In The Court Of The Crimson King PINK ISLAND UK MINT-

	£		132
	$		175

King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King

Island Records: catalogue LKILPS 9111

Matrix Numbers: ILPS 9111-A2 / ILPS 9111-B3

FIRST PRESS PINK ISLAND LABEL

What a great find on offer here. One of the hardest LP's in the world to collect in a condition that collectors find acceptable, and even harder in the sort of stunning condition that this one comes to you in.

Why?? because not only is this an album that is notorious for its poor quality vinyl 1st pressing in that there are noises embedded in the vinyl, but that the amazing music from King Crimsons' debut album included many many silent moments and many others that just feature a tap of a cymbal for example. If there is any background noise you are going to find it on this LP more than any other, and that is why it is so desireable in collectible condition

If you are looking for a spectacular copy of this LP, then look no further.

If you have never heard this amazing debut album, then it is an absolute must, as the quality of the recording, the musicianship, and blend of instuments are just sublime. I never ever tire of listening to it.

The Sleeve

Far too many people offer this LP with a reissue sleeve, and I can understand why, because this unlaminated gatefold is so prone to wear, and many that you see are damaged, and have sticker tears and very worn spines etc. But if you are buying a first press LP, then you should want a first press sleeve to go with it. They all look similar but there are a couple of ways to tell a genuine 1st issue from the others. Firstly inside the gatefold you will find the makers "Printed and Made By E.J Day, London" this was only attributed to first press sleeves. Also the Island logo above the makers name is in White. Don't be fooled by later issues.

This is a genuine first issue sleeve, and whilst not perfect is of a very acceptable standard.The front cover still retains 95% of its rich colour, with justa very minimal amount of loss due to shelf wear, along the bottom edge, and on the face near the spine. The spine also has some loss of printed surface, but is flat and unsquashed, and legible. The inside of the gatefold is unblemished and in top order. The back surface has similar shelf wear to the front, and a previous owner has put a sticker on the bottom edge which has ther name printed on it. I have not dared to try and remove it. Overall I would grade the sleeve as Excellent

The Labels

Simply Superb examples. Unfaded PINK surface with clear and undamaged black typeface. The spindle hole is unworn, and the best part of all is the fact that even by using a magnifying glass I can only make out 2-3 very faint spider lines. Everyone who is a collector of fine music wants the ORIGINAL 1ST PRESS PINK ISLAND LABEL.The fact that this superb LP has only a couple of lines indicates an LP that has had barely 5 or so plays in its 30 years, a fact that is bourne out by the condition of the vinyl (further down)

It also confirms that the LP has been meticulously handled to ensure that the spindle hole was placed directly over the spindle and not placed on like "pin the tail on the donkey"

The Vinyl

Incredible. I don't believe I have ever handled a nicer copy. It retains it "as new" gloss, and only under the most intense illumination can I make out any handling signs at all, and these are very very feint whispy hairlines that do not affect the play, and this is absolutely vital for all the reasons mentioned above

The Sound

The three tests I always run on any LP I list should give the buyer a great insight into the reproduction of the record.

On this particular LP I will go through it track by track, on the third test, as it is vital that bidders get the complete picture as each track is more vunerable than the last for noises, particularly Moonchild

Distortion Test:

Pushing the volume up when playing any LP will tell you a lot about the use the LP has had. For example it will show immediately if the groove has suffered any wear through having been subjected to a worn or damaged stylus, or indeed one that was too heavy and caused wear. many people confuse background noise from scratches, and lines with distortion from groove wear. they are very different, and in my opinion I can put up with the odd bit of crackle or light pop, but the sound of a worn record is unacceptable to me. The loud volume ensures that all this is detected because the vibration of the stylus is more pronounced at higher volumes.

This LP is totally distortion free. It sounds superb and just confirms what I already knew about it, in that it has been owned, and cared for by someone who has only played it a few times, and on decent Hi-Fi equipment. Just what every collector wishes for.

Production Test:

Not so much of a test, but a report on the quality of the recording and the clarity of the sound.

You will never ever find a better example of what good production and clarity of sound should be like. Every note is crystal clear, eack blow of the flute. each string plucked and tap of percussion. This has to be perfect for the grading I want to give it, and it certainly is

Unwanted Noise Test:

This concentrates on the noise in the run in groove, the linking groove between the tracks, background crackle, hisses, and pops. I wont mention jumps or sticking as I wouldn't list a record that did either. This is what you can expect to hear on your system, and along with the distortion test form the basis of my overall sound grading.

This is it then the moment of truth. Is this the real deal. YES YES YES.

A silent run in to side one, and once the run in has finished there is another moment of vinyl silence before the fantastic 21st Century Schizoid Man kicks in. This is the one what i would call Loud rock track on the album, and perfoms without any background noise whatsoever. no clicks, ticks, hisses or anything, but I have been here before and then been dissappointed oce the quiter stuff starts. Track 2 is the brilliant "I talk to The Wind", and the first real test of the quality of the vinyl and unwanted noises, the split second link between Schizoid man and this track is totally silent, and as the track begins with the the beautiful melody, and deft background instruments the same standard applies. No background noise!!!

Suddenly without warning A light click it caught me by surprise. I immediately took the LP off the turntable to examine it. I cannot see any reason why it should do this, there is nothing obvious. I replaced the Lp and played the track again. Once again the same light click. It is very very light and is only once and I only mention it because I know how vital this is to collectors. The rest of the track performs as before, no noises at all, no crackles clicks or anything. In the context of what i heard the one revolution light click is so insignificant, but is there non the less.

The last track on side one is the brilliant Epitaph, which starts with a rolling on the kettle drum, and gently slips into a light drum beat and bassline with Mr Lake's vocals performing superbly. Again this track is noise free. I have had copies that perfromed Ok upto this point, and then was ruined by background throuout this track. I have to say it is the best I have ever heard it on vinyl. You will not be dissappointed.

Right onto the big one. Side 2 track 1 "Moonchild" notorious beacuse of the 12 minutes it plays for over half of this time consists of silence and the single notes performed by various instruments. If you are going to listen to this track it has to be perfect, otherwise you will be irrited all the way through by clicks, crackles etc. It has to be right. The run in groove is silent once again ,a dn after the first3 minutes of music we break into the first of the quiet passages. i am overjoyed to tell you that this is just superb. All the way through it is unspoiled by anything nasty or irritating. I would be lying if I said there was nothing at all. Just the very occasional bit of static, and this probably meeds a deeper clean. and one or two incredible light pops. But really nothing at all to spoil this very special track. I cannot tell you how superb I am feeling about this album right now. Finally the last track "In the Court of" is just every bit as good as the other recordings, and even the run out groove on both sides is noise free.

IF YOU WANT A BRILLIANT COPY, THEN THIS IS IT WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT

GRADING: MINT MINUS WITHOUT HESITATION

I have been selling vinyl on Ebay now for 7 years and have built up a good reputation for offering quality vinyl, and in the main this has always been Classic and Prog Rock and Pop from the early 60's through the mid 70's. I would ask that you look at my feedback if in any doubt. I always conduct 3 vital tests on any vinyl that I list, which includes Distortion, Production, and Background Noise. All of which you will find detailed in the listing. I also always offer a full refund if the purchaser is not happy.