CAPTAIN BEEFHEART Safe as Milk UK Mono 67Orig

	£		102
	$		134

Hi, I am Mike, I am 46 and have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 33 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and ellusive items now. 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, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirity, not just bits to guess a grade (on a Rega 3 deck with Ortofon cartridge) - 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 reader – 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. 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 or sticks or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance. Item wants are always welcome - email me with anything needed, you never know - I may just have a copy in stock. I by quality single items and collections also (Email me please if you have quality items for sale).

Debutant Bidders: Many sellers refuse first time buyers: I do not follow this practice (everybody has to start somewhere), but I would appreciate any first timer letting me know their intentions of their intended payment method and very prompt communication, preferably before any bid or soon after the auctions ends. This gives confidence that their intentions are honourable, and I in return guarantee extra special good feedbacks to get zero rated Ebayers off to a flying start to help them with future transactions. NOTE: I WILL NOT ACCEPT BIDS FROM UNREGISTERED USERS, I will cancel them immediately, and sorry, I cannot give valuations on people’s personal items just for their own curiosity, no item can be accurately valued blindly.

Please read all the information carefully - these adverts take an age to compile properly - so it’s well worth a few minutes of your time to read the details thoroughly. I really cannot take any responsibility if any bidder fails to read any facts that are clearly stated in the advert - Thankyou.

Artist or Band: CAPTAIN BEEFHEART AND HIS MAGIC BAND

Album Title: Safe as Milk

Cat Number: NPL 28110 Mono (this original album was not issued in stereo, it was later re-issued as Dropout Boogie on Buddah Records in stereo but omits two tracks, although the cover still states 12 songs, the record only plays 10. The mono reissue also has 10 tracks only.

Label and Condition: Pye International, classic pale blue format. Side one, the original owner told me, had a promo sticker which he (in a moment of madness) removed. This has left two pull areas which can clearly be seen on the label scan. The residue area confirms this was a rounded sticker of the type described to me. Side two is lovely with no flaws. Spindle traces are light and wear around the centre hole is virtually non-existent indicating very few plays which is vital for a vintage rare mono album like this (please refer to my mono vs stereo paragraph further down). A slight shame about the label damage, but of course, stating the obvious, labels do not affect play and this album is rare enough to maybe tolerate this flaw. (Please see label scans for all information needed).

Country of Manufacture: England, UK

Rarity: Rare, and as this album is the only true version on vinyl that includes all 12 original songs its significance cannot be overstated.

Original Year of Release: 1967

Matrix Nos: NPL 28110 A1-G and B1-G. The tiny stampers are: B1/B1

Brief Artist & Album Info: 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 Venus 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 highly regarded by the likes of John Peel, Radio One DJ and former disc jockey, Mike Read (the guy on I’m a Celebrity just recently, has been quoted as saying this is his favourite album of all time. Although issued to rave 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 et al. and psychedelia. The famous ‘fish-eye’ cover does not state any credits to the players on this album, but there were: Don van Vliet (Captain Beefheart): vocals, mouth harp; Alex St Clair Snouffer (guitar); Doug Moon (guitar); Paul Blakely (drums) and Jerry Handley (bass). Ry Cooder accompanies also and his guitar sound is unmistakable. This stunning groundbreaking album was as important as a pioneering album to the late 60s underground scene as even the Velvet Underground debut album. Safe as Milk was issued after some initial single issues on A&M records - they were a commercial disaster and 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 most. Another important factor with this original mono copy too is the sound - this album has been remixed, restructured and generally tampered around with more than most and never improved upon. This one has the original mix, just like producers Bob Krasnow and Richard Perry wanted it to sound. If you have never heard this legendary classic as the 12 track mono original, you really have never heard Safe as Milk. This is a fine copy and the label flaw apart this will prove very hard to find better, let’s face it how many times will this one show up? This even makes the Kinks classic Village Green Preservation Society on the same label, look common. Sales of this one would have been few and how many surface in such clean condition will be ever fewer. Check out all the details below and judge for yourselves.

Cover Grade and Format: EX, single format, laminated front, three flipbacks. Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. Patents pending.

Cover Front/Lamination: Attractive and clean with little overall wear. The laminate is clean and retains a decent shine. No peeling or dry areas and any creasing is small and light. A small, light press mark at the very top from the extra heavy vinyl but the laminate shows little dull areas and no indentations. This delicate pale yellow front shows few marks and is way above average for this type and age.

Cover Back: Black and white and unlaminated often means grubby, worn and ringwear - like of this on this one. This is generally clean with a few light marks and traces that come with great age. No ringwear or rubbing and the three huge flipbacks are all quite neat and attractive. No lifting, tears or significant wear to these, a couple of tiny edge frays and two or three super light and minor hairline creases only. This back will be hard to find better also.

Top Edge: Virtually unworn, tiny central blemish only.

Bottom Edge: Virtually unworn.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with little wear. Record entered on right outside edge.

Spine and Text: Solid and square with little wear, text is near perfect and unworn under the uncracked laminate. Just tiny wear to the very top and bottom near the corners.

Corners: All four show a little minor wear, mostly on the very tips. All still nicely shaped with just tiny crease traces near the very tips again.

Cover Summary: A fine all round example of this rare 60’s cover, one that could prove hard to find much better, if you can find one at all. This strong item should please most collectors.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Mint(-)/EX+ A superb copy with just the odd faint surface trace, but look hard - anything is superficial and nothing sounds as pops or ticks. Super clean and shiny, and jet black and very heavily pressed. A copy with minimal plays on all the evidence. Visually, the playing surfaces are superb, a record that should please most collectors again.

