QUEEN A NIGHT AT THE OPERA 2/2 1st PRESS *SUPERB* AUDIO & COVER NEAR MINT/MINT-
£
135
$
179
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Description
QUEEN : A Night At The Opera 2/2 1st Pressing
This first pressing is a real find! It is in fantastic and plays with a clarity and definition that is exceptional in every way. There are so many highlights but all of S1 is a good start as it has no interference at all. S2 is almost as stunning with only 3/4 seconds of minor interference at the end of 'The Prophet's Song' but apart from that it is 'as new'. Both 'Love Of My Life' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' are outstanding and are quite possibly the finest version I have ever heard on a 2/2 first press! There have no interference and the sonic quality is exceptional to say the least.
The embossed cover is also in lovely condition and has been so well preserved. For once the original picture inner has no split on the bottom edge, how rare is that?!
As this is a genuine first press it has a 2/2 matrix and Blair's is etched into the run out grooves as opposed to Mr. Blair's Cut on later pressings. This truly is a STUNNING album album and I'm not sure I want to part with it!
EMTC 103 // YAX 5063 - 2 / YAX 5064 - 2 // GPH 1 / GAD 3 // BLAIR'S etched on both run out grooves
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 Ex- at the end of the final section for 3/4 seconds)
The gatefold is Near Mint-
The picture inner is Mint-
The labels are Near Mint-
Visual grading
The vinyl is in lovely condition and still holds a strong glossy sheen despite its age. There are no scratches and only a small number of faint hairlines of which only a couple are a little more obvious albeit short. There is some spindle wear so has certainly been played a few times but has lost none of its original audio quality. This is a record that has always been carefully handled. The run out grooves are also super clean all the matrix info and etchings can clearly be read.Play grading
The piano intro on 'Death On Two Legs' gives a good indication of things to come and plays with superb clarity and no interference at all. The rest of the of intro cannot be faulted either - a Mint start for sure. As the track 'kicks into gear' the playback is stunning and the same applies to the first verse. From then it plays with such dynamic quality and there is not so much as a dust tick. The clarity is incredible and none of the vitriol is lost here, it plays with a power and menace that is as good as it was back in '75. A Mint version to begin with.
'Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon' has just one mega light tick on the intro and then plays with exemplary clarity to the very end. There is no interference and if I'm honest even Mint- is a little harsh as the tick at the beginning is barely audible! However, I will grade as Mint- just to be cautious :-)
The underrated 'I'm In Love With My Car' plays with stunning power and depth from start to finish with no 'background' of any kind. A sublime version that grades as Mint for sure. Even the fade out and 'motor' ending has no interference.
The intro on 'You're My Best Friend' is flawless and thereafter plays as per the previous tracks. There is no sign of any interference and Mint is again deserved.
The acoustic intro on '39' has no static, no 'background' at all and continues in the same way as the vocal comes in. Once again the playback here is outstanding and is like it has never been played before! The definition of the audio could not be any better i.e. every note is so clear and precise - 'as new' is perhaps a better way to describe it. A stunning Mint version if ever there was one.
'Sweet Lady' as you would expect plays with tremendous power from start to finish, and whilst I do not wish to repeat myself, has no interference whatsoever. It can be turned up to maximum with no distortion also. Mint
'Seaside Rendezvous' as any fan knows always has some inner groove distortion and it is just a matter of how much. I am pleased to say this is one of the 'cleanest' versions I have heard in a long time and to think this is a 2/2 first pressing! In fact forget that this is one of finest versions I have ever heard! There is no 'background' and barely any distortion, a highly commendable Mint- version to end this STUNNING side.
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S2 always provides a stern test for this vinyl as there are so many quiet sections but I am pleased to say it passes with flying colours! The very quiet 'wind' intro on 'The Prophet's Song' is stunning with no 'background', only a couple of dust ticks, and it continues to play with exceptional quality as the vocal begins. The opening chorus/verse/chorus section cannot be faulted in any way and it progresses in exactly the same way with incredible clarity, depth and power. The acapella 'Now I know...' section is just perfect in every way and the 'la la' passage is also sublime with no intrusion. As Brian's familiar guitar sound returns there is no decrease in quality and the final vocal section is absolutely STUNNING! The acoustic end section does have four static ticks and one that could be regarded as a click but...this is the first interference on the album and the music still plays very clearly. I would grade the vast majority of this classic prog track as Mint but Ex- for the final few seconds.
The timeless 'Love Of My Life' plays beautifully from the very first note and this is rare on any pressing let alone a 2/3 first pressing! It so often has some static/crackle but the playback here is 'as new' without a doubt. This clarity continues into the first verse and the remainder is equally as good. I cannot stress enough just how rare it is for this classic to play with such impeccable clarity - with only a handful of barely audible dust ticks this is a phenomenal version and whilst many would grade as Mint I will grade as Mint- as there is just one very light tick at the end. What a version!
'Good Company' plays with a clarity and warmth that belies its age and has no interference. Mint is again deserved.
The intro on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is as perfect that you could wish for! There is not even a single dust tick the clarity is that impressive and as it progresses there is no let up in quality. A couple of dust ticks on the second/third verse perhaps but obviously totally non-intrusive and they scarcely need a mention - the audio here is breathtaking to say the least and you would have to travel far and wide to find a version as IMMACULATE as this! Brian's solo then plays 'as new' and the 'operatic' section is superb. There is no interference and the dynamic 'heavy section' is also mega impressive and plays with sublime power and precision. There is no obvious distortion and the quieter end section then rounds off this total classic with unrivalled clarity i.e. no 'background' of any kind. I'm getting a little enthusiastic again but having heard this I can be forgiven! I'm finding it difficult to choose between Mint and Mint- so I will have to call it Mint- and is without question one of the finest versions I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.
'God Save The Queen' ends this iconic album with a couple of very minor ticks. A Mint- finish.
In summary this first pressing plays with impeccable sonic quality on both sides and is so rarely found in this condition. The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio cannot be replicated by any other medium and with only 3/4 seconds of minimal interference on S2 the playback here is so impressive. It is rare to also find the cover and inner is such superb condition also. A near perfect 2/2 first press that any avid fan love to have in their collection :-)
The Gatefold
This embossed cover is in superb order with very little shelf wear. The edges and spine are in fantastic condition with no wear and remarkably there is no corner wear either. The opening edge is pristine and the front cover is one of the 'cleanest' you are likely to see. It has only one mega small and faint water stain top left and 3/4 faint fingerprints on the right side but overall it has retained its original 'white' colour so well. The embossed crest is in perfect condition. The back cover is even better with no marking, just one tiny speck, and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate. The cover is also still very strong and robust confirming it has hardly been handled down the years and only very carefully. This is a stunning example of this iconic cover and rarely seen as good as this.The Picture Inner
As stated there is no bottom edge split and no side splits either. It is near perfect with only a minor crease on the bottom edge.
The Labels
They are in great condition with no marking or writing, just some spindle wear as stated.
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 machine
EMTC 103 // YAX 5063 - 2 / YAX 5064 - 2 // GPH 1 / GAD 3 // BLAIR'S etched on both run out grooves
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
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