FRANK ZAPPA Lumpy Gravy RARE ORIG UK 1968 VLP MONO EX+ LP. SUPERB SOUND & COVER.

	£		170
	$		225

ONEADAYRECORDS – Serving-up a Christmas & New Year Feast of Alternative Entertainment

I would like to wish all my customers, regulars and newcomers, a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Over the Holiday Period, I am offering some interesting Christmas ‘Crackers’ – lovely albums – some rare – ENJOY!

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£2 per extra record). All boxes sent FIRST-CLASS & TRACKED in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS with extra 7mm side protection and bubblewrap.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: FRANK ZAPPA

Album Title: Lumpy Gravy

Producer(s): Frank Zappa

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Lumpy Gravy Part I

Side 2: Lumpy Gravy Part II

Label & Format: Verve – Original intense black format with matt, very gently textured surfaces. All text and details as seen in the pictures. These include the embossed ‘K J T’ tax codes on side two, all letters are immaculate.

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and attractive with any of the few spindle marks quite light, mostly fine and faint. This elusive original plays impressively throughout, even the spoken parts with little unwanted bar the odd gentle sporadic click or two. Few available first press mono copies will better this.

Catalogue Number: VLP 9223

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 137 grams. A very good solid weight for this record.

Rarity: First VLP mono UK issues are rare and seldom found in anything like top conditions. Issued in both mono and stereo, the mono version is rarer (the stereo version also on offer). In recent years, available original Frank Zappa and Mothers of Invention albums have declined as more people are discovering this man’s work. Older fans also seeking upgrades for well worn copies of their favourites. The early originals especially did not sell well, and this particular album especially so in this mode. Most of the early original Verve classics, when they do surface, often trashed with grubby, creased and very shabby covers, and records hardly fit to even play. Few who bought these were hi-fi connoisseurs, many copies scratched and worn-out by vintage heavy-tracking mono record players. Finding these gems that still offer near perfect sound is incredibly difficult, and this will take a huge amount of beating with very little unwanted at all. This copy has a very impressive fresh, beautifully shiny laminated cover, and the very clean, little-used record plays superbly throughout, even those spoken parts. The cover has a massively wide spine, that is seldom found uncrushed or flattened, this one has little more than slight tilt and it looks superb as-seen. Fully play-graded on an Linn LP12 Sondek, no guess-work or presumptions, this is a near exceptional mono example and rarely found as such. It could prove a considerable upgrade for those seeking a copy in the rarer single-channel mode, this a rare opportunity.

Original Year of Release: 1968 [in the UK]

Etchings and Matrix Nos: V 8741 A-1 / V 8741 B-1

Stamper Codes: 1 G / 1 G [an ultimate first pressing with very first mother and stamper codes, ‘G’ being the very first in the pressing sequence]

Brief Artist & Album Info: “The way I see it, Barry, this should be a very dynamite show” – the opening line of Zappa’s first solo masterwork Lumpy Gravy – one of his prized and complex albums from his amazing catalogue that now spans six decades – it remained his own personal favourite and he was not a man to dwell back on his previous albums in a big way.

I am always delighted to be able to offer the rare early titles from this great composer and musician, one of the greatest musical minds of all-time. Lumpy Gravy has a special place in the Zappa catalogue, and many consider the mono version the cornerstone of his catalogue. It was not sold in mono in the United States, only rarely seen as a DJ promotional version. ‘Civilization Phaze III’, that was written in his final years, was meant to be it’s completion. This was actually recorded in February 1967 and is one of Frank’s earliest recordings. It also constitutes his most extreme refusal of conventional formats. Although commissioned by Capital Records to ‘write something for an orchestra’ – to the tune of $40,000 – Zappa also included eerily bizarre arrangements of melodies, 30,000 bursts of guitar distortion, sped-up interludes, and bizarre discussions by people who had been placed inside a piano. This was a sure-fire recipe for commercial failure, and pretty much was, it failed to even chart in the UK. Although many of it’s procedures – collage, fragmentation, parody, humour and documentary – have since become requisites in the ‘post-modern’ academy, Zappa’s writing was too brash and severe for contemporary classical recognition. The back cover showed him in tuxedo and top hat, he is seen leering into the camera – asking ‘Is this Phase 2 of We’re Only in it for the Money?’ ’Lumpy Gravy’ was designed as a companion volume to his next release, working as it’s subtle counterpart. Towards the close we hear the words ‘Cos round things are…, are boring.’ Then he exhales, as if blowing out smoke. The listener is spiked with discontent, pondering a list of ‘round things’ (smoke rings, circular logic, records…). Despite his repeated condemnation of drugs, Zappa’s attack on the mundane was universally interpreted as dope-fuelled fantasy. In fact, no dope-head could summon the skill and energy to construct Zappa’s surrealist extremes. When the slogan ‘Round Things are Boring’ reappeared on the covers of One Size Fits All in 1975. Zappa’s dedicated, no detail-missed, fans felt contented. This album appeared in the US album charts for just one week at 159. It’s failure to chart at all in the UK make original pressings rare – especially so in anything like top conditions – the run of pressings on this was very small indeed, I have never seen a stamper go beyond ‘A’ on a stereo, and I would be surprised if many monos made it past ‘G’, which in theory means less than 1000 copies. The mix is different, offering more subtle details and arguably dynamics. This album will always be the bedrock of any Zappa collection and here with all the glorious sound and details totally intact with practically the sound of the mastertape itself – this was the genius that was Frank Zappa.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): a gatefold format, laminated front and back with the massively wide spine (this unique to the first UK issues). The inside has two large external flipbacks on the top edges (these disappeared on the Select reprintings). These first covers were printed and made in England by Garrod & Lofthouse. The original plain white inner sleeve is also included.

Lamination – Front & Back: Although a poor seller initially, this cover over the years has become one of the rock classics – the young Zappa wearing his famous PIPCO tee-shirt. The laminate retains excellent shine, freshness and clarity, any dulling light seen on the back around the rim area, mostly seen under light. This amongst the lightest I have seen on this cover, including my own prized copy. A massive and hugely significant plus, is the lack of lifting. This original cover rarely escapes often large lifted areas and blistering, especially on the spine, this has barely any at all. Just a couple or three small traces on corner tips. What a difference this makes to the attractiveness of this quite dark cover. Not only that, this has little creasing either, and with such a raised wide spine, that is near impossible to avoid. The spine edge itself has almost escaped any with just one faine hairline on the back. Any others are almost entirely confined to the edges and these are very fine, very few and faint. The back has a press mark on a black area below the left rim of the top hat, showing very little, seen more under light again. A tiny few very small chips on the front right opening edge end is almost nit-picking on a cover this age. Like most the early Zappa/Mothers albums I am offering over the Christmas holiday, this has been very well stored and little handled, this has hardly aged little. One other crucial factor that makes this exceptional, it has been folded perfectly square, so all the edges are flush and parallel, allowing for slight tilt to the spine. Even those exposed strips on the opening edges where the laminate ends are devoid of grime and darkening with minimal rubbing as stated already. Zappa’s pictures both sides are intensely coloured without fading. This comes very close to matching own personal mono copy, a near exceptional VLP example, and one that usually fails to wear well.

Cover Inner Gatefold: The inside is in very fine condition with little to fault. Both the large flipbacks are little short of perfect, solid and undamaged with superb crisp ends. The odd tiny tone spot trace and faint set-off on the right edge where black rests upon white which near impossible to avoid – I have yet to see this original cover with none – and this, possibly as light as it ever gets. There are no laminate end pulls or issues on this splendid centrefold.

Top & Bottom Edges: Both pairs are mainly straight, any bowing light near the ends. All are flush and parallel, the laminate very smooth with no scuffs or chips.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Both edges are open and there are no adhesive lines inside, so both manufactured that way as all others I have had have been. Any bowing again minimal near the very ends, this seldom avoided on this one. These remain sharp with any thickening little and light as seen viewed end-on. All edges are guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced, again, they will prove hard to find better.

Spine and Text: A very rarely seen near perfect super-wide original spine, just a very gentle tilt to right only. Original covers have a very wide spine, exceptionally so – it matches the thickness of Jethro Tull’s first album ‘This Was’. These are most often seen flattened or crushed (or both). This solidly, and naturally erect with no crushing and avoiding compression. Unbroken folds, this has not been rammed back into shape and will not fall flat (unless mistreated). The surface unworn with no creasing at all, even hairlines avoided. The surface unaged or darkened with full laminate retention, all text pristine mint as-seen, and there is plenty of large text which is beautifully centred for good measure. Now fast approaching 50, few covers with spines like this – and there were not many made this wide – will be found better or neater.

Corners: A small tip rub on the top front right, but any others tiny and mostly none. No bashes, any dink evidence tiny (bottom right front being ultra critical), so better than excellent to near mint shape is retained by most.

Cover Summary: A rare cover in its own right, few mono VLP ones would have even been made – this in near exceptional condition, just a couple of small blemishes overall. But this is one to hold and admire, not hide away in a case or rack. These do not surface often like this and again could prove a significant upgrade for fans and collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(+): with minimal creasing and only lightly aged with a little darkening near the seam adhesive areas that is rarely avoided as the barest minimum. A plain white unlined inner with all edges intact with no repairs. It includes the ‘PATENT APPLIED FOR’ text and was made in England.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(+): and arguably, worthy of an extra (+). A superb mono record (the stereo version also on offer), practically matching both my own prized mono and stereo copies. Ultra clean with beautiful shine and very solidly pressed with deep wide grooves for maximum sound fidelity. A copy little played I feel sure, and then with due care on a quality record player, this still offers master tape audio quality – especially when played on a worthy system. As stated, mostly purchased by certain music fans of the time, and many really did not take care of these valuable gems – this a rare exception. Any surface blemishes very few, very light and faint, even viewed under bright light, a couple of fine hairlines on side two, but most wispy and faint apart. No penetrating stylus scratches, viewed in average room light, little even registers. No old heavyweight stylus traumas on this one, it sounds simply wonderful – a couple or three sporadic light clicks on side two – but few could hope for much less on a 1968 mono record with some very quiet passages. This with considerable upgrade potential or just a great copy for the Zappa connoisseur.

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 minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: The bedrock of any Zappa collection – some consider this mono original one of the most important from his vast catalogue. This terrific record plays even above it’s amazing visual with very little to fault. Offering powerful dynamic sound with maximum fidelity from these unworn deep and wide grooves. Warm full-on sound with subtle variation within the mix for this mono version, hardly a surprise this particular version is so in-demand. That said, both mono and stereo versions are essential for Zappa fans. Sound quality is of audiophile standard with a wide dynamic range and all the fine details perfectly intact, and importantly present. There is no better way to enjoy this hugely complex title than via an original clean-cut record. Hardly commercial, even quite a challenging title – it includes dialogue and high-tech sound that rarely will be heard ‘silent’ on vinyl, but this is could be as close as it ever likely to get in the mono mode – yes, as stated – a tiny few sporadic clicks on side two – very few indeed, but little else at all. Even the spoken word parts are clean and devoid of irritating crackle or pressing noises. Tracking is effortless* with no unwanted pressing faults. Although the very beginning may sound a little unclear, this is quite intentional, correct and normal on this recording – even the CD version sounds the same. An intricate and complex work, the vast majority of these would have been damaged or trashed by heavy thick stylus from the past. Mono stylus tracked at vast weights, wore-out quickly and seldom replaced or aligned as necessary. Just one play with a chipped stylus, and the damage was done. Thus complex works suffered badly with clarity loss and crackle – remember, just one arm drop on a playing area usually meant another classic written-off. This gem has suffered no such abuse and appears little used at all. This rare Zappa classic was a pleasure from start to finish and will rarely be heard this clean, clear, precise and focused. Highly technical, beautifully produced and engineered and still has amazing sound values. Even played on my revealing stereo system with a Linn LP12 Sondek front-end, for which it was not really designed, this sounded amazing. Mono records are a thing of beauty when heard this clean. This diamond will prove immensely difficult to find better. I have a heard several disappointing copies of this album – I refuse to offer them – the odd minor blemish acceptable when put into true perspective. This record is just how Frank wanted it to be heard and nothing else will do for me, the man himself would have been proud to listen to this.

End Piece: Zappa himself cherished this album and he was a guy who seldom looked back at his own catalogue. Finding an original mono copy little used is unusual, make no mistake. The cover states ‘Francis Vincent Zappa, conducts Lumpy Gravy, a curiously inconsistent piece which started out to be a ballet but probably didn’t make it.’ It includes Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (with maybe even some of the Mothers of Invention) – What the cover does NOT state is: a brilliantly bizarre and original record from one of the greatest musical minds of the 20th-century – but it really should have done. An integral part for any Zappa vinyl collection, but possibly not the best place to start if you are unfamiliar or about to start a Zappa collection for the first time – this is an uncommercial and complex work – maybe better to try the ‘easier’ material and work your way into the mind of a genius. A challenging album, one of around 60 essential records he made while he was alive. For those who need this title or have an ear and mind to try him out, this is a beauty – the record lovely, the mono mix unique to vinyl – the cover equally impressive. This merits strong recommendation, the ultimate and (possibly) final vinyl upgrade, do NOT lose this one.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.

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 as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – 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 it’s 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 programs. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. 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 Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 805 Nautilus (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable) with REL subwoofer. 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, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners 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 minuscule in over 14­ 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. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. 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 ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, 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 as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. 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] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 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]) = £16.50 (£17.50 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’.