MIRKWOOD - S/T 73 UK HEAVY TWIN GUITAR ROCK & MOODY BALLADS LTD EDT SEALED LP

$

25

MIRKWOOD – Mirkwood. Machu Picchu PICCHU 3. FACTORY SEALED NEW VINYL RECORD ALBUM. Originally issued in 1973 in an edition of just 99 copies. This remastered & restored edition issued in 2013 (reputed to be cleaner sounding than the 2008 CD issue on Thors Hammer, a division of Garden Of Delight), limited one-time pressing. Comes with spine OBI and includes liner notes with rare photos. MEMBERS:  Derek Bowley, Jack Castle, D. Evans, Mick Morris, and Steve Smith. TRACKS:  Take My Love, Love’s Glass Of Sunshine, Just Because, The Leech, The Vision, Clockwise, and Lavendula. DESCRIPTION:  Mirkwood were from Dover, Kent, in England. They played heavy progressive rock with two guitars (incorporating twin leads) and thought-provoking lyrics. Formed in 1971, they lasted into mid-1975 before breaking up. This was their only album, recorded and released in 1973 for a tiny independent label. The album featured all original material, mainly written by Jack Castle with one track written by Mick Morris. As the master tapes have long been lost this edition was remastered & restored from a mint unplayed copy of the original vinyl pressing. At the heart of Mirkwood, is the relationship between Mick Morris and Jack Castle. They first met at the Grammar School in Dover in the mid 50's where they both had led their own bands. They have remained close friends ever since. Inspired by bands like Buddy Holly, Rick Nelson, and The Shadows, Mick and Jack both played lead guitar in, and created, a series of rival rock bands in Dover. Including:  (1957) The original Rolling Stones (until 1962, when a certain Mick Jagger and friends made the name famous with a different group!); (Mid-60s) There was the Vikings and Carl And The Invaders. The Playboys was another band that was employed as the house band at a club in Folkestone. During this period they shared the bill (and the dressing room!) with many legendary bands including Cream, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and the Jimi Hendrix Experience (Noel Redding was a friend of Mick's who had played guitar in a local band The Lonely Ones before seeking fame and fortune in London). In 1967 Mick invited Jack to join his band Take Five. This was essentially a covers band featuring excellent vocal harmonies. They were very successful, but soon began to look for something more creative and challenging. After many hours of discussion (mostly in the pub!) the pair decided to create something new. Now influenced by bands like, Yes, Deep Purple, and early Queen, they had considerable vocal ability, and were used to writing harmony parts. Take Five, for example, was one of the few bands in the area able to perform the Beach Boys Good Vibrations live on stage (I wonder if they ever crossed paths with The Fenmen?). This vocal prowess was to be retained, and fused with double lead guitar playing. The idea of twin leads was inspired by the playing of Wishbone Ash, and The Eagles. Both Mick and Jack were widely recognised as two of the best guitarists in the area. The epic compositions of Yes, provided the influence for the creation of original writing in several movements. Being completely blown away after watching Yes perform Yours Is No Disgrace on Top of the Pops they decided in 1971 that the new band Mirkwood would only play original progressive rock. Initial line-up comprised Derek Bowley (lead vocals), Jack Castle and Mick Morris (both guitar and vocals), Steve Smith (drums), and Andy Broadbent (bass). In early 1972 D. Evans was brought in to replace Andy Broadbent, who had moved away from the Dover area. Until their last gig in June 1975 the band played throughout the South East of England including support work to some well-known bands including, Supertramp. Mirkwood got together just once more, in 1978 for a reunion performance at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. The only 'proper' recording that Mirkwood made was for an album on the Flams Ltd Label (catalogue No PR1067) a local record label owned by John Scott Cree. Recording commenced on January 17, 1973 (not 1971 as reported elsewhere) at Jack's house in Whitfield, Dover on a Revox reel-to-reel tape recorder! The machine was operated by Ron Nunn (hence the initials 'REN' on the back of the original sleeve), he also designed the album's cover. Steve Smith had moved to London by then to engage in session work, but he returned to the band for recording purposes. A mere 99 copies of the album were pressed, the majority ending up with family, friends, and local supporters. From the time of the albums completion until their breakup in 1975 the membership began to shift. Most notable to pass through their membership was the first replacement for original drummer Steve Smith where a young Nick Headon was given his first opportunity to play with an established band. As Nick “Topper” Headon he would go on to play drums for The Clash.      

