SAGA 1972 LP Album EX. Westwood Recordings SIGNED Rare

	£		122
	$		162

Hi, I’m selling this LP on behalf of a friend – I’ll say from the start that I really don’t know much about this L.P. I can only tell you what little information I have from the cover:

Saga

on the WESTWOOD RECORDINGS lable. Catalogue # WRSO17 STEREO.

Recorded 1/2nd July, 1972.

(**Please note, all the photos used are of the actual item for sale.)

My friend has also passed on some info he has gathered about the band: Their musical style and ‘history’ that he obtained from someone who was selling the same album on ebay a while ago. I will put that in after I’ve described the record.

This L.P. was originally purchased by my friend’s brother, (unfortunately he died some years ago.) However he’s, pretty sure he got it from a Saga gig, (most probably in the Derby area,) around 1972-73. He thinks that the album was only for sale at their shows or by mail order.

The track listing:

SIDE ONE:

LARK IN THE MORNING (Traditional)

PEARTREE JIG / THE SCARECROW (Squire)

SEABIRD (Richardson)

BALLARD OF YARMOUTH CASTLE (Lightfoot)

THE WIZARD OF ALDERLY EDGE (Coe)

SIDE TWO:

SONG WITHOUT MEANING (Richardson)

TRADITIONAL MEDLEY

ARTHUR McBRIDE & THE SARGEANT (Traditional)

ADIEU SWEET LOVELY NANCY (Traditional)

YESTERDAY’S RAIN (Richardson)

THREE BUTCHERS (Traditional)

(The band have also listed small comments/observations next to each track along with a list of ‘who played what’.)

As for the condition of both record & sleeve, I’m no expert – but on a purely visual basis I’d say they’re very good +. The sleeve is showing it’s age, but only due to the slight ‘browning’ - looks like sepia toning to be honest. It's most evident on the edges - as this was probably a low budget/self financed release, the cover isn’t laminated. It has stood up pretty well though considering its age. – NO holes, ‘wear through’ sellotape, repairs whatsoever on any of the edges is the good news!!. There are 1 or 2 places on the spine where the paper has split. These are very small though. (There’s no printing/info on the spine edge by the way.) Some burring and fingerprint staining evident on the opening edges, but again – not torn or split. Ink on both sides is excellent – colour is strong. Some bends/creasing on the top edge front and lower edge back are noticeable. Not ‘life threatening’ though. This is definitely a used but NOT abused item. Overall, I’d rate the sleeve at a 6.5 out of 10.

The inner sleeve, is NOT original to this lp. It’s a CBS Records sleeve title appropriately, ‘The Inner Sleeve’ that contains information & photos on both sides of some early ‘70’s releases: Mott The Hoople, Chicago, Colin Blunstone, etc, etc.

Not sure what exactly happened to the original ‘inner’. I’m certain this would be a generic paper and/or polythene item though.

The vinyl itself looks to be in good shape. Record lies perfectly flat – no warps. Some fairly substantial spindle marks can be seen on both sides when turned to the light. However, there’s barely a sign of wear on the ink. Vinyl is still shiny and could do with a good pro clean. Some marks are there and are to be expected I guess. The only 2 that might cause problems are finger-nail type scratches that are confined to track 5, side 1. One is approximately 3mm long (the worst looking) and the other 5mm. I’m not saying they will – but they are there. Run-out grooves look good. Overall, I’d give it a critical 6 out of 10.

As for the signatures that are on the back cover, my friend has absolutely no idea when and where they are from. It was either purchased ‘signed’ or they were obtained at a gig at some point. (It hasn’t been dedicated.)

All signed very clearly in light blue ballpoint pen (left to right);

Roger W…..? (can’t make the rest of the surname out.)

Chris Yardley (I think)

John Squire

Paul Richardson

(Conditon of the signatures is excellent, no fading, smudging, etc - 'Paul's' is in a slightly darker pen to the other's.)

That's about all the information I have on this record. Any questions or queries though, I will be happy to try to answer. - the following is what a previous seller wrote about 'Saga'

'SAGA were a folk band local to Derby in the early 1970's and sold this limited edition LP at their pub gigs. They were not electric but they used to be well-miked up and had an old chapel harmonium that they dragged on stage that added to the pretty beefy sound. This LP was very well recorded in 1972 by the independent and excellent Westwood Recordings in Mid-Wales with plenty of volume on the mikes and with very good use of tambourine and rolling side-drum and that harmonium. A bass guitar even cuts in on "Traditional Medley" similar to the way that Tich Richardson used the bass in Boys of the Lough. They were thus an inventive band who wrote some of their own songs and had their own arrangements of all the standard favourites of the time that you would hear on this LP - e.g. "The Lark in the Morning"; Arthur McBride; Adieu Sweet Nancy. There are also instrumentals with fiddle, mandolin, guitars, percussion and occasionally bass guitar. - They do standard sets - "My love She's but a Lassie Yet/ Mairie's Wedding etc" and some of their own - Peartree Jig and the Scarecrow - Peartree at the time being a down-at-heel inner-city part of Derby that became shabby/chic. There are also 3 of their own songs - I'm not too keen on these but these are redeemed by two excellent arrangements of contemporary folk-idiom songs - "The Wizard of Alderley Edge" (Pete Coe) and "The Yarmouth Castle" (Gordon Lightfoot). The LP write-up only mentions the band members by first names in passing over the recording details - there is no performers' check list except where there is a surname credit to a song or tune. I like this - true anti-celeb folkies! but sadly this means that I can't easily find out happened to them or whether they became professional and are still around today. I hope so because they were excellent players. The fiddle/mandolin man (John Squire?) was very accomplished for the local English folk scene the early 1970s as were the rest of the musicians and though they would have had a way to go to match the likes of Carthy & Swarbrick (by whose style they were obviously influenced but not enslaved), this LP stands the quality test of time for most of the material, arrangements, instrumental skills and the recording. Obviously the name is a bit of a problem, having been appropriated since that tome by the Charity set up for the over 50s! However, it was quite a good name for such a band at the time and I guess the band members now would be well old enough for SAGA membership!!'

Sorry to be so long winded, but as I'm selling this for someone else, I wanted to be as detailed as possible. I will post/ship this album WORLDWIDE in a sturdily, packed LP mailer.

After the auction, the record and packaging will be weighed at the post office and the winner will be notified of the EXACT postage cost based purely on their location. ** No hidden extras, I do NOT charge for ANY packing materials, etc. Please check my feedback and bid with confidence! Thanks for looking, and good luck! - If special requirements, insurance, etc, is required, that can be arranged as needed.

Payment Details: I am happy to accept – U.K. winner: cheque, postal order or PayPal.

U.S.A. & Rest of world winner: an International Money Order payable in U.K. Pounds Sterling ONLY please!! OR PayPal. – If these methods aren’t suitable, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR FURTHUR PAYMENT OPTIONS and we can work something out. Swift payment ensures item will be sent same day payment is received - or in the case of a cheque – the day it clears. Thank you!