FRANK ZAPPA Hot Rats RARER ORIG UK 69 STUNNING N/M LP

	£		205
	$		271

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Postage: UK £4.25. Europe £12. Rest of World £16. ALL signed for. – NOTE: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment. I try to keep my P&P as low as possible after the very significant Royal Mail price increases.

Artist or Band: FRANK ZAPPA

Album Title: Hot Rats.

Producer(s): Frank Zappa who composed and arranged all songs.

Engineer(s): Dick Kunc.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Peaches en Regalia; Willie the Pimp; Son of Mr Green Genes.

Side 2: Little Umbrellas; The Gumbo Variations; It Must Be a Camel.

Label/Format: Reprise – Yellow, pale green and black steamboat originals (‘tri-coloured’ Reprise format, please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: Both in STUNNING condition. Ultra clean, fresh and attractive with barely a spindle mark to be seen. This has been in my own personal collection for around four years and I though I would never find one to match or better it. Well a few weeks ago I certainly found another that does match it and with a cover just a fraction better. So this prized copy can now be offered. For fans of this great musician, finding a better copy of this record could again prove near impossible.

Cat Number: RSLP 6356.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 139 grams. A typical heavy first pressing.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: The actual album itself, moderate, this was Zappa’s most commercially successful album in the UK, although it failed to sell well in his native US. But, and a huge BUT, when found as a very first UK pressed example on the tri-coloured Steamboat label it becomes a rarer album (especially with a record in this supreme and hardly played condition). This landmark classic record was only available for a relatively brief time on this label before being repressed on the tan labels that still for a short time, had the RSLP number. It still urks me when tan label copies are offered as ‘Originals’ or ‘First Pressings’, such examples are repressings. This copy – I know for a fact – has hardly ever been played and has stunning detailed sound and plays with astonishing high-fidelity audio quality. I noted nothing unwanted at all on my sound check, it simply offers mastertape quality and is beautifully pressed. I know the history of this record well – prior to me acquiring it – it was owned by just the one person form new who played their records once or twice only. You will not find a copy that will beat this for sound and my ‘new’ copy that replaced it only matches it – how can perfection be beaten? For good measure, this also has a very nice cover with little of the usual wear usually seen. Not one that ages well unless kept carefully but not a lot wrong with this. Such examples are becoming increasingly rare and I have never heard any CD version that even comes close to matching it.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: RSLP 6356 A1 / RSLP 6356 B1 [the ultimate first pressing].

Musicians: Frank Zappa - Guitar, octave bass, percussion; Ian Underwood - piano, organus maximus, flute, all clarinets, all saxes; Captain Beefheart - vocal on ‘Willie the Pimp’; Sugar Cane Harris - violin; Jean luc Ponty - violin; John Guerin - drums; Ron Selico - drums; Max Bennett - bass; Shuggy Otis - bass.

Brief Artist & Album Info: The greatest moustache in rock history and and album that proved to the world that Frank Zappa was one of the greatest guitarists of his generation – if not THE best ever. A point proven over many years of quality albums, not just a small few. At the end of 1968 Zappa’s contract with MGM expired, he and his manager Herb Cohen set up Bizarre Records. This gave them total control over their own packaging and music. Major distribution was needed too, so they chose Reprise, Frank Sinatra’s label which had recently been acquired by Warner Brothers. Hot Rats was the second album to be just accredited to Frank Zappa, he used a 16-track recorder and state-of-the-art production techniques, making this a musicial extravaganza with truly phenomenal sound and detail. It proved successful album in the UK, but mysteriously was a relative failure in his native US. This is a jazz-rock, predominately instrumental album and (for me anyway) one of the greatest ones ever made - I simply adore this album. To make it, Zappa called upon the services of some of the great musicians of the West Coast. Don ‘Sugarcane’ Harris features heavily on electric violin with some blistering solos as does French violin virtuoso Jean luc Ponty. Also featured are veteran bassist Max Bennett, John Guerin, a young drummer who had been working with Tom Scott on fusing rock and jazz, with Shuggy Otis, Ron Selico and Paul Humphrey. Zappa supplied himself with the finest rhythm section money could buy. The other hugely important presence was fellow-Mother Ian Underwood, who played keyboards and electric saxes. This is one of Underwood’s finest moments recording with Zappa, his blistering electric saxophone solo on ‘The Gumbo Variations’ takes the breath away. Last but not least there is a cameo performance from Don van Vliet, aka Captain Beefheart on vocals for ‘Willie the Pimp’ the lyrics of which are derived from an interview Zappa conducted with a New York-based groupie named Annie. Zappa himself plunges into an awe-inspiring guitar solo. His wah-wah pedal make the notes talk, but amongst the frenzy there remains a marvellous coherent melody throughout. Frank dubbed in percussion, chains, castanets that added that extra fizz and Underwood is credited for playing ‘organus maximus’ which was actually a pipe organ.

The cover is as famous as the music too, it features Christine Frka (Miss Christine) of the infamous GTO’s lurking inside a disused swimming pool in Beverly Hills. A striking image that was seen under many an arm in the heady days of the late 60s. She is often credited as the inspiration for the Alice Cooper look, both recorded on Zappa’s Straight label. A notably thin Czech girl, she sadly she died in 1972. ‘Hot Rats’ charted at 9 in the UK and a miserly 173 in the US. A work of genius that must have opened many eyes, ears and minds on it’s issue. Even non-Zappa fans who simply never understood his music often appreciated this album. Anyone who likes the sound of the electric guitar cannot fail to be impressed by this blistering set. Some rock guitarists have been quoted as saying Hot Rats contains impossible to play guitar chords, well this great man played them, and how. This easily ranks in my top 10 greatest albums ever made, I never tire listening to it and this wonderful vintage copy does it maximum justice. It plays practically as quiet as a CD but with all the detail and dynamics of a master-recording, this is a gateway into Zappa’s recording studio itself and nothing – and I mean NOTHING will better it, the great feeling of holding and playing a first-pressed ‘Hot Rats’ is a pleasure in itself – especially with record that could almost pass for new. The new CD versions are very good but the basslines are far less forward on the silver disc and some details seem slightly more muted, or even lost. There will never be a better way to enjoy the king of the bizarre than on this record – a timeless excusion into Frank’s world of jazz-rock, the word ‘masterpiece’ is often overused, but not in this case. If you have not experienced the wonderful world of Zappa, there is no better place to start – but be warned – this man’s music is highly addictive and he has a vast catalogue.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very High, seldom seen without moderate or heavier ringwear, fading and major surface rubbing and grubbiness.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(++): an unlaminated gatefold format with a matt, smooth finish. It was printed and made in England by MacNeill, it of course has the RSLP 6356 catalogue number, beware of Kinney covers being offered as ‘Original’, they look practically the same only with the later catalogue number.

Cover Front: One of rock’s most famous and well-known fronts – this one looks superb and has little to fault. Mostly very clean, fresh and attractive with rich, intense colour and hardly aged at all. I truly thought this was my keeper copy for life and it took one virtually off-the-shelf new to better it. Any traces of grubbiness or surface marks are almost minuscule and faint. A few tiny faint edge hairlines but the lack of rubbing is a huge bonus.

Cover Back: This only very rarely escapes often significant ring wear as the original record is always pressed quite thick and it pushes into the very richly coloured card. Well this back has barely any at all and in terms of colour richess, I think it even surpasses my replacement. Again a few very light surface edge creases but try finding an available one much better than this.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Barely any hint of wear at all. Note the close-up of the great Captain Beefheart circa his classic 1969 Trout Mask Replica era. Two of the greatest musical minds of the 20th century, now both sadly departed.

Top Edges: The white front a little darkened but both have hardly any rubbing and they are very straight as well.

Bottom Edges: Light patchy rubbing on the back, this only due to it being a little proud as the spine fold is a fraction off-square – this no more than a couple of three millimeters.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with minimal traces of wear, any thickening or burring on the open back is minimal to none.The front edge is closed and very neat indeed, both edges guaranteed untrimmed.

Spine and Text: Solid, straight with any compression very light. Folded a mere fraction off-square as mentioned above so a very slight drop on the edges – and I do mean SLIGHT. This has minimal traces of rubbing, a little to the very ends and all the text is nigh-on perfect and unworn.

Cover Summary: One of rock’s most famous covers and this is a very strong example with only mere hints of it’s considerable age. No disputing the age of this one: 43 years and it has been very well looked after by it’s only two owners – the last four years by myself. It should please many, if not most collectors and finding it better – as I can more than verify myself – will never prove easy.

