GALLIARD Strange Pleasure VERY RARE Orig UK 69 Mono LP

	£		211
	$		279

Artist or Band: Galliard

Album Title: Strange Pleasure.

Producer(s): Phil Wainman.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Skillet; A Modern Day Fairy Tale; Pastorale; I Wrapped Her in Ribbons; Children of the Sun.

Side 2: Got to Make It; Frog Galliard; Blood; Hear the Colours; I Wanna Be Back Home.

Label/Format: Deram Nova - rare blue-green format (Please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: Both very clean and highly attractive with only very light and faint spindle marks and no wear around the hole area. Side one indeed has barely any marks at all.

Cat Number: DN 4.

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: 142 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 135 to 145 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, many records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 50 records from these eras.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Very Rare as confirmed in the more neutral ‘Tapestry of Delights’ book which rates it R3 ‘Extremely Rare’. Seldom seen or offered, this somewhat obscure Deram Nova gem is a delight throughout. Issued in 1969 as the mono era was slowing coming to an end and the majority of new albums were no longer being issued in the single channel format. Many shops did not even stock them and such a record as this would have almost certainly been a special order. This barely played record was offered in both formats and this one is the rare and elusive mono cut making it even harder to find.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: ARL-9183.P-1A / ARL-9184.P-1A

Stamper Codes: 1 U / 1 U

Musicians: Andrew Abbott - bass; Geoff Brown - vocals; Dave Caswell - trumpet, D-trumpet; Richard Pannell - guitar, electronic effects, 12 string guitar, lute, backing vocals; Leslie Podraza - drums; John Smith - alto, tenor and soprano saxophones.

Brief Info: A very rare album indeed: Galliard blend genuine prog-folk-rock with mediaeval touches and it works perfectly. Some highly complex musicianship including some of the most frenetic brass arrangements ever to be included on a ‘rock’ album. On the opening song ‘Skillet’ there is a murderous horn riff that literally could rip the cloth from your speakers – its manic and quite brilliant. The album features several brass-driven songs but don’t be put off, this is highly infectious and for those with taste for horns will love it especially. Being a mono record the fewer plays the better and tracking the complex wind-driven music is incredibly challenging. Remember, this is a mono record, it was never designed to be played on a modern stereo turntable and the sound in two channel is not really strictly correct. But this does sound amazing, that said, there is some mild surface sound in places and the occasional trace of clipping on the most blistering brass or vocal passage. This on a highly sensitive and revealing system, it will probably be less noticeable on more standard equipment (I have tried to be polite here). Deram, part of Decca are usually the pressings around but this is fractionally below their usual high standard with traces of crackle evident on the less noisy parts and this on a record that looks barely even played. Whether the Nova off-shoot was subject to lesser quality control I don’t know, I rarely get Nova albums being honest, most are rare like this one. Whatever, it plays very well indeed and little spoilt my enjoyment of my very first ever example of this elusive title. The cover is stunning and has sublime ghoulish artwork, the laminated front will prove near impossible to find better and the set is complete with the Decca-style mono red inner that fills the peep-hole mono/stereo indicator back. The Nova series specialised in less commercial, more progressive orientated acts and few of them sold well. They are very collectable and finding a complete run is a seriously difficult task. This is a very fine all round example and most will enjoy it but if the mild sound blemishing is an issue - please do not bid.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Moderate+.

Cover Grade and Format: EX++ a single format with the front laminated with Clarifoil. Printed and made in England by Senol Printing Ltd. The back has the mono/stereo peep-hole which unusually in this case is filled with the red mono inner (please see this detail in close-up).

Lamination & Front: The front is superb, graded on its own, easily Mint(-) with just a couple of small creases and ultra clear and shiny laminate. This is fully adhered with no lifting or blistering with minimal traces of any friction rubs or dulling. The intense green artwork with its bizarre characters looks absolutely stunning and is near reference standard. The right edge ends a fraction short of full width but even this exposed strip is clean, unchipped with no grime-line formation. This front sets a very high standard and looks wonderful.

Cover Back: The predominately white back has mild traces of set-off and minor grubbiness around the edges with a very mild darkened ring arc near the left edge. All fairly standard for a cover this great age but any real wear is negligible and attractiveness remains high. The peep-hole is pristine with no hole burring. The laminate wraps around the spine for about a quarter of an inch on the back, the end here has very slightly darkened.

Top Edge: Practically unworn up the corner tips.