THIS ITEM IS NEW AND UNPLAYED. Used items will include condition details for the cover, disc, inserts, etc.

If you have any questions or if you have additional information, especially corrections, to the description, please e-mail me. I particularly enjoy when an artist, band member, or someone who has personal background knowledge of a particular album/artist and offers their insight/information of that recording, which I will include with the description for future listings of that release. As a collector of many years, part of the hobby side for me is to learn about the background of the artists and music that I collect. Hopefully, sharing some of this information in my descriptions will help educate and enhance your listening experience.     

All LPs are removed from their jackets and placed outside of the jacket for shipping. If an album comes sealed (and will be noted as such in the above description), it will be shipped whole unless you request that I open it up to place the disc outside of the jacket for shipping. Both jacket and disc are placed inside of an outer plastic sleeve before packing for shipping. I use professional corrugated record mailers.

PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER CURRENTLY LISTED ITEMS AND EBAY STORE. There is also a section of additional LP titles in my eBay Store 

TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS:

SS or SLD:  Still Sealed or Sealed (or some variation of sealed depending on how many characters I have left in the title line). This item is new and unplayed. Also appears in the listing description as Sealed LP or Factory Sealed LP.

NEW LP:  This item is new and unplayed, but was received from a supplier without being shrink wrapped or cellophane wrapped; more common on imports but also many of the smaller independent US labels do not seal their LPs.

GFC:  Gate fold cover.

LTD EDT:  Limited, as in limited edition. If I know the press run number it will be included in the above description.

#'D:  Numbered edition. I will include the number of this item if it is visible to me.

CV:  Colored vinyl.

S/T:  Self-titled.

RE:  Reissue

OOP:  Out Of Print.

MIX:  This sometimes appears in my title line and refers to a group's/artist's music having a mix of styles such a rock track with jazz then followed by a straight rock track followed by a psych rock track, etc., as opposed to a blues album with the album's tracks having predominantly one style.

MULTIPLE ITEM PURCHASERS:  My automatically generated invoices do not apply discounted shipping for multiple items purchased. I recommend that you wait until you receive my invoice with the proper discounted shipping total before making your payment. If you make your payment with full individual shipping/handling charges I will issue a refund for the overage to your Paypal account. If you are outside the US you can e-mail me prior to your purchase for a shipping total; as weight does vary, include the specific titles you are interested in purchasing. US customers whose purchases include CD(s) along with LP(s) will be shipped via media mail. Please e-mail me with any questions you may have.

TERMS OF AUCTION/SALE: 

Buyer pays for POSTAGE & HANDLING:

Shipping rates are as of January 31, 2014; any subsequent rate increase will take precedence over the listed rates.

U.S. Shipping & Payment: 

$4.00 via USPS media mail for the first single LP or double disc LP set (excluding box sets). All US packages are shipped via eBay's USPS processing and include tracking.

Shipping cost of additional items of a multi-item purchase will be determined by weight. Please wait for my eBay invoice before making payment. You will receive notice of shipping via eBay with your confirmation number. I also send my own personal shipping notice to your e-mail address that is provided with the purchase notification sent by Ebay and will include information about receiving my newsletter.

