Big Sleep : Bluebell Wood A - 1 / B - 1 Pegasus 1st Press

Big Sleep were originally known as Eyes Of Blue and this was their third and final album and the only one on the rare Pegasus label.  It was a shame they broke up shortly after because in my opinion it is a fine album!

This is now a very rare and collectable first pressing and the vast majority is Mint I am confident in saying.  There is just one 30 second section on S2 which has some intermittent interference which is unfortunate.  Aside from that the clarity and definition of the audio is sensational!  And the vinyl is also visually stunning.

The album was only pressed in limited numbers and as can be seen it has the 'holy grail' of matrix numbers G1 on both sides.  Pegasus used the EMI GRAMOPHONE system where G was the first stamper, R the second and so on.  It doesn't get any earlier than G1!

The gatefold is in lovely condition with only minimal shelf wear and the original die-cut inner is also in excellent order.

PEG 4 // A - 1U / B - 1U / G1 / G1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (Track 1 intro Ex-)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (Track 2 VG- for 30 seconds)

The gatefold is Ex very close to Ex+

The labels are Mint

The original inner is Ex

  This vinyl is in beautiful condition with only one negative.  There is one very small faint scratch (3mms) on S2 causing the interference as described below.  Apart from that it is unmarked and retains a mirror-like glossy sheen with only a handful of barely visible sleeve removal hairlines.  It is so clean and has only been played once, maybe twice at most and I suspect the small scratch was caused in the factory when packaging it all together!  There is just one barely visible spindle trace on the S2 label and nothing on S1 and the run out out grooves and labels are in perfect condition.  A stunning looking record apart from that one minor imperfection.

Play grading

The intro on 'Death Of A Hope' has little static in the background but is only minor and the music and vocal still plays very clearly.  It disappears after 25 seconds and the remainder plays with stunning quality.  There is only a minimal amount of light static in a couple of the quieter sections and the clarity of the sound is very impressive.  The majority of the quieter sections actually plays with incredible definition, the audio is superb with not one single click or pop.  The intro is Ex- and the rest Mint- without a doubt.

'Odd Song' plays beautifully from the first groove and progresses in the same precise way as the vocal begins.  For a vinyl fast approaching 50 years of age this is a stunning version and especially when you consider how quiet much of it is.  There is no 'background' and the playback is phenomenal.  The vinyl is pristine so is perhaps not surprising it plays with such distinction.  The louder instrumental that brings the track to a close is of the same quality and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint it is that good.

The intro on 'Free Life' again plays nigh on perfectly with only a minimal touch of barely audible static in the quieter passage.  As the tempo picks up the playback is faultless and the first vocal is equally as good.  From that point on there are no negatives.  Every note plays with sublime quality and there is no interference to be heard.  Again the clarity and depth of the audio is sensational - to such an extent you would think this record had never been played!  The many instrumental sections are 'as new' and the guitar solo at the end is so strong and has no distortion, even the fade out has no 'background'!  Mint again.

The piano intro on 'Aunty James' cannot be faulted and once more I cannot believe what I am listening to here!  The sonic quality is quite simply outstanding and nowhere is that more obvious than on the first up tempo section.  You can hear each subtle nuance - each note is so clean and you could not wish for greater clarity and depth pf sound.  I am delighted to say the remainder is of the same standard and even during the quieter piano section plus the fade is also 100% perfect.  This is Mint and then some!

'Saint & Sceptic' plays with immaculate precision from the very start this quality does not diminish in any way the more you get into it.  The strings/prog instrumental is just out of this world!  From the very quiet start to the build up the playback is awesome!  It is 'as new' and the depth of the audio cannot be underestimated.  The final vocal/choral section plays beautifully with only a couple of dust ticks and only a hint of mega light static at the end.  In my opinion this is still deserving of a Mint grade as there is literally no intrusion on the audio.

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The quiet intro on 'Bluebell Wood' plays beautifully with no obvious static and again it's the clarity of the sound that really stands out.  The first vocal is of the same standard and as the volume increases the audio is as Mint as could be.  It continues to play with 'high end' sonic quality and I cannot emphasise enough just how stunning the audio is!  This is a long prog epic with many quiet sections and yet they all play with the same breathtaking clarity.  There is no interference and the louder passages also play with sublime power and depth.  Of course so much of the track is made up of the long 'high octane' end section and the guitar solo in particular is mind-blowing!  I'm sorry if I'm a little over-enthusiastic but for such a rare vinyl the audio is just so damn impressive!  It reaches such a strong crescendo and the depth of the audio is equal to that of an un-played vinyl.  Mint all the way!

The delicate piano intro on 'Watching Love Grow' is faultless, there is just no 'background', and the first verse is of the same standard.  Sadly the chorus then has four clicks and a handful of lighter ticks and one more click during the next quieter verse.  They are caused by a very small scratch and apart from that the audio still plays very clearly.  Only a couple of the clicks are what I call loud and this passage of interference lasts for 30 seconds only.  This section is VG- but the remainder is most definitely Mint

'When The Sun Was Out' is perhaps a little out of place on this album but it nonetheless plays with great quality from start to finish.  It has no interference and the depth and warmth of the audio could not be improved.  A Mint track to finish the album.

In summary this now rare and very collectable Pegasus first pressing plays to a wonderful standard for the vast majority.  If it wasn't for that 30 second section (arrrghhh!) on S2 this would be a time warp final upgrade album for certain.  This section is intrusive but the rest of the audio can hardly be faulted.  This has hardly ever been played and that shine through in the clarity on offer here.

The Gatefold

This E.J. Day matt gatefold is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear mainly on the edges.  The top edges do not have too much rubbing but there is a little more on the bottom ones.  Nothing major though and it has not worn through at all.  The wide spine is very clean aside from four small white 'marks' and is 100% legible.  The corners do have some wear but again not too much and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover is nigh on perfect with only a very minor fade mark near the top (caused by ringwear most probably) and a small crease next to the spine.  The back cover is very similar with only a minor fade mark near the top and a smaller one near the bottom.  The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition with only very light marking along the top edge, very minor indeed!  For such a rare record this cover has been very well preserved down the years and it would be difficult to find a better.

The Labels

The Pegasus labels are 'as new' really with no obvious spindle wear as stated.  There are no marks or writing and remain in beautiful condition!

The Inner Sleeve

The plain white die-cut inner has no side splits or tears and barely any creasing.  There is a number written top right on one side.

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

PEG 4 // A - 1U / B - 1U / G1 / G1

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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