Black Sabbath 1st Album UK LP 1st Vertigo Swirl NMINT

	£		62
	$		82

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

Original UK Pressing on the VERTIGO SWIRL Label

Catalogue V06

1Y-1 / 2Y-1 Matrix Numbers (Indicating the First pressing)

Black Sabbath were along with Led Zeppelin one of the founder members of the "Heavy Rock" brigade that swept through the UK in the late 60's and Early 70's. It is true to say that Zeppeling were more Blusey than the Sabs, and that Black sabbath were the true pioneers of the term .

With that infamous Fuzz Box sound from the guitar of Tommy Iommi, Black Sabbath created a cult identity for them selves. However it wasn't until their second LP (paraniod that the Band became popular throuough the country, as the single takesn from the Lp made the Charts and suddenly everyone was into Sabbath. I remember the days well, you were either into Sabbath or your were into Zeppelin. I don't think it was cool at the time to be into both, or at least admit it anyway. It was also the time when songs on an Lp became Album Tracks, and how you were ridiculed for asking What songs are on the record then?.

Sabbath's First LP therefore didn't sell in such vast quantiities when it first came out, but was later reissued which allowd the post paranoid fans to pick the Lp up reasonably cheaply from NEMS.

However it is the original pressing on the Vertigo swirl label that collectors want to have in their collections.

The Gategold Sleeve typically depicts what Black Sabbath were about, and it didn't take too much genius to know what type of music your were going to get by looking at the cover, and the inner gatefold.

The Sleeve

Non laminated gatfold showing the famous woman in Black by the lake. The sleeve because it is no laminated is prone to all sorts of wear and tear, but here we have one that has stood the test of time very well. There is very minimal shelf wear, and any that can be seen is on the very tips of the corners. The colour is vivid and unfaded (sorry about the scan, the picture was taken in sunlight).

The Spine is most impressive, totally flat and uncreased, which means it is perfectly legible. There is one small crease right at the top left corner of the back of the sleeve, but very small.

The inner gatefold is a matt black design with an inverted cross on the right had half  and the large silver Sabbath Logo accros the left side.

Interestingly Mr Osborne is credited with the name OSSIE and not OZZY.

The record inner sleeve is the original Verticgo swirl poly lined bag, and is in superb condition.

I would Grade the Sleeve at Excellent +

The Labels

Not much to say about the famous vertigo swirl label, other than it was the home of most Prog/ Psych and some heavy bands making it in the business in the early 70's

This particular disc has a superb pair of labels. the swirl side swows no sign of any wear. The White side is where the trained eye can spot most of the revealing information. Firstly it is White and not a soiled white. Very clean label therefore. No spindle hole wear whatso ever, and under very close inspection there appears to be only 5 spider lines which would indicate to me that the record has probably had between 5-10 plays in its 34 years. the lines are very close to the soindle hole as well and not all over the label, and this clearly means that the record has been handled extreemly carefully. as these marks are made by trying to line up the disc with the spindle. I have seen many copies of this Lp that have been played on poor quality record players by those that didn't handle them correctly and it is a delight to hold this album in my hands.

The Vinyl

A perfect glossy sheen to the surface of this disc, and under normal daylight there are no visbile handling marks. under intence illumination you are able to make out a few hairlines, but these are so minimal and I am sure they are not going to affect the play.

I always play test an LP I am offering for sale, and my feedback proves that I am not into misleading people over the condition of the LP's I sell. I actually hate the record collector grades, not beacuse they are nor right, but everyone had their own opinion of what constitues a VG grade for example. I will use the grades, but I mush prefer to give you the "how it Plays"rundown from start to finish.

anyway I always conduct a simple test when I first play any Lp, and that is to pump up the volume really loud. Why do i do this? well I am listening for distortion which is caused by worn grooves, and at loud volume this is going to pick it up a lot more tha at very low volumes.

so how does this LP fare. well of courese the into to the first track is a rainstorm so we have to wait until the first notes from the opening guitar riff to be absolutely sure.

A crystal clear sound with a great stereo split. thses early Sabbath LP's were very well produced and particularly the sound generated from a first pressing. note eprfect and no distortion  to the sound. The LP has passed the first test.

From near silent run in grooves the the sound of the rainstorm is uninterrupted by any background noises, and the opening track "Black Sabbath" chugs into life as mentioned with perfect clarity.

The LP only has 7 tracks all told and the classic NIB finishes side 1.

The single released from this LP is the opening track from side 2  "Evil Woman"

Having listened to the disc all the way through on both sides. I am able to say that the sound quality is matched all the way through, and whilst I did hear one or two very faint light pops, and the odd bit of static, I am absolutely delighted with the overall sound this classic album generates.

I f you are looking for a collectible grade copy of this disc then look no further.

It has been carefully handled, carefully played and carefully stored.

I am happy to grade the disc EX++