EX/EX,The Byrds,"Ballad of Easy Rider",1969,12" LP, Columbia, CS-99421st Edition

$

20

This Most Famous, Original, The Byrds "Ballad of Easy Rider",1969, Vinyl 12" LP, Columbia, CS-9942, 1st Stereo Edition, 180 grams, “360 Sound”, Red Label, USA, and a True First Pressing, produced by Terry Melcher in NYC, with an authentic personal note written by Peter Fonda, Star of the Hit Movie of the same title, to the Byrds (vulgarities were overtyped by censors) on a smooth surface matt cover. This great LP is Moderately Scarce in this condition, with Matrix numbers XS-1A / XSM 151428 /XSM 151429 – 1B, with Stampers A 1/1. This is a lovely original example, little played and offering superb sound throughout. 

  “Ballad of Easy Rider is the eighth album by the American rock band The Byrds and was released in November 1969 on Columbia Records. The album was named after the song "Ballad of Easy Rider", which had been written by The Byrds' guitarist and singer, Roger McGuinn, as the theme song for the 1969 film, Easy Rider. The title was also chosen in an attempt to capitalize on the commercial success of the film, although the majority of the music on the album had no connection with it. Nonetheless, the association with Easy Rider heightened The Byrds' public profile and resulted in Ballad of Easy Rider becoming the band's highest charting album for two years in the US.”

The distinctive Columbia Red label is in absolutely pristine condition with the base color extends into the unworn spindle hole and the black type is still perfectly crisp and readable in Mint condition. 

 The vinyl is almost pristine and gleams like a brand new album and the stereo sound quality is as clear as a bell. There are several very fine scratches and scuffs on both sides, while Side -2 is clear, Side -1 has the faintest of crackling which is only noticed with headphones but not on my stereo speakers, using the same turntable player. Otherwise, there are no pops, sticking, jumps, and without any detectable crackle on Side-2. The sound quality is simply Superb with no distortion and no groove wear, with only superb, clear and precise audio.  

 The 1969 original, pale earth-brown colored, Lem Parsons semi-gloss laminated, sturdy, clean, fresh and attractive cover is in EX, lustrous and intact condition, with songs listing and credits on the back side. Both sides are in EX brilliant condition with minor spinal wear, but no rips, tears, splits, and only some shelf-wear corner folds and scuffs, but still very flat looking. The opening edge is beautifully straight with barely any feathering.

I use special made, secure record mailers and always ship vinyl outside of the jacket to prevent seam splits.