CAPTAIN BEEFHEART Safe As Milk VERY RARE ORIG UK 1967 MONO LP. A 'LOST CLASSIC.

	£		146
	$		193

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Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all. More details on this nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

Artist or Band: CAPTAIN BEEFHEART AND HIS MAGIC BAND

Album Title: Safe as Milk

Producer(s): Richard Perry & Bob Krasnow.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Sure ‘Nuff ‘n Yes I Do; Zig Zag Wanderer; Call on Me; Dropout Boogie; I’m Glad; Electricity.

Side 2: Yellow Brick Road; Abba Zaba; Plastic Factory; Where There’s Woman; Grown So Ugly; Autumn’s Child.

Label/Format: Pye International – Original pale blue and black format with matt, smooth surfaces (Please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: Both very clean and attractive with spindle marks at least moderate, but relatively fine with modest visibility unless scrutinised more closely under light. More spindle searching evidence than I would normally wish to see, but I think in this case, it does not reflect too much on number of plays. The reasons being the playing surface are clean with only very light surface marks seen under light and the sound quality holding up solidly with little to fault. This too being a mono record play-graded on very sensitive stereo equipment and barely anything spoilt the experience and pleasure of this simply remarkable, true classic debut album that remains high in my all-time favourites.

Country of Manufacture: England

Cat Number: NPL 28110

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

Special Note: This original album was not issued in stereo, it was later re-issued as Dropout Boogie on Buddah Records in stereo but omits two songs, even though the cover still states 12 songs, the record only played 10. The mono reissue also has 10 tracks. Only first pressings included ALL 12 of the original songs with the original mono mix.

Weight of this Record: 168 grams. A real heavyweight Pye original and few standard records issued at this time hit such weights.

Rarity: Rare (and that is using the term correctly with so few sales and not even taking condition and playability into account). This album is the only true version on vinyl that includes all 12 original songs with the original mono mix, it’s significance cannot be overstated. Finding this on the original UK Pye International label is incredibly difficult, this was a total commercial non-starter, his previous singles on A&M were a financial disaster and few but the adventurous or curious would have shelled-out on an album like this. Not only that, how many will survive in clean playing conditions? For the more adventurous types who did shell-out and buy this in 1967, a true classic was discovered and most examples of this that surface are invariably trashed. It took me a considerable time to find myself a very clean copy, and being honest, this one on offer, although the spindle marks suggest it has been played a number of times, is little short of my own personal copy. Like so many other classics of the most famous year in music – 1967, the ‘Summer of Love’ – many were simply ignored or sunk without trace with a world taken by storm by ‘Sgt Pepper’, for me, this is one of the greatest debut albums in the history of rock music.

Original Year of Release: 1967

Matrix Nos: NPL 28110 A1 G / NPL 28110 B1 G. The tiny stampers are: G 1 / B 1

Musicians: Don van Vliet (Captain Beefheart) - vocals, mouth harp; Alex St Clair Snouffer - guitar; Ry Cooder - guitar; Doug Moon - guitar; Paul Blakely - drums; Jerry Handley - bass.

Brief Artist & Album Info: An album of stunning originality and ground-breaking music and performances. The cover depicts four clean-cut lads in suits and tie; one is even wearing his father’s hat. Is this not the most paradoxically bizarre cover ever, in relation to the music within? This sounded like music from another planet in 1967; now it just sounds remarkably good. Don van Vliet’s Howlin’ Wolf growl almost tears the speaker-cloth as he launches into ‘Electricity’. Other marvellous excusions are ‘Dropout Boogie’, ‘Plastic Factory’ and ‘Yellow Brick Road’. The latter should have opened this original album as the spoken ‘the following tone is a reference tone’ bit sets the tone for this unforgettable album. This ‘lost’ classic, so was highly regarded by the likes of John Peel and disc jockey, Mike Read, who has been quoted as saying this is his favourite album of all time. Although issued to astonishing critical acclaim, this album did not chart in the UK or US - what chance did an album like this stand in the greatest year in popular music? – 1967 – the ‘Summer of Love’. Everything revolved around Sgt Pepper and psychedelia. An unknown American act with a bizarre name that probably received scant promotion? The famous ‘fish-eye’ cover does not give any credits to the players on this album. Ry Cooder guests and his guitar sound is unmistakable and quite remarkable. From the very outset, nothing had been heard quite like this, those pulsating bass-chords pulsate and boom from the speakers with beautiful sound as does intricate guitar-work and rhythm. van Vliet’s incredible toned vocal must have raised a few eyebrows at the time. This groundbreaking trip into originality was as important as a pioneering album to the late 60s underground scene as even the Velvet Underground debut album and Zappa’s Freak Out!. Safe as Milk was issued after some initial single issues on A&M records - they were a commercial disaster and the band were dropped from that label. This album, the only one the band made on Pye simply contains some of most remarkable sounds ever put to vinyl. This early incarnation of the Magic Band made music like no other: like his old school mate, Frank Zappa, the Captain was light years ahead of his time. That said, this gem is far more accessible than the early Reprise era material that took his music over the fringe of the avant garde and was all too much for many. Another important factor with this original mono copy is the sound - this album has been remixed, restructured and generally tampered around with more than most and never improved upon. This one (or course) has the original mix, just like producers Bob Krasnow and Richard Perry wanted it to sound. Just listen to those throbbing bomba-bomba-bomba-bomb basslines that just pound from the speaker cones, it sound absolutely fantastic. It even includes early electronics and synthesisers that at the time sounded amazing (and still do). If you have never heard this legendary classic as the 12 track mono original, you really have never heard Safe as Milk – it’s that simple. This is a fine copy that has not been ruined by a blunt or chipped stylus. Yes possibly played a fair number of times, but I would suggest with due care, and how many mono classics will not have light surface marks or clues to it’s great age? The lack of penetrating scratches or undue groove wear are the important factors, and I found this an enjoyable experience with little unwanted. Sales of this one would have been few and I would be sure few even survive in top conditions, so sometimes a little compromise has to be made – or stick to the more common repressings or digital versions. The Captain Beefheart legend began here and little was the same thereafter – a musical genius was born – and the only way to truly experience the real thing is on this rare first issue.

Cover Grade and Format: VERY GOOD(++): a single format with a laminated front. This wraps around the closed edges on to three external flipbacks. The main back panel is matt and unprotected. Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd with ‘Patents pending’ text.

Cover Front and Lamination: The laminate retains a lovely shine, very decent freshness and clarity with no lifting and minimal traces of dulling, even under light. A few fairly gentle marks and press marks and some mostly fine edge creases. There is some rubbing to the right corner tips and a couple of scuffs on the right entrance edge. The artwork was printed in a pale yellow, not white, so this is totally correct. The fisheye graphic looks impressive, and viewed full-on little detracts, the right edge scuffs apart.

Cover Back: The back is also highly respectable and looks nice. A few small press marks near the left edge with any grubbiness mild and light. I would even suggest this is quite clean overall with hardly any rubbing and only fairly light clues to it’s great age. Very few creases and the flipbacks are all solid with clean ends and no real damage. None have lifted and barely any hint of burring to their ends. A little tip rubbing and creasing but not a great deal else.

Top Edge: Straight and with little wear at all up to the ends that have rubbed. The odd tiny surface chip or two that are near microscopic.

Bottom Edge: The bottom edge had a fairly sizeable, but neat centre area split from record movement. This I have repaired as neatly as possible to stop it increasing in size in the future. This being the main reason for my cautious grading, but it has little visual impact and only becomes noticeable when viewed edge-on. This apart, the rest as per above.

Right Edge(s), and Type: This cover is made with thicker card than many of the time, but even so, these entrance edges have thickened as well. Actually still quite neat viewed end-on, the main issue are a couple of reasonably small burr crinkles on the front. No feathering and still fairly solid, these are both guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced in any way. The simply fact is, any massively pressed thick record will put more pressure on this vulnerable entrance area.

Spine and Text: A spine that has survived in impressive and very neat condition. Solid, straight with all its thick definition largely retained with any compression only quite mild. All text is pristine perfect, bold, black and sharp under the near fully intact laminate. A light scuff near the bottom shows little on the white backdrop. The ends have lightly manufactured tapering.

Corners: The spine pair have only quite light tip rubs. More moderate on the top right and moderate+ on the bottom.