Payment for U.S. customers using credit cards can be made via Paypal or pay direct from your Paypal account to mine. If this is a problem please e-mail me for acceptable alternatives. Priority mail is available upon request, please wait for my invoice with the appropriate shipping total via Ebay before making payment. Payment must be received within 7 days from the close of bidding or date of purchase. If you can not meet my payment schedule please e-mail me with your needs. I only ask that you keep me informed. Items are shipped in professional corrugated mailers. If there are any other needs of your purchase please e-mail me and I will do my best to accommodate them.

INTERNATIONAL Shipping & Payment  (I ship worldwide; all packages shipped via first-class package international service and do not include tracking):

Shipping prices will vary slightly due to the weight of the disc(s), cover, and enclosures. The amount listed in the shipping details is for this item only. Multiple item purchasers will need to wait for my invoice before making payment. On multiple item purchases the base rate for shipping will be the price of the highest/heaviest item to ship. Additional items will ship by weight. If the automatically generated invoice does not list your shipping total, please wait and I will send you a revised invoice with the correct shipping total to make your payment. I have been shipping records and CDs around the world for over 30 years, so purchase with confidence. Items are shipped in professional corrugated mailers.

If you would like to know the shipping total before you make your purchase please e-mail me with your request; be sure to include the specific title(s) that you wish to purchase.

Payment using credit cards can be made via Paypal or pay direct from your Paypal account to mine. If this is a problem please e-mail me for acceptable alternatives before you bid or purchase. All international payments must be made in US $ only. Payment must be received within 7 days after close of bidding or date of purchase. If you can not meet my payment schedule please e-mail me with your needs. I only ask that you keep me informed.

All packages are shipped via first class package international service (air); this is the least expensive method of shipping internationally, but does not necessarily meet all the conditions of Paypal’s buyer/seller protection plan. First Class Package International Service does not offer tracking. NOTE:  First Class Package International Service has a 4 lb. weight limit, if your purchase exceeds that weight limit the next cheapest option is Priority Package International Service (usually up to 4 LPs will have a total weight less than 4 lbs.). Though quicker and safer, Priority Package International Service is determined at a higher rate than First Class Package International Service. If security is a major concern then please request Registered Mail, available upon request and at your expense, this is the least expensive method of providing extra security for your package and it allows the US post office to internally track your package should it become lost (I have yet to have a package lost via this method); actual postal charge for registration is $13.95 in addition to the shipping total (required on all bids/purchases totaling $100 or more; this will be included with the invoiced shipping total). Priority Mail International and Express Priority Mail International are available upon request and at your expense. If you have any special needs of your purchase or you have any questions please e-mail me. 

RETURN POLICY:

Please e-mail me with specific details and I will get back to you with your options. I ask that if there is a problem with the item that you contact me as soon as possible after receiving it. Any item that must be returned is done so at the buyer’s expense. Any refund, exchange, or substitution/credit will be at the buyer’s choice, but not made until the original item is received back by me; in the condition as stated in the item description. 

NON-ARRIVAL OF PACKAGES:

US Customers:  Please wait at least two weeks from my confirmed shipping date before contacting me about the non-arrival of your package. All packages are shipped with confirmation/tracking, you will received an automatically generated shipping notice from Ebay e-mail with your tracking number. It has been several years since I’ve had a package not make its US destination, so risk is minimal.

INTERNATIONAL Customers:  Please wait at least 3 weeks from my confirmed shipping date before contacting me about the non-arrival of your package. If security is your concern please have your package registered (see above for fee). I do my best to quickly post packages, but once the package is in the hands of the world’s postal system it is beyond my control. With First-Class Package International Service my only option for investigating the loss of your package is to verify that it left this country to its destination country. Most all delayed/lost packages have disappeared/been delayed after they have reached their destination country.  

ALL CUSTOMERS:  If there is a problem with your purchase please e-mail me first with details before filing a resolution. I will file a non-payment resolution if payment is not received within 7 days of your purchase unless you contact me with your needs. However if, for any reason, you decide not to follow through with your purchase please avoid a non-payment resolution and initiate a cancellation of the sale; this is not a problem to which I will gladly respond in acceptance.