LED ZEPPELIN III A5/B5 RED/PLUM Misspelt CELEBRATION *Stunning* AUDIO NM/MINT-
£
196
$
260
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Description
LED ZEPPELIN III A5 / B5 Atlantic 2401022 UK 1970 Red/Plum Label
This very early red/plum pressing has the misspelt 'Celebration' credit on the label which of course should read as 'Celebration Day'. The audio plays to an fantastic standard and the vast majority is 'as new', the clarity could hardly be any better.
This vinyl has the same A5/B5 matrix as the first pressing with the 'Peter Grant' credit. Most albums with the 'Celebration' error have an A5/B7 matrix so this one is definitely a rarer version. The publishing credits are 'Warner Bros. Music Ltd'. The famous Aleister Crowley quotes 'Do what thou wilt' and 'So mote it be' are etched on the dead wax.
The gatefold is in wonderful condition and the rotating wheel still works perfectly.
2401022 // A5 / 1 4 7 // B5 / 1 2 1 2
The audio on S1 is Mint- (tracks 4 & 5 Near Mint)
The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 3 final 2 seconds & track 4 intro 3/4 seconds both Ex)
The gatefold cover is Ex
The labels are Ex+
The 'Plastic Bags...' inner sleeve is Ex+
Visual grading
This is one stunning vinyl and visually you don't get any better than this! With only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines it has an immaculate glossy sheen and there are no scratches or marks. It really is in remarkable condition for nearly 50 years of age and has been so well preserved in that time. There is not that much spindle wear either and I can safely say the vinyl has only been played relatively little. There is actually still some vinyl 'flecking' around the S2 spindle hole! The red/plum labels are also in super clean condition as are the run out grooves.
Play grading
From the very first note the classic 'Immigrant Song' plays with wonderful power and definition and there is no interference. In fact there is no 'background' of any kind, not even a single dust tick. There is also no distortion and as it is such a 'clean' version the bass line is just so strong. This is 'high end' audio at its very best and grades as Mint- it is that good. A stunning start to the album.
The 'spoken' intro on 'Friends' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of mega quiet dust ticks. It then plays to a sublime standard and again there is no 'background'. This is a rarity as whilst it isn't a quiet song it is nonetheless largely acoustic and the clarity just could not be any better. The moog synth segue into the next track is also very impressive and has barely any of the static that you so often hear.
'Celebration / Celebration Day' begins superbly with no static distortion on the top end and this is a real rarity. As soon as Bonham joins in the definition of the audio is stunning. Again there is no distortion from start to finish and this could not play any better. What a version! This is another example of a vinyl so well preserved down the years and only lightly played. There is so much 'going on' with this track and yet there is no 'muddiness' to the sound, the definition of each note could not be any clearer. The long fade out plays with great precision and just the one light 'tick' right at the end.
The intro on 'Since I've Been Loving You' is one of the 'cleanest' I have heard in a long time. There are no clicks or pops and barely any static. A fabulous start! The same applies to Page's first solo, it is 'as new'. The first vocal plays with incredible clarity, just the odd mega quiet dust tick really that you would find on new vinyl let alone one that is nearly 50 years old! With so many quiet sections there is no room to hide but the clarity throughout is so impressive, no clicks or pops and no obvious static either. Page's longer solo is so powerful and there is no distortion. Wow! The very quiet section that follows has no intrusive 'background' and whilst there is a little inner groove distortion on the end section, very common with this track, it still plays with immense power and distinction and no other interference.
'Out On The Tiles' has no distortion on the intro which is indeed a rarity. As it progresses there is a little on the top end but it is without doubt one of strongest versions I have heard in quite a long time. This final track always has inner groove distortion as any Led Zeppelin collector knows and it is just a question of much. I am pleased to say it is minimal here and you can turn it up without having to turn it down immediately! The bass heavy instrumental end section is fantastic! It is so powerful and provides a stunning finale to the side. The long fade out again has no 'background' aside from a couple of quiet 'whoosh' sounds literally at the end. A superb version of this classic track with...no clicks or pops etc!
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'Gallows Pole' has a beautiful 'clean' intro with only 2/3 minor dust ticks and a couple of mega light static ticks just before the tempo increases. There is a very quiet hiss in the background but that is just the way it was recorded and is always found on this track, it is totally non-intrusive. From then on it plays with a clarity and power that is second to none and is 'as new' no exaggeration. There is no distortion on the top end and the only 'background' is one very faint 'tick' just before the fade out which then plays superbly well.
'Tangerine' has the usual light hiss on the intro but there is barely any static and the clarity is very impressive. As Bonham comes in the playback could not be any better and I cannot put into words just how incredibly well this plays. There is just nothing that detracts from the immaculate audio, just a minor hint of mega light static on the final note.
The acoustic intro on 'That's The Way' is superb and rarely have I heard it play with such stunning precision and Mint is a worthy grading for certain. I always go on about clarity but that is how any vinyl should be judged of course and the clarity here could hardly be any better. With only a couple of mega light ticks during playback and one crackle sound on the final note this is 'high end' audio and provides further evidence of an album that has been so well looked after. A stunning version.
'Bron-y-aur Stomp' has minimal static for the first 4/5 seconds and then plays with incredible precision. The depth of the audio here is stunning and you just don't get this 'level' of sound via any other medium. There is no interference, not even a dust tick, and as is often the case I am running out of superlatives when the audio is this good! With very little static on the fade out this is audio at its very best.
'Hats off to (Roy) Harper' ends this side with wonderful quality and there is no 'background' at all. This again qualifies as Mint- the playback just could not be any better. A sublime finish to this classic album.
In summary this rare 'Celebration' misprint red/plum vinyl is of a standard so rarely found today. The vast majority plays 'as new' and as my feedback confirms I grade with honesty. Why would I do otherwise?! There is no intrusive interference whatsoever and when there is any 'background' it is so minor, negligible really. This is the most impressive 'Celebration' vinyl I have sold in a long time and just to repeat there is not one single click or pop! One crackle sound and only the lightest of static in a couple of brief sections that is it. The warmth and depth of audio here is a joy to listen to!
The Gatefold
This fully laminated E.J. Day gatefold is in excellent condition with only very minor shelf wear and the 'wheel' still rotates perfectly. The 'open' top and bottom edges of the front cover are extremely clean with no obvious rubbing and the edges of the back cover are just as impressive. The wide spine is stunning, 'as new' in fact, with no wear at all and obviously remains fully legible. The right hand corners have only the absolute minimum of wear and the opening edge is very clean with minimal handling wear also. The laminate throughout is in superb shape and has no splits or lifting. The front cover is very clean with only a small number of 'speck' marks and the back cover is similar with only very minor discolouration around the edges. There is also one very small laminate crease to be seen. The inside of the gatefold is stunning with only a couple of very faint marks. Overall this is a fine example of this gatefold with not many seen in this condition today.
Inner Sleeve
The poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner has no splits or tears and no age related fading either. There is barely any creasing either. There is just one small faint mark on one side.
The Labels
The red/plum labels are in superb condition with not very much spindle wear and some vinyl 'flecking' can still be seen around the S2 spindle hole! They retain a strong vibrant colour and have no marking or writing either. Superb examples!
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S cleaning machine
2401022 // A5 / 1 4 7 // B5 / 1 2 1 2
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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