PIRANA Pirana RARE 1971 Australian Prog Rock 1st press LP SHVL 603 EXCELLENT-

	£		147
	$		195

PIRANA - PIRANA

An extremely rare and highly sought after very 1st Australian STEREO pressing of this 1971 prog rock gem on the HARVEST record label, SHVL 603

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  SLP + 7001 + A 

Side 2  SLP + 7001 + B

 The appearance of the vinyl is excellent+. Completely flat, beautifully glossy and when viewed in normal daylight still retaining it's original jet black lacquered sheen with no obvious marks though it is just possible to detect a 1.5cm wispy hairline on track 1, side 1. Under a bright light just a few very light paper scuffs come into view, but there is nothing "feelable" and I could detect nothing below the surface. Very impressive considering this record's 47 year antiquity - a real gleamer! 

The original 1st pressing labels are excellent. These are the very 1st pressing smooth yellow background with black writing and all text still perfectly defined and laid out. The iconic green Harvest logo remains perfectly laid out. No marks or nicks, just a couple of very, very faint and small spindle trail traces adjacent to the centre hole on each label, and if it were not for a hand written name on the 2nd side label I would not hesitate to grade the labels as excellent+, but the presence of the name means a grading of "excellent".

The front and reverse side laminated Julian Eddy designed gatefold outer sleeve is very good.  There is laminate creasing on the front side towards the bottom right corner and top right corner, and although much of each edge, including the spine, is devoid of creasing there is a 4cm scuff and seam split in the centre of the top edge and some further sporadic laminate lifting adjacent to the top front edge. On the reverse side there is some further mild (but noticeable) laminate creasing at the bottom left corner and each of the bottom corners.The spine remains rigid and well defined but there are two obvious 2cm laminate creases adjacent and perpendicular to the spine which do impinge upon the spine itself. Each corner remains a nicely defined right angle with minimal rubbing only.The inside of the gatefold has some mild diagonal creasing in each corner and a few small "nicks" along the spine. There is also a hand written name, in capitals, towards the top right corner of the inside of the gatefold.  Despite all of this the artwor kand writing on the front, reverse, and inside of the gate fold remains excellent as do the inside photos; and all writing remains perfectly legible. A definite "very good" grading - no better but definitely no worse.

Finally, the quality of the audio is excellent+. To be more precise the audio quality ranges from at least excellent to (mostly) simply stunning, with fabulous clarity and tone even on the higher frequencies and at higher volume. There is just a little light, background crackle at the beginning of side 1 and side 2. This record makes for a great listen with some wonderfully inventive music - some great guitar work and exemplary organ throughout but especially on the final track of side 2 which is a prog rock gem in it's own right - on offer here. A real late early 70's prog/acid rock gem. I love this record!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. Elation

2. Sermonette

3. The Time Is now

Side 2 :

1. Find Yourself A New Girl

2. The River

3. Easy Ride

4. Stand Back

Comes with original anti-static polythene inner. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a solid overall very good+ copy of this rare and highly sought after 1971 Australian 1st press prog rock gem, with the highlights being the great condition of the vinyl and accompanying superb audio quality - certainly a worthy addition to any record collection and only continuing to gain in value. 

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but I am now retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. My only wish is that they go to good homes.

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be : 

- UK Royal Mail 1st class signed for : £5.00

- continental Europe Royal Mail 1st class signed for : £10.00

- Rest of the World Royal Mail 1st class tracked and signed for : £15.00 . 

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler