NUGGETS - Rare 1st US Press - Excellent condition

	£		58
	$		77

ARTIST: VARIOUS

TITLE: ‘NUGGETS – ORIGINAL ARTYFACTS FROM THE FIRST PSYCHEDELIC ERA (1965-1968)’

FORMAT: DOUBLE VINYL LP

YEAR OF 1ST RELEASE: 1972

PRESSING: 1ST US

LABEL: ELEKTRA

CAT. NO: 7E-2006

MATRIX NO. SIDE A: 7E-2006 A1

MATRIX NO. SIDE B: 7E-2006 B1

MATRIX NO. SIDE C: 7E-2006 C1

MATRIX NO. SIDE D: 7E-2006 D1

RECORD CONDITION: EXCELLENT

This is the original and still the best compilation of US sixties garage rock and psych, compiled in 1972 by future Patti Smith Group man Lenny Kaye. This is the one, the first US pressing that kick started a legion of never-ending collections of obscure gems and unheard relics from the era when pop and rock music seemed to be heading for a kind of limitless creative energy that ultimately would never really materialise – but that was simply because the best raw and alive rock and pop had already been captured when these under appreciated singles were first made between ’64 and ’69. Of course the original seven inches remain very much the ones to own, but they sold in such limited numbers that your chances of finding first pressings of all the material collected here are virtually zero, and even if you managed it the cost would likely be akin to buying a new car! So the first pressing of their original re-issue represents a fantastic chance to hear these tracks on the format they were made for with the kind of amazing sound quality that gets so close to that of a first pressing it’s unreal. Believe me, I have purchased these collections in their recently re-issued CD box set formats etc. and the sound they achieve simply doesn’t get anywhere near the sheer power and audio perfection that comes from this first vinyl pressing. The highlights are too numerous to mention them all, but for example I have just heard The Electric Prunes ‘I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)’ with a depth of sound that is stunning, it was literally like landing in the middle of someone else’s nightmare which, obviously, was the bands original intention with the production but it’s shocking just how much of this effect is lost on CD re-issues! It’s the same all over, the material is all familiar to me but I just can’t believe the number of surprises this album holds, it feels like I’ve had a chance to return to the master tapes. ‘Psychotic Reaction’ by Count Five comes in like a riot, ‘My World Fell Down’ by Sagittarius is the greatest track the Beach Boys never made but certainly should have, presented here with a beautifully lush aural depth while The Castaway’s two note organ figure on ‘Liar Liar’ cuts through like a siren. There’s just so much here that’s right, basically anyone who has even a passing interest in music should own this album or all the tracks on it…it’s as simple as that!

This Excellent grade applies to both these extremely well maintained albums. They both have the shiny, pristine appearance of new vinyl and neither of them have any damage, absolutely nothing other than the vaguest suggestion that both records have been played a maximum of four or five times. The spindle wear, or lack of it, backs up this theory, this is not the kind of wear caused by heavy usage! Both records have no marks or defects in the vinyl, there is nothing other than the very occasional, totally non-sounding paper scuff. The audio clarity is absolutely superb, transporting the listener to the heart of the US garage scene in the mid to late sixties. There is an absolute minimum of surface noise to report, the run-in grooves are close to silent, and even better is the fact that over all four sides I only heard one or two faint pops, if that!

COVER CONDITION: EXCELLENT

This is a heavy duty gatefold sleeve printed on substantial US card with only the faintest touches of age, this is a sleeve in perfectly serviceable shape. The front and back covers are without marks, there are no nasty folds or creases and likewise the inner spread with Lenny Kaye’s entertaining liner notes is also in great shape. The spine is still firm with clearly legible text while the side openings too, are straight and with virtually no signs of hands groping to remove discs. It is only the corners of the spine and along the top edge where there is a little, slight scuffing - but I must stress that this is of an exceptionally minor nature and is veering towards the nit-picking (as in fact is the grade that I have settled on, there's a good case for saying this cover deserves better). The whole sleeve is pressed on such a thick base that there is an almost total absence of ring-wear, perhaps you could make out a vague impression of a circle when holding the cover to light but even then it’s by no means clearly defined. Essentially though, this is an especially well maintained 1972 US gatefold sleeve.

ANY OTHER DETAILS: STEREO

TRACKLISTING:

Side One

‘I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)’ – Electric Prunes

‘Dirty Water’ – The Standells

‘Night Time’ – The Strangeloves

‘Lies’ – The Knickerbockers

‘Respect’ – The Vagrants

‘A Public Execution’ – Mouse

‘No Time Like The Right Time’ – The Blues Project

Side Two

‘Oh Yeah’ – The Shadows Of Knight

‘Pushin’ Too Hard’ – The Seeds

‘Moulty’ – The Barbarians

‘Don’t Look Back’ – The Remains

‘Invitation To Cry – The Magicians

‘Liar Liar’ – The Castaways

‘You’re Gonna Miss Me’ – The Thirteenth Floor Elevators

Side Three

‘Psychotic Reaction’ – Count Five

‘Hey Joe’ – The Leaves

‘Just Like Romeo And Juliet’ – Michael And The Messengers

‘Sugar And Spice’ – The Cryan Shames

‘Baby Please Don’t Go’ – The Amboy Dukes

‘Tobacco Road’ – The Blues Magoos

Side Four

‘Let’s Talk About Girls’ – Chocolate Watchband

‘Sit Down I Think I Love You’ – The Mojo Men

‘Run Run Run’ – The Third Rail

‘My World Fell Down’ – Sagittarius

‘Open My Eyes’ – Nazz

‘Farmer John’ – The Premiers

‘It’s-A-Happening’ – The Magic Mushrooms

Postage & Packing is UK £2.00 / Europe £3.00 / US £5.50 / rest of world £6.00. Payment is by Paypal, cheques or postal orders payable in UK Sterling only, well concealed cash in UK Sterling only or International Money Order payable in UK Sterling only.

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