Vinyl: MIKE ABSALOM 1Y1/2Y1 1st PRESS 1971 VERTIGO FOLD-OUT COVER + SUPERB AUDIO NMINT

Mike Absalom : Mike Absalom 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press 1971

This rare and collectable album on the Vertigo label plays with exceptional audio and barely any interference. There is just one light click on S2 that's about it - the clarity and depth of the audio is so impressive for such a quiet album. There is just a little distortion on a handful of words but no exaggeration the vast majority of this album is 'as new' it really is a stunning listen. This is another Vertigo album that was only pressed in limited numbers (I guess it was never going to be mainstream and of course there's nothing wrong with that) and this particular one is visually stunning and has hardly been played over the years.

The Roger Dean fold-out cover is in very good condition with only a little wear and it remains an impressive example of its type. The original swirl inner is in excellent shape with only minimal wear.

6360053 1Y / 1 ▽420 1 1 2

6360053 2Y / 1 ▽ 420 1 1 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 intro Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint)

The fold-out cover is VG+

The labels are Near Mint

This album begins with a superb rendition of the 'Saga Of John The Bog' which plays with outstanding clarity throughout. There are a very small number of light ticks on the intro but they are more like dust ticks really as they are so quiet. From then on it plays beautifully with no intrusion, no background static etc just a couple of dust ticks at most. The intro is Near Mint but the rest has to grade as Mint the sonic quality is stunning.

With complete silence in the dead wax 'Don't Tell It On The Telephone' plays to the same standard with exceptional clarity and depth once more. There is a little distortion on a couple of 'louder' words towards the end but perhaps this is just how it was recorded or maybe I need a new stylus! It still deserves a Mint- grade.

'Let Me Give You Roses, Rose' plays with sublime quality from start to finish with no interference of any kind. I did not even detect a single dust tick even and Mint is an easy grade to give.

'Old Woman In The Moon' has just one very light static tick on the intro and then plays with superb audio for the remainder. This is even quieter than the other tracks and yet the clarity is so impressive. As good as new basically with just one more very quiet static tick near the end. I will say Mint- although the minus may be a little harsh!

'Saga Of Ernie Plugg's Bust' completes the side with impeccable quality once more. No ticks, clicks, pops or static and only the bare minimum of distortion on a few words. Mint-

-

The piano intro on the 'Saga Of Suzie Grapevine And Pusher Joe' is close to perfect with only a couple of minor static ticks and then the opening vocal does indeed play with perfect clarity. It continues in the same precise way with no background static and just one light click in the middle section, it is not loud at all! Overall the audio is stunning - 99% is 'as new' but I will grade as Near Mint due to the one light click.

The acoustic intro on 'Frightened Of The Dark' has no 'background' whatsoever and thereafter plays like it has never been on a turntable before! With only a handful of dust ticks the clarity of sound could hardly be any better and Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

'Gaza Striptease' plays with wonderful audio from the first note to the last with no interference. An up-tempo number that nonetheless plays with stunning quality and Mint is richly deserved.

'It Must Be Spring' keeps up the good work and plays with a clarity that cannot be faulted...again. This is a fantastic version that plays like you've been transported back to '71! No interference just pure Mint audio all the way through. The very quiet acoustic end section is a case in point - absolutely stunning!

This quirky album ends with a sublime version of the 'Saga Of Peaches Melba And The Hash Officer'. The quiet intro is flawless and from then on there is no let up in quality. There is barely any distortion and every vocal and instrumental section again play with a clarity of sound that is rarely found today. A Mint- conclusion.

In summary this rare and collectable first pressing plays with superb audio on both sides with a clarity and depth of sound that can hardly be faulted. There is just one light click on S2 and that is the extent of the interference if I'm honest. There is no static and that is impressive when you consider how quiet the vast majority of this album is. This is clearly a Vertigo album that has hardly been played (it wasn't to everyone's taste!) and has also been very carefully preserved over the intervening years. As per the Tudor Lodge album this one also has complete silence in the dead wax between tracks - the clarity across the entire album is very impressive indeed.

The Fold-Out Cover & Swirl Inner

The six panel fold-out Roger Dean cover is in very good condition with only a little wear here and there. The most obvious flaws are a couple of small splits on the ends of a couple of folds/corners and some rubbing on the main spine and the other edges. In saying that all the panels are very clean with barely any marking - just a few very faint 'spots' on the back cover and the front cover itself is in excellent shape with no real marking just a little creasing around the edges and another crease just below the Vertigo label. The reverse side of all the panels are very clean with no marking as such just a little age related fading. Not a perfect cover but a very respectable one nevertheless.

The original Swirl inner (dated 0671) is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and just a little creasing. Mike Absalom has been written twice in one top corner with another name just below who I presume was a previous owner. A little age related fading around the edges also.

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

6360053 1Y / 1 ▽420 1 1 2

6360053 2Y / 1 ▽ 420 1 1 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines