QUEEN NIGHT AT THE OPERA 1ST UK PRESS MiNt AuDiO/ViNyL ArChIvE PSYCH PROG ROCK

	£		98
	$		130

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Queen Night At The Opera!

1st UK Pressing Cat No EMTC 103

One of the Earliest  Matrix -2 -2 "Blairs" (Master Pressers Signature) both sides on the run off grooves!

Near Mint Vinyl! Stunning Near as  Mint Audio Quality!

Complete Garrod & Lofthouse Embossed Gatefold Cover Stunning Near Mint Condition!

Only two plays ever! Unbeleivably rare! Best Copy Yet!!

An Archive Copy Never Need To Upgrade!

A Night at the Opera is the fourth studio album by British rock group Queen, released in November 1975. Co-produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Queen, it was the most expensive album ever recorded at the time of its release. A commercial success, A Night at the Opera has been voted by the public and cited by music publications as one of Queen's finest works.

The album takes its name from the Marx Brothers film A Night at the Opera, which the band watched one night at the studio complex when recording. The album was originally released by EMI in the United Kingdom, where it topped the UK Albums Chart for four non-consecutive weeks, and Elektra Records in the United States, where it peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and became the band's first platinum selling album in the US.

At the time the most expensive album ever recorded, May has asserted in subsequent years that, had A Night at the Opera not been successful, Queen would have disbanded. Upon release, the album was a commercial success, debuting at No. 1 in the UK and topping the charts for four non-consecutive weeks. In the US, it debuted at No. 4, the band's strongest showing at that time.[citation needed] In 1977 "Bohemian Rhapsody" received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus and Best Arrangement for Voices.

In a contemporary review, Kris Nicholson of Rolling Stone magazine said that, although they share other heavy metal groups' penchant for "manipulating dynamics," Queen are an elite act in the genre and set themselves apart by incorporating "unlikely effects: acoustic piano, harp, acapella vocals, no synthesisers. Coupled with good songs." Melody Maker called the album a "must-have", encouraging listeners to "turn it up loud and enjoy", while the Winnipeg Free Press wrote: "The group's potential is practically limitless, indicating that Queen is destined to finally take its place among the small handful of truly major acts working in rock today." Robert Christgau, writing in The Village Voice, felt that the album "doesn't actually botch any of a half-dozen arty-to-heavy 'eclectic' modes ... and achieves a parodic tone often enough to suggest more than meets the ear." However, he questioned what "that more is".

In a retrospective review for Allmusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the album "a self-consciously ridiculous and overblown hard rock masterpiece" and "prog rock with a sense of humour as well as dynamics". Erlewine felt that Queen "never bettered their approach anywhere else". In a 2006 review, Q also felt that they never topped the album, which the magazine said "remains glorious, monumental" as British rock music's "greatest extravagance.

" Uncut noted "the extent of the band's barmy diversity." Mojo called the album "an imperial extravaganza, a cornucopia", and Queen "a band of hungrily competitive individualists on a big roll of friendship and delight." Pitchfork Media's Dominique Leone said that the band topped their contemporaries on the album without limiting themselves or sparing any effort.

According to Rhapsody's Mike McGuirk, A Night at the Opera is often viewed as one of the greatest rock albums of all time. McGuirk felt that the album's combination of heavy metal, recording effects, theatrical sophistication, and British grandeur still make for an engaging listen.

The BBC said of the record: "Christmas 1975 was to be forever remembered as Queen’s. And A Night at the Opera remains their finest hour."

Side one

1. "Death on Two Legs
2. "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon"
3. "I'm in Love with My Car"
4. "You're My Best Friend"
5. "'39"
6. "Sweet Lady"
7. "Seaside Rendezvous"

Side two
8. "The Prophet's Song"
9. "Love of My Life"
10. "Good Company"
11. "Bohemian Rhapsody"
12. "God Save the Queen" (Instrumental)

The Matrix

Side1 "YAX 5063-2" ("BLAIRS" Stamped on the run off grooves Master Pressers Signature only Early 1ST press)
Side2"YAX 5064-2" ("BLAIRS" Stamped on the run off grooves Master Pressers Signature only Early 1ST press)

The Mother Stampers

Side 1. "4" "PA"

Side 2 "4" "GRA"

The labels.

The original custom EMI  labels are in awesome condition! (These looks superb in my opinion)!   Amaizingly I can just barely see (one feint) spider trail only, even when angled to the light and of coarse (no) spindle ware. You can still even see the plastic around the spindle hole!   This has only ever been played one time only from new when I initially purchased it and one time to play grade for this listing. So rare  for an album that is 40 years old! Impossible to find like this! very very collectable!

The vinyl.

The vinyl is absolutely superb! On initial visual inspection this looks like new Near As Mint in my opinion! and still retains its sheen from new! (please note this vinyl has only ever been  played by me personally and I originally played this to record to tape only one time! in the last 35 years this has been stored in a case with the vinyl separated from the sleeve and cover to prevent ring ware and damage. This is how I have always stored my records, and of course I played this again to play grade at very loud volume on a top system!  In fact even when I look at the playing surface angled to a strong light I find it hard to even see a blemish at all. Any marks that could possible be seen when angled in strong light would be sleeve removal type only but no audio sounding marks or scratches at all.  There are no audio sounding marks or blemishes that I can see at all! This