KING CRIMSON (DEBUT) IN THE COURT UK AwEsOmE Top AuDiO

	£		667
	$		883

KING CRIMSON ''In the Court of the Crimson King'' (an observation by King Crimson) ORIGINAL EARLY UK PRESSING CAT NO. ILPS-9111 (ORIGINAL ISLAND LABELS) MEGA MEGA RARE!  A#2 and B#3 MEGA EARLY  AWESOME E.DAY GATEFOLD COVER (ONLY 1ST PRESSINGS!!!!! HEAVY THICK ORIGINAL VINYL! LOOKS AND SOUNDS BARELY PLAYED!!  VISUALY THE PLAYING SURFACE LOOKS NEAR PRISTINE IN MY OPINION!! AWESOME TOP! TOP! TOP! AUDIO ON ALL FREQUENCIES!! (NO)LOUD CLICKS OR POPS! THE BEST AUDIO EVER, EVEN MOONCHILD SOUNDS AWESOME VERY VERY RARE! EARLY ROUGHER LABELS!

FREE 1ST CLASS SIGNED FOR POSTAGE IN THE UK!

Another from my personal collection! One of many that I have accumilated over a period of more than 35 years! This album has been stored in a case for the best part of 25 years or more,  with the vinyl seperated from the sleeve and cover for protection! This is how I have always stored my records! I have many copies of this original debut album with most of the label and vinyl variations! This album listed is quite exceptional very very early, one of the earliest and most scarce to find featuring A2 and B3 matrix endings, compared to the more common, later A2 and B4 versions that are often seen. These feature the slightly rougher labels rather than the later smooth type labels! !! Please note! I have very carefully described this album below especially the unique audio quality which is the most important aspect of this album in my opinion, because from my experience that from the notoriously bad pressings that there are of this album, a visual grading is certainly not good enough especially for this album which also has very very quiet and almost silent places throughout!! I have taken time to play this vinyl through a few times prior to listing to be as accurate as possible giving my very honest personal opinion as I hear it!  On initial visual inspection of this vinyl, the playing surface looks very near pristine in my opinion, (in fact it is hard for me to see a blemish, even angled to the light, only in certain bright light can very fine tiny surface marks be possibly seen, nothing that would cause any loud clicks or pops, in fact I heard no loud clicks or pops at all!!). I have play tested the vinyl before listing and this plays through absolutely stunning on my systems and amaizingly even the track, yes,, 'Moonchild' sounds awesome (probably one of the best that I have heard of this track on vinyl)   with just the lightest very (very) minor surface static surface interfearance only   I must emphisise that this copy is certainly unique to find like this, Certainly looks and sounds barely played at all. , Quite unbeleivable to find like this after nearly 40 years. These are normally found played to death and barely playable. This copy is up there at the top and sounds truly awesome throughout.Very very highly sought after and collectable 1st UK pressing 1969!     

In the Court of the Crimson King (an observation by King Crimson) is the 1969 debut album by the British progressive rock group King Crimson!!.

 The album reached No.3 on the British charts. The album was remastered and re-released in the late 1990s, and given a subsequent remastering after the original masters were found in the Virgin vaults, which in turn was released in 2004. The album is certified gold in the United States!!!!.

The album is considered by many the launching point of progressive rock where blues-oriented rock is completely abandoned in favour of more jazz and European symphonic elements incorporated!!!!

1. "21st Century Schizoid Man" (Fripp, McDonald, Lake, Giles, Sinfield) – 7:21
   • "Mirrors"
2. "I Talk to the Wind" (McDonald, Sinfield) – 6:05 
3. "Epitaph" (Fripp, McDonald, Lake, Giles, Sinfield) – 8:47
   • "March for No Reason"
   • "Tomorrow and Tomorrow"

1. "Moonchild" (Fripp, McDonald, Lake, Giles, Sinfield) – 12:13
   • "The Dream"
   • "The Illusion"
2. "The Court of the Crimson King" (McDonald, Sinfield) – 9:25
   • "The Return of the Fire Witch"
   • "The Dance of the Puppets"

King Crimson are a musical group founded by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles in 1969. King Crimson's style has typically been categorised as progressive rock, although it incorporates diverse influences ranging from jazz, classical and experimental music to psychedelic, New Wave, heavy metal, gamelan and folk music. King Crimson has garnered little radio or music video airplay, but there is a cult following.Their debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King, is widely regarded as a landmark in progressive rock. Their later excursions into even more unconventional territory have been influential on many contemporary musical artists!!!.

In the late-1960s, the band was influential in popularising a previously unexplored mellotron rock style. Throughout the early-1970s, King Crimson's membership fluctuated as the band explored elements of jazz and funk. The band developed an improvisational sound influenced by heavy metal and became a more stable unit in the mid-1970s, before their breakup in 1974. The band re-formed in 1981 for three years, influenced by new wave and gamelan music, before breaking up again for around a decade. Following their 1994 reunion, King Crimson blended aspects of their 1980s and 1970s sound, which has continued into the 21st century!!!.

King Crimson's membership has fluctuated considerably throughout its existence, with 17 musicians passing through its ranks as full band members. Fripp, the only constant member of King Crimson, has arranged several disparate line-ups of the band, and he has stated that he does not necessarily consider himself the band's leader. Fripp describes King Crimson as "a way of doing things", and notes that he never originally intended to be seen as the head of the group!!!!

