FRANK ZAPPA/MOI Freak Out RARE ORIG UK 1966 STEREO VERVE LP. HIS RAREST EVER LP

	£		113
	$		150

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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 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.

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: THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION

Album Title: Freak Out!

Producer(s): Tom Wilson

TRACK LIST: Original UK issues omitted three songs and has a shorter version of ‘Trouble Every Day’. It was edited down to a single album until reissue in the early 1970s.

Side 1: Hungry Freaks Daddy; I Ain’t Got No Heart; Who Are the Brain Police?; Motherly Love; Wowie Zowie; You Didn’t Try to Call Me; I’m Not Satisfied; You’re Probably Wondering Why I’m Here.

Side 2: Trouble Every Day (Original UK short version); Help, I’m a Rock; The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet.

Label/Format: Verve – matt intense black surfaces with a gentle hint of texturing.

Label Condition: Superb examples: very clean, fresh and attractive with only a small few mostly light, fine and faint spindle marks.

Cat Number: SVLP 9154

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 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 Record: 125 grams.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: Rare: arguably the rarest standard issue Mothers of Invention album ever issued in the UK. The album did not sell well when first issued anyway, those that did were mainly in mono. Few stereo copies were even pressed and fewer sold. Very few British buyers would have shelled-out a weird new American band or artist at this time. It has been some considerable time since I last had one of these to offer in stereo.

Original Year of Release: 1966

Matrix Nos: V6 5005 A-1 / V6 5005 B-1.

Mothers / Stampers: 1 A / 1 G

Musicians: Frank Zappa - guitar, vocals; Ray Collins - lead vocalist, harmonica, tambourine, finger cymbals, bobby pin and tweezers; Jim Black - drums, vocals; Roy Estrada - bass, guitarron, soprano vocals; Elliot Ingber - alternate lead and rhythm guitars.

Other Musicians: Gene Estes – percussion; Eugene Di Novi – piano; Neil Le Vang – guitar; John Rotella – clarinet, sax; Carol Kaye – 12-string guitar; Kurt Reher – cello; Raymond Kelley – cello; Paul Bergstrom – cello; Emmet Sargeant – cello; Joseph Saxon – cello; Edwin V. Beach – cello; Arthur Maebe – French horn, tuba; Motorhead Sherwood – noises; Kim Fowley - megaphone; Mac Rebennack – piano; Paul Butterfield – vocals; Les McCann – piano; Jeannie Vassoir – (the voice of Cheese).

Brief Artist & Album Info: This legendary album will be celebrating its 50th birthday next month – what better way to celebrate it than offering a very rare UK-made stereo original?

Led by the genius that was Frank Zappa, The Mothers of Invention were outsiders, even on this their debut album. Older than most of their contemporaries, they brought a cynicism to their work that celebrated joys without resorting to nostalgia. Telling parodies of pop forms that were engaging, while experimental pieces, drawn from avant garde compositions by Varese and Stravinsky, took the idea of ‘rock’ into unchartered territory. Banded by many as rock’s first concept album, it gave birth to the underground pychedelic rock scene, even pre-dating The Velvet Underground’s debut classic. Zappa’s skills as a musician and engineer ensuring the innovative nature of this creation. Even today, its great fun to listen too. This original issue did not chart in the UK and only made a lowly appearance in the United States. Made with a budget of $25,000, some $6,000 more than average at this time, the albums’ producer was Tom Wilson, he laid his job on the line to make this album and stayed with the Zappa for four albums. This copy on offer is the very elusive original stereo version, which was edited down to a single album. I can only imagine this was done to save money, as double sets would have proved more expensive, and the commercial potential was already pretty low, here especially. It remains one of Zappa’s most treasured works and one of the most groundbreaking in this history of rock. Even from the opening bars of ‘Hungry Freaks Daddy’ with its distorted riff which replicates the Rolling Stones ‘Satisfaction’, the stage is set. It has a leering savagery and points the finger at Mr America and suggests a wave of non-conformism. The powerful ‘Trouble Every Day’ (here the shortened version) about the Watts race riots in America at this time and was highly controversial – as was the whole album. The bizarre ‘Help, I’m a Rock’ must be the ultimate ‘Freak Out’ track - this must have sent shock-waves out to listeners on first issue, nothing had been heard like this before. The final track is even more challenging: ‘The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet’ a modernist sound-composition, has to be heard several times to be fully appreciated and is a master classic in sound and engineering. This track alone saw Zappa trashing 1960s chart pop music - this was loud, crude and mind-shattering - one subtitle, ‘Ritual Dance of the Child Killer’, referred to the plot of Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring. But in this scandalous context, with ‘Suzy Creamcheese’ (a high-school virgin, who tells us this band is crazy and that they all smell bad (on the reissue cover), played by Jeannie Vassoir. She sounds as if she’s simultaneously losing her virginity and having an orgasm, but this was the 1960s and no one really noticed. Zappa’s ability to outrage was apparent right from the very beginning. A stunning conclusion to a remarkable work - nothing had ever been heard like it before (or since). Zappa with the greatest moustache in musical history, put the snarl and sneer into music, he did not conform, and this album, like the man himself, was a true original. Too weird and unconventional for most at the time, Freak Out remains one of the most important albums ever, breaking so much new ground, its influence and importance cannot be overstated. It almost single-handedly reinvented ‘rock’, and little remained the same thereafter. If this form of entertainment was not for you back when it all happened, try it now.

