CAPTAIN BEEFHEART Safe as Milk RARE Orig 67 UK MONO EX.

	£		127
	$		168

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World

Please see my Detailed Packing Description Further Down with Picture & All Shipping Rates.

Artist or Band: CAPTAIN BEEFHEART AND HIS MAGIC BAND

Album Title: Safe as Milk

Producer(s): Richard Perry & Bob Krasnow.

Engineer: Hank Cicalo.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Sure ‘Nuff ‘n Yes I Do; Zig Zag Wanderer; Call on Me; Dropout Boogie; I’m Glad; Electricity.

Side 2: Yellow Brick Road; Abba Zaba; Plastic Factory; Where There’s Woman; Grown So Ugly; Autumn’s Child.

Label/Format: Pye International – Original pale blue and black format (Please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: Both very clean and highly highly attractive with only very light spindle marks on side one and light+ on side two. In terms of this groundbreaking album, these are very light indeed as most that surface seem heavily played and often trashed. Given the age and type of record this is, both labels are in remarkable clean condition. For those few who did shell out on a strange sound American act in the UK, most played this incredible album heavily – this is a rare exception.

Country of Manufacture: England

Cat Number: NPL 28110

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

Note:This original album was not issued in stereo, it was later re-issued as Dropout Boogie on Buddah Records in stereo but omits two songs, even though the cover still states 12 songs, the record only played 10. The mono reissue also has 10 tracks only and this is one of the rare sources via vinyl that will include all 12 of the original songs with the original mono mix.

Weight of this Record: A highly substantial 165 grams. A real heavyweight original. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 140 to 150 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 20 records from these eras. Later pressings were usually lighter still).

Rarity: Rare (and that is using the term correctly with so few sales and not even taking condition and playability into account). This album is the only true version on vinyl that includes all 12 original songs with the original mono mix, it’s significance cannot be overstated. Finding this on the original UK Pye International label is incredibly difficult, this was a total commercial non-starter, his previous singles on A&M were a financial disaster and few but the adventurous or curious would have shelled-out on an album like this. Not only that, how many will survive in top playing conditions will be very few indeed. You can imagine just what condition most surviving copies of this one will show up in. This very sparingly played mono record has only minor and faint surface blemishes and plays with superb sound and with barely anything unwanted. The cover looks very nice and shows far less wear and ageing than most too. This landmark recording, that has immense historical significance will be very difficult indeed to find much better overall and this should excite the collectors seeking this elusive original album.

Original Year of Release: 1967

Matrix Nos: NPL 28110 A1-G / NPL 28110 B1-G. The tiny stampers are: F1 / B1

Brief Artist & Album Info: An album of stunning originality and ground-breaking music and performances. The cover depicts four clean-cut lads in suits and tie; one is even wearing his father’s hat. Is this not the most paradoxically bizarre cover ever, in relation to the music within? This sounded like music from Venus in 1967; now it just sounds remarkably good. Don van Vliet’s Howlin’ Wolf growl almost tears the speaker-cloth as he launches into ‘Electricity’. Other marvellous excusions are ‘Dropout Boogie’, ‘Plastic Factory’ and ‘Yellow Brick Road’. The latter should have opened this original album as the spoken ‘the following tone is a reference tone’ bit sets the tone for this unforgettable album. This ‘lost’ classic, so was highly regarded by the likes of John Peel and disc jockey, Mike Read, who has been quoted as saying this is his favourite album of all time. Although issued to astonishing critical acclaim, this album did not chart in the UK or US - what chance did an album like this stand in the greatest year in popular music? – 1967 – the ‘Summer of Love’. Everything revolved around Sgt Pepper et al. and psychedelia. The famous ‘fish-eye’ cover does not give any credits to the players on this album, but there were: Don van Vliet (Captain Beefheart): vocals, mouth harp; Alex St Clair Snouffer (guitar); Doug Moon (guitar); Paul Blakely (drums) and Jerry Handley (bass). Ry Cooder accompanies also and his guitar sound is unmistakable and quite remarkable. From the very outset, nothing had been heard quite like this, those pulsating bass-chords thud and launch their way from the speakers with a intricate guitar-work and rhythm. van Vliet’s incredible toned vocal must have raised a few eyebrows too. This groundbreaking trip into originality was as important as a pioneering album to the late 60s underground scene as even the Velvet Underground debut album and Zappa’s Freak Out!. Safe as Milk was issued after some initial single issues on A&M records - they were a commercial disaster and the band were dropped from that label. This album, the only one the band made on Pye simply contains some of most remarkable sounds ever put to vinyl. This early incarnation of the Magic Band made music like no other: like his old school mate, Frank Zappa, the Captain was light years ahead of his time. That said, this gem is far more accessible than the early Reprise era material that took his music over the fringe of the avant garde and was all too much for many. Another important factor with this original mono copy too is the sound - this album has been remixed, restructured and generally tampered around with more than most and never improved upon. This one (or course) has the original mix, just like producers Bob Krasnow and Richard Perry wanted it to sound. Just listen to those throbbing bomba-bomba-bomba-bomb basslines that just pound from the speaker cones, this album has sounds that are unique and have never been matched at anytime by anyone. It even includes primitive electronics and early synthesisers that at the time sounded amazing (and still do). If you have never heard this legendary classic as the 12 track mono original, you really have never heard Safe as Milk – it’s that simple. This is a lovely copy that has not been ravaged by over-playing or by blunt needles, it still has a very clean record, labels and attractive cover – let’s face it, how many times will this one show up? This even makes the Kinks classic Village Green Preservation Society on the same label, look common. Sales of this one would have been few and how many surface in such clean condition will be ever fewer. Check out all the details below and judge for yourselves – the Captain Beefheart legend began here and little was the same thereafter – a musical genius was born.