The Matrix

side 1. ''ILPS-9111 AV2''        

side2. ''ILPS-9111 B#3'' (RARELY EVER SEEN! EARLY PRESS)

Thick heavy and chunky original more robust and deeper grooved type of vinyl only found on the earliest pressings!!!

The Vinyl.

To start with on initial inspection I can barely see a blemish AT ALL  on the playing surface!On initial inspection this looks almost as new super super glossy sheen!! This looks awesome and still retains its original sheen from new!!!! Any marks that could possibly be seen would be mainly sleeve removal marks, very very tiny surface scuff marks only (non audio sounding To be honest its hard to see any at all) So very rare to find like this ever! Please note! I have stored this vinyl seperately from the cover in a case for the best part of 25 years!! This vinyl lays perfectly flat on the turn table!!!  I have played this through track for track as usual on a top system at very loud volume!!!

The Audio Quality

I have played this vinyl through three times track for track at very loud volume on a top system!  and have carefully given my honest opinion on the audio quality as I heard it! My grading is for the audio quality only (although visually the playing surface looks very near mint in my opinion) Please note!  I follow (no) other codes or practices other than my personal opinion,, I would class myself as highly critical when it comes down to the audio quality and I have played many copies and variations of this pressing. Please look at my completed listings of records that i have sold of this calaber and you will see that I normally get it right!  

The audio is absolutely Awesome\superbe throughout! Absolutely (no) signs of distortion or grooveware at all top! top! audio on all frequencies! in fact this looks and sounds barely played in my opinion! The first important note is that this plays with (no) loud clicks or should I say no (loud  pops) at all that I heard!  The main audio is cristal clear and vibrant throughout! (One of the best that I have ever heard of this pressing for vibrancy, clarity and seperation !)

From the start, when the needle goes down on side one it is quite obvious that this vinyl has barely ever been played in my opinion. Any who know these original early Island pressings would know that these are notoriously common to have surface noises and crackle prevelent during quiet places, even more enhanced due to its very quiet tracks especially the track ''moonchild''   Please note, this copy is certainly not exempt of any suface crackle but is certainly up there as one of the best overal audio sounding copies that I have heard ! The audio is truly stunning super sharp and very vibrant throughout!  Please note! During some of the quiet places there were the odd light static crackle\ticks but certainly not consistant and only in virtualy silent places during tracks only.

 Points to note! I play these records on a top system at very loud volume!   There was some light static\crackle that can be heard in some quiet places which seems that is always seems enhanced on my system!(also when played on other systems might not be heard especially at a lower volume level) This also could be contributed to the fact that this could do with constant cleaning, due to the fact that this has been stored in a case for the best part of 25 years (as are most of my vinyls) and build up of dust and dirt in the grooves over the years of laying dormant!!! Please note I must emphisise that when the audio is playing this plays at top top quality! with no interferance at all that i can hear at all!  That's all! I would class myself as highly critical, Please look at my completed listings of records that I have sold of this calaber and you will see that i normally get it right! I have heard quite a few copies of this album and own most of the original variations of this album and this one is quite exceptional! In my opinion this will be very hard to surpass for an original 37 year old vinyl, also one of the earliest certyainly the most desirable!!!! 

Please note! I have decided to grade the audio which i think is quite exceptional having played this vinyl through a few times prior to listing! This is my honest and personal opinion, I follow no other codes other than this!  please look at my completed listings of records that I have sold of this calaber and you will see that I normally get it right!! 

side 1. The audio is graded at least excellent to excellent plus certainly vibrant with just minimal interfearance during quiet places only, audio super vibrant!  

side 2. The audio is graded as excellent to excellent plus certainly vibrant with just minimal interfearance during quiet places only, audio super vibrant! 

please note! I always add this disclaimer! Please allow for the odd static ticks\crackle (not consistant throughout the audio) Please remember this is a genuine 37 year old vinyl that would have originally been played on a 37 year old system!!!(certainly one of the best overal audio sounding copies that I have heard)!

The labels

These are superbe (see photos) the original pink Island labels (only early press) Please note! Spidering can just barely be seen angled to the light only, in my opinion this has just had bare minimal play only    (no) ware on the splindle hole this is perfectly round!!!All indications are that this vinyl has only ever had very minimal play only in my opinion !  ''Made in England' is featured around the label rim (UK press)

The Cover

The original unlaminated gatefold cover has (no) splits or tares very very light general storageware \light rubbing to the edges at the spine and corners only! Amaizingly (no) real creases worth to mention on the front or rear at all, if scrutinised angled to the light there are two small indents seen on the front.  On the inside is very clean indeed! any other minor storage ware, again you have to scrutinise to notice any! Please note! This is the original and has not been swapped  with another cover which is often the case!! Printed by E.DAY & CO ENGLAND! (ONLY 1ST PRESS COVERS) also features the white 'i' logo (only 1st press covers) This cover is strong and straight a superbe example!!All writing can be clearly read on the spine!must be at least excellent if not better!original 1st press cover so very hard to find like this!!!  

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLEWRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality as i hear it. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 1000 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light!!!!!Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!!!!!!!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!!!!

SHIPPING TO THE USA IS 11.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 8.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS FREE SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Please note! All items are now despatched by Royal Mail signed for 1st class delivery!!!! I normally despatch weekdays within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds!!!I POST ON WEEKDAYS ONLY (NOT OVER THE WEEKEND)!! Tracking details are always emailed to the winning bidder after despatch.

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement (It is my prime interest to make sure that the items arrive in the same condition that they left me!!!!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!!!!!

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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