Queen : A Day At The Races 1U / 1U 1st Press 1976

This very first pressing has to be the 'cleanest' I have ever heard.  As any Queen connoisseur knows there are some tracks that so often play with a fair amount of static etc namely 'You Take My Breath Away', 'The Millionaire Waltz' and 'Let Us Cling Together'.  The first two here play so clearly with only the bare minimum of very light static in a couple of places and the final track is absolutely stunning!  It is the most 'complete' version I have ever listened to.  The rest of the album also plays with incredible clarity, depth and power and not surprisingly the vinyl is visually in superb condition also.  It has only been lightly played in my opinion, a FINAL UPGRADE version in every way.

The gatefold is also in excellent condition which makes a change!  It has only minimal wear and the picture inner is perfect.  A stunning album all round.

EMTC 104 // YAX 5245 - 1U / YAX 5246 - 1U / AR 4 / RH 2 / STERLING stamped on both sides

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 & T4 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex-

The picture inner is Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The run in on S1 is so clean and you are already expecting good things from this vinyl, and it does not disappoint!  The entire intro on 'Tie Your Mother Down' plays with sublime precision and the first classic riff from Brian is equally as good.  The opening vocal keeps up the high end standard and it continues to play with STUNNING quality.  I honestly do not think I have heard a version as strong as this - there is certainly a greater depth and resonance to the audio and the power is undiminished despite being nearly 48 years old.  Every section plays with supreme quality and Mint is richly deserved.

The vocal only intro 'You Take My Breath Away' plays beautifully with only a handful of barely audible dust ticks and then the piano section is 'as new' without any background.  How rare is that?!  The first verse is nigh on perfect with only a couple of mega quiet statics and the second verse is just as impressive.  There is just a hint of light static during the brief instrumental bridge and then the next vocal section plays so clearly with no intrusion.  It proceeds in the same exact way with barely any static and the final 'repeated' end vocal has only a couple of very light statics at the start.  This is without doubt one of the cleanest versions of this track that I have ever encountered - we all know how problematic this track can be!  So to find one as good as this on a genuine 1U/1U first pressing is a genuine rarity, Near Mint I would say.

'Long Away' is as close to perfect as is possible with only a couple of very light ticks during the mid instrumental which you could easily miss anyway.  A superb Mint- version.

The piano intro on 'The Millionaire Waltz' has no background and the opening two verses then play with incredible clarity.  The next now I am sad vocal section has only a handful of very quiet statics and following instrumental passage is so close to perfect with only a couple of barely audible statics.  The high octane section is 'as new', the power and depth of the audio is so impressive, and the next instrumental has just one static tick at the beginning.  The very quiet My fine friend... vocal plays with STUNNING clarity and the remainder of the track plays with impeccable quality also.  Much like the second track it's rare to find this classic playing with such distinction and once again I think Near Mint is deserved.

'You And I' ends the side with faultless audio from start to finish.  The clarity of sound is up there with the best and there is no inner groove distortion.  It is Mint in every sense of the word.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The vocal intro on 'Some body To Love' is perfect and the first verse is equally as good.  From then on it plays with a clarity and depth that can only be described 'as new'.  Brian's mid solo is superb and the vocal sections are as clean as the day when first released in '76!  The start of the Find me somebody to love section is a case in point - absolutely stunning!  The rest of this classic is of the same precise standard and I have no hesitation in grading it as Mint as there is literally no background of any kind.

The often underrated (in my opinion) 'White Man' plays with real quality from the get go.  The quiet opening section has no intrusion and the first chorus plays loud and true with no interference either.  It continues in the same way and again I cannot the power and clarity of the audio.  The final quiet verse has only a couple of dust ticks that hardly deserve a mention and again this deserves to be graded as Mint

'Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy' plays with imperious quality through every section and you will not be surprised to hear there is no interference.  A great Freddie track that plays beautifully on vinyl.  Mint

'Drowse' once more plays with a clarity and warmth that you only find on a barely played record.  Every note is so clean and precise and there is nothing to detract from the audio.  Another top track that I will grade as Mint- due to there being a couple of very very quiet ticks at the end of the fade out!

The intro on 'Let Us Cling Together' plays with outstanding clarity and the opening verse is just incredible!  This is another track that is so often affected by static etc but so far so good!  There is no background static and this level is kept up through the next verse.  The chorus is 'as new' as is the first Japanese passage.  I am delighted to say this standard is prevalent to the very end.  This has a rare clarity of sound and I do not think I have heard a version as STUNNING as this.  The more powerful When I'm gone vocal is incredible and the final choral section brings this classic to a satisfying close.  The end 'instrumental' has no background and this may be the first Mint version I have ever heard.  I mean even the long fade out plays beautifully!  I played it twice and second time around it was even more impressive.  What. A. Version!

In summary this first pressing is quite possibly the finest example I have ever listened to.  As stated above there are a number of tracks that are often affected by interference but they all play so clearly here.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is second to none and there is no intrusive background at all.  A very minimal amount of light static on a couple of tracks and there are no annoying clicks or pops anywhere!  In conjunction with a very clean cover (another rarity) this will add to any high end collection.

The Gatefold & Lyric Inner

Is there a Mint one of these in existence?!  This one isn't Mint but it has been very well preserved that's for sure.  Due to it not being laminated and its largely black background it is rarely found in decent condition but this one is excellent.  The top edges have only minimal rubbing and the bottom edges are very clean with just a little more rubbing towards the right hand corners.  The wide spine has not been compressed and has only a handful of minor specks, one small rub in the centre and it remains 100% legible.  The corners all round have only light wear and the opening edge is pristine.  The front cover is very clean with just 3/4 minor creases next to the spine as is common and the back cover is just as good really with only a couple of very small faint marks.  The inside of the gatefold is close to perfect with only some barely visible specks near the top edge of the left panel and the inner spine is undamaged.  A strong Ex- example overall and close to Ex.

The thick card picture inner is in superb shape with no wear at all.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!