GANDALF - (S/T) - 1967 - 1ST PRESS stereo VINYL LP - promo - BEAUTIFUL

$

175

 GANDALF

“GANDALF”  

Capitol      ST 121

1969

FIRST PRESSING

EX / EX-

BEST COPY ON EBAY AS OF 02-28-2017.  There is only one other original 1st pressing copy currently on eBay (VG+/VG) sitting at $600 (incl. post.)  Check it out. 

In researching this rarity, I found that often it is called “the holy grail of vintage psychedelic record collecting” (it is called that right now on eBay).   INSANELY HARD TO FIND LP and a  Monster copy.  Plays like a dream.  Extremely well cared for.  Note:  There are several counterfeits, boots, and reissues on both vinyl and CD.  NONE of these re-pressings have the same original sound of this original LP.

SO WHY IS THIS LP SO RARE?  Here’s why: there was a way fractured relationship between the band and Capitol Records which caused a major riff and the label (1) delayed the release of the recording by two years, (2) did not promote it and (3) did not support them on the road.  Wikipedia details it: “Gandalf were an American psychedelic rock band formed in 1965 in New York City.  They signed a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1967. Producers Koppelman& Rubin were not happy with the band's name, and suggested that it should be changed to the Knockrockers. but the band hated that and bantered about various names much to Capitol’s dismay . Despite being against the band's will, and losing local fan recognition, Davy Bauer (drums) suggested the name Gandalf". They recorded their first and only LP the same year (’67). However, Capitol spurned them and only released the LP in 1969 with the wrong record inside the sleeve!! The copies were recalled but it damaged the band's career immensely. Capitol didn't promote the record which made the sales worse. Over the years the album's reputation grew as did the value of the few copies that were sold."

Note:  This LP was reissued legally by Sundazed in 2002 with remastering (different sound mix than the original) and then it was available as an unauthorized vinyl bootleg in 2006 (inferior sound).  A boot pic disc out of the UK is also out there but because it is a boot and a pic disc, it does not wear well and the pic disc has background noise when you open the shrink to play it the first time! The original is the only way to listen to the sound mix that Gandalf wanted their fans and followers to hear. 

STORED VERTICALLY IN A SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT FOR GOING ON 50 YEARS.

Original Capitol inner sleeves included (below).  Disc comes in a premium plastic lined white generic sleeve.