Mick Ronson RONNO 4th Hour Of My Sleep RARE
£
79
$
105
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Description
Very Rare 1971 UK Release 7" Single
RONNO (Mick Ronson)
The 4th Hour Of My Sleep / The Power Of Darkness
VERTIGO 6059 029 (Spiral Label & Sleeve)
This single in its original paper Spiral Design Vertigo Label sleeve is the famous 1971 single by Mick Ronson's one-off reunion with his Hype and Rats friends. What you are looking at here is a real piece of Ronson history.
RONNO / MICK RONSON "4th Hour Of My Sleep"/ "Power Of Darkness". 45.VERY RARE UK SINGLE, ISSUED 1971.
VERTIGO "SWIRL / SPIRAL" LABEL: 6059 029 IN STEREO.
MAITRIX: 6059 029- 1 -1 / 6059 029- 2 -1
(The above shows this as the very first pressing but only one pressing was made.)
ORIGINAL 1971 VERTIGO SLEEVE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.
THE RECORD IS GRADED MINT / UNPLAYEDCONDITION.
Mick Ronson will always be remembered for his association with David Bowie's early 70's career. As the lead guitarist in "The Spiders From Mars", his distinctive and unique sound was very much a major part of Bowie's phenomenal success in that period. After the recording of The Man Who Sold The World Album and before the sessions of Hunky Dory began, Ronson was unsure of next career move. Whether he would receive the call for the next step in Bowie's rise to stardom. So, leaving London with Mick Woodmansey, he made one final attempt at reforming his old Hull band: The Rats. Renaming them Ronno, they cut two Tony Visconti produced tracks which would immediately disappear into obscurity upon the recalling of the band that would later become famous as The Spiders From Mars. The Vertigo label had so many obscure, unknown artists in the early 70's, and in 1971 Mick Ronson was relatively still an unknown name outside of Bowie circles. It's the wonder of original vinyl, among a recently bought collection, this intriguing single surfaced. Mick Ronson is co-credited with Benny Marshall for writing the 'B' side "Power Of Darkness", also produced by Bowie's producer Visconti. The writing credit for the 'A' side, "4th Hour Of My Sleep" is Zimmerman! It's certainly not a Dylan song, but it all adds to the intrigue!
The label's are in pristine condition, as is the record, both have no playing signs at all. "4th Hour Of My Sleep" has no surface sound from the run-in grooves, the track comes in with amazing power, Mick Ronson's guitar is instantly recognisable, playing chopping chords for the verse, then an incredible guitar solo! This is a very impressive sounding single, mixed in a superb stereo mix with loads of panning effects. The superbly sung vocals are in crystal clear sound, there's not a second of any surface sound, as you would expect from a mint Vertigo single. The song is very infectious, aided by the brilliant Tony Visconti production. I'm sticking to only playing this once, as I do with any mint record I'm sound grading, but I'm itching for a second listen, "4th Hour Of My Sleep"
is an outstanding song and performance, especially for the amazing guitar playing.
If I thought that was an exciting side, "Power Of Darkness" is just unbelievable!
From silent run-in grooves there's a blistering guitar riff, the unmistakable sound of Mick Ronson. The stereo is total channel separation, with Mick's guitar panned right. The song is very heavy, almost Black Sabbath proportions, with lyrics that also dig deep into the occult and demons. There's a staggering Ronson guitar solo, creating Hendrix style sounds. Great vocals, a powerful bass guitar and pounding drums, all add up to a typical Visconti production. There's no surface or needle sound from beginning to the end. The sound is extremely powerful rock, in absolutely perfect audio clarity.
The original 1971 sleeve has the Vertigo spiral design around the die-cut centre, so it matches the record's labels rather splendidly. Made from very thin paper, most are split and torn etc. It's in superb condition, no splits seams / creases and at full strength. Top left on one side is a red &white sticker with "Manufacturer's Property, Not for Sale", so although not a promo, it was an in-house Vertigo copy.
Played once on high quality equipment for grading purposes only.
This single is so scarce that any mint copies still in existence are most likely held by a handful of serious collectors. Also in circulation are one or two European release versions, some with picture sleeves, but this UK release is very scarce. This copy is in mint condition. I played it once on my high quality turntable (so I could grade it correctly) and was amazed at how good it sounded. The sleeve is in perfect condidtion for its age and the label is also remarkably unblemished.
The vinyl, label and sleeve are all graded MINT
(by Record Collector magazine ratings).
This is a low starting price for such an item.
If you're not fmiliar with this item, please email any questions.
I will be posting many of my Bowie (and related) rarities over the next few days, so keep looking at my other items for sale.
Thanks for looking & happy bidding.
Non-UK customers contact me for postal rates.
On 28-Mar-04 at 13:42:52 BST, seller added the following information:
