CAPTAIN BEEFHEART Strictly Personal Rare 68 UK MONO LP

	£		33
	$		44

Hi, I am Mike, now 48 and have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 34 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and elusive items now. 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, 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 (on a Rega 3 deck with Ortofon cartridge) - 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 reader – 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. The only thing I cannot guarantee one hundred percent is exact colour matching - this depends on the lighting at the time and that is out of my control, but I feel sure most items will be very close to the actual real item. Variation can sometimes occur too in colour of the label scans and labels taken next to the sleeve with a digital camera, the scanned full label pictures should be the most accurate. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert. 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 or sticks or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Album Title: Strictly Personal.

Producer(s): Bob Krasnow.

Engineer(s): Gene Shiveley & Bill Lazerus.

Track Listing: Side 1: Ah Feel Like Ahcid; Safe As Milk; Trust Us; Son of Mirror Man—Mere Man. Side 2: On Tomorrow; Beatle Bones n’ Smokin Stones; Gimme Dat Harp Boy; Kandy Korn.

Label/Format: Liberty – Original blue label format.

Label Conditions: Both supreme mono examples that will be unlikely to be found much better. Both clean and highly attractive with hardly any spindle marks at all and no wear around the hole rims. The inner ridge on side one has a very ‘rustic’ appearance, all natural from new. To find a mono copy of this record looking so clean and lightly played is very unusual to say the very least. A title bought by certain types of listener who were rarely hi-fi connoisseurs.

Cat Number: LBL 83172.

Weight of Record: 140 grams.

Mode: Mono. (This album was also issued in stereo, both are essential and sound very different).

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Very scarce, I personally think the stereo version is slightly harder to find than the mono, but the mono version is near impossible to find in anything like decent visual or playing conditions. Few but the brave would have paid full price for this album when first issued. It is far easier to find on the budget reissue Sunset label that did not include the gatefold cover and the truly bizarre inner artwork.

Original Year of Release: 1968

Matrix Nos: LBL 83172 A1 420 / LBL 83172 B1 420

Musicians: Don van Vliet - lead vocal and mouthharp; Alex St Claire - guitar; Jeff Cotton - guitar; Jerry Handley - bass; John French - Drums.

Brief Info: After the stunning debut Safe as Milk failed to sell, this second album was now on a different label – Liberty – again only very briefly. This remains one of the most controversial in the Captain’s early catalogue mainly due to the production of Bob Krasnow. Vastly divided opinions on its sound and use of phasing has always divided Beefheart fans. This is a strictly personal opinion, I think it sounds fantastic and makes a pretty strange band sound even more weird. But some thought it obscured the band’s real sound, including van Vliet himself. This wonderful original album was a great prelude to Beefheart’s classic Trout Mask Replica which again was issued on a new label – Zappa’s newly formed Straight. Here Beefheart’s sound progressed still further from the debut and was now becoming even more obscure and challenging. Weirdness was the order of the day – just check out the inside cover pictures. A man fast approaching his creative heights and this mono record does it great justice. Never easy to find playable copies of this original title, this was a real pleasure to hear again in the weighty and dynamic mono format. The cover has a few small blemishes but must the best all round example I have seen for years, this never wears well and is seldom seen like this. The record looks very nice indeed but has a fine arc line across side one, this mark is totally superficial, it cannot be felt and does NOT sound at all – a visual blemish yes, but it has not affect on play at all. A title bought by a very few, and even fewer survive that will be even playable. This is a highly important recording, its twisted and at times difficult melodies fast get into the subconscious and for those unfamiliar, its a treat you owe yourself. Only with Zappa’s total unrestricted artistic freedom did the Captain excel to much greater heights than on his first two albums and musically this is one of his very best. To phase or not to phase? – who really cares, just enjoy this unique album for what it is – magnificent.

Cover’s Potential for Wear & Damage: Very high: few will be seen this clean and with such little wear.

Cover Grade and Format: EX or very close too, this is like very difficult to even find even VG, it has the odd light mark or blemish but it will not b easy to find much better as an original – and it’s the mono version too. This is an unlaminated gatefold with a single thickness front. (The Sunset reissue was a single cover and the bizarre inner artwork was omitted). This was printed and made in England.

Cover Front: This flimsy front is more often seen very tatty indeed with heavy creasing or even torn. This was avoided all that and apart from a little burring to the top edge this is quite outstanding. The lack of rubbing or ring marks is unusual and refreshing to see. A couple of small marks and the odd faint crease that barely shows. Very clean with strong colour and no grubbiness and even retaining a fine ‘freshness’ and this ‘Fourth Class Mail’ Mono front will be very difficult to find much better.

Cover Back: Nearly as good as the front and no ringwear. A number of N 448 is neatly seen on the top right corner (probably a shop code) and there is a very small chip to the left top edge. Again hardly any creasing at all and generally clean with just the odd small mark but no staining anywhere. Rubbing is miniscule and this excellent back complements the very impressive front perfectly.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Geninely weird and bizarre and worth the price alone as this will not be found elsewhere. Just as wear-prone as the outside faces, probably more so in real terms with black ink, this has some light rubs and a fine ring trace on the right bottom, few will avoid it. The slight burring to the top left edge is slightly more apparent from the inside but still pretty minor. Very attractive given the age (and type) with hardly any creasing and no damage to the delicate foldlines. Slight traces of handling but this is being very critical for a cover fast approaching forty. This sleeve has the original very thick spine and these often fare badly on covers like this.

