kentgirl22 is pleased to offer for sale the following very RARE original 1969 UK FIRST PRESSING vinyl LP:

VELVET OPERA

"Ride A Hustler's Dream"

CBS Records S 63692

RARE ORIGINAL 1969 FIRST UK PRESSING (A-1 / B-1 Matrix) STEREO LP

Velvet Opera "Ride A Hustler's Dream" (CBS S 63692). Rare 1969 original UK CBS label (A1/B1 matrix) 1st pressing of the great and rare second album by the group that joined the British psychedelic revolution as Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera. After splitting from front man Elmer (and shortening the band's name to Velvet Opera) they released this album showcasing a more acoustic feel, with Paul Brett, Johnny Joyce and John Ford, who later joined the better known Strawbs.  This album (compared to their first) is more instrumentally based with a trippy 6 minute minute Eastern workout "Raga" and mind fry lengthy instrumental version of "Eleanor Rigby". Rising from the ashes of Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera, this truly excellent album was released in 1969, and is now very highly-sought-after by collectors....and rightly so, as it's a wonderful artefact from the UK 60's underground scene!!

Among the stand-out tracks are; 'Money By' - A beefy rock-pop hybris with tons of classy, flanged guitar, double tracked vocals, a weird morris dancing middle-eight, and a climax awash with handclaps and phasing! 'Raise The Light' - Brilliant post-psych stuff. Sub Procol Harum or Small Faces, with some amazing Hammond organ, phazed drums, acoustic guitar interludes, one of Paul Brett's best vocal performances and loads of effects...YES, once upon a time British music was this good!! 'Raga' - No prizes for guessing this is a traditional, sitar-lead Indian instrumental trip. 'Warm Day In July' - A hippie masterpiece of sorts. A little girl's peculiar, stilted monologue, solid prog instrumental (think 'Hole In My Shoe') leads into a beatific garden paradise. Alternatively folky and trippy it conjures a mood from acoustic guitar, flute and finger cymbals....'Eleanor Rigby' - A solid prog instrumental version of the Beatles classic. It's multiple sections include heavier (rock) and softer, acoustic passages. With some great fuzzed out guitar licks and a feel that's kinda 'Classical Gas' meets the sound of the '69 heavy underground scene. The whole album features some really nice transitional material, progressive with folk touches but still with a marked psychedelic flavour!! Great stuff from this legendary Britsh band.

This original UK 1st pressing 1960's psych / prog album would be an excellent addition to any record collection and is definitely a 'must have' for any serious collector.  Overall, a lovely copy of this hard to find record. Low start with no reserve! Don't miss it!

I am going to be selling a bunch of similar records over the next few months. These are all part of my personal collection that hasn't seen the light of day in well over 20 years!!

Country Of Origin: Made In England

Year Of Release: 1969

Label: CBS Records

Cat.Number: S 63692 (Stereo)

Matrix No's:

Original Stereo 1st Pressing

Side One: SBPG 63692 A1

Side Two: SBPG 63692 B1

Tracklisting:

Side 1: 

1. Ride A Hustler's Dream 
2. Statesboro Blues
3. Money By
4. Black Jack Davey
5. Raise The Light
6. Raga And Lime

Side 2:

1. Anna Dance Square 
2. Depression
3. Don't You Realize
4. Warm Day In July
5. Eleanor Rigby

Velvet Opera:

Johnny Joyce – Lead Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Paul Brett – Lead Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Richard Hudson – Drums, Sitar and Tabla 
John Ford - Bass

Condition:

Vinyl: VERY GOOD + Near EX (Thick heavy 1960's vinyl is perfectly flat with no warps and retains it's original gloss & lustre. There are some very light surface marks, mainly on the final track on side one, and a few wispy hairlines that do not seriously affect the play. The record plays excellently, virtually mint sound, with only minimal playback static on my deck. The quality of the stereo is SUPERB, playing with clear, crisp clarity, whilst delivering a great depth and warmth. Comes complete with it's original CBS Records inner advertising sleeve)

Sleeve: EXCELLENT (Beautiful front laminated sleeve, clean matt finish on rear with original gold 'stereo' sticker, only minimal light wear including some very small creases near the corners. The spine is solid and unbroken. A lovely copy of this great 60's sleeve which was produced by the Upton Printing Group)

Labels: MINT- (Both labels are unmarked maintaining their bright vibrant Orange colour. There are NO stickers, NO writing and only a few light spindle traces. There is no unwanted writing and no scuffs, minimal wear to the spindle hole.)