Cover Condition and Format: EXCELLENT(–): a single format with the front laminated. This covers all the folds and ends on the back on three external flipbacks. The main rear panel is matt and smooth. Printed and made in England by Garrod & Lofthouse with ‘Patents Pending’ text. Includes the plain white inner sleeve.

Cover Front: Here on the spooky psych band artwork, Frank Zappa tells the listener to ‘Freak Out!’ This artwork always looks in a different class when laminated, and only the originals here were. Although the cover is clearly different from the Select reissues, the front remains the same. The laminate retains excellent shine, freshness and clarity with minimal traces of dulling, even under light. A hint around the rim being near impossible to avoid totally. Great news: no lifting or large unsightly creases. There are some fine edge types, mostly to the spine, but no deep penetrating cracks. A fine line above the ‘T’ in ‘The’ of the blue title. Superb colour which the gatefold reprintings will always lack, this looks impressive, and is, of course, a true stereo version as seen in the top right corner. Indeed some of these even exist with this area without any word included.

Cover Back: The back, although still quite impressive, does have a light stain near the left edge, also some traces of set-off. All three of the unlaminated original Mothers Verve album backs are very hard to find anything like clean or ‘perfect’. It took me years to find my own near mint ones that will always be treasured. So in context, this is a very fine example with very little real wear. The staining or tone spotting is only quite light, so not for purists, but such is the scarcity of this album, a little compromise has to be made sometimes. The three flipbacks are all neat and solid. One gentle scuff on the top one that shows little. These are clean with minimal traces of burring to their ends with no ugly grime or discolouration. All very respectable indeed for a cover nigh-on 50-years-old.

Top Edge: A very fine, small central surface crack (NOT split) is seen under the laminate. Very thin, but mostly straight without anything else to fault, the laminate smooth, intact and solid.

Bottom Edge: Impressively clean, smooth with minimal hint of wear.

Right Edge(s), and Type: This entrance edge remains fairly sharp with any thickening only light as seen viewed end-on. A hint of curl near the bottom being critical. No trimming or enhancements. The front laminate end still very evident, the fine exposed strip with minimal hint of any wear.

Spine and Text: A splendid spine overall. Solid, largely straight with minimal compression, a gentle scuff trace near the top. That apart, the laminate remains smooth, clear and solid, all text is pristine as seen.

Corners: Again, the corners have little wear and mostly retain very fine shape with minimal hint of any dinks.