Cover Summary: Such a hard one to find and most that do surface are in shocking condition. This has some wear but all considered, not that much. The bottom edge repair to the split the most of note, but even that is now neat. Clearly not for the highly discerning cover collector, but as stated, this surfaces so infrequently, sometimes compromise has to be made if the earliest versions of genuine rarities are wanted. Still attractive and I think it looks better than my grading, what I do know for sure, with so few around, it will not prove easy to find significantly better.

The Inner Sleeve: VERY GOOD(++): original inners for this album are also rare as many were replaced with more robust ones. This is guaranteed original and looks quite clean and impressive. However, again there are issues: the bottom edge was split, now very neatly repaired and hardly even showing. Also, the original owner wrote the track times on the back of each side. So grading is not easy and purely subjective, again it looks better to my eyes than what I have stated. Clean, still quite fresh, this has the delicate tracing paper semi-transparent lining which is immaculate. As are the two window circles. A little creasing to the corners which is more like crinkle. I just think it is nice to include the genuine original inner sleeve for this album at all, and again, the timings apart, it will prove hard to find much better.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: NEAR EXCELLENT: again, I think this is quite conservatively graded, but it appears to have received a fair number of (quite careful) plays going by the label evidence. Clean and retaining a very fine shine, intense black and heavily pressed on typically high-quality, robust Pye vinyl. With little more than very fine and faint surface marks seen under bright angled light, and NO penetrating scratches, this is a very impressive copy. Original mono pressings of the legendary album that survive with minimal surface sounds or distortion caused by groove-wear or damage will be few, that’s a plain fact. Can you imagine those very heavy, thick needles ploughing their way through these ultra complex and delicate grooves? Just one jolt or arm drop and a massive deep furrow or crator was applied – and another classic written-off. Even a single play with a worn or chipped mono needle would have stripped the groove walls rendering distortion and clipping to the sound – this simply has not happened on this record and this really does play well. The odd gentle hint or surface sound or the odd gentle tick is near impossible to avoid on such a record, but as far as I am concerned, that is almost part of the experience. If silence is mandatory, the digital versions are available, but they will never offer that incredible warm, rich and dynamic sound this vintage vinyl does. Overall this record has surived well and can be highly recommended unless absolute perfection is mandatory.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Mono records, especially like this rare gem are amongst the hardest to find in truly decent playing conditions and I state, this copy will prove very difficult to match or find better for overall top quality sound. This sets a very high standard and will challenge any other copy offered. The most important factors are this plays without any of the dreaded distortion caused by groove wear – the hidden curse of such records – all frequencies are clear and sharp and with a vocal like the Captain’s this is vitally important. The lack of pops and clicks is unsually refreshing as is the clarity of complex sound and music. Pretty much devoid of surface sounds and crackle and any tiny amount present were very infrequent and minimal and nothing spoilt my pleasure play-grading this remarkable record. I was astounded how different this sounds to the various other versions I have heard, this is a very rare pleasure with copies surfacing so rarely. The depth of sound and dynamics are sublime and the richness of the recording is ahead of its time too. The detail and clarity is breathtaking, the true genius of this man’s music flows from the speakers and simply takes over and captivates. Over time, this is the Beefheart album that non-Captain fans could actually be found to like. It’s still unconventional with sound structures like no other but far easier on the ear than the mid-period albums. Beefheart could do little wrong for me and it all started here. Just listen to those complex rhythms, they still send shivers down my back and given me that rare tingle factor. I love bass, and this has bass from the other side, bomba-bomba-bomba-bom. Vintage albums for this unique artist rarely show up this clean, you can imagine what the majority of these will look and sound like. It’s a copy I can strongly recommend.

End Piece: The term ‘Lost Classic’’ is never more appropriately used than for this one: how can such a groundbreaking album simply be ignored on issue? - well it’s not the first time is it? Even modern artists like the great PJ Harvey mentions her love of this man’s music and it’s influence on her own. The term genius in music also is often overused, but I make no excuse for using it here - this man’s music and sound was unique, his use of words astonishing - no-one made made music like The Magic Band - Safe as Milk is accessible and tuneful and from beginning to end has ‘Classic’ stamped all over it. Psych blues/rock with early electronic sounds, off-beat chords and time structures and, oh yes, Don sings - and it will send a shiver down the spine - Electrizzzzzitteeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand+ based on over 10,000+ items sold in over 12 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £8. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.