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Eyes Of Blue : The Crossroads Of Time 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press 1968

This rare and very collectable first pressing is, in a word, STUNNING!  It basically plays 'as new' with no intrusion on the audio, I cannot overstate just how pristine the audio is.  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the clarity, depth and warmth of the sound is up there with the best I have ever heard from this iconic era.  It is without doubt a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic as they say.  The vinyl is also visually stunning with just some poly-liner 'contours' on S1 from where the record affixed itself to the inner.  There are no scratches or hairlines and no obvious spindle wear either, I suspect this has only been played once or twice in its 55 year lifetime!

The laminated cover does have some shelf wear but not an excessive amount and the inner sleeve (not poly-lined) is very clean indeed.

The word 'rare' certainly applies to this superb album as one, it was only pressed in limited numbers and two, surely there cannot be many around today that play with audio as STUNNING as this! good as this one!  In my opinion it's criminal this Welsh band were not more popular back in the day.

20134 // 134087   1Y // 1 ▽  420   /   2Y // 1 ▽  420

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is VG+

The labels are Mint

The original inner is Ex-

The vinyl is in lovely condition with a very impressive glossy sheen and no scratches.  S1 does have some 'bag rash' lines no doubt caused by a poly-lined inner although the inner it is now in is not poly-lined!  These lines are only faint and have zero affect on the superb 'as new' audio!  To be honest you can only see them when you hold the vinyl at an angle under a bright light.  S2 is visually stunning with no markings etc and I cannot find any hairlines on either side!  The silver / black Mercury labels are incredibly clean with only one tiny barely visible trace on the S1 label.

Play grading  

The run in on S1 is so clean and then the intro sound effect / organ intro 'Crossroads Of Time' is basically perfect with just one minor static tick.  The first vocal section is faultless and this standard does not drop as you progress further.  The clarity and depth is stunning and there is just nothing that detracts from the audio.  Every vocal and instrumental section play as they would have done back in '68 I can pay it no higher compliment.  A couple of mega static ticks that is all.  This is without doubt a Mint- start to this classic album but as I am sometimes known to say - I'm not sure the minus is necessary!

'Never Care' is equal to that and plays with phenomenal quality from start to finish with no interference.  Again it's the clarity of sound that really stands out - no ticks, clicks, pops or static and no distortion either.  A majestic track that easily grades as Mint the sonic quality is just INCREDIBLE!  If you are lucky enough to win this album just listen carefully to the psychedelic ending - wow just wow!  Why this band weren't bigger I do not know!!

From the outset the vocally driven 'I'll Be Your Friend' plays beautifully and once more I am sat here incredulous at the sheer quality of the audio!  Rees' voice lends itself perfectly to this classic as do the accompanying backing vocals from Francis et al.  There is not one single negative here and in plays 'as new' with no background of any kind.  A sublime Mint version in every sense.

Perhaps a strange choice for this band but '7 + 7 Is' nonetheless plays with exceptional quality with no sign of any interference.  Quite a busy track and yet you can hear all the instruments perfectly, every note is crystal clear.  Another Mint track.

'Prodigal Son' provides more evidence (if it was needed!) in just how well this vinyl has been preserved.  The unusual time signature opening plays perfectly and then the psychedelic / progressive section is absolutely STUNNING!  Great power, depth and resonance and of course... no interference.  The final vocal section ends this classic with suitably impressive audio and if there is any inner groove distortion it is so so minimal and does not warrant a mention!  I will grade as Mint- just to be a little cautious :-)

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The opening vocal section on 'Largo' plays so clearly with only a couple of barely audible ticks and it continues to play with outstanding clarity and warmth from that point on.  The vocal harmonies play to perfection and there is literally no intrusion on the audio.  3/4 mega light ticks that you could easily miss as they are so darn quiet!  Let's say Mint-

The intro on 'Love Is The Law' is flawless and the opening vocal from Rees is equally as good.  It continues to play with remarkable depth and clarity and needless to say there is no interference.  Mint

The 'vocal' intro intro on this 'interesting' version of 'Yesterday' has no background and the rest of the intro plays with sublime clarity also.  The first harmony based verse is 'as new' and this standard is kept up... no surprise there I guess!  The sonic quality is again of the highest calibre - the more powerful sections play with great definition and the quieter passage towards the end has a clarity that is second to none - 'as new' in other words.  The end section builds with impeccable quality and there is no distortion on the top end.  A simply STUNNING Mint version from the first note to the last.

'I Wonder Why' once again shows off the quality of the vinyl and plays with exceptional audio throughout.  No need to elaborate this is Mint another easy grade to give!

The organ intro on 'World Of Emotion' has no intrusion and it then plays as per all the previous tracks.  There is nothing that detracts from the sound quality - no ticks, clicks, pops, jumps, static need I say more!  Even the quiet ending plays with perfect clarity.  Mint

'Inspiration For A New Day' ends this total classic with tremendous power and depth.  Perhaps not quite as clear as the preceding tracks but hey it is the final track and to be honest I am being a little critical by even saying that.  The sonic quality is still unbelievably strong and there is no interference to be heard.  I am 100% confident in grading this as Mint- such is the quality on offer.  What an album!

In summary this rare first pressing plays to the highest standard possible in my opinion.  Put simply there is no interference and the sonic quality could not be any stronger.  A truly rare find!  It was only pressed in limited numbers and there cannot be many around today as immaculate as this!  The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is so impressive and this is precisely why vinyl is so collectable and especially from this era.  When you find a vinyl as unplayed and clean as this the sonic 'landscape' is breath-taking.  A FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic in every way!  It has the wow factor!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The laminated cover has not been as carefully looked after as the vinyl but has no actual damage which is good.  The top edge has a kind of rough feel although the bottom edge is very clean.  The thin spine has some rubbing in the centre so the album name is not fully legible but the corners are in pretty good shape with very little wear and the same applies to the right hand corners.  Not surprisingly the opening edge has no obvious wear.  The front cover is actually very clean without any marking but there is some laminate creasing / lift which can mainly be seen on the left side, nothing major though.  The un-laminated back cover is also very clean with only some light fading / spotting but there is certainly no obvious marking.  It also has a rough textured feel which perhaps was intended.  Not a perfect cover but it is still in very good condition with no obvious wear as such.

The 'Plastic Bags...' inner is in excellent shape but is not poly-lined.  It has no side splits and just one very small tear on the central 'window'.  It remains very clean with very little marking around the edges.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

20134 // 134087   1Y // 1 ▽  420   /   2Y // 1 ▽  420

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

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

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USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!