GRAVY TRAIN - Ballad of a Peaceful Man Vertigo original press //1 matrices RARE
£
54
$
71
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
Description
GRAVY TRAIN
" A Ballad for a Peaceful Man "
VERTIGO 6360 051
UK? 1971 on the "VERTIGO SPACESHIP" label
Matrices: 1Y//1 and 2Y//1
Actually same matrices as on the SWIRL version
This album is an enigma for me ...
It is not documented at Discogs. I first thought it might be a USA version but the format and sleeve do not tally up. It is not Australian or South African as they have a swirl version. All text is english, so it is not German or Dutch. The label is not like a UK spaceship label but looks like the German version, but printed fully in English ....? Maybe someone out there knows. I usually track most items down, but this leaves me entirely puzzled. Anyway here it is for sale!!
Among the lesser-feted jewels released by the Vertigo label during its swirly-logo purple patch, Gravy Train's restful hybrid of jazz-tinged virtuosity, folky pastorals, and heartfelt vocalizing peaks on this, their second album, and that despite A Ballad of a Peaceful Man doing little more than treading water when compared to the experimental peaks of its predecessor. Part of the album's appeal lies in the then-novel concept of splitting its contents neatly in half, the hard rockers on one side, the softer material on the other. On the whole, the ballads have dated a lot better than the monsters, particularly "Alone in Georgia," which clashes sweet soul with (of all things!) Southern rock and, for some reason, sounds a lot like the Heavy Metal Kids. But that is not to denounce the sheer power of the band in full flood. The title track postulates an unholy collision of Uriah Heep and Atomic Rooster, and shows off Norman Barrett's vocals to maximum effect, while "Won't Talk About It" is almost stubbornly likable, and that despite prophesying every yowling power ballad of the '80s and beyond. Best of all, though, is the spookily atmospheric "Home Again," all throbbing percussion, primal flute, and timeless melancholy. On an album that flirts across a variety of moods, the moodiest track of all makes for a breathtaking finale.(from: allmusic.com)
Vinyl: VG. I have played this in full> There are NO jumps, NO clicks and NO sticks!!! Some background noise here and there but not intrusive. It has had moderate play as attested by the shallow hairlines on each side. The pressing is of great quality, as should be expected for a first press, because it surely is a first press.
Sleeve: G+. A single front laminated sleeve. The rear is matt. Side creases as per the picture. The spine is 100% legible but has a 2.5 inch split. Just look at the pictures. Tiny corner "micro" bumps. A small name to the rear. Notoriously hard to find!
On 21-Dec-20 at 23:43:35 GMT, seller added the following information:
One ebay member was so kind as to supply me with his opinion on the country of origin of the album.
Hi,
I think I have some info on this particular record for you.
On the back cover it looks like Distributed by Trutone (Pty.) Ltd.
This was a South African record distribution and manufacturing company. Previously known as Trutone Africa Ltd..
Cheers
price rating