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Mono records, especially like this rare gem are amongst the hardest to find in truly in top playing condition and I not going to say this is quite perfect, but believe me it 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 - all frequencies are clear and sharp and with a vocal like the Captain’s this is vitally important. Also free too of pops and ticks. There is a little light surface sound in odd places but most is slight, infrequent and minimal - little spoilt my pleasure play-grading this record. I was astounded how different this sounds to the various other versions I have heard, this is my first time for an original copy in mono. 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, any light stylus sound is forgotten - the music just takes over. I have always had this classic highly in my all time favourite albums too, Beefheart could do little wrong for me and it all started here. Vintage albums for this unique artist rarely show up this clean, you can imagine what the majority of these will look like. Again minus that label flaw this copy would take a huge amount of beating. Record comes in its original lined inner - the lining is the tracing paper type which is fragile but near perfect. The inner is still quite white and unsplit but has some, pretty minor, ruffling.

Mono vs Stereo, an overview: Always a matter of opinion which is better or more important. For any serious collector where there is a choice e.g. Beatles, Stones, Hendrix etc. both are essential. True Stereo albums give great imagery and presence whereas mono albums usually are more dynamic, louder and present the detail more clearly. Mono albums are far harder to find in genuinely top playing condition. Most were heavily played, particularly the truly great bands and artists, often covered in mark and scratches, many severe and labels that were a mass of spindle marks. The majority were played on vintage and unsubtle decks with heavy tonearms and thick styli (often sapphire, not diamond, that chipped more easily) that rendered heavy wear in a very short time to many a fine classic record. Wear to the delicate groove walls, particularly the innermost tracks to the labels were most vulnerable where the tracking angle became more severe and the backdrag actually stripped the delicate groove walls. This resulted in surface noise and mild/moderate distortion or worse. These old decks tracked by sheer weight and little of any refined engineering. Next time you see such a deck at a local record fayre, feel the weight of the arm, it almost makes you wonder how any records survived at all. The point of this paragraph is emphasise that when a truly clean, lightly played and great sounding 60s mono album (or stereo come to that) is offered, treasure it, because for sure they are truly getting vary rare and precious - beware - demand only play-graded records. As a general guide to rarity, mono was the far more common format from 61–65; Around 66–67 the balance was roughly equal, then from 68-69 the balance swung more to stereo, making monos from these dates far scarcer, even rare - this guide is important and effects values greatly.

Track Listing: Sure ‘nuff ‘n yes I do; Zig Zag Wanderer; Call on Me; Dropout Boogie; I’m glad; Electricity; Yellow Brick Road; Abba Zaba; Plastic Factory; Where There’s woman; Grown so ugly; Autumn’s child.

Album Played For Grading: Yes.

Final Summary: 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 its not the first time is it? The term genius in music also is often overused, but I make no excuse for using it here - this man’s music 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 even early electronic sounds incorporated, offbeat chords and time structures and. oh yes, Don sings - and will send a shiver down the spine - Electrizzzzzitteeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!! – Mike.

Payment Details please read carefully:

UK First Class: = £2.50; Recorded Delivery (Recommended) = £4.00 Special Delivery (Next day, insured up to £250), the best service available = £6.00

Europe Air Mail: = £4 Insured: £8.00

Overseas, non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Australia etc. Airmail:= £7; Insured with recorded delivery (where available) = £11.00

Singles: (Packed to the high standards of the LPs)

UK First class: = £2.00 Insured: £4

Europe Air Mail = £3.00 Insured: £5.50

Overseas, non-Europe (as above) Airmail £3.50 Insured: £6.00

Doubles add extra £1, triples add extra £2. Box sets add extra £3 (£4 overseas and Europe)

Any item that sells for over £85 will be sent Special Delivery in the UK at no extra cost. Items over £125 get the same service Overseas. This is gives peace of mind for the winning bidder and myself for valuable items. Reduced postage of course for multiple items.

The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£28). PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT use surface mail, its too slow, with a higher risk of loss and damage.

Mailing Details: Please note I do not profit on postage (my packing standards are high and the package weighs a little more. All records are sent in plastic covers with the record taken out of the sleeve and sent in professional mailers with FOUR professional stiffners for extra protection (if space allows), I do NOT use old cardboard boxes or cereal packets for protection. More expensive items are also inserted into a de-luxe heavy duty padded bag AS WELL to give that extra protection. I truly want ALL my items to arrive to their destination in the same condition they leave me. I will also include in most cases a brand new lined inner, but will include the original inner if available and in a condition to be given.

I accept cash for payments worldwide in UK Pounds Sterling, Euros or US Dollars - but this at the senders own risk. Please send registered and insured if this method is chosen. I cannot accept responsibility if any cash payments do not turn up. This system is very reliable and rarely goes astray. The same goes for any shipped uninsured item, I can only try to claim for any undelivered or damaged article at basic insurance levels if no enhanced insurance is requested and paid for (unless the value threshold is high enough for me insure as standard, see above)

Overseas bidders please note conversion rates for Pounds to Dollars and Pounds to Euros will be charged at 1.7 to cover PayPal or cash conversion costs.

PLEASE NOTE: Any PayPal user can now pay me with UK Sterling if they wish with no need to convert to US dollars (although they still can if they wish to). Any instant PayPal transaction from anywhere in the world will mean the item will be sent immediately - it makes deals fast and very efficient.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. I now only accept PayPal, International money orders or cash from overseas bidders (UK Sterling, US dollars or Euros). Cash, cheques, postal orders and PayPal are fine from the UK. I allow maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if this does not happen I will relist the item and may send negative feedback unless an explanation is given. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask. Please keep watch on my Ebays, I have other interesting items coming very soon. Thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: As listening to every single record I offer all the way through is difficult timewise, can I make it clear if any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. I still endeavour to play all the items in their entirity for grading if at all possible and is usually the case.