Innuendo A2/B1 (Original UK 1st pressing 1991)

This genuine first press from 1991 plays to a standard that is so rarely heard today.  Only very lightly played there is only two seconds of interference across the entire album!  It plays with perfect precision for almost 99% I would say and is one of the most impressive I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.

The cover is remarkable condition and is one of the 'cleanest' I have ever seen.  The lyric inner looks untouched and is in pristine condition.

This album is of course very collectable in its own right as vinyl was not manufactured in vast numbers in the early 90s but to find one with a B1 matrix and in this condition is quite a rarity.  The A2/B2 matrix is certainly more commonly seen.

PCSD 115 // A - 2U / B - 1U / Stampers D

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 6 VG- for two seconds!)

The cover is Near Mint

The lyric inner is Near Mint

The labels are Mint-

Visual grading

This vinyl retains a beautiful jet-black glossy sheen and has been so well preserved down the years.  Let's not forget it is fast approaching 30 years of age!  S1 has only a small number of mega faint sleeve removal hairlines and whilst S2 does have two small hairlines that are a little more obvious they have no impact on the immaculate quality of the audio.  It is without doubt one of the 'cleanest' first pressings that you are ever likely to see!  Needless to say there are no scratches.  There are only 4/5 small spindle traces on each side so the record has certainly not been played very much.  It does have a very minor 'kink' which is a little more noticeable when you play S2 but as I say it is minor and is not a warp.  Very few records lay completely flat as we all know.  The labels and run out grooves are also extremely clean no marking.

Play grading  

The intro on 'Innuendo' begins proceedings in superb style with no 'background' and this clarity continues as you progress further into this classic.  The audio is so powerful this is helped considerably by the depth of the strong bass sound.  The vocals play with perfect precision and thus far the playback easily qualifies as Mint it is that good.  Now what is so rare is that the quiet 'Spanish guitar' section plays with no interference whatsoever.  I cannot stress enough just how rare this is!  It so often plays with static and crackle but this is the most stunning example of this section that I have heard in many a year.  Not even a dust tick just pure Mint audio all the way!  Wow!  The 'loud' guitar section that follows is just breathtaking and there is no distortion at all.  This 'strength' and clarity is prevalent to the very end and I am not exaggerating when I say this could not play any better.  With only a couple of mega light dust ticks on the fade out this version is up there with the best I have ever heard.  I do not over-grade and in my opinion it grades as Mint- it is absolutely incredible!

With complete silence in the dead wax you get a good idea of the clarity on offer here.  'I'm Going Slightly Mad' more than keeps the standard by playing 'as new' from the very start.  Having listened to every second I can safely say this is another Mint track.  The sonic quality is stunning and from the first note to the last there is not even a solitary dust tick!

There is then one click in the dead wax but that is obviously before 'Headlong' begins.  There are 3/4 barely audible soft 'ticks' on the intro - they are not clicks I hasten to add!  It then plays with incredible power and definition and again there is no interference to speak of, not even in the 'quieter' moments not that there are many of them.  Every note is so 'clean' and there is no loss of audio quality in the intervening 28 years.

'I Can't Live With You' is another stunning example of a vinyl that has been so well preserved.  Again there is no 'background' and it plays as Mint from beginning to end.  I have often found that this 'louder' track plays with some distortion on the first pressings but that is definitely not the case here.  There is no hint of distortion whatsoever.  Whilst I may be repeating myself now it is impossible not to be mega impressed by the audio here.  It is 'high end' audio to say the least and it is very obvious that this vinyl has only ever been lightly played.  I also mention fade outs a lot but that is because they, along with intros, give a great idea of the clarity on offer.  This fade out is nigh on perfect with only a couple of gentle dust ticks right at the end.

'Ride The Wild Wind' ends the side with, you guessed it, audio perfection!  The clarity and definition is so impressive and as is common on so many 'Taylor' tracks the rhythm section is so strong.  The powerful drums and bass are so high in the 'mix' and play with perfect precision.  Again there is no distortion and the fade out just has to be heard to be believed!  This is as good a 'finish' to the side that I have ever heard.  It is worth noting that the entirety of S1 plays with not one single click or pop and no static or crackle either.

