VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR - H to He Who ... 1st UK press PINK SCROLL 1970 EX

	£		85
	$		113

 VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR -

PAWN HEARTS

CHARISMA - CAS 1027

PINK SCROLL

1st UK PRESS

1970 

Machined first press matrices:  A-1U  B-1U

"GR" and "GD" mother stampers indicating earliest possible (first week) issue

So, so hard to find, VDGG's all time classic second album and here it is where it all came together from start to finish!! Pawn Hearts was soon to follow. For me the first three Van Der Graaf albums are the very best although I do like some later albums as well. Splendid  existential prog album in great EX condition!! This is grandeur from the first note till the very last I am very happy to be able to present this fantastic and ULTRA rare album on the PINK SCROLL label. This will be a great first acquisition as well as a terrific upgrade!!!

THE SUPREME VINYL PLAYS GREAT ALL THE WAY THROUGH BOTH SIDES. 

THE STEREO REPRODUCTION IS SUPERB AND EVERY NOTE IS HEARD CLEARLY AND CRISPLY WITHOUT DISTORTION.  NEEDLESS TO SAY, NO STICKS OR JUMPS!

IT IS VERY HARD THESE DAYS TO STILL FIND THIS GEM IN THIS SMASHING CONDITION. IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE THIS TURNS UP AGAIN IN THIS SPLENDID CONDITION WITH AGAIN MORE TAKERS THAN EVER BEFORE. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT INVESTMENT PIECE.

H To He (the title refers to the fusion of hydrogen from helium) is the best prog album of 1970, which is saying something, because the competition was quite strong. ( ELP self-titled, Trespass, Gentle Giant, Benefit, Atom Heart Mother, In The Wake Of Poseidon too name a few.) VDGG suddenly made a definite breakthrough. I really have a hard time trying to come up with any specific complaints about this record - apart from certain overlong sections and a couple instrumental and vocal melodies that come off a wee bit more thin than the others, this is a great progressive album.

The album starts of with 'Killer', which is considered by many to be the band's peak and is the critics' favorite, and maybe it's the only possible VDGG song you'll ever hear played on the radio. It's not too often that you hear a band like VDGG come up with a brilliant riff like this, and set it to such positively frightening lyrics sung in such a positively frightening voice. Not only that - the intro and the opening verses might be the most epic and memorable moment on the album, but the mid-section, with the 'death in the sea death in the sea' chanting , is also great stuff. With 'Killer', the band finally proves that there was a reason of its existing in the first place. And to top it off, 'Killer' is immediately followed by what I consider VDGG's best ballad ever - the operatic, yet strangely sincere and moving 'House With No Door'. It's a little Bowie-like, reminds me of something from the Hunky Dory. The song's structure is immaculate, too: a sad, melancholic verse, a rousing chorus, a gentle flute solo, and a good buildup throughout - when Hammill screams out the last chorus in desperation, For me, it's very comforting and rewarding.

 The Emperor In His War-Room is dominated by guest star Robert Fripp's guitar playing, are a bit of a let down as they are just overshadowed by the previous two masterpieces. It's absolutely clear that for this album the band had really spent a lot of time carefully working out the song structures and thinking about setting Hammill's lyrical imagery to some real dramatic music. So 'The Emperor In His War-Room' makes heavy use of the flutes; the entire first part is set to a steady, clever flute rhythm, and wisely alternates from super-slow and gentle to war like rhythms to anthemic heights. Then it all dies down, and the drums kick in the second, faster part, where Fripp finally comes in and gives us some much needed guitar work. Wow. 

'Lost' comes next - again, Peter is the main star, this time mainly pulling out the song based on the strength of his singing. The melody is twisted, with time signatures flashing like cards in a dealer's hand and never giving you much time to enjoy them all; but whenever that gorgeous voice comes in and sings 'I know I'll never dance like I used to', or somehow I don't think you see my love at all... You can't help feel a little emotion. This is not just prog rock, this is something far above and beyond. On Pioneers Over C' Hammill tackles the traditional art-rock thematics of space travel - but it's not the lyrics this time, it's the atmosphere and the musical stuffing that makes the track so thoroughly unforgettable. Especially that cute little bass/sax riff in the middle of each verse to which Hammill tries singing in unison. And all the sections in this song are cleverly constructed. Fast, slow, moody and relaxed, energetic and fast-paced, and never getting boring.

A recommendation for all who enjoy dark heavy music, or emotional content, it's all there. This is an essential masterpiece of progressive rock music. (from: progarchives.com)

Vinyl: EX. A very nice glossy vinyl without any marks or hairlines. Under a strong light some retraction paper traces can be seen. These are invisible in normal daylight. The audio has beautiful separation and there is barely any background noise. Under a strong light just wispy paper retraction lines can be noticed. I played in full and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was even tempted to keep this as it will be very hard to find this again, it is indeed mega rare now. Needless to say NO jumps, clicks or ticks. This will be a fantastic upgrade for most long time collectors!!

Gatefold Sleeve: EX .  Fantastic looked after sleeve without any wear or damage. Deep rich colours abound and this matt sleeve is usually found with lots of wear. This copy has been looked after  "Made and printed by E.J.Day Group, London and Bedford". Two small thumb creases near the opening! The pictures tell all. Some top and bottom edge wear. Light corner "bump"wear. The spine is 90 % legible. No writing, no marks , one of the best I have ever come across!! Hard to find in such condition at this late date. 

The lyric sheet is also still there but has lots of wear and creasing with also some tape on the side. It is obvious that it has been separated from the album and been hung on the wall. Well, at least it is still present unlike many copies for sale. I will also include a copy of the insert. On the picture the copy is in front of the original.

This is a unique investment opportunity!!! The next prog album to go completely through the roof. Finding this album in any condition at all is nearly impossible so late in the day. Get this while you still can. This value of the album is only going to go one way ... up and up ... until it will be totally unavailable at all for a reasonable price.

Important : International postage will be registered and insured if over GBP 45.00.  Please wait for my invoice before paying. Postage will be according to Royal Mail rates. Postage is NOT a money spinning exercise for me.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bidlists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bidlists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!