Cover Summary: Arguably the rarest Zappa made cover in the UK, stereo copies sold in tiny numbers and are seldom found. A few relatively minor issues and it does politely remind of age, but compared to many covers of this era, and especially type, this has fared well and still looks very attractive, as seen. Not for perfectionists, but many fans and classic album collectors will enjoy it.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(+): a basic plain solid white unlined inner. This includes the ‘PATENTS APPLIED FOR’ text. Gently aged only with some quite light discolouration, mostly near the label area and the seam adhesive which is near impossible toa avoid. Hardly creased and all edges unsplit with no repairs.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(–): actually not that easy to grade. Firstly, side two is superb with little to fault at all, I could grade this side at least Excellent(+). Side one has a tiny fine scratch that has four clicks between tracks, then 8 more at the beginning of ‘I’m Not Satisified’, other than that, this album plays superbly with hardly anything else of note to fault. A few gentle surface marks and a little minor dulling only, but the aforementioned mark is the only penetrating, and tiny scratch. Still a lovely record with generally fine shine and solidly pressed. Appearing little played and, like most psych albums, sounding fantastic in stereo. These were mostly bought by a very curious few, probably younger people and rarely hi-fi connoisseurs, most that surface are trashed. This not perfect, and few first issues ever will be these days, but still very impressive (or I not offer it), but like the cover, many collectors will cherish it.

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: This trip into the psychedelic underground plays as impressively as it looks. The only small and very brief issue are the moderate clicks on side one, all else plays superbly with clean distortion-free sound. Never take this for granted on any record this considerable age, let alone one with such complex and powerful sound qualities with great detail and definition. This a true stereo recording – not electronically created or enhanced – is has amazing pin-sharp sound with no tracking issues*. Even the fragile high frequencies remain totally unclipped and precise. Barely any hint of surface sound, even on the difficult ‘Help I’m a Rock’. The tiny mark and brief clicks apart, the sound matches my own prized near mint copy. Even from way back this album had awesome fidelity, it has a slightly raw sound quality but not in a low-fi way – it’s dynamic and exciting and still thrills today. An amazing masterstoke of production by Wilson. Some albums from this time were flat, muted and lifeless, Freak Out was NOT one of them, this will leave the senses reeling with the mind-bending sound. Just listen to the sheer brutality of the bass on ‘Who Are the Brain Police’, also the aforementioned ‘Monster Magnet’, with its crazed pulsating percussion, the sounds that burst out of these unworn stereo grooves have ultimate detail sonic delivery – this is almost scary. This is a huge production masterwork, again for 1966 so advanced – no expense was spared. You want fantastic early stereo imagery and effects detail with clear sound, you have it here, it will prove immensely difficult to beat (the one minor blemish apart). Finding this original without the odd minor issue will prove beyond difficult, and this classic still merits strong recommendation – if a few clicks are an issue – please wait for the near impossible. I did, it took me years, this copy I would easily be happy to listen too any time. If originals like this can only be offered ‘perfect’, they would hardly ever be offered at all.

End Piece: To emphasise the type and era of this record I quote from the back cover of the Select reissue (this NOT on this original single cover), repressings are easier to find. It was written by ‘Suzy Creamcheese’ “These Mothers is crazy. You can tell by their clothes. One guy wears beads and they all smell bad. We were gonna get them for a dance after the basketball game but my best pal warned me you can never tell how many will show up…sometimes they guy in the fur coat doesn’t show up (Zappa) and sometimes he does show up only he brings a big bunch of crazy people and him and they dance all over the place. None of the kids at my school like these Mothers…specially since my teacher told us what the words to their songs meant.’’.

Early Zappa/Mothers on Verve are fast disappearing and that’s all of them, not just the early-made ones. Like many great albums, this was too ahead of its time for most, the world was not ready to ‘Freak Out!’, including many reviewers and critics of the time that were bought up on pop music. It’s just a shame that only after his untimely, premature death does the world now more fully appreciate this man’s work and greatness. A unique artist who simply wanted to entertain, and had plenty to say about real issues. Freak Out has to be regarded as one of the most important debut albums ever, a true landmark record –- for me, only fellow Vervsters, The Velvet Underground’s debut, and maybe The Doors challenges this in the underground rock music genre. Enjoy this powerful stereo analogue vinyl, no digital version even somes close. Remember: neccessity is the Mother(s) of Invention.

* 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 programmes. 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 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium 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, 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’.