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'All God's People' impresses with superb power and depth from the very first groove.  As it continues there is no 'let up' in quality and the first relatively quiet section plays with perfect clarity.  From then on the audio is of the same sublime standard and on the higher register the power is just incredible, not one iota of distortion.  The long fade out plays as 'cleanly' as it did back in '91.

The classic 'These Are The Days Of Our Lives' is a real highlight of the album and I am pleased to say it could not play any better.  From start to finish it plays with such delicate precision and there is no 'background' at all.  This is a stunning version any audiophile would be impressed with!  This is why we listen to vinyl - when you find an album as well preserved as this the warmth and depth of the audio on quiet tracks such as this cannot be replicated.  A Mint version without doubt.

The quirky 'Delilah' plays to the same exacting standard bar one very faint 'tick'.  It may not be everyone's favourite track but it does nonetheless play with immaculate quality.

'Don't Try So Hard' is the one track that will often be affected by static or crackle on the intro but aside from three super quiet dust ticks this is as close to perfection as you will find.  The first chorus plays impeccably well and this stunning quality prevails to the very end.  With wonderful definition this is another sublime track on an album that just keep giving!  The quiet end section plays beautifully with only 3/4 dust ticks.  In all sincerity I do not know why I mention dust ticks sometimes as they are obviously not clicks and do not affect the audio quality in any way.  Even new vinyl will have them!

'The Hitman' plays 'as new' which is often the case I find.  It is such a 'heavy' track there is little room for interference!  In saying that it still plays with a deep powerful sound throughout and there is no 'background' and no distortion which is definitely worth a mention, another indication that the vinyl has only been lightly played.

'Bijou' can often be affected by interference being such a quiet track and does indeed play with superb quality until the 'rest of our lives' line which does have two clicks.  A shame because aside from that the clarity could not be any better.  Not bad though - the first real interference on the album!

'The Show Must Go On' intro plays in impeccable style and continues in the same fashion.  This classic so often will play with distortion but this is one of the strongest versions you are ever likely to hear.  With no interference the power and depth of the audio is tangible and I cannot adequately put into words just how well plays!  So impressive and perhaps even more noteworthy is the near perfect fade out that has only a couple of static ticks literally at the end where the track is barely audible!  A breathtaking version in anyone's book and provides a stunning end to a stunning album.

In summary this is one of the finest 'Innuendo' first pressings that you will find today and as we all know they are becoming increasingly difficult to find in this condition.  With only two seconds TWO SECONDS only ! of interference the playback is stunning and will not disappoint.  The clarity and power on display is so good and that pays testament to how well this vinyl has been looked after down the years.  Not only that but this is one of the 'cleanest' covers I have seen in a long time - just look at the photos!  And the lyric inner is in perfect Mint condition also.  A stunning 'package' for sure.

The Cover

The cover is in lovely condition and is rarely seen as 'clean' as this today.  This is mainly due to the fact that it is so 'white' and is easily marked etc but this cover has lost none of its original colour at all.  The front cover is in superb order with only one tiny 'speck' in the top right corner and the back cover is absolutely pristine.  The edges and thin spine are in perfect order with no rubbing at all and I think it is safe to say this cover has been kept inside a pvc sleeve for most of its life.  There is also no corner wear - how often can that be said?!  The opening edge appears untouched and has no handling wear at all.  The front cover, as stated, is beautifully clean and the only wear, if you can call it that, is a very faint crease above the 'I' that leads to the spine but I would not be surprised if it doesn't show on the photos as it really is very faint.  Aside from that there are only a handful of tiny creases around the edges that you always see.  The back cover is even cleaner (if that is possible!) and has no detracting features at all.  Overall this cover is one of the most visually stunning you are ever likely to see and they are definitely getting harder to find today.

The Lyric inner

This is almost perfect, almost!  There are no side splits or markings and I was about to grade it as Mint when I noticed a very faint crease bottom right of the lyric side which can also be seen on the other side.  Many would miss it!

The labels

They are in beautiful condition with no marking or writing and only a very small amount of spindle wear.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

PCSD 115 // A - 2U / B - 1U / Stampers D

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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