GRACIOUS - VERTIGO SWIRL 1st UK PRESS 1970 EX Pink Floyd Yes Genesis

	£		284
	$		376

                                           GRACIOUS!

1st UK PRESS VERTIGO SWIRL 6360 002 1970
Matrices 1Y//1 and 2Y//1 .  A super rare very first week of issue super swirl.

Credits

• Bass – Tim Wheatley
• Design, Typography [Cover] – Teenburger Designs*
• Drums – Robert Lipson
• Engineer – Roger Wake
• Guitar, Vocals – Alan Cowderoy
• Management – Jerry Philips, Peter Abbey
• Mellotron, Piano, Electric Piano, Harpsichord, Vocals, Written-By – Martin Kitcat
• Photography By [Of Model] – Sam Sawdon
• Producer – Hugh Murphy
• Vocals, Twelve-String Guitar [12 String], Timpani, Written-By – Paul Davis (11)

Notes

Published by Norrie Paramor Music Limited

Album made possible by Keith Ireland, Peter Edmunds and AtomAgency AMA
Recorded at Philips, Spring 1970

Gatefold textured cover and released with a swirl label

Barcode and Other Identifiers

• Matrix / Runout (Side B label): 6360 002 2
• Matrix / Runout (Machine-stamped run-out A-side Variant 1): 6360002 1Y// 1?420 1 1 4
• Matrix / Runout (Machine-stamped run-out B-side Variant 1): 6360002 2Y// 1?420 1 2 4
• Matrix / Runout (Machine-stamped run-out A-side Variant 2): 6360002 1Y// 1?420 1 1 4
• Matrix / Runout (Machine-stamped run-out B-side Variant 2): 6360002 2Y// 1?420 1 2 2
• Matrix / Runout (Machine-stamped run-out A-side Variant 3): 6360002 1Y// 1?420 1 1 2
• Matrix / Runout (Machine-stamped run-out B-side Variant 3): 6360002 2Y// 1?420 1 2 2
• Price Code: VO

VINYL: EX. TEXTURED GATEFOLD SLEEVE: VG++/EX!!!
VERTIGO INNER: EX (Just light age related yellowing, no seam splits,  solid lightly handled inner, fully polylined, tiny tear on the diecut inner circle)
An absolute smasher and for me with the three most desirable releases on the swirl label. This is essential prog from start to finish with "Heaven" as a "desert island" outstanding track.
 This band consisted of a bunch of former Catholic school boys who lived in the affluent stockbroker belt of Surrey (to the south of London, this was also the same county GENESIS resided in). The band had toured with KING CRIMSON, and their keyboardist Martin Kitcat was impressed enough with those guys that he bought himself a Mellotron as well. They signed up to Vertigo and released this incredible album in 1970 (the album also had an American release on Capitol Records, but with a totally cover). The rest of the band consited of vocalist Paul Davis (not the Paul Davis of "I Go Crazy Fame"), guitarist Alan Cowderoy, bassist Tim Wheatley, and drummer Robert Lipson.

This is an album that often received the Mellotron hype. Whatever you do, don't buy in to it, sure he uses is, but on only three cuts, "Heaven", and only a small amount on "Hell" and "Dreaming". The electric piano, piano, and harpsichord are the more dominant instrument. This is suprisingly complex music for 1970. The album opens with "Introduction", with some GENTLE GIANT-like vocal harmonies, but is actually the most straighforward piece on the album. I really like the guitar solo in the middle. "Heaven" features some great Mellotron work, and I like the acoustic part of the song, which is totally 1970, before you hear a chorus repeating "Do you have a clean mind?" over and over. "Hell" is far more like KING CRIMSON, far more sinister sounding piece. Also some ragtime and classical (specifiaclly OFFENBACH's "Can-Can") pops up, showing the band had a sense of humor. These three songs have religious themes (no surprise because of the band's Catholic school upbringings). "Fugue in 'D' Minor" is basically a classically-oriented piece on harpsichord and guitar. "Dreaming" is the longest piece and is incredible! It goes through several movements, with some great use of guitar and electric piano, as well as the occasional dreamy vocals I can't get enough of. The myth that seems to be is that this album is not too far off from the Moody Blues as far as complexity is concerned, you need to listen to this album, and that myth is actually myth. Essential album, in my book! (review from progarchives.com)

"GRACIOUS!". 1970 UK VERTIGO SWIRL LABEL ORIGINAL FIRST PRESSING VINYL LP. THE CATALOGUE NUMBER IS 6360 009. STEREO. FULLY TEXTURED FOLD OUT SLEEVE. WITH THE ORIGINAL VERTIGO SWIRL INNER BAG IN GREAT CONDITION AND ... WITH THE RIGHT DATE STAMP (0470). YES, INDEED, THE ORIGINAL INNER THAT CAME WITH THE ALBUM, NOT REPLACED BY ANOTHER COPY OR RE-ISSUE

HERE'S THE BEST PART! CONDITION IS AMAZING! I CAN SEE EVIDENCE OF MAYBE A COUPLE OF PLAYS (A TINY SPINDLE TRACE ON THE LABEL- OTHER THAN THAT PERFECT!!TRULY IMPOSSIBLE EX!!! THE AUDIO ON THIS JEWEL IS UNBELIEVABLE> SUPERB DEEP STEREO WITH FANTASTIC SEPARATION. THIS IS AN ARCHIVE QUALITY ALBUM!!!
Vinyl: EX. Generally all you would expect of an EX graded vinyl. Just a couple of wispy hairlines, only visible under a strong light. In normal light it looks pristine. A couple of light spindle traces are visible, indicating only very light play. This plays wonderfully well on my set up (Linn Sondek/Rotel/B&W) without any jumps sticks etc. There is barely any static to be heard. A superb vinyl which will be hard to improve on!!
Gatefold sleeve: VG++/EX. A solid sleeve which, due to its nature, white in colour and textured matt surfaces with raised pattern, would naturally pick up light staining. This sleeve is solid, without damage or creasing. NO tears, NO writing etc. The inside gatefold is definitely EX to NM. The spine is fully legible. Edges have light storage wear. In my opinion far better than average and very close to EX.
Inner swirl sleeve. Complete with polylining. Correct date stamp 0470. No seam splits. Has a catalogue number (618) written to the top on one side.

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This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.