Budgie : Never Turn Your Back On A Friend 1st Press 2L/1L 1973 (Silver / Black MCA label)

This very collectable first pressing on the original silver & black MCA label plays with superb definition and is so close to being a final upgrade album.  There is just two to three seconds of interference on S2 but aside from that it has a clarity of sound that is rarely found on these rare first pressings.  The vinyl is in fantastic condition also and with barely any spindle wear it has only been lightly played.

This is also one of the earliest first pressings ever produced as it has only a single 'U' stamper on each side.  Based on the Decca/MCA BUCKINGHAM system this was manufactured with only the second stamper.

The gatefold is in in superb condition with only minor shelf wear and the original inner is in great shape also with no splits.

MCA // MDKS 8010 // 7 - LNMG - 277 - 2L / 7 - LNMG - 278 - 1L // U 1 / U 1

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint- for the majority / (Track 1 G for one second! / T3 intro Ex) 

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Mint-

The inner sleeve is Near Mint

Visual grading

This is another visually stunning vinyl up for auction.  With very little spindle wear it is clear it has hardly ever been on a turntable and at first glance it looks brand new!  It has a lovely glossy sheen and only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  There is just one very tiny scratch mark on S2 but it will take you a very long time to find it!  The run out grooves and labels are in perfect condition with no marking.

Play grading  

The classic 'Breadfan' is as good as you would want it to be right from the very first groove.  The opening riff has no interference and as soon as the rhythm section 'kicks in' the definition of the audio is first class.  The clarity and power is stunning and there is no loss in audio quality whatsoever.  This is sheer audio poetry!  It plays loud and true and even the quiet acoustic section is perfect, this is clarity of the highest order.  The final section plays with 'high end' audio with no 'background' whatsoever.  Quite simply a sensational Mint start to the album.  

'Baby Please Don't Go' is practically of the same standard.  There are just a handful of very light background 'ticks' in the middle section which could easily be missed.  From start to finish this classic cover plays with a depth and power that is equal to that of a vinyl hardly played.  I think Mint- is still a fair reflection of the audio here.

The acoustic 'You Know I'll Always Love You' plays with a clarity that is hard to describe.  As close to perfect is one way I guess!  For a 46 year old first press to play as 'cleanly' as this is a rarity and there is no intrusion on the audio at all.  A small number of dust ticks only this plays with such delicate precision from start to finish and easily deserves a Mint- grading.

The percussive intro on 'You're The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk' is 'as new' the definition and clarity is just out of this world!  It is Mint with not even a dust tick!  As Bourge's guitar comes in the playback is just as good and from then on the audio is so deep and plays with a real resonance.  The vocals 'play' with perfect clarity throughout and the guitar solo is so strong and has no distortion at all.  The classic section 'What kind of a woman...' just demands to be played loud!  The depth of the bass and the overall definition of the audio is as good as the day when it was released back in '73.  The closing section plays to the same sublime standard and the fade out also plays with infinite precision - wow what a version!  Mint is not far off the mark.  This may be the most impressive S1 that I have ever heard and to think it is a genuine first press with a single stamper on each side!

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'In The Grip Of A Tyrefitter's Hand' plays with stunning quality and the only intrusion is one rather loud click on the final verse.  I cannot see the cause so it may be a pressing fault.  This is a shame because apart from that it is plays with perfect precision.  The high powered end section is case in point and it plays 'as new' to the very end.  Difficult to grade as whilst 99% plays perfectly there is that one second of interference.

For such a quiet track (by Budgie's standards) 'Riding My Nightmare' plays with wonderful clarity and only a small number of mega quiet dust ticks.  Basically there is no intrusive 'background' and Mint- is an honest assessment.  The playback is incredibly good any would impress any die-hard collector.

The classic 'Parents' has just a couple of light clicks on the long intro although the music itself still plays with great clarity.  From then on there is no intrusion on the audio, just one light tick, and the clarity and depth is so impressive.  There are so many acoustic sections and yet the playback is so strong and clear.  The mid guitar section plays beautifully, 'as new' in fact, and the final vocal and guitar solo has a clarity and depth that is just stunning.  I know I'm repeating myself ! but audio just does not get any better than this!  Plus I've never heard the 'seagull' ending play as well as this!  Overall this is a superb version of this epic and whilst there are a couple of imperfections on the intro the remainder is without fault.

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays to superb standard with only a minimal amount of interference on S2, jus two or three seconds in essence!  It plays with great power and also with finesse in the quieter moments and there is no distortion at all.  As stated this record has been hardly played and that is reflected in the audio quality.  The gatefold is also in lovely condition and is one of the cleanest you will find.

The Gatefold

This iconic cover is in lovely condition with minimal shelf wear.  The edges have very little rubbing and the corners are also in excellent shape with just a little more wear on the bottom corner of the opening edge but still minimal really.  The wide spine is in superb shape and remains 100% legible and the opening edges have barely any handling wear.  The front cover is extremely clean with only one small mark next to the 'B' and the back cover is also in great order with just a couple of faint marks top left, not easy to spot!  The inside of the gatefold is near perfect with only one faint crease and a couple of tiny white 'specks'.  A superb example overall.

Inner Sleeve

The original 'Stereo' poly-lined inner is in fantastic condition with no side splits or marking and barely any creasing.  It could hardly be any better!

The Labels

The silver/black MCA labels are beautifully clean with no marking or writing and hardly any spindle wear.  This record has not often been on a turntable!

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

MCA // MDKS 8010 // 7 - LNMG - 277 - 2L / 7 - LNMG - 278 - 1L // U 1 / U 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

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