ZAPPA / MOI Freak Out RARE ORIG UK 1966 MONO LP

	£		66
	$		87

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Postage: UK £4.25. Europe (including Russia) £12. Rest of World £16. ALL signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes.

NOTE: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment. I try to keep my P&P prices as low as possible after the very significant Royal Mail price increases and will never compromise on solid, safe packing.

Artist or Band: THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION

Album Title: Freak Out! (original first pressed UK single album version).

Producer(s): Tom Wilson.

A Special Note about this Record: One of the greatest, influential and most important albums ever issued in the underground rock scene. Not only that, this is a lovely mono copy that actually plays very well with little unwanted. Not quite as rare the first pressed stereo version but still a very elusive record and difficult to find nice. Many of the mono versions that do show up are most often trashed and unplayable. This record is very clean with few marks and given it’s 46 years of age and mode, is amazing. Rarely purchased by hi-fi connoisseurs, but just a select few of curious collectors – hardly anyone would have spent their money on a new group of (clearly weird) Americans in the UK at this time, and those initial copies that did sell were wrecked on groove wearing record players. Freak Out was the birth of underground psychedelic music and little was the same thereafter. Issued way back in 1966, it’s importance cannot be overstated and to this day the daring nature of it’s contents still have the ability to captivate, entertain and even shock. The UK copy remains almost unique as it was issued here in a single format with three songs missing from the US version which was a double album (rock’s first 2 LP set) – I guess UK Verve could not justify spending the extra money in producing a double set that was almost certain not to sell in any great numbers. With a record that plays with no groove wear or distortion from clean playing surfaces, this has little unwanted bar the odd minor sporadic click here and there. The cover is in fine condition too, not perfect but still very attractive and just enough to remind of it’s considerable age. So an underground classic in very fine condition I am more than proud to offer, this will not be seen often and rarely in such fine all-round conditions – I am amazed this is my first available mono original for around four years.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Hungry Freaks Daddy; I Ain’t Got No Heart; Who Are the Brain Police?; Motherly Love; Wowie Zowie; You Didn’t Try to Call Me; I’m Not Satisfied; You’re Probably Wondering Why I’m Here.

Side 2: Trouble Every Day (Original UK short version); Help, I’m a Rock; The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet.

Cat Number: VLP 9154.

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 119 grams. A little below average for this time.

Label/Format: Verve – Original black and silver format with EMI credits. Label text includes ‘Sold in UK’ etc and the embossed ‘K T’ tax codes on side two. Both unworn and unflattened with most ink retention. (Please see my label scans for any information needed).

Label Condition: Both fresh, clean and attractive with intense matt intense black finish. Spindle marks are on the lighter side of moderate, especially for a mono copy where record players tended to leave their evidence more freely No wear around the hole rims and ahve no fears, this record plays superbly even on an LP12, still one of the world’s most revealing turntables.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Moderately Rare: but not quite as rare as the original stereo but still a hard one to find in such fine condition.

Original Year of Release: 1966 (original single album, VLP series).

Matrix Nos: V 5005 A-1 / V 5005 B-1.

Stamper Codes: 1 R / 1 G [one of the earliest you will find, ‘G’ being the ultimate first, followed by ‘R’]

Musicians: Frank Zappa - guitar, vocals; Ray Collins - lead vocalist, harmonica, tambourine, finger cymbals, bobby pin and tweezers; Jim Black - drums, vocals; Roy Estrada - bass, guitarron, soprano vocals; Elliot Ingber - alternate lead and rhythm guitars.

Brief Artist & Album Info: It always gives me immense pleasure to offer such an important album in such fine condition – no easy task for this groundbreaking debut I can tell you - I take my Zappa items very seriously, he has been my favourite rock artist since I was an early teenager. Items have to be of high quality for me to offer and this one exceeds my high minimum standard by some margin.

Led by the genius that was Frank Zappa, The Mothers of Invention were outsiders, even on this their debut album. Older than most of their contemporaries, they brought a cynicism to their work that celebrated joys without resorting to nostalgia, they had little appeal for teenagers or female listeners. Telling parodies of pop forms that were as engaging as those upon which they drew, while experimental pieces, drawn from avant garde compositions by Varese and Stravinsky, took the idea of ‘rock’ into unchartered territory. Zappa’s skills as a musician and engineer ensuring the innovative nature of this creation. Even today, it’s great fun to listen too. This original issue did not chart in the UK and only made 150 in the States.

