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Gravy Train : Staircase To The Day A-2G / B-2G 1st Press 1974

The classic first pressing plays to superb standard with barely any background.  There are no clicks or pops and the only background is some light static on the first part of the intro on 'Evening Of My Life' on S2.  In essence there is no real interference and the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is stunning across both sides.  The album has certainly been played a few times but the original sonic quality is still very much there.  The power of the audio is also so impressive and that is very much in evidence during the classic 'Busted in Schenectady'.  The audio is incredible and there is no inner groove distortion, never heard better.

I have sold 4 / 5 of these over the years and this is definitely up there with the best.  Criminally underrated at the time we were lucky to get four album out of them and it is good this classic band do get some recognition today.

The gatefold is excellent order overall with not too much shelf wear and it still holds its original shape and structure.  The plain white inner sleeve (with Patent No and Made In Great Britain) has only minimal creasing.

DNLH 1 // DNLH - 1  A - 2G ▽ G  /  DNLH - 1  B - 2G ▽ G

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T3 first part of intro Ex)

The gatefold is Ex-

The labels are Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with a stronmg glossy sheen and has no marks or scratches.  There are some faint hairlines and one on S2 that is a little more obvious but this can only be seen when you hold the record under a bright light light at a certain angle.  These hairlines are purely superficial as they have no impact on the superb audio.  The Dawn labels are very clean with only a couple of faint 'spots' on the S2 label.  There is some spindle wear but not an excessive amount.

Play grading  

The quiet build up intro on 'Starbright Starlight' is so clean with only a handful of minor statics and as the volume increases the playback is superb!  Barrett's first verse and chorus are 'as new' and it continues to play with impeccable quality through every vocal and instrumental section, just a couple of minor ticks on the fade out.  Quite a commercial number by Gravy Train standards and Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

The intro on 'Bring My Life On Back To Me' again plays with stunning clarity and the opening vocal has no intrusion either.  The first verse is flawless and the chorus shows off Barrett's inimitable vocal perfectly.  From then on it plays with remarkable precision - every note is so clean and precise and I cannot compliment the audio highly enough.  A number of relatively quiet sections and yet the clarity of sound is STUNNING.  I mean every section plays with unbelievable quality but a special mention for the 'gospel' vocals they just sound superb!  A couple of minor statics on the fade out again so I will grade as Mint- but clearly 99.9 % of this classic plays to perfection.

'Never Wanted You' plays with powerful and dynamic audio from the word go.  Further evidence of a vinyl so well preserved it plays with sublime sonic quality - the long closing instrumental is a prime example - turn it up to max the audio is so strong and deep it sounds fantastic!  This is Mint from start to finish.

The intro on 'Staircase To The Day' plays with great clarity with only a small number of mega quiet statics - I only mention this to be 'complete' with my grading, the playback in essence is perfect.  The opening vocal has no background and the following guitar solo is equal to that.  It continues to play with sublime clarity into the next vocal and the classic end section plays with tremendous power and depth.  If there is any inner groove distortion it really is kept to a minimum and in a sense should not be downgraded as a result.  Believe me it still plays incredibly well!  A superb Mint- version.  Jeez this band knew what they were doing!

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The 'percussive' intro on 'Going For A Quick One' plays to perfection and Barrett's opening vocal is just as strong.  It continues in the same way with no intrusion on the audio.  Another 'busy' track and yet the audio is again so clean and clinical and nothing gets in the way of the 'listen'.  Driven by such a strong beat it is not typical Gravy Train but then that's not a surprise as it was written by their producer!  In saying that it's still a great track and still has their high level musicianship on it.  From start to finish there is no interference and that includes the fade out.  Mint all the way.

The quiet build up intro on 'The Last Day' has some barely audible statics at the start (hardly worth a mention they are so quiet) and the opening two verses then play with sublime clarity and depth.  The brief instrumental that follows has no intrusion and the next two verses keep up this fine standard.  Definitely a strong / raw vocal from Barrett here and the remainder of the track plays so clearly with zero interference.  I will grade as Mint- but I'm sure the majority would consider that a little harsh!

'Evening Of My Life' has some light static on the piano / clavinet intro but the music still comes through very clearly.  This static decreases as you progress further into the intro and then the piano / 'vocal' only section plays with wonderful clarity.  The solitary verse then plays beautifully with no intrusion and the remainder of this gentle track is just as clean.  The first part of the intro is Ex and is then Mint- from that point on.

The intro on the classic 'Busted In Schenectady' has no background not even on the brief silent 'moment'.  The vocal section then plays with unrivalled clarity and power and as it builds into the first instrumental the audio is just STUNNING!  This has always been a favourite of mine and you won't find a better version than here.  It continues to play with unbelievable power and depth the sonic quality is out of this world!  The stand alone guitar section has just one very light tick and as the rhythm section come back in the playback is still 'as new' without a doubt.  It continues to build with such precision and the crescendo end section is again so strong and deep I just cannot find one single fault.  The long final 'note' has just one minor tick but really this is a STUNNING version - every section impresses on so many levels.  Definitely in its right place as an album closer this has to grade as Mint- it has to be the most 'complete' version I have heard in a long time.

In summary this first pressing plays with incredible audio with barely any intrusion.  There are no clicks or pops and only a minimal amount of light static at the start of 'Evening Of My Life'.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is 'high end' and nowhere is that more obvious than on the classic final track.  Fast approaching 50 years old this classic album impresses on so many levels and together with a very strong cover the winning bidder will not be disappointed.  A genuine collectors item.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with only not too much shelf wear.  The edges have only light rubbing and the wide spine remains strong with some small 'marks' and a little wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are very clean with only minimal wear and the opening edge has only minimal handling wear.  The front cover is in superb shape with very little fading and the back cover is very clean with only some faint ringwear and a couple of minor marks near the top plus one small 'rub' on the top edge.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no marking and the inner spine is perfect.  A very strong example overall.

The original plain white die-cut inner sleeve is unmarked and has no side splits and only minimal creasing.

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

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

DNLH 1 // DNLH - 1  A - 2G ▽ G  /  DNLH - 1  B - 2G ▽ G

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 

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LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 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!