BUDGIE : BUDGIE 1L/1L 1st PRESS UK 1971 MCA RED/PINK LABEL *Stunning* AUDIO NM
£
227
$
301
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Description
Budgie : Budgie 1L / 1L 1st Press Pink / Red MCA Label
This rare and highly collectable first press on the pink / red 'dog bone' MCA label plays to a wonderful standard with only very minimal interference. Just a small number of light clicks but aside from that the clarity and depth throughout is stunning. I am pleased to say the classics 'The Author', 'Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman' and 'Homicidal Suicidal' are absolutely stunning with no interference whatsoever, never heard better!
This is also one of the earliest first pressings as denoted by the single 'A' stamper on both sides. Judging by the incredible audio quality and the lack of spindle wear this record has only ever been very lightly played. A classic heavy rock debut this would impress any avid collector!
The cover is in superb condition with no obvious shelf wear and the original inner has also been very well preserved down the years.
MKPS 2018 // 7 - LNMG - 240 - 1L / 7 - LNMG - 241 - 1L // A 1 / A 1
The audio on S1 is Mint- for majority (T1 intro VG for 2 seconds then Near Mint / T2 Ex+ / T3 intro Ex+)
The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections / T2 Near Mint- / T3 intro Ex)
The cover is Near Mint-
The original inner is Ex+
The labels are Near Mint
Visual grading
The vinyl is in excellent condition and rarely found as 'clean' as this. It still has a very glossy sheen and whilst there are a number of faint hairlines there are no actual scratches. S1 in particular is in lovely condition and it's only on closer inspection that you can detect the fine hairlines. S2 does have one faint hairline scuff and a longer hairline that is a little more obvious but they have no affect on the stunning audio. The run out grooves are super clean and the matrix info can clearly be read. A fine example overall.
Play grading
The intro on 'Guts' has a couple of clicks but this is the only interference prior to the vocal coming in. It then plays with superb clarity for the remainder with just one light click at the end of the first verse. Anyone familiar with this first pressing will of course be aware of the deep bass sound and it is very much in evidence here. There is no underlying static/crackle disrupting the overall 'sound' and the clarity and depth really is very impressive. I would grade the intro as VG although the interference is only very brief but the remainder as Near Mint the audio is very strong indeed.
'Everything In My Heart' plays exceptionally well for a relatively quiet track (in Budgie terms!) with only a small number of light ticks on the intro. They are minor and non-intrusive and an Ex+ grade is easily deserved.
The quiet intro on 'The Author' plays with great clarity, there is just one light tick, and the opening vocal section is also very impressive with only a small number of light ticks on the opening vocal section. These are always more obvious to me as I sit so close to the speakers so I stood back (!) and the playback really is very strong and this 'background' is only minimal and non-intrusive in my opinion - the music still comes through very clearly. As the classic riff comes in the playback can hardly be faulted. There is only one static tick and from that point on you can turn it up to max without fear of distortion. The power and depth of the audio is stunning in every way and there is no interference. This is a true rock classic and I have not heard many versions better than this! The playback is outstanding and there is just no interference to be heard. It's the sonic quality that really stands out here as the audio has lost none of its original quality whatsoever. The intro is Ex+ but the remainder is a fantastic Mint- of that I am confident.
Again the intro on 'Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman' plays with superb clarity and no obvious static. You can just imagine how the percussive notes (knocks!) were made during the recording at the famous Rockfield Studios. You can see why Rodger Bain of Black Sabbath fame wanted to produce this debut album and indeed on the sleeve notes he says they are 'a freaking good Rock band' and that is especially true with this genuine classic. The opening heavy section is 'as new' and as the tempo increases with yet another classic riff the audio is just off the scale! Honestly I have never heard better and I am delighted to say this power and clarity is maintained the more you get into the track. The long instrumental is absolutely STUNNING but that applies to every section of this track. The solos are so powerful and of course the heavy bass just adds so much to the overall 'sound'. The final verse also plays with flawless precision and from start to finish there is just no interference and this has to be the finest version of this heavy rock classic that I have ever heard. I truly believe this qualifies as Mint- the power and definition of the audio is quite simply sensational!
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'Rape Of The Locks' has only a small number of very light static ticks on the intro but there is no underlying static which is impressive for the opening grooves on any vinyl and especially one that is nearly 50 years old. The first verse then plays with supreme clarity and no intrusion at all. From that point on the audio is as close to perfect as could be with only a couple of light ticks. This opening track on S2 again shows how well this vinyl has been preserved - there are no clicks or pops and has a clarity that is rarely found on these genuine first pressings. This is Near Mint although the majority is better than that!
'All Night Petrol' plays with stunning clarity throughout. The intro is faultless and it continues in much the same way. There are a small number of light ticks mainly on the second half of the track but they are very much in the background and do not intrude on the quality of the listen. You can still hear the music and vocals with perfect clarity and the only intrusion really is two clicks literally on the final note. Despite this I will grade as Near Mint- as it has practically finished by this point!
The acoustic 'You And I' has a couple of light clicks on the intro but no other 'background' and then plays with great clarity. Each note can be heard with such delicate precision and playback is very impressive for such a quiet track. So Ex for the intro but Mint- for the remainder.
The intro on 'Homicidal Suicidal' is 'as new' and this standard is kept up as the vocal begins. As any collector knows this is a heavy rock classic and I am pleased to say this version does not disappoint. There are no clicks or pops and only a small number of very minor ticks. They are so quiet and 100% non-intrusive and hardly worth a mention really! It's just what you expect to find on vinyl regardless of age. This is such a 'clean' version and therefore retains it strong deep bass sound and this is very much in evidence during the 'quieter' bass section towards the end. The clarity throughout is so good and any audiophile would be as impressed by the sonic quality as I am. I will err on the side of caution and grade as Near Mint although I am sure many would grade higher! Nevertheless this is a stunning album closer.
In summary this very collectable and rare first pressing plays to a superb standard overall with very little intrusion. Understandably it is often found heavily played but this one certainly has not been and that is clear when you first look at the vinyl. Not perfect but it is definitely one of the cleanest I have ever seen. There are only a handful of minor clicks and the clarity, power and depth of the audio on both sides is of a very high standard. One thing I particularly noticed is the complete lack of distortion i.e. zero distortion and that can only be because it has not been over-played and thus has no groove wear. A stunning album all round.
The Cover
This cover is probably the best example I have ever seen and has only minimal shelf wear, very minimal! There are no marks or tears and the edges and spine have no rubbing at all. There is hardly any corner wear and the opening edge has no handling wear either providing another indication of a vinyl that has not been over-played. The front cover as I said has no marking and only a faint imprint of ringwear and the back cover is equally as good with only a couple of faint scratch lines that you can only see when held at a certaain angle. A very impressive cover for sure.
The Inner Sleeve
The original poly-lined 'Stereo' inner sleeve is in superb shape and has no side splits, tears or marking and only a little creasing.
The Labels
The pink/red 'dog bone' labels have no marking or writing and only very minimal spindle wear. Stunning!
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
MKPS 2018 // 7 - LNMG - 240 - 1L / 7 - LNMG - 241 - 1L // A 1 / A 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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