on end section)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T4 Near Mint-)

The gatefold is Ex++

The labels are Near Mint-

The original inner is Near Mint

Visual grading

The vinyl is very clean and still has a lovely glossy sheen.  There are no marks and only one very fine small scratch at the end of S1 that is certainly not easy to find.  Aside from that it is in great shape with only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines on each side and some minor 'specks' that have no affect on the superb audio.  There is only a little spindle wear and the labels and run out grooves are also very clean.

Play grading

The classic intro on 'Gypsy' plays with stunning clarity and power and there is no interference of any kind, just a hint of barely audible static in a couple of places.  As Byron's vocal comes in the audio cannot be faulted and it continues in the same precise way.  The 'wild' organ solo section is so strong and there is no distortion on the top end, it really is a superb listen!  It is so close to Mint and the following quiet section has only minimal static at the beginning and the end.  As the 'heavy' section returns the audio is again sublime and the final vocal could not be any clearer.  The closing section has no 'background' and the vast majority is Near Mint without a doubt but will grade the brief middle section as Ex+ due to the light static as stated.

The percussive intro on 'Walking In Your Shadow' is 'as new' as is the first verse.  From then on the sonic quality is exceptional and there is no intrusion on the audio.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and the playback is as strong as ot was over 50 years ago!  It is obvious this vinyl has not been overplayed.  The mid solo is superb and the remainder keeps to the same standard.  There are no clicks or pops (as per the previous track) and no underlying static either.  It doesn't get much better than this!  Mint- is an honest appraisal of the sound quality here.  The fade out gives you a good idea of fantastic clarity on offer here.

The gentle intro on 'Come Away Melinda' has hardly any static and as the vocal begins the clarity is STUNNING!  I only detected a couple of barely audible static ticks on the first verse and it continues to play with great clarity.  The playback is so 'clean' and again there is no obvious intrusion on the audio.  At worst there are a handful of barely audible dust ticks but this is not interference!  The acoustic end sequence plays beautifully - this is a stunning version and even Near Mint might be under-selling it.

'Lucy's Blues' ends the side with 'high end' audio with stunning quality for the vast majority.  The first vocal section 'as new' and the instrumental mid section is also faultless.  It continues in the same manner and only near the end did I hear 3/4 clicks but they are not overly intrusive due to the volume of the music.  This is Mint- for most of the track but VG+ on the final section.

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The quiet intro on 'Dreammare' plays with amazing clarity when you consider especially when you consider the opening grooves at the start of a side often have some interference.  Not here!  As the volume increases there is only brief moment of mega light static, hardly worth a mention really, and then plays with remarkable precision.  The first vocal section is incredible and 'as new' is again a worthy description, great power and no distortion whatsoever.  The more I get into this track the more I am impressed at the breathtaking quality!  There is no interference and yes the clarity and power is just out of this world!  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint- it is that good.

'Real Turned On' plays with great power from the first note and proceeds in the same way.  I listen to every track in full so as to find any 'imperfections' but I can't find any here.  The playback is of the highest standard and it's the definition of the audio that really stands out.  No groove wear, no distortion, no interference - as simple as that.  Mint-

The intro on 'I'll Keep On Trying' plays perfectly and the first vocal section is spectacular.  I know I can over-enthuse at times but it can't be helped when I find audio such as this!  The 'quieter' section that follows has no 'background' at all, the clarity is perfect.  The remainder is of the same standard and I have quite simply never heard a better version.  The end section is absolutely mind-blowing!  This is Mint no need for a minus here.

'Wake Up (Set Your Sights)' is stunning right from the start and the more powerful opening sequence has no interference at all.  Perhaps just a little inner groove distortion towards the end of this section but it can still easily be played loud!  The quieter section begins with wonderful clarity - this clarity is STUNNING in fact and as the percussion comes back in the quality remains and this entire closing section plays beautifully with only two very brief light static moments.  Overall I think this final track deserves a Near Mint- grade but there are certainly many sections that are stronger than that.

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays to a superb standard with so much to admire!  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is so good and nowhere is that more in evidence than on 'Wake Up...' the final track on the album.  Yes there is a little interference at the end of S1 but it is minimal and as I said not too intrusive.  The rest of the album can hardly be faulted and it is definitely getting harder to find this classic album playing as well as this.

The Gatefold

The laminated cover is one of the 'cleanest' I have seen with hardly any shelf wear.  The edges have no wear at all and the spine has only a small number of white 'specks' and remains 100% legible.  All of the corners are in superb shape with barely any wear and the opening edge has only very minimal handling wear.  The front cover is so close to perfect and has no laminate damage as such, just a very small crease/lift lower left next to the spine.  The back cover is equally as good with just a small crease in the corner again and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate with only a couple of 'specks'.  I have just noticed a few small creases next to the spine on both sides which you often find.  This is a very impressive cover and so much 'cleaner' than nearly all that you see today.

The Swirl Inner

The original inner is one of the cleanest I have seen and has only a couple of minor spots on one side.  Rarely it has no age related fading around the edges, no side splits or tears either, and barely any creasing.  It is dated 1070 on one side which of course relates to release date.  A stunning example.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are in lovely condition with no marking or writing and only a little spindle wear.

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

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

6360006 1Y//1 ? 420 1 1 4

6360006 2Y//1? 420 1 1 9

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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