Bottom Edge: As above.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with no wear or feathering. Record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: Great spine too: Solid, straight, uncompressed and square, the ends are slightly tapered in manufacture and both neat. The text is centred slightly high of centre and perfectly unworn under the solid and uncracked laminate that has just two tiny hairline creases.

Corners: Small tip creases on a couple but all remain neat and sharp.

Cover Summary: A very strong all round example of this very rare late 60’s cover, one that will prove very difficult to find much better. This beautiful item should please most collectors.

The Inner: The Decca-style red mono inner has a perfect lining and super neat window and is as clean and fresh as new. Apart from some mild ruffle traces, I would have graded it full Mint, I have rarely seen one of these better proving beyond any doubt, this record has hardly made the trip out. The richness of the deep red colour has to be seen to be fully appreciated, this will remind those of a certain age, what they once looked like when brand new.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Mint(-) / EX++, side two has a very small mark at the very beginning with a few clicks - this disappears as another massive brass barrage blasts from the speakers - few other clicks were noted throughout. A superb visual copy that is super clean, shiny, intense black and quite heavily pressed. A copy barely even played on all the evidence. Visually a super record that should please most collectors again.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippetts or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This stunning looking record mostly plays up to its high visual grading with little to fault but some very light sporadic crackle traces were noted here and there. Also a few clicks at the very start of side two that disappear fast. It’s very rare I would have to state this on a Decca-made record that looks almost like new but that’s why I play-grade and leave nothing to chance or guess-work. Some clipping was noted on the final song on side one where the soaring vocals get so intense it almost gets to saturation point. I can hardly imagine any mono example will withstand this intensity of sound and cracks on this vocal barrage are almost inevitable on this uncompromising track. As stated, this record was not made to be played on stereo equipment and is maybe out of its comfort zone. It will test the tracking of less-than-worthy pickups to the ultimate to retain the sharpness of the incredibly dynamic brass that again has immense volume and power. Overall it’s a supremely clean record and most all plays very well indeed but is a highly challenging recording. Strong and powerful sound at times and some gentle quieter passages as well, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Any surface sounds are minimal but a little very gentle crackle was noted in a few places, most between the odd song or two - slightly sporadic but this did not spoil my listening pleasure at all and side two in particular has hardly any at all. Few copies will outperform this earliest of pressings significantly I feel sure and I feel certain few of the existing monos will ever better this hardly played example. I would imagine finding another in mono could prove almost impossible especially one played probably two or three times. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been clearly well stored and carefully handled, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. The small mark on side two is the only tiny blemish of note on both playing surfaces that gleam like new. Little if anything really spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record, my first ever on vinyl. The clicks on side two’s start are short-lived. This copy will prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be highly recommended to most all collectors, but if a little mild sporadic surface sound or audio blemishing is an issue - do not bid. If a cleaner better sounding mono copy can be realistically found, you will be doing very well indeed, but don’t hold your breath too long…, this is a very challening album and hard to find in either format.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

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

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: I now offer the fastest possible posting, mostly the very next day after payment is received or within 48 hours maximum. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with TWO thick stiffners for even extra protection. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used for clarity and well as sender label. 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. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but NOT surface mail abroad. I never make profit on posting and offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends, with the total costs including ‘standard’ or ‘optional extra insurance’ P&P – ALL UK and Russian packets go out non-negotiable Recorded Delivery. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 4,000+ items sold in over 7 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional.

PLEASE NOTE: I will now only send packets to Russia with Recorded Delivery at a cost of £7 per single LP. If this is unacceptable to Russian collectors, please do not bid. I only want my records to arrive safely and this gives packets a better chance to do so. Also ALL UK packets will be sent with either Recorded or Special Delivery as standard (both have to be signed for). All shipping costs and rules can be found after my description. If they are not acceptable, please do not bid.

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

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

SHIPPING COSTS & OPTIONS:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (First Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4 (OPTIONAL).

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: ALL EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA (NOT RUSSIA, see below) (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £5.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £9 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: RUSSIA (Recorded Only, if this is unacceptable, please do not bid):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ only £7) = £9 (OPTIONAL extra insurance as above).

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (any part); Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £8.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £13 (OPTIONAL).

* If Rules allow for that country.

PLEASE NOTE: I always get a Royal Mail ‘Proof-of-Posting’ receipt for ALL packets that are sent out and I am happy to prove this to any customer who wishes to see it via email.

Payment Conditions:

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

The customer can choose their method of shipping with the exception of second class or surface mail overseas – these I will NOT use. 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 (£35).

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. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

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’.