The Clash, "London Calling," 1st US Pressing 1979, Ultrasonic Clean, Plays Mint

$

95

Dr. John's Spin Factory takes you back to 1979 when The Clash BURST into the international spotlight with their multi-genre, entirely captivating, double album, London Calling.  This copy, like all original pressings is dated 1979.  And, truth be known, and just in case you're inclined to dig into the weeds on Discogs, though recorded and ready by the end of 1979, London Calling was not released in the USA until January 1980.  Here's a bit more trivia.  Besides the number on the jacket, E2 36328, what identifies this album as an original release are the four words TEAR, DOWN, THE, WALLS etched into the dead wax of the four sides as follows: TEAR is etched into the dead wax of side 1, DOWN is etched into the dead wax of side 2, THE is etched into the dead wax of side 3, and WALLS is etched into the dead wax of side 4.  Pretty cool, eh?  
The vinyl of this copy plays flat out Mint.  Especially after ultrasonic cleaning, all four sides sound tremendous.  (Actually, I prefer this version to the later 180g reissue, which I also have.  Note: Thickness of the vinyl has ZIP to do with how the music will sound.) The only downside of the copy for sale is the jacket, which shows signs of wear on the upper and lower left corers, the spine, and a small section on the lower edge that is a bit distended from having two discs stuffed inside for just over 45 years. (I tried to show all these issues in the pictures.) 
Oh well...as the comedian Steven Wright once quipped, "Can't have everything.  After all, where would you put it?"  
The original sleeves hold all the lyrics and a bunch of interesting info.  The paper of the original sleeves has yellowed slightly, and otherwise look like new.  So that the discs will enjoy the best protection and continue to play like new, this album will come with audiophile quality, replacement sleeves, as well as a plastic slipcover.  Concerned about shipment?  As I do for all used LPs, the discs will be held in their replacement sleeves and together with the empty jacket and original sleeves slipped inside the plastic slipcover.  This arrangement prevents the relatively heavy vinyl records from inadvertently sliding around and damaging the edges of the cardboard jacket during shipment.  
And what of the music of this remarkable, landmark double album?  Here is AllMusic's Thomas Stephen Erlewine with his on-the-money 5 star (out of 5 stars) review:
Give 'Em Enough Rope, for all of its many attributes, was essentially a holding pattern for the Clash, but the double-album London Calling is a remarkable leap forward, incorporating the punk aesthetic into rock & roll mythology and roots music. Before, the Clash had experimented with reggae, but that was no preparation for the dizzying array of styles on London Calling. There's punk and reggae, but there's also rockabilly, ska, New Orleans R&B, pop, lounge jazz, and hard rock; and while the record isn't tied together by a specific theme, its eclecticism and anthemic punk function as a rallying call. While many of the songs -- particularly "London Calling," "Spanish Bombs," and "The Guns of Brixton" -- are explicitly political, by acknowledging no boundaries the music itself is political and revolutionary. But it is also invigorating, rocking harder and with more purpose than most albums, let alone double albums. Over the course of the record, Joe Strummer and Mick Jones (and Paul Simonon, who wrote "The Guns of Brixton") explore their familiar themes of working-class rebellion and antiestablishment rants, but they also tie them in to old rock & roll traditions and myths, whether it's rockabilly greasers or "Stagger Lee," as well as mavericks like doomed actor Montgomery Clift. The result is a stunning statement of purpose and one of the greatest rock & roll albums ever recorded.
Good luck!  And be advised, if you buy this album and listen, really listen, start to finish, three or five times your brain may end up calling out for more great music.  Stay tuned!  Best, Dr. John