Gravy Train : Gravy Train A 1 / 2Y3 Vertigo 1st Press

This is another rare Vertigo first pressing on sale here and again this classic Gravy Train album plays to a fantastic standard with barely any intrusion on the audio.  The audio on both sides is so clean and the sonic quality cannot be faulted.  Any collector would be hugely impressed by the clarity on offer here.

The matt gatefold is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and the original swirl inner is in superb order with only a little creasing.

6360023  A? 1   1 1 4

6360023  2Y * 3   1 3

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (Track 1 Near Mint but Ex on intro and fade out / T2 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint

The original swirl inner is Ex+

  The vinyl is in lovely condition and retains a superb condition.  There are no scratches and S1 in particular is stunning - it has only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines and one very small area of light marks but they have no affect on the audio at all.  S2 does have two hairlines and one more obvious scuff hairline also but again this has no bearing on the audio.  Look at the audio grading - Mint- ! This is a highly sought after album and visually is very impressive for a 50 year old record.  There is not very much spindle wear and the run out out grooves and labels are also in great condition.

Play grading

The percussive intro on 'The New One' begins superbly with hardly any static and it continues in the same way.  There are a couple of light ticks on the first flute section but nothing that you would deem intrusive.  The remainder of this opening instrumental has only a minimal amount of very light static every now, very very light!  There are no clicks or pops and once the vocal comes in the audio is stunning.  In fact the entire vocal section is 'as new' the playback cannot be faulted.  It is only on the quieter flute section at the end where you can hear a small number of light ticks.  This is Near Mint for the vast majority and Ex on the intro and end section.

'Dedication To Sid' has one static click on the intro but otherwise plays perfectly.  It then plays to a standard that is breathtaking!  For such a collectable record to play with such clarity is rare and it has obviously not been on a turntable that often.  Aside from a couple of light ticks the audio is as close to perfect as could be and the long instrumental section is a prime example of that.  It is stunning and the super quiet section that follows is just sublime.  It has barely any static and with only one light click towards the end the clarity is so impressive.  As the music builds towards the end the playback is flawless and I would class this track as Near Mint- it is that good.

What can I say about 'Coast Road'?  Well...there cannot be a better version around!  90% instrumental it plays with imperious quality from start to finish.  Barratt and Hughes' contribution here is incredible and the sonic quality is just off the scale!  I have never heard a version as 'complete' as this and aside from one light tick during the brief vocal the audio is amazing for a vinyl that is now 50 years of age.  Even the long fade out has no 'background'!  This is Mint in every sense of the word.

'Enterprise' has only a couple of minor static sounds on the 'intro' and then plays with incredible definition once more.  There is no interference and there is just no loss in audio quality whatsoever.  That's what I mean by definition - you can hear each note with such precision you would think you were listening to a recently pressed vinyl!  There is no distortion either and with only a minor touch of very light static right at the end this is Mint- for sure.

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The intro on 'Think Of Life' on S2 is super 'clean' with no 'background' and the first vocal also plays with great precision.  From then on there are no negatives.  From beginning to end there is no interference - this track has a very strong vocal and yet there is no distortion on the top end.  This is Mint- I am confident in saying.

The epic 'Earl Of Pocket Nook' plays with stunning precision from the very first groove.  Obviously it is far too long to summarise each section but having played it twice I can safely say there is barely any interference.  The clarity and power if the audio is sensational and it makes me wonder if it has ever been played in full before!  The brief vocal section plays with infinite precision and I cannot overstate how well this plays, the audio is nigh on perfect.  There is impressive clarity and then there is clarity like this!  It is such a powerful version and even the quieter moments play beautifully.  Around the 12 minute mark there is a very quiet passage and yet the only obvious 'background' is one light click and a handful of barely audible dust ticks.  As the music builds the playback cannot be faulted, it is 'as new', and the quiet section near the end is exactly that - quiet and free of any interference.  The final section plays with stunning precision and this qualifies as Mint- although it could be argued that 99% is Mint, what a version!

In summary this rare first pressing plays with stunning quality on both sides.  Apart from a couple of clicks the clarity on offer here is so impressive - there is no underlying static and playback is so 'clean'.  The majority is 'as new' and that is no exaggeration.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and it is obvious this vinyl has not been over-played.

The Gatefold

This matt textured gatefold is in excellent condition with not too much shelf wear.  The edges do have some rubbing which is common but they have not worn through at all.  The wide spine remains very strong and 100% legible and has very little wear apart from a little rubbing at the top and bottom.  The right hand corners have some rubbing but again this is not major.  The front cover is very clean with only a small sticker removal mark top right and the back cover is very similar with only minimal ringwear.  The inside of the gatefold is near perfect with just one tiny faint mark lower left.  Overall an excellent cover with no major issues.

The Labels

The famous Vertigo labels are in superb order with no marking or writing and not very much spindle wear as stated.  It has the large 'swirl' on the Side B label of course.

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined 'swirl' inner dated 0470 is super clean with no side splits, tears or marking and only some creasing in one corner.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

6360023  A? 1   1 1 4

6360023  2Y * 3   1 3

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £9.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!