Cover Grade and Format: I am reluctant to grade this much less than EX, but EX(-) is probably correct which for this one is no mean grading. It’s a single format with a laminated front. This wraps around the closed edges on to three external flipbacks. Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd with ‘Patents pending’ text.

Cover Front and Lamination: The only real issues with this front is some creasing. Not too many and none excessive with just three near moderate. Being a pale yellow cover, these show little anyway, there are some half moons and finer creases also. Good news is this is all fully adhered with no lifting, peeling or blistering. It retains an excellent shine and clarity with minimal trace of friction rubs or dulling. The actual artwork and area looks fantatic – who would think these four young guys could produce such groundbreaking and original music?

Cover Back: Some mildish grubbiness mostly near the left edge but the main back panel has few other traces of wear or ageing. The artwork looks very fine and has not creasing or scuffs. The flipbacks are all intact and mostly neat and solid. A little light end burring on the bottom one and a few tone spots. A perfect complement to the equally fine front.

Top Edge: No wear up to the corner tips.

Bottom Edge: Similar again, odd tiny chip but laminate fully intact on both.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Reasonably sharp with any wear modest, no feathering or trimming. Mild thickening and burr traces when viewed end-on which is no surprise on a cover this age with a heavy record inside since 1967.

Spine and Text: A spine that’s close to perfect, simply fantastic. Solid, straight with all its thick definition retained with no compression. All text is pristine perfect, bold, black and sharp under the tight and uncracked laminate (and even this is shiny). The ends have lightly manufactured tapering and still have great shape with no bending or creasing. A remarkable spine to say the very least.

Corners: Rubbing mostly confined to the bottom right, the others have minimal amount and these especially retain fine shape with ver good definition.

Cover Summary: Such a hard one to find and most that do surface are in shocking condition. I have another in stock that has half the back torn away (the record being better hasten to add). This one is in a different league altogether. Okay it has some mild blemishes but at 43-years-of-age, has it not the right to have? This still wonderful cover should please many collectors wanting this monster underground rarity.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EX (arguably with a plus), with little more than the odd tiny surface mark and fine whispy hairlines under light. Original mono pressings of the legendary album that survive with minimal surface sounds or distortion caused by groove-wear or damage will be few, that’s a plain fact. Can you imagine those very heavy, thick needles ploughing their way through these ultra complex and delicate grooves? Just one jolt or arm drop and a massive deep furrow or crator was applied across these impossibly sensitive grooves. Even a single play with a worn or chipped mono needle would have stripped the groove walls rendering distortion and clipping to the sound – this simply has not happened on this record and this really does play supremely well. Very clean and retaining a fine shine, intense black and heavily pressed on typically high-quality Pye vinyl. A copy modestly played on all the evidence and with so many albums of this type written off or heavily played by the few that took the risk and actually bought them, this copy is refreshingly wonderful. This record will prove very difficult to find as a genuine UK original in much better visual (or playing) conditions.

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 snippetts 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 miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Mono records, especially like this rare gem are amongst the hardest to find in truly top playing conditions and I state, this copy will prove very difficult to match or find better for overall top quality sound. This sets a very high standard and will challenge any other copy offered. The most important factors are this plays without any of the dreaded distortion caused by groove wear – the hidden curse of such records – all frequencies are clear and sharp and with a vocal like the Captain’s this is vitally important. The lack of pops and clicks is unsually refreshing as is the clarity of complex sound and music. Pretty much devoid of surface sounds and crackle and any tiny amount present were very infrequent and minimal and nothing spoilt my pleasure play-grading this remarkable record. I was astounded how different this sounds to the various other versions I have heard, this is a very rare pleasure with copies surfacing so rarely. The depth of sound and dynamics are sublime and the richness of the recording is ahead of its time too. The detail and clarity is breathtaking, the true genius of this man’s music flows from the speakers and simply takes over and captivates. Over time, this is the Beefheart album that non-Captain fans could actually be found to like. It’s still unconventional with sound structures like no other but far easier on the ear than the mid-period albums. Beefheart could do little wrong for me and it all started here. Just listen to those complex rhythms, they still send shivers down my back and given me that rare tingle factor. I love bass, and this has bass from the other side, bomba-bomba-bomba-bom. Vintage albums for this unique artist rarely show up this clean, you can imagine what the majority of these will look and sound like. It’s a copy I can strongly recommend.

End Piece: The term “Lost Classic’’ is never more appropriately used than for this one: how can such a groundbreaking album simply be ignored on issue? - well its not the first time is it? Great to here the great PJ Harvey on Sunday orning TV last week mention her love of this man’s music and its influence on her own. The term genius in music also is often overused, but I make no excuse for using it here - this man’s music was unique, his use of words astonishing - no-one made made music like the Magic Band - Safe as Milk is accessible and tuneful and from beginning to end has “Classic’’ stamped all over it. Psych blues/rock with even early electronic sounds incorporated, off-beat chords and time structures and, oh yes, Don sings - and will send a shiver down the spine - Electrizzzzzitteeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

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 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon 2M moving magnet cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET - PLEASE SEE MY TYPICAL PACKING BOX PICTURE.

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 heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth 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 thick boxes (NOT Mailers or Cruciforms, these do not offer maximum protection). The record(s) 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 THREE or EVEN FOUR 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. 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. Please see my picture of a typical finished box packet that will now be used on ALL transactions as from now. 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. These boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffners 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 6,000+ items sold in over 8 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 stiffners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

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.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (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 [£40 maximum]) = £9. (insurance optional extra £3). Add £2.50 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); 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 [£39 maximum]) = £13. Add £4 per extra LP. (insurance 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: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. 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 neccessarily 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’.