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Budgie : Budgie 1L/1L 1st Press Red/Pink 'Dogbone' Label 1971

This very collectable first pressing plays with genuine quality and S1 in particular is STUNNING!  With only a couple of static ticks on the intro the rest of the side is exceptional with an 'as new' clarity and depth.  So many highlights but the true classics 'The Author' and 'Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman' just could not play any better, the sonic quality is unbelievable!  S2 is also hugely impressive and has only 5/6 very light ticks, the majority still plays with Mint- audio.  Based on the audio and no spindle wear I am confident in saying this album has hardly been played.  It surely has to be one of the finest debut heavy rock albums of all time?

Visually the vinyl is very strong and the only negative really is an obvious hairline scuff on S2 but it has no impact on the quality of the audio.  S1 is visually stunning.

As for the cover well I do not think I have seen a better one!  It is STUNNING with no obvious wear at all, a handful of spots on the back that is all!  The original inner is also in excellent condition.

A first press is denoted by the red/pink 'dogbone' labels and the 1L/1L matrix.  As can be seen this is a very early first pressing with only a single stamper on each side.

MKPS 2018 // 7-LNMG-240-1L / 7-LNMG-241-1L // G 1 / H 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 intro Ex for a couple of seconds)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 intro Ex+ / T4 ranges between Near Mint & Mint-)

The cover is Near Mint-

The labels are Mint-

The original inner is Ex

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a very impressive glossy sheen with no actual scratches.  S1 is in superb condition and at first glance looks 'new' and only under a strong light can you see a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines.  S2 does have an obvious hairline scuff across the first two tracks but it has no effect on the audio plus some minor hairlines as per S1.  If you are a 'completist' then it's probably best not to bid on the album due to this 'mark' but it is the only 'negative' on the record.  If you want stunning audio then please bid!  The red/pink 'dogbone' labels are immaculate with no marking/writing and I cannot detect any spindle wear either!

Play grading  

The intro on 'Guts' has just two static ticks at the very start and no other 'background'.  What you hear is that superb deep familiar Budgie sound.  Shelley's opening vocal is flawless and it continues to play with a clarity and definition that is second to none.  The sonic quality is like the vinyl was 'plucked' straight from 1971 and to the final note it is 'as new' without a doubt.  I will grade the first 2/3 seconds as Ex and the remainder as Mint there is no need for a minus here.

'Everything In My Heart' plays with stunning clarity throughout its one minute!  Impressive for an acoustic number from an album that is now over 50 years old.  There is not even a single dust tick and Mint is again deserved.

I am sure many would grade the quiet 2 minute intro on 'The Author' as perfect and indeed all I heard were a couple of insignificant dust ticks, the clarity is STUNNING.  The vocals are crystal clear and then the first classic riff from Bourge could not play any better.  From then on there is so much to like!  The audio is so deep and strong with no distortion on the top end - Shelley's vocals on the higher register are 'as new' and the all powerful instrumental section can also be described in the same way.  I cannot overstate just how 'pristine' the audio and already it is obvious this record has not been overplayed.  I have no hesitation in grading this classic as Mint such is the quality on offer here.  What a version!

You can just picture Philips looking around the Rockfield studio so as to create the percussive effect on the 'Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman' intro!  It would have been so interesting to spend time there in the early 70s!  So yes the intro plays with perfect clarity (how rare is that!) and Bourge first 'heavy' section and Shelley's vocal again play with a clarity and power that defy the age of the album.  I did detect a couple of minor ticks but so quiet you could easily miss them.  It continues to play with breathtaking accuracy and you are just waiting for the classic up-tempo section!  I am pleased to say it plays with sublime quality - the rhythm section of Philips and Shelley just add so much to the audio and of course the deep bass effect is such a vital part of the Budgie sound.  This extended instrumental is just phenomenal - there is no 'muddiness' to the sound, no distortion and I just cannot compliment it highly enough.  There are a couple of very light ticks towards the end of this section but again so quiet and totally non-intrusive.  The end section has no 'background' and this may well be the most 'complete' version I have ever heard.  The sonic quality is just off the scale superb and in essence there is no interference.  Mint- is an honest reflection of the audio.  An amazing finish to the side!

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'Rape Of The Locks' has only the quietest of intermittent background static on the intro and is in no way intrusive of course.  The opening vocal is nigh on perfect with just one tick before the second verse.  The long mid instrumental plays with sublime audio and only 3/4 very light ticks which again do not impact on the sound quality.  The final vocal section is 'as new' and to the final note it plays with genuine precision.  I think Ex+ is about right for the intro and then Near Mint for the remainder.

The intro on 'All Night Petrol' has no 'background' and the opening vocal is equally as impressive.  It continues to play with sensational quality and I only picked up two very light tick throughout the entire playback.  The audio again has that deep and resonant Budgie sound with no interference of any kind - no 'muddiness' to the sound whatsoever.  Just a hint of light static on the fade out but no more and overall Mint- is fair.

The acoustic 'You And I' plays as per 'Everything...' on S1 with exceptional clarity from the first note to the last with no intrusion. A stunning Mint version.

The total classic 'Homicidal Suicidal' is superb!  With barely noticeable light static on the intro the opening vocal is flawless and it continues in the same way with outstanding clarity and power and with the kind of definition that you only find on the first pressings.  The mid instrumental is 'as new' and Bourge's work is just phenomenal!  There is one tick during the 'heavy' bass section towards the end but again quiet and non-intrusive.  Shelley's final vocal is perfect with just one light tick soon after and then the end percussive section ends the album in 'high end' style with no interference.  I will grade this closing number as ranging between Near Mint and Mint- I think that is an honest appraisal of the audio.

In summary this first pressing plays to a standard you rarely find today.  S1 in particular is absolutely STUNNING and 'as new' sums it up perfectly aside from the first couple of seconds.  I have certainly never heard a stronger S1.  S2 is not far behind with only a small number of light ticks and a minimal amount (3/4 seconds!) of very quiet static.  This is a record that has hardly been played in my opinion and that is how the original sonic quality has been retained, it really is a superb listen.  Together with one of the best covers I have ever seen this will impress any collector.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The cover is not laminated of course of course so has much less protection than so many other covers from this era but I am pleased to say this is easily the finest example I have ever seen.  It has barely any wear, is so clean, and has retained its original shape and structure so well.  The edges are thin pinched spine have no marking and the corners are also incredibly clean with hardly any wear.  The opening edge looks untouched and is pristine.  The front cover is in fantastic condition with no marking and has only a handful of very small creases next to the spine.  The back cover is also super clean with only 4/5 very small faint spots near the top edge.  The colouration on both sides is as impressive as it would have been back in '71.  A stunning cover and Near Mint- is no exaggeration.

The original poly-lined Stereo inner has no side splits or tears, only minimal creasing and just a little age related fading around the edges.  One small mark on one side also.

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

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

MKPS 2018 // 7-LNMG-240-1L / 7-LNMG-241-1L // G 1 / H 1

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 NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

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