McCartney Ram LP 1971 Mexico Apple First Press “Moonkberry” Error PROMO Mix, EX

$

236

(Note:  If you win multiple items in a week’s listings, please wait for the end of all of the auctions for me to invoice you, so that you can take advantage of my combined shipping offer.  Thanks!)

READ THIS! These records are NOT sold for perfect sound quality. They’re sold for their scarcity and VISUAL grading. They’ve been in storage for a decade, and they WILL play with surface noise that can be addressed with D4 or a VPI cleaning.  I can’t test-play at the minute. Please don’t bid if this is a problem for you.

McCartney Ram LP 1971 Mexico First Press “Moonkberry” Error PROMO Mix, EX!

Collectors of foreign market pressings are well familiar with this rarity.  First pressings of McCartney’s Mexican Ram LP differed from the releases in other foreign markets, in that the first ones off the pressing lathes were intended to go out as promos.  But for whatever reason, they ended up in the shops.  A very few first pressing copies feature the following differences from Mexico’s commercial releases:

1.  The labels are made of a combination of glossy paper and woven cloth.  Commercial releases are glossy paper.

2.  The mix has a sharper high end.  While the mix is identical to the U.S. stereo release which has a deeper midrange, the sharper high end on this issue makes certain elements that were buried or subdued in the U.S. issue prominent and more noticeable. 

Just for two examples without giving too many spoilers, the lead guitar on “Smile Away” is prominently played with tremolo on this issue.  The other cool one that cracked me up is that as the reprise of “Ram On” is fading in on Side 2, you can clearly hear Paul doing a Yoko vocal and then giggling.  Both of these elements made it onto the U.S. issue, but they’re buried.  Not here.

3.  The songs are clumsily banded for radio airplay.  So the whispered statement that Paul makes at the end of “Too Many People” is chopped in half.  Also, the segue between “Uncle Albert” and “Smile Away” is clearly severed weirdly, and a silent band is inserted.  There’s a third one on Side 2, which is that the fade-in between “Long Haired Lady” and the “Ram On” reprise is also chopped in half, and then a silent band is inserted.

4.  Finally, these first issues of the first pressing are easily identified by the title error on Side 2, “Monkberry Moon Delight” being listed as “Moonkberry.”

I hate to get rid of this one. You’re not going to see another one of these for years.  And it’s beautiful.

Vinyl--- EX/EX.  Both sides shine like brand new, with maybe one or two nearly detectable light and short lines.  Other graders would call this copy NM, and they wouldn’t be wrong.

Plates--- SLEM-291-1 4-v-794AM/ SLEM-291-2 16-v-794AM.

Cover--- VG.  Mexico cover construction is thicker than U.S. releases of the time, and are therefore more durable.  Cover presents VG+, however; the top and bottom seams have moderate shelfwear.  Top seam has the beginnings of a center split 1 ½ inches long.  Spine has some sun fading, but not bad.

Gatefold--- VG+.  Just the very beginnings of some dirtwear.  No fading colors, NO SEAM SPLITS.

Labels--- EX/EX.  Semi-cloth labels are resistant to spindle marks.  However, the Side 2 label looks like it has a light one.

Apple Inner Sleeve--- VG. Generic Mexican plastic inner sleeve is present.  Heavily wrinkled from the years, a little dusty and two small seam splits.

A generic inner sleeve will be provided, so as not to damage your original Apple inner sleeve en route.

As these records have been in storage for many years, they will play back with crackling and tics, however; a good moisturizing and cleaning with either D4 Discwasher or a VPI machine always clears them up.  Thanks!)

Note:  All LP’s ship outside of their album covers in order not to damage the covers during shipment.

CAUTION!  There has been a startling increase in bidders canceling their bids.  A word to the wise, I have started blocking any and all bidders who retract their bids regardless of the reason.

Please don’t bid unless you’re willing to honor your amount, okay? Thanks!

(Please note:  Regarding play-testing, my Technics turntable has somehow seized.  The tone arm is stuck in the up position, and I can’t get it to fully return to its cradle.  Is there anyone out there, who can tell me if this is an easy fix?  Thanks!) 

**Check out my other auctions for more hard-to-find vinyl!

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