THIS IS AN ORIGINAL, AUTHENTIC, 1969 UK CBS DARK ORANGE LABEL FIRST PRESSING; THIS IS NOT A LATER PRESSING OR CHEAP REISSUE!!

Note: The pictures provided are REAL images of the ACTUAL item you are bidding on. What you see is what you'll get! Please check out my other original PSYCH / PROG / ROCK LP's currently listed on eBay

Shipping Cost:

UK: £3.00 (First Class) (Shipping cost for each additional lp will be £1)

Europe: £4.50 (Air Mail) (Shipping cost for each additional lp will be £2)

Rest Of World: £7.00 (Air Mail) (Shipping cost for each additional lp will be £3)

Please see below for additional information regarding multiple purchase shipping rates and insurance options 

Records Are Graded In The Following Way:

MINT: The record displays barely any signs of use, if any, with no marks or deterioration in sound quality. Extra items and cover are near perfect.

EXCELLENT: Shows only minor signs of being played with very little lessening in sound quality. The Cover and extras will have some light wear and or creasing

VERY GOOD: Has been played many times but has no major deterioration in sound quality, despite some noticeable surface marks and occasional light scratches. Cover and extras will have normal wear and tear but no major defects

GOOD: Has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and any extras may suffer from folding, scuffing, split spine, discoloration etc.

FAIR: The record is still just playable and has considerable surface noise and may even jump. Cover and contents will be torn stained and/or defaced.

POOR: The record will not play properly. Covers badly damaged or partly missing

+ or - : Indicates slightly better (+) or slightly lesser (-) condition than main grade

All records are from my personal collection and have been carefully play graded before listing. In many cases I have owned them from new and all have been looked after very well. Please check out my other similar LPs currently listed on eBay.

Auction Conditions - Important : Please read before bidding

UK Bidders

Acceptable methods of payment :

• Cheques
• Postal Orders
• PAYPAL

Non-UK Bidders

Acceptable methods of payment :

• PAYPAL

All payment to be made within 7 days of end of auction.

At the end of the auction I will send you an invoice confirming your winning bid(s) with the total amount payable. Do not send any payment until you have received this invoice.

Paypal To: kentgirl22@gmail.com

Postage & Packaging Notes:

For items to be shipped within the UK

All items are automatically insured for up to £39.

If the value of your win(s) is more than £39 then insurance is highly recommended. The cost of insurance within the UK for items over £39 in value will be £4. If you do not select the insurance option offered in your invoice, then I am not responsible for any loss or damage to your item(s) and cannot refund you should loss or damage occur. By not selecting the insurance option you are stating that you agree to this.

For items to be shipped outside of the UK

The standard air mail postage prices do not include any insurance. For an additional £4 (for packages up to £39 value) or £6 (for packages over £39 value), Royal Mail 'International Signed For' delivery is available. This provides tracking and compensation should your item be damaged or lost.

If you do not select the insurance option offered in your invoice, then I am not responsible for any loss or damage to your items and cannot refund you should loss or damage occur. By not selecting the insurance option you are stating that you agree to this.

Packing Procedures: All LPs are securely and well packed in top quality material to avoid any unnecessary damage during transit. When posted the records are removed from the cover, if possible, and placed in a PVC outer protective sleeve to prevent sleeve splits in the post. I use brand new mailers, either the envelope style with thick stiffeners to prevent any sleeve bends in transit, or the "cruciform" style that wrap around the LP. I aim to dispatch all items within 48 hours of receiving payment. It is recommended that you choose the insurance option for higher value items. As stated above I cannot be held responsible for any item(s) lost or damaged in the post that are not shipped via insured / registered mail. I always obtain a certificate proof of posting receipt for every item sent, which will complete our transaction. Thank you for taking the time to look at my listings, I hope you will be lucky if deciding to make a bid. 

                                                                                                                                SHIPPING COSTS:

Thanks for looking and good luck with your bids