Made with a budget of $25,000, some $6,000 more than average at this time, the albums’ producer was Tom Wilson, he laid his job on the line to make it and stayed with the band for four others. This copy on offer is the 1966 UK mono original, then only available in the UK as a single set. It has three songs less than the 1971 Select reissue and a shorter-edit version of ‘Trouble Every Day’, which is possibly unique to the single album. This may sound like an inferior original, but far from it. The sounds embedded into an original pressing with the ‘V’ matrix are amazing, no details are hidden and it takes you into the recording studio itself. Wilson’s production is quite astonishing. Like all Zappa Verve albums, this is vital to any collection, all the Verves were different and all remain absolutely essential. The mono editions have never been issued on CD and are never likely to be, they sound very different to the more familar stereo editions. Even from the opening bars of ‘Hungry Freaks Daddy’ with it’s distorted riff which replicates the Stones ‘Satisfaction’ the stage is set. It has a leering savagery and points the finger at Mr America and suggests a wave of non-conformism. The powerful ‘Trouble Every Day’ a song about the Watts race riots in America at this time and was highly controversial – as was the whole album. The astonishing ‘Help, I’m a Rock’ must be the ultimate ‘Freak Out’ track - this must have sent shock-waves out to listeners on first issue, nothing had been heard like this before. The final track is even more challenging, and even today will scare the daylights out of most unsuspecting listeners: ‘The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet’ is a modernist sound-composition, has to be heard many times to be fully appreciated, and this even blew me away with the incredibly detailed mono mix. This track alone saw Zappa trashing 60s top ten pop music - this was loud, crude and mind-shattering - one subtitle, ‘Ritual Dance of the Child Killer’, referred to the plot of Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring, but in this scandalous context, with ‘Suzy Creamcheese’ (a high-school virgin, who tells us this band is crazy and that they all smell bad (on the Select cover), played by Jeannie Vassoir. She sounds as if she’s simultaneously losing her virginity and having an orgasm, but this was the 1960s and few even noticed, Zappa’s ability to outrage was apparent right from the very beginning. A stunning conclusion to a remarkable work - nothing had ever been heard like it before (or since). Zappa with the greatest moustache in musical history, put the snarl and sneer into music, he did not conform and this album, like the man himself was a true original. Too weird and unconventional for most at the time, Freak Out remains one of the most important albums ever, breaking so much new ground, it’s influence and importance cannot be overstated. This record, given its age, mode and history is in very fine condition and finding a better example will never prove easy. This one just a whisker off my own personal copy, or this would be going nowhere. The original triple-flipbacked single sleeve also is way above the average found and note it is the ORIGINAL and correct mono format. The Mothers albums had a unique cover for both mono and stereo pressings. So in terms of musical history and development of the underground ‘alternative’ music scene, few records come close to the importance of Freak Out. This record almost single-handedly reinvented rock and little remained the same thereafter. It regularly features in proper all-time greats lists, whether compiled by ‘experts’ or the record-buying public. If this was type was not for you back when it all happened, try it now. No album collection should ever be without this legendary masterpiece being included.

Cover Condition and Format: EXCELLENT: an original single mono (VLP) format with laminated front and three large rear flipbacks. This has the word ‘mono’ printed on the front, it is NOT a sticker. Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse with the ‘Patents Pending’ text.

Cover Laminate and Front: One of THE covers of all time and this does it fine justice – the spooky, surreal sillouette of the original Mothers looks superb. This remains very shiny, fresh and clear and has no peeling. The only lift is fairly small on the bottom left corner. A few light surface creases, mostly on the edges that have minimal visual impact and just a small few, small half moons hear the right edge, again they hardly show with normal viewing. Any dulling is very light indeed with only a gentle hint of rim dulling seen under angled light. The right edge has it’s correct narrow unlaminated line which is high proof of no trimming, this fragile strip has only light rubbing on the real end which few will ever avoid and overall, this is a splendid front that sets a high standard.

Cover Back: The top right flipback has the words: ‘File under POPULAR : Pop Groups’ (somewhat ambitious of the record company, The Mothers were never a ‘pop group’ or even popular [I am delighted to say]). The bottom flipback has the important G&L imprint and the ‘Patents Pending’ text – all pristine under the wrap around laminate. These white back panels rarely age well and often tend to brown even if well looked-after. Most of any toning or discolour lays on the entrance edge or on the exposed part of the flipback ends. When new, these areas were often sticky and they naturally darken in many cases. The actual back panel has little to fault being generally clean with barely any rubbing or creasing. All the flipbacks are solid with a few fine surface hairline creases and a little mild burring to end on the bottom one – all gentle and very modest indeed. The toning giving the only real clues to it’s considerable vintage and I for one never mind a little minder this is a 46 year-old-cover rather something brand new.

Top Edge: Practically unworn and still very straight and smooth to the fingertip.

Bottom Edge: Superb, practically like new.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, quite sharp with any thickening or burring mild and light, this is guaranteed untrimmed. The record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: Overall a very fine spine too that has retained great shape. Solid, straight with any compression, gentle. The ends are tapered in manufacture. All text perfect, very bold and sharp under the very solid laminate. A little trace of toning here and there, mostly near the ends.

