QUEEN II 4U/4U 1st Press 1974 BEAUTIFUL COVER & SUPERB AUDIO NEAR MINT/MINT-
£
107
$
142
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Description
QUEEN II 4U/4U 1st Pressing
This genuine first pressing plays with stunning clarity, depth and power on both sides with no interference! I have play tested every track in full and the playback cannot be faulted - there are no clicks or pops and barely any static. It is without doubt one of the finest examples I have ever encountered and when you consider it is nearly 50 years old there cannot be many around as impressive as this today. This is precisely why we listen to vinyl - audio does not get any better than this and cannot be replicated by any other medium. This easily qualifies as FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic!
The laminated cover is in Near Mint condjtion with no obvious wear and the original lyric is also very clean with only one very small split on the bottom edge.
This is one of the earliest first pressings in that Side White and Side Black are printed sideways on each label and of course it also has the 4U/4U matrix.
EMA 797 // YAX 4?7?3?6? 4735 - 4U / YAX 4?7?3?5 4736 - 4U // RP 4 / GG 1
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint+)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The gatefold is Near Mint
The lyric inner is a very strong Ex
The labels are Near Mint-
Visual grading
The vinyl is in superb condition with a lovely glossy sheen and no marks or scratches. It is visually so impressive and has only a couple of tiny hairlines on S1 and 3/4 on S2 mainly congregated around the final track but they have no impact on the stunning audio. There is no groove wear and the run out grooves are also very clean and you can easily read the matrix info. The original EMI labels have no marking or writing, just a little spindle wear.Play grading
'Procession' plays with stunning precision from the very first groove. From the quiet percussive intro to the segue into the next track the clarity is so impressive and we all know how rare that is! These opening groove are so susceptible to static/crackle but that is not the case here and this is easily a Mint- start to the album.
So yes the segue into 'Father To Son' is faultless and the first verse and chorus are of the same 'high end' standard. As it continues you are struck by the sheer power of the audio and the clarity. The mid 'heavy' mid section is outstanding and is 'as new' with no 'muddiness' to the sound and no distortion. It has lost none of its original sonic quality and just demands to be played loud! Even the super quiet 'A word in your ear from Father to son...' section that follows is perfect and the remainder of this classic track plays with sublime quality including the long fade out that has only a couple of minor static ticks, not clicks I hasten to add! This is also very much deserving of a Mint- grade as it could not really play any better!
Again the quiet intro on 'White Queen' is often affected by some 'background' but there is barely any static here and the first vocal is also incredibly 'clean' with no intrusion. It continues in the same way with wonderful clarity and as the volume builds into the first chorus the audio is STUNNING! The next verse is equally as good and the mid section instrumental has no interference at all. The 'high octane' section near the end is phenomenal and again there is no distortion and the quiet section then ends this classic with...no interference. I tempted to grade as Mint- but I think Near Mint may be a fairer assessment - tell you what I'll give it a Near Mint+ grade!
'Some Day One Day' plays with great depth and clarity from start to finish with no 'background' of any kind. The definition of the sound is the real star here - the playback is so 'clean' and cannot have been played many times. The long fade out is superb once more and Mint is an honest appraisal of the audio.
The underrated 'Loser In The End' plays with stunning power and definition throughout and there is no sign of any interference. The definitive version you could say - there is no inner groove distortion not even on the 'loud' end section and with only a minimal static at the end of the fade out this is Mint- without doubt. What a side!
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The slow build up on 'Ogre Battle' provides more evidence of a vinyl that has been so well preserved down the years as it plays with barely any static and the first 'heavy' section is 'as new' as it gets! Every section here is flawless - the precision of the audio could not be any stronger and the playback is just unbelievable and does make you think is this a genuine 4U/4U first press! This is one of the finest versions I have ever heard and Mint- is again deserved although I'm not sure the minus should be there!
'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke' again demonstrates clarity of the highest calibre and from start to finish there is not a single dust tick let alone anything worse. As good as it was back in '74 this is Mint
The piano intro on 'Nevermore' is close to perfect with only a small number of totally non-intrusive light dust ticks. The two verses then play with great precision and as per the rest of the record, no clicks or pops. Mint-
The intro on 'The March Of The Black Queen' plays so well with only 3/4 very minor static ticks and the first vocal is faultless. From that point on it plays with superb power and definition with, you guessed it, no interference. The opening verses have a clarity that is second to none and the mid instrumental section is just fantastic! It can also play incredibly well during the quieter passages and the gentle 'A voice from behind me...' section is a prime example of that. The clarity is as good as I have ever heard and there is just no intrusion on the audio whatsoever. As the music builds the depth and power of the music is again on a level that you so rarely find and the final verses are just breathtaking! Even the quiet section towards the end has no 'background' and to the very end this classic plays with tremendous distinction. This has to be one of the most 'complete' versions I have ever had the pleasure in listening to - it is difficult to convey in words the subtle differences in 'clarity' but suffice to say the clarity here is so impressive and there are just no negatives. A phenomenal Mint- version in every way.
No need to elaborate with 'Funny How Love Is' as it grades as Mint from start to finish with no sign of any interference. Plus the depth and warmth of the audio is akin to that of an un-played record. The long fade out plays perfectly also.
'Seven Seas Of Rhye...' ends this fine album with imperious quality once more. You would often expect some inner groove distortion but there is just none in evidence here whatsoever. For a final track the audio is so 'clean' with a depth and clarity that you just never find. It is an exceptional version and only the final seaside 'singalong' has a couple of light static ticks right at the end. I still have no hesitation in grading this as Mint- and it certainly provides a suitably stunning end to what is often regarded as Queen's finest album. Who am I to argue!
In summary this first pressing plays to an unbelievable standard and in essence has no interference of any kind. In my opinion this is a FINAL UPGRADE album that has no clicks or pops and barely any static either, not far of zero static and certainly nothing intrusive. I would go so far to say there is no intrusion on the audio on either side, the clarity is just incredible. I know I can get a little too enthusiastic at times (!) but I am a fan first and a salesman second so it is impossible to be 'calm' under such circumstances! There are so many classics here and 'Father To Son' and 'The March Of The Black Queen' to name but two more than exemplify just how a 47 year old record can sound if it has been very well looked after down the years. A fantastic 'find' complete with a superb cover and lyric inner that that will impress any collector I am sure.
The Gatefold & Lyric Inner
The fully laminated G&L cover has also been so well preserved and has no obvious wear at all. The edges and spine are 'as new' and there is barely any corner wear, how rare is that?! The opening edge is pristine and the front cover retains that stunning glossy 'look' with no marking at all. The back cover is just as good with only a small number of barely visible tiny bubble 'spots' that you can only see when held at a certain angle, hardly worth a mention really! The laminate throughout really is in lovely condition. The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with only a couple of 'specks' but there is no staining and the inner spine is undamaged which makes a change. So often it is worn from being opened numerous times but this one has that 'crunch' sound when it doesn't want to open up any further! In other words it has hardly ever been opened! There is always no yellowing of the white background, another rarity. This is a FINAL UPGRADE cover and it is also very strong and robust like it has hardly ever been handled. A stunning example!The original lyric inner, with three cut corners, is in great condition with only one very small 'clean' split on the bottom edge which is not immediately obvious and one small very faint mark on 'Side Black'. It has remained so white and has barely any creasing also and is certainly one of the best you find today.
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
EMA 797 // YAX 4?7?3?6? 4735 - 4U / YAX 4?7?3?5 4736 - 4U // RP 4 / GG 1
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.
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