The Inner Sleeve: MINT(-): this album came in a plain white, unlined, inner. It has hardly aged at all giving clues to what the record is like. Uncreased with minimal discolouration and all edges unsplit with no repairs.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT(-): with any surface trace blemishes beyond minuscule – this incredible record looks almost as made and in vinyl terms, barely even run-in. A superb visual copy that is ultra clean, shiny, intense black and very solidly pressed. A much better looking and sounding first pressing will prove almost impossible to find. Being a 1969 record, of that there is NO dispute as from 1970 onwards the labels changed to tan, this is far harder to find in clean conditions and had the potential to be played on far less sympathetic equipment with thick, heavy-tracking (often damaged or worn) pickups. A album never issued in mono, but I am more than certain, many would have been played on such equipment. This beautiful record has a avoided all that and offers breathtaking, audiophile sound quality. With the majority of original Hot Rats being found badly scratched or well worn, this copy is like a breath of fresh air. It opens the studio door and this is for me, is one of rock’s most amazing experiences. For the ‘early-bird’ Zappa fans who bought this from the early days on this label, most played it into submission – imagine the thrill of hearing this masterpiece for the first time – this copy will again remind of that experience. Although recently reissued, NOTHING gives the thrill of a tri-coloured original. Hardly any surprise this album has acquired ‘Classic Album’ status and it remains (for me) one of the greatest albums ever made bar none. This contains musicianship and composition of the highest possible standard and few would have even known the calibre of this man’s brilliance at this time.

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 miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality & Audio Grading – The Hot Rats Hi-Fi Experience: This astonishing record plays brilliantly with pristine sound, crank this up loud and prepare to be astonished. A superb pressing with barely a trace of any surface sound at all and not even one pop or click was noted. Both channels are crystal clear and the sound and production are up there with the very best from this period. Zappa spared no expense in recording this, his ‘solo’ masterpiece and the sonic delivery of the music defies it’s substantial age. With the highest possible technology of the day utilised, this has not aged at all and will better anything the digital age has to offer. This copy of Hot Rats will simply make your system sing with totally distortion-free sound. The delicate high frequencies of the electric violins and winds are totally unclipped and simply rasp and fizz from the speakers. Zappa’s frenzied and blistering guitar work is heard to maximum effect and this will leave fans wanting more. Played loudly enough, Underwood’s electric sax solo on ‘The Gumbo Variations’ is almost capable of ripping off the speaker cloth. What set’s this analogue recording apart are the bass-lines which are rich and deep and fully focused and more importantly – present! The CD versions are leaner and lack that vital depth, grace and power. My LP12 gave this record real ‘pace’ and rhythm and it’s total realism will please even the connoisseur listeners. If only all vintage vinyl played like this there would be no need to grade because the astonishing sounds embedded in these totally unworn (and original deeper) grooves, that for sure carry that extra detail and definition, that will rarely be heard better.

Beefheart’s cameo role on ‘Willie the Pimp’ is famous as he shrieks Hot Meat, Hot Raaaaattttzzzzz, Hot Zitz, Hot Wrists, Hot Ritz, Hot Roots, Hot Sooooottts… this is the album’s only vocal track and it Fizzzessssss, the man’s voice totally unique and rarely sounding better. This record sounds so clean and special it should appeal to all vinyl lovers and collectors - even discerning audiophiles reading this. The record is a ‘keeper’ copy that is unlikely to need upgrading – only finding an unplayed copy in a practically mint cover allows me to offer it. If treated with the respect it deserves, this record will last indefinitely. Nothing beats an original copy of this, this is a very special album indeed – a stepping-stone to his more challenging works. They do not make records like this anymore and the spirit of this much-missed musical genius lives on in this monumental work. My musical world has never been quite the same since his sad and untimely death. My highest possible recommendation is mandatory.

His Legacy: Frank Zappa issued over 60+ official albums in his own lifetime and most I consider essential. Sadly leaving us all too young, it’s such a shame his work, music and talent was only recognised by many after his untimely death, but not unusual for a genius in the arts. But for lifelong fans, his name was known from his early years and lives on forever. Great to see and hear his son Dweezil playing his father’s music to adoring audiences, I was in seventh heaven when I attended the Zappa-Plays-Zappa gig in Cambridge last year and recommend anyone to see him and his brilliant band as soon as possible. With more and more music fans even now discovering the master guitarist and musician’s work, this is the ideal place to start. It simply emphasises the mundane mediocrity around these days, the greatest entertainer in rock will always live on.

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 as 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’.