GONG "Camembert Electrique" 1971 UK VIRGIN 1st PRESS NM
£
33
$
43
£ 33
Sold For
Aug 30, 2010
Sold Date
Aug 20, 2010
Start Date
£ 22
Start price
4
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
Auctioned at
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Description
GONG "Camembert Electrique" 1971 UK VIRGIN 1st PRESS NM
A-1U/B-1U, B&W VIRGIN LABELS, UNPLAYED?, SUPERB COPY
GONG
Camembert Electrique
ORIGINAL UK VIRGIN (VC 502) FIRST PRESSING (1971) OF GONG'S CLASSIC "Camembert Electrique" LP - IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION (it's possibly completely unplayed as the labels show no spindle traces or signs of use) AND IT'S ONE OF THE CLEANEST SOUNDING I HAVE HEARD IN A WHILE (many copies of this LP have passed through my hands over the years - which have been rejected - as this is a surprisingly difficult first pressing to find in decent playing condition) BUT THIS ONE PLAYS BEAUTIFULLY THROUGHOUT AND I GUARANTEE YOU WILL NOT FIND A BETTER PLAYING COPY
PRESSED ON QUALITY MID-WEIGHT VINYL (which has the first press characteristic continuous play into both the Side One and Side Two run-off grooves)
THE RECORD HAS THE FIRST ISSUE BLACK AND WHITE VIRGIN LABELS
FIRST PRESS CORRECTED MATRIX:
SIDE ONE: VC (1505 crossed out) 502 A-1U (etched 'PIERRE')
SIDE TWO: VC (1505 crossed out) 502 B-1U (etched 'NORMALE')
MOTHERS/STAMPERS: 1/RA and 1/GA
AND IS HOUSED IN THE ORIGINAL BLACK, MATT SLEEVE
COMPLETE WITH THE ORIGINAL PLAIN WHITE INNER WITH UK PATENT NUMBER AND "MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN" TEXT PRINTED IN GREY/SILVER
This is a classic, the epitome of the band's early Daevid Allen phase with Ph.P.'s (pothead pixies) in full, blazing glory.
In its infancy, Gong was a unique prog rock band that branched out in all directions at once while most other prog bands chose simply one path or another. Camembert Electrique is a testament to that.
The band's eclectic "electric cheese" rock is a mixture of psychedelic rock, spacey atmospherics and lyrics, and doses of jazz often presented with a pop sensibility, yet always intense.
From the first cut on Camembert, you are transported to planet Gong via the voice of a "radio gnome" who drops in intermittently to remind you you're not in Kansas anymore.
Daevid Allen leads the band through several compositions with a hard, raw-edged sound propelled by a strong guitar-sax-percussion combo.
Drummer Pip Pyle played on only a few Gong sessions; he is a major figure here, as is saxophonist D+6idier Malherbe. Both are up front on the wailing progressive rocker "You Can't Kill Me," which also features guitarist Allen in top form.
Allen's declarative "I've Bin Stone Before," the first part of an inventive three-song medley, is of particular interest; introductory church organ and avant-garde sax make this another unique Gong experience.
But the real gem on Camembert is "Tropical Fish: Selene." This jazzy composition is the most involving and intricate piece on the recording. The band moves tightly through several progressive movements and Gilli Smyth scores with her trademark "space whispering." Camembert Electrique still remains innovative, exciting and undated after almost 40 years
Daevid Allen ("Bert Camembert") - guitar, vocals, bass guitar on "Tried So Hard"
Gilli Smyth ("Shakti Yoni") - vocals
Didier Malherbe ("Bloomdido Bad De Grass") - saxophones and flute
Christian Tritsch ("Submarine Captain") - bass, lead guitar on "Tried So Hard"
Pip Pyle - drums
Track Listing:
Side 1: Radio Gnome Prediction (0:25) / You Can't Kill Me (6:18) / I've Bin Stone Before (4:55) / Mister Long Shanks: O Mother, I Am Your Fantasy (3:35) / Dynamite: I Am Your Animal (4:30) / Wet Cheese Delirium (0:28)
Side 2: Squeezing Sponges Over Policemens Heads (0:10) / Fohat Digs Holes In Space (6:18) / And You Tried So Hard (4:35) / Tropical Fish: Selene (7:32) / Gnome The Second (0:26)
LABELS: The labels are clean, bright and unmarked with no evident spindle traces - the spindle hole is still tight - in my opinion this copy may have never been played - MINT
VINYL Visual: The vinyl still retains its original deep, like new, glossy sheen and is practically unmarked but for a scuff on Side Two on the third track division - but this has no audio consequence - NEAR MINT (side one) / EXCELLENT (side two)
VINYL Audio: Outstanding audio quality throughout with a clean, sharp, warm and vibrant sound and on playback at a loud volume (which is how I always listen to my records prior to listing) there are no scratches, no sticks or jumps, no loud clicks/pops and no real surface noise. The record plays beautifully (which in my experience is very rare) and to an extremely high standard - all frequencies bright and clear - and there is no groove-wear, no distortion (it's possibly unplayed), it sounds sensational and is critically graded a strong NEAR MINT for audio - this is a fantastic copy, one of the best I've heard in years and they really don't come much better than this - very highly recommended indeed
SLEEVE: Being predominantly black and untreated this is a notoriously difficult sleeve to find in decent condition but this is a very, very example. The black is strong with very little rubbing (there is some light record impression but none of the common ring wear) and the edges are crisp and square with just a little bumping to the corners - a very strong EXCELLENT
PLEASE HAVE A LOOK AT MY PICTURES - I USUALLY TAKE QUITE A FEW SO YOU CAN GET A CLEAR INDICATION OF EVERY DETAIL OF THE ITEM
ALL GRADINGS ARE STRICT (PLEASE SEE MY FEEDBACK) SO YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE BUYING - EVEN THE SLIGHTEST DEFECTS ARE NOTED SO YOU CAN BE 100% CONFIDENT WITH YOUR PURCHASE - I AM AN AVID RECORD COLLECTOR MYSELF SO I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BUY RECORDS DESCRIBED AS PERFECT ONLY TO BE SEVERELY DISAPPOINTED
I HAVE UPLOADED AS MANY PICTURES AS I CAN BUT I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUPPLY ANY ADDITIONAL PHOTOS ON REQUEST
PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR MORE RARE AND COLLECTABLE VINYL
AND PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUERIES YOU MAY HAVE
THANKS FOR LOOKING, CHEERS
PLEASE REFER TO MY 'ABOUT ME' PAGE FOR MORE DETAILED INFO ON MY PLAY-GRADING, EQUIPMENT USED, P&P etc
POST & PACKING
UK: 1st Class: FREE or £1.00 (recorded delivery)
EUROPE: Airmail: £5.50 or £10.00 (International Signed For delivery with tracking)
INTERNATIONAL: Airmail: £9.50 or £14.00 (International Signed For delivery with tracking)
***Any record (or combination of records) which sells for more than £40 MUST be sent by a trackable method ie INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR or RECORDED (UK)
UK bidders: PayPal or Cheque
INTERNATIONAL bidders: PayPal ONLY
REDUCED POSTAGE FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS (EACH ADDITIONAL LP: EUROPE & INTERNATIONAL £2.00)
I will combine postage for items purchased within any 10 day period. However, at the end of each 10 day period, all outstanding items will need to be paid for in full and will be posted to you. Any items purchased after payment will be included in the next 10 period. I am continually adding new items which may be of interest to you and it is impractical for me to allow payment to be postponed indefinitely in the expectation that you might wish to bid on future items. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation
Guarantee: I try to be as accurate and honest as possible when describing the condition of any LP but of course if you feel that I am mistaken and the description is inaccurate I will offer a complete, no quibble refund (through Paypal) upon return of the item.
ALL RECORDS ARE PROFESSIONALLY CLEANED BEFORE DISPATCH AND PACKAGED WITH THE VINYL OUTSIDE OF THE SLEEVE TO PREVENT ANY 'KNIFING' DURING TRANSIT
A PROTECTIVE POLY SLEEVE, QUALITY CUSTOM MAILER AND STIFFENERS ARE ALWAYS USED TO ENSURE THAT YOUR RECORD ARRIVES SAFELY
I will email you when payment has been received to let you know when the item will be posted. Please leave feedback upon receipt of the item so that I know you have received it safely. Any problems please email me. Thanks 417 (GS 6.0.5 (417))
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