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Warhorse : Red Sea 1Y*1 / 2Y*1 1st press 1972 Vertigo

This classic first pressing plays to a superb standard with no real interference.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and barely any static either, certainly nothing obvious.  The clarity of sound here is so impressive and the power and definition is up there with the best I have heard.  For once this album has hardly any distortion and anyone that appreciates this album will know how rare that is generally.  There are so many highlight - please read my grading below - but to name but two, the title track 'Red Sea' and 'Mouthpiece' are amazing!  The sonic quality is so strong throughout this album.

The cover has to be the finest example I have ever seen.  It has barely any wear and has retained its original shape and structure perfectly.  The original Vertigo inner is also in superb shape.

6360066 1Y*1 420 1 1  2   //   6360066 2Y*1 420 1 1  2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 & T4 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint)

The gatefold is Near Mint

The Vertigo inner sleeve is Ex+

The Vertigo labels are Near Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy look with no actual marks or scratches.  When you look at the vinyl under 'normal' lighting it appears pristine but when you look under a strong bright light you can see some hairlines and a couple of faint hairline 'scuffs' on S2 also.  However, these have no affect on the superb audio and there is no groove / surface wear and no bag 'rash' either.  The Vertigo labels are very clean with only a couple of faint 'spots' on the S2 label and not too much spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'Red Sea' has no background and Holt's first verse and chorus are just as impressive.  The instrumental bridge is perfect and the second vocal has no intrusion.  The brief 'quiet' section that follows again has no ticks, clicks etc and Parks solo is stunning.  The rhythm section of Simper and Poole add great depth to the sound and the closing vocal section is flawless - very powerful and there is no distortion on the top end and no background on the fade out either.  This is a Mint start to the album, it could not play any better.

The intro on 'Back In Time' plays with that typical deep, rich Warhorse tone and I 'noticed' only a couple of barely audible statics at the start.  The opening vocal section has no intrusion although having listened to a few of these first pressings down the years the production on Holt's vocal isn't the best in my opinion.  Perhaps that is the effect they were after.  The first part of the instrumental with Wilson commanding his usual wizardry is superb and the Parks' solo then plays with genuine!  There is no underlying static and the power and definition of the audio is stunning.  I heard just one mega quiet static but in all honesty it could not play any better - I've played it twice now and it just gets better!  I would not be surprised if Brian May got some of his inspiration for Brighton Rock here!  As the pace and volume pick up the playback is still of the same high standard and the crescendo finale has no intrusion either.  I will say Near Mint but it's fair to say the vast majority is stronger than that.

The bass intro on 'Confident But Wrong' is perfect and Holt's first vocal is equal to that.  It continues in the same way with strong, precise audio and no interference.  Just a touch of barely noticeable distortion perhaps?  The quieter mid section plays with stunning clarity and the next instrumental with Parks at the forefront is so powerful and the final vocal is as strong and clear as ever.  Holt showing his range as per usual!  Near Mint

The very quiet piano intro on 'Feeling Better' plays beautifully with only a couple of minor statics and Holt's opening vocal (more restrained here) plays with great clarity and barely any background.  As Simper and Poole join in soon followed by Wilson the audio is still strong and clear and there is no interference.  It continues to play with very impressive audio for a final track and that is very obvious during The very good times we had vocal section.  It begins quietly with no intrusion and as it builds the quality is still there and the remainder keeps up this fine standard.  A perfect fade out also.  I think Mint- is a correct grade for this one.

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Simper's strong bass intro on 'Sybilla' is perfect and as the rest of the band come in the playback is superb.  Holt's opening vocal is perhaps the 'cleanest' it has been, exceptional clarity and depth here.  From then on there is no let up and Parks mid solo is 'as new' for sure as is the next vocal.  This track encapsulates everything good about this great band.  Great power and definition... oh and a top track also!  It could not play any better and that includes the long fade out also.  Mint

The gentle intro on 'Mouthpiece' plays with exceptional clarity and as it builds the audio is STUNNING!  Poole's first solo is just as strong and clear and the brief pause in proceedings is totally silent!  The next instrumental passage is 'as new' also - the depth and resonance of the audio is phenomenal.  Top level production here and that is further exemplified when Wilson and Poole really get going!  The sonic quality is out of this world and it proceeds in the same way.  Drum solos may not be to everyone's taste but there is no denying the quality of the audio.  There is literally no intrusion not even during the quieter section and the closing section where Parks is re-introduced plays with stunning precision also.  Easy to grade - this is MINT all the way through and wow what a version!

The countdown intro on 'I (Who Have Nothing)' has no background and the first instrumental with Parks leading the way is so strong and powerful.  The opening vocal plays with real clarity and again it shows the versatility of Holt's voice.  There is just one mega quiet static.  From then on it plays so clearly for a final track - this track is often affected by distortion but the clarity of sound here is very impressive.  There is only a minimal amount towards the end when Holt is reaching the top of his register but it still sounds fantastic!  It is so so minimal and overall the sonic quality on this classic cover is outstanding.  You can still play the high octane end section LOUD and the playback does not suffer for it.  In actual fact the more I play it the more I am impressed by it!  There is no interference from start to finish and Near Mint is deserved at the very least.

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner

As you can see from the photos the cover is in superb condition with hardly any shelf wear.  The edges and wide spine are so incredibly clean and the corners are just as impressive also.  The opening edge has only the bare minimum of handling wear and the front cover is near perfect aside from a couple of small white 'specks' near the top edge.  The back cover is in great shape with only one minor scuff line and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate.  I always know when the cover is 'high grade' when I have written very little!  It is a stunning example.

The original Vertigo inner (dated 0372) is in great condition with no side splits or tears and only very minimal marking mainly near the top edge.  Light creasing only.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

6360066 1Y*1 420 1 1  2   //   6360066 2Y*1 420 1 1  2

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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Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

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