Corners: Any tip rubbing is very small indeed and any creasing small and mostly light. A light dink on the spine bottom possible. Fine to very fine shape is retained.

Cover Summary: Overall, a lovely sleeve, one that does this classic title high justice. One of the great rare UK originals to own, just compare to most seen. This will please many collectors if some fairly gentle reminders of when it was issued is acceptable. The original solid white unlined inner is included with the ‘PATENTS APPLIED FOR’ TEXT. This has aged more with a darkened rim ring and a fair degree of toning spots or stains. Of course, I could have found a substitute similar inner, but in all cases, where possible, I prefer to keep the original inner even if it is in lesser condition. It has minimal creasing and the edges mostly intact – a small central split to the bottom.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: NEAR EXCELLENT: with little more than mostly fine, generally light and modest surface marks seen under angled light. There are no penetrating scratches on these playing surfaces, hence sound quality is impressive and largely click-free. Both sides retain a lovely shine and high degree of freshness – intense black and quite solidly pressed, this copy has not been ruined by any blunt stylus. A very fine record, these were rarely purchased by hi-fi connnoisseurs, but largely by a certain type who were into the ‘out there’ music and bands. Most monos that surface are invariably played to destruction and rendered almost unlistenable, especially if played on very sensitive stereo equipment they were hardly designed for. So I consider this an impressive record and most Zappa fans will treasure it.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This trip into the psychedelic underground plays even above it’s very fine high visual grading with very little unwanted. Clean distortion-free sound, never take this for granted on any record this great age let alone one with such complex and powerful sound qualities with great detail and definition. This mono record is amazing with very sharp and crisp sound, there is no groove wear, clipping or break up here. Even the fragile high frequencies remain totally precise. Barely any unwanted sounds at all and even the intricate vocal parts on ‘Help I’m a Rock’ play superbly and ultra quiet. The odd sporadic gentle click or two on ‘Brain Police’, but few others. Even from way back this album had powerful dynamics and fidelity, it has a slightly raw sound quality but not in a low-fi way - it’s punchy and exciting and still thrills, an amazing masterstoke of production and invention by Wilson. Some albums from this time were flat, muted and lifeless, Freak Out was NOT one of them, this will leave the senses swimming with the mind-bending sounds. Just listen to the sheer brutality of the bass on ‘Brain Police’, even more powerful in mono, also the aforementioned ‘Monster Magnet’, with its crazed pulsating percussion, the sounds that burst out of these unworn grooves have ultimate detail and take you the studio itself. This is a huge engineering masterwork, again for 1966 so advanced - no expense was spared. I am not a CD critic, I enjoy both formats when at their best, but the Zappa discs do not approach the dynamics and range of the original vinyl records. Many are tweaked and altered and do not sound the same. The mono mix is of course unique to vinyl. This record is definitive and the real thing, a genuine Freak Out. You want fantastic mono dynamics, detail with clear sound, you have it here, this will copy will prove very difficult to beat. Not quite perfect for silence, it will remind on the odd moment it’s an vintage vinyl record, but still a choice cut for the connoisseur listener.

End Piece: To emphasise the type and era of this record I quote from the back cover of the Select reissue (not this original cover) - it’s written by the (in)famous Suzy Creamcheese “These Mothers is crazy. You can tell by their clothes. One guy wears beads and they all smell bad. We were gonna get them for a dance after the basketball game but my best pal warned me you can never tell how many will show up…sometimes they guy in the fur coat doesn’t show up (Zappa) and sometimes he does show up only he brings a big bunch of crazy people and him and they dance all over the place. none of the kids at my school like these Mothers…specially since my teacher told us what the words to their songs meant.’’. This original sleeve has text ‘What is Freaking Out’, I will let the winning bidder read this for him/herself.

These mono Zappa records are very special. Many are poor, even trashed, I simply will not insult this man’s memory by offering such rubbish. This one gives only the odd clue to its great age. Early Zappa records on Verve are fast disappearing and that’s all of them, not just the originals. Like many great albums, this was too ahead of it’s time for most – the world was not ready to ‘Freak Out!’ It’s just a shame that only after his untimely, premature death does the world now more fully appreciate and even begin to understand this man’s work and true genius. A unique artist who simply wanted to entertain but with messages for those who cared to listen. Freak Out has to be regarded as one of the most important debut albums ever, a true landmark record - only fellow Vervsters, The Velvet Underground’s debut, and maybe The Doors challenges this in the underground rock music genre. Enjoy this powerful mono record, finding such an early issue much better will not prove easy. Remember: necessity is The Mother(s) of Invention.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand+ based on over 8,000+ items sold in over 10 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.25

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £8. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16 (£17 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.