BALLAD OF THE BIG GIRL & A MERE BOY -  PRINCIPAL EDWARDS MAGIC THEATRE - SINGLE 

	£		30
	$		40

BALLAD (OF THE BIG GIRL NOW & A MERE BOY)  - PRINCIPAL EDWARDS MAGIC THEATRE - SINGLE. Condition is "Used". Dispatched with Royal Mail 1st Class "SIGNED FOR"  Service. 
From the selllers private collection.  Owned from new. A record for connoisseurs & vinyl collectors. 
BALLAD (OF THE BIG GIRL NOW  & A MERE BOY)  C/W  LAMENT FOR THE EARTH  -  PRINCIPAL EDWARDS MAGIC THEATRE  - The very, very elusive Single.   DANDELION LABEL  4405 STEREO 
Released in July 1969.  This Single was purchased from  One Stop Records, 40 South Moulton Street W1 in September of that year.  I remember being informed, at the time, it was the last copy they had in stock. The identification is as follows :-- Matrix/Runout  (Stamped) : Side A : 8254 - Side B :  8255
The record is graded between Excellent (EX) to Very Good (VG) which is remarkable, given its age of over half a centuary at 52 years old. It has some very minor hairline surface scuffs on the faces, but no scratches that impair playing.  Both sides will play excellently. There are some  miniscule chips on the disc parameter as shown,  that have no impact upon playing. The label has the original Dandelion image logo, in crimsion lake upon its surface. Both side are in very good condition as shown. There is no hole distortion. 
The record is kept in a clearfoil insert,  housed in a period 1960s Cardboard Sleeve. 
The Producer was credited to John Peel & Friends & the Engineer was Ken Scott.
These two tracks, as well as tracks for the (then) excellent forthcoming "SOUNDTRACK" Album, were recorded at Trident Studios,  17 St Anne's Court,  in the Soho District of London.  
The musicians playing on this record were  :-- Belinda Bourquin (Vocals Violin Recorder Keyboards),  David Jones (Bongos,Congas,Percussion), Jeremay Ensor (Bass), Martin Stellman (Vocals & Effects), Lyn Edwards (Drums & Percussion),  Root Cartwright (Guitars), Vivian McAuliffe (Vocals).  
Credit must also be given to the additional PEMT members, involved with lights, theatre & dancing namely :- Monica Nettles, John Hill,  Eva Darlow (Dancers),  Leslie Adey & Christopher Runcimen (Lights), Gillian Hadley (Choreographer & Writer)  Harry Houseman (Stage manager & designer).  
"BALLAD"   was composed by Root Cartwright, David Jones & Les Adey.   "LAMENT"   was composed by Root Cartwright & Martin Stellman.  
The embryonic PEMT Started life at Exeter University,  where the majority of its members were studying for their academic goals.  Various individuals came & departed but with love still, due to conflict between study & rehearsing, until the main nucleus was formed, with Root, Belinda, Vivian & Martin at its core.  
The amalgam of rock plus theatre, produced a totally unique & highly individualistic sound & visual presentation unlike anything previously seen.  The group came to the attention of DJ John Peel, who  be-friended them & featured their talents on his "Night Ride" Radio Programme, as well as signing them to his Dandelion Records Label. 
Following a period of intense creative writing & drawing inspiration from such literary luminaries,   such as Shakespeare & Miguel de Cervantes,  the group honed & crafted a repertoire of songs & dance that were presented on their debut album "SOUNDTRACK".  Part of that creative output, were the two songs selected here, as the groups first single release.They still sound amazing 52 years on. 
PEMT were pioneers of combining rock music & theatrical performances. Like many bands of the late 1960s  & 70s Their creativity & enginuity, was unfortunatly, never given the respect or financial security it richly deserved.