BEATLES: SGT PEPPERS LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND, TRUE 1st US STEREO PRESSING, 1967

$

50

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From Capitol Records (SMAS 2653) this is SGT PEPPERS LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND by The BEATLES.  It is an original stereo pressing released June 1, 1967, on the black rainbow label with logo at top and print in silver.   This is a true first pressing with star burst in matrix indicating west coast plant.   No mention of NEMS or Maclen bottom right back surface of jacket; uncorrected song title on label: A Little Help From My Friends instead of With A Little Help From My Friends.  
Condition is quite nice!
The jacket is EX MINUS or better showing general shelf wear in the form of ring wear mostly on back surface (see photos); one tiny seam split top, o/w seams intact and sturdy with spine very strong; corners are perfect 90-degree angles (no bumped corners) though they show minor wear.  There are no signs of excessive aging -- no fading or toning -- and no signs of abuse.  The original inner sleeve is present and in very nice condition showing some wrinkles but no tears.  The insert is present and in near perfect condition.  Colors are bright and vibrant.
The labels show a few light spindle marks, o/w clean. The playing surfaces show some buffs that don't affect play and a few hairline marks. The vinyl retains much of its original lustre. Visually grades at about VG+ but play grades much higher -- at least EX+ to NEAR MINT+.   There is no distortion even in the more dynamic passages and even when played loudly; no constant surface or background noise -- only the random soft click which does not intrude into the music.  There are no startling pops and certainly no skips.  Any extraneous noise is low and inoffensive; fine stereo separation.  Truly great sound.  
Overall, a very fine piece that's not only a showcase item but a workhorse that you'll come back to again and again. We have packaged the LP within a rice paper inner sleeve in separate heavy jacket for shipping and for your long-term storage needs at home.   Low opening bid with NO RESERVE.
THE CUTS:

All songs written and composed by Lennon–McCartney except where noted. 

Side One No. Title Lead vocals Length 1. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"   McCartney 2:02 2. "With a Little Help from My Friends"   Starr 2:44 3. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"   Lennon 3:28 4. "Getting Better"   McCartney 2:48 5. "Fixing a Hole"   McCartney 2:36 6. "She's Leaving Home"   McCartney with Lennon 3:35 7. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!"   Lennon 2:37 Side Two No. Title                                         Lead vocals Length 1. "Within You Without You" (George Harrison) Harrison 5:04 2. "When I'm Sixty-Four"   McCartney 2:37 3. "Lovely Rita"   McCartney 2:42 4. "Good Morning Good Morning"   Lennon 2:41 5. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)"   Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr 1:19 6. "A Day in the Life"                                          Lennon and McCartney 5:39

Personnel:

The Beatles

• John Lennon – lead, harmony and backing vocals, lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars, Hammond organ, piano, handclaps, harmonica, tape loops, sound effects, kazoo, tambourine,maracas, comb and paper (on "Lovely Rita")
• Paul McCartney – lead, harmony and backing vocals, lead, acoustic and bass guitars, piano, Lowry and Hammond organ, handclaps, vocalisations, tape loops, sound effects, kazoo, comb and paper (on "Lovely Rita")
• George Harrison – lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars, sitar, lead vocals on "Within You Without You", harmony and backing vocals, Hammond organ, tambura, harmonica, kazoo, handclaps, maracas, comb and paper (on "Lovely Rita")
• Ringo Starr – drums, percussion, congas, tambourine, maracas, handclaps, tubular bells, lead vocals on "With a Little Help from My Friends", harmonica, kazoo, final piano E chord

Additional Musicians and Production

• Neil Aspinall – tambura and harmonica
• Geoff Emerick – recording and mixing engineer; tape loops and sound effects
• Mal Evans – counting, alarm clock and final piano E chord
• George Martin – producer and mixer; tape loops and sound effects; harpsichord on "Fixing a Hole", harmonium, Lowry organ and glockenspiel on "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" Hammond organ on "With a Little Help from My Friends", piano on "Getting Better" and the solo on "Lovely Rita", final harmonium chord
• Session musicians – four French horns on "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", (Neill Sanders, James W. Buck, John Burden, Tony Randall), arranged and conducted by Martin and McCartney; string section and harp on "She's Leaving Home", arranged by Mike Leander and conducted by Martin; harmonium, tabla, sitar, dilruba, eight violins and fourcellos on "Within You, Without You", arranged and conducted by Harrison and Martin; clarinet trio on "When I'm Sixty Four", as arranged and conducted by Martin and McCartney;saxophone sextet on "Good Morning Good Morning", arranged and conducted by Martin and Lennon; and forty-piece orchestra (strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion) on "A Day in the Life", arranged by Martin, Lennon and McCartney, conducted by Martin and McCartney

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