Top Edges: Little real wear with only slight thickening of the fine edges with any feathering very modest.

Bottom Edges: Light+ rubbing to the back edge with the front remaining generally very sharp and neat.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Very sharp and neat with little wear and no feathering, the protective cover has done a fine job on this one. Record entered on this right outside back edge.

Spine and Text: A very thick and wide spine that shows only modest wear considering its vulnerability. Generally solid, straight, minimal compression with just the usual flattening tilt to right. The top foldline shows little wear, the bottom one has rubbed a little with a little ‘flecking’ in places, nothing heavy and most is light. A massive bonus here is ALL text is perfect, no rubbing or erosion at all and few will survive with all characters fully intact, clear and sharp.

Corners: All corners have rubbing but most are very modest with the most on the spine pair which in real terms is still only light. Shape for all is exceptionally good.

Cover Summary: A very fine and attractive all round example of this very fragile late 60’s cover, one that could prove quite difficult to find significantly better. This fresh and attractive item should please many collectors.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Around EX or very close too (NOT taking into account of the arc line on side one), it’s never easy to grade for a superficial and non-sounding mark like this – you decide. Records in mono of this type are amongst the most difficult to find in decent conditions, I always remember a copy of this I saw at a London fair some while ago, graded at EX. Well it looked like someone has just eaten a meal off it and I would have graded it as ‘Poor’. This is a very fine visual copy that has only mostly fine hairlines or mild surface marks (mostly removal marks), that only really show with angled viewing and little sounds. The fine arc mark is a visual blemish of course but when they dont sound it’s more easy to forget them. A very clean, shiny, jet black and heavily pressed original mono example. A copy very modestly played on all the evidence, clearly a slip was made when playing that left a mark but that’s all – it happened, this one took it well and no detrimental sound resulted. This amazing record still looks superb in real terms and will never be that easy to find much better.

Album Played For Grading: Yes.

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This wonderful mono record plays up to its high visual grading (and above for most) with little to fault. Strong, undistorted sound, never take that for granted, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is high with a wide dynamic range and very punchy sound – quite different from the stereo version (I offered one of these only a few weeks ago). The controversial use of phasing is highly interesting and I love it. The deeper mono imagery works well too and many prefer it – I love both – the mono mix is of course exclusive to the vinyl format. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed, the odd crackle trace in places, it would be almost unreasonable for there not to be. Any clicks were minimal, mild and generally light and few were noted at all and this is a respectably clean pressing for a fairly difficult album. Few copies will outperform this original mono pressing significantly I feel sure – many will sound far worse that I can guarantee. Noteworthy too, this album is often seen with bag rash, a trait that is not uncommon on early Liberty records. You can imagine the fate for probably the majority of these, bought by certain types and played on goodness knows what, this was a delight to hear this clean. I am NOT saying perfect but this is a great overall copy. Very little, if anything really spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record which remains high in my favourites list from this period. This copy could prove quite difficult to find significantly better (especially in mono, we all know what these can and often do look like these days) and it should please most realistic collectors.

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’.

My Terms For Bidding

Debutant Bidders: Many sellers refuse first time buyers: I do not follow this practice (everybody has to start somewhere), but I would appreciate any first timer letting me know their intentions for payment method and very prompt communication, preferably before any bid or soon after the auctions ends. This gives confidence that their intentions are honourable, and I in return guarantee extra special good feedbacks to get zero rated Ebayers off to a flying start to help them with future transactions.

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. Item wants are always welcome - email me with anything needed, you never know - I may just have a copy in stock. I buy quality single items and collections also (I am regularly told I offer the best prices – please Email me if you have items for sale).

Payment Details please read carefully - I know its boring but essential:

UK First Class: = £3 or Special Delivery (Next day, fully insured), the best service available = £7.00

Europe Air Mail: = £4 Insured & Signed For: £8.00.

Overseas, non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Australia etc. Airmail:= £7; Insured & Signed For (where available) = £11.00. Doubles add extra £1. Reductions for multiple items for all.

Any item that sells for over £75 will be sent Special Delivery in the UK at no extra cost. Items over £100 get the same service Overseas. This gives peace of mind for the winning bidder and myself for valuable items. Reduced postage of course for multiple items.

The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£30).

Mailing Details: Please note I do NOT profit on postage, in fact I lose money on most packets (my packing standards are very high and the package weighs a little more - I simply refuse to compromise with poor packing. All records are sent in plastic covers with the record taken OUT of the sleeve and sent in professional mailers with FOUR proper stiffners for extra protection (if space allows). More expensive items are also inserted into a de-luxe heavy duty padded bag AS WELL to give that extra protection. I truly want ALL my items to arrive to their destination in the same condition they leave me. I will also include in most cases a brand new inner, but will include the original inner if available.

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal or IMO’s from overseas bidders.

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 minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer.