WISHBONE ASH "Wishbone Ash" '71 UK MCA 1st PRESS NM

	£		129
	$		171

  WISHBONE ASH "Wishbone Ash" '71 UK MCA 1st PRESS NM VARIANT RED/PINK LABELS, R STACE GF, TOP COPY, SUPERB
WISHBONE ASH
Wishbone Ash



ORIGINAL UK MCA (MKPS 2014) FIRST PRESSING (January 1971) OF WISHBONE ASH'S OUTSTANDING EPONYMOUS DEBUT LP - IN OUTSTANDING CONDITION AND DELIVERING PRACTICALLY FLAWLESS AUDIO (ON MY SYSTEM - AT A VERY LOUD VOLUME!) - LOVELY COPY - SOUNDS SENSATIONAL

The band's debut album became a reality when they were opening for Deep Purple in early 1970. Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore was jamming during the band's soundcheck and was so impressed that he recommended that MCA Records sign the band. Deep Purple producer Derek Lawrence produced this album, which features elements of blues, progressive rock, and psychedelic improvisation. The album was a success and Wishbone Ash would soon become one of the most popular rock bands of the early 1970s.

PRESSED ON QUALITY HEAVYWEIGHT VINYL (with a smooth outer rim and much thicker than the later pressings) WHICH DELIVERS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING AUDIO - AS YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM DECCA WHO CUT SOME OF THE FINEST SOUNDING RECORDS OF THE PERIOD
THE VINYL HAS THE FIRST ISSUE (SMALL) RED/PINK MCA LABELS WITH THE "Made In England, The Decca Record Co Ltd" TEXT UNDERNEATH THE MCA 'ARROW' ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LABEL (please see photos)
FIRST PRESS MATRIX: 7-224 / 7-225 (with the 'JT' TAX CODE ETCHED ON BOTH RUN OFFS)
THE RECORD IS HOUSED IN THE ORIGINAL MATT GATEFOLD COVER “Printed in England by Robert Stace”
AND THE SET COMES COMPLETE WITH THE ORIGINAL BLUE STEREO DECCA COMPANY INNER SLEEVE DATE CODED '1270' (December, 1970)

THIS REALLY IS A SENSATIONAL UK FIRST PRESSING IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION AND DELIVERING ABSOLUTE TOP AUDIO THROUGHOUT - VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED INDEED

Track Listing:
Side 1: BLIND EYE / LADY WHISKY / ERRORS OF MY WAYS / QUEEN OF TORTURE
Side 2: HANDY / PHOENIX

LABELS: The labels are clean and bright with no unwanted marks/writing and only light spindle rash - this copy has been played but not over-played and its also been extremely well handled which is evident from the practically unmarked surfaces and the sensational playback it delivers
VINYL Visual: The vinyl surfaces still retain their original deep, glossy sheen and under a bright light they are practically unmarked
VINYL Audio: Outstanding audio on this first pressing with a crystal clear, deep, rich, warm and detailed sound (and a superb loud cut) - very, very impressive indeed and another fantastic Decca engineered release. On playback at a loud volume (which is how I always listen to my records prior to listings and it's always a real pleasure to return to this one) there are no scratches, no skips or jumps, no prominent surface noise and no clicks or pops - plays beautifully and cleanly throughout to an extremely high standard with sensational clarity and stereo separation, no groove-wear and no distortion and is critically graded NEAR MINT for audio (very impressive sound - virtually flawless) - fabulous copy of this outstanding LP and very, very highly recommended
SLEEVE: The original gatefold sleeve (this one printed by Robert Stace but also found printed by Moore & Matthes) being soft, delicate and untreated is usually found heavily rubbed but this one is in superb condition - clean, bright and fresh with no marks and practically no storage wear to the edges or spine - where all text is clear and bold - lovely example of this easily worn sleeve - EXCELLENT+

NOTE: Please let me put to rest the common misconception that the Black MCA labels are the first ones for early Wishbone Ask LPs (as cited by Record Collector Price Guide) - they are NOT. The Black MCA label was the last design Decca used for MCA for 1973/4 presses (the first pressings of Wishbone 4 released in 1973 has the black label). All pre-1973 Ash LPs have the two coloured labels in Blue/Black, Red/Pink, Red/Yellow or Red/Brown. After these came the Black label in 1973 and in 1974 MCA severed links with UK Decca and switched its licensing deal to EMI. These later labels have the rainbow insignia and are EMI, not Decca presses.

PLEASE HAVE A LOOK AT MY PICTURES - I USUALLY TAKE QUITE A FEW SO YOU CAN GET A CLEAR INDICATION OF EVERY DETAIL OF THE ITEM
I HAVE UPLOADED AS MANY AS I CAN BUT I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUPPLY ANY ADDITIONAL PHOTOS ON REQUEST
BEAUTIFUL COPY OF WISHBONE ASH'S DEBUT IN FANTASTIC CONDITION AND VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED INDEED - PLAYS PRETTY MUCH FLAWLESSLY FROM START TO FINISH - SUPERB EXAMPLE - SOUNDS SENSATIONAL
AS WITH ALL MY RECORDS THIS HAS A LOW START PRICE AND NO RESERVE
PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR MORE RARE AND COLLECTABLE VINYL
AND PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUERIES YOU MAY HAVE
THANKS FOR LOOKING, CHEERS

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