Neil Young - s/t 1968 UK 1st Press *ORIGINAL MIX* Reprise LP

	£		78
	$		103

NEIL YOUNG - 'NEIL YOUNG'

Released on November 12, 1968 (Young's 23rd birthday) inital pressings of this album contained a unique mix which employed the "Haeco-CSG" encoding system. This was the "Holzer Audio Engineering-Compatible Stereo Generator", an analog electronic device and method developed by Howard Holzer, Chief Engineer at A&M Records in Hollywood, California. It was designed to create stereophonic vinyl LP records that when played on monaural equipment would allow the 2 channel stereo mix to automatically "fold-down" properly to a single monaural channel. However it had the unfortunate side effect of degrading the sound in both stereo and mono.

Young was unhappy with the sound quality of this first release, so the album was partially remixed in January 1969 and then re-released without Haeco-CSG processing. In fact, just three songs that were remixed: "Here We Are In The Years", "What Did You Do To My Life" & "If I Could Have Her Tonight", and "Here We Are In The Years" which has the noticeable difference in track length. The remixed cut is easily identifiable as the matrix included the suffix 'RE'. Copies missing this, such as this 1st U.K. pressing, do not bear that code.

This EXCELLENT UK 1st pressing of 'Neil Young' dates containing the original mix dates from that initial November 1968 release

It was pressed in the UK by Pye Records and bears the original tri-colour 'steamboat' Reprise label: RSLP 6317

Matrix numbers: RSLP 6317 A-1 *T & RSLP 6317 B-1 *T

Stamper codes: M/1 & F/1

Disc weight: 170g

Housed in a fully laminated 'Garrod & Lofthouse' printed cover WITHOUT the "Neil Young" header which was added to all subsequent issues.

Complete with an original poly-lined inner-sleeve.

CONDITION

Disc

Labels: EXCELLENT +

A clean, bright and unworn set with a handful of barely visible spindle trails visible around each unworn centre hole.

Visual: VERY GOOD +

Both playing surfaces are extremely clean and retain their deep-gloss shines. There is a single light fingernail scuff line on each side but nothing I would call a scratch or any other significant visual marks in strong daylight. Closer inspection directly beneath my powerful and unforgiving halogen desk lamp reveals little more than some harmless inner-sleeve removal marks and a sparkling rainbow shine. Both sides of this quality heavy pressing lie 100% flat when playing on the turntable.

Sound Quality: EXCELLENT

This copy has received minimal careful play on good quality equipment and plays without any trace of any groove/play wear on any track or in either channel. In fact, the only minor distractions during my single careful play-check at volume were are few light clicks on 'The Old Laughing Lady' and a couple of light ticks on 'Here we Are In the Years'. However, apart from those minor blemishes and hint of normal/light vinyl background between tracks, there is little to detract from the wonderful songs and pressing quality of this incredible debut album.

Cover: EXCELLENT

A vivid, vibrant and strong example this early cover which retains its high-gloss laminate all-over with minimal storagewear and just a single light 5cm crease towards the front opening edge, but little else to show that it is 43 years old. There is minor corner bruising but both opening edges are straight & unworn. The rear panel is pristine and unblemished with no 'thumbnails' or any other signs of wear. Both seams are smooth & unstressed and the spine is clean and fully worded along its entire length.

Inner-sleeve: EXCELLENT

Clean & flat with a few light storage creases, but no writing, tears or seam splits.

• This item is located in and will be shipped from AUSTRIA. Priority signed for airmail postage to UK addresses will be 12 GBP**

• Our grading is strict & conservative grading under strong daylight & directly beneath a halogen desk lamp to UK 'RECORD COLLECTOR' standards.

• We carefully play every record I sell on an EMT 950 transcription turntable fitted with a 'TSD 15' cartridge at volume and list all visual and audible faults.

• Every image in this listing has been taken by ourselves (with a Canon G12 camera) and are of the actual item for sale. We do not copy from other listings or use stock images.

• Each record is professionally & securely packaged in custom-made record mailing boxes with the disc removed from the cover.

• For more information on our grading and packaging policies, take a look at my About Me page.

• If you would like to get the best price for your rare records, why not let us do all the work for you. Contact us for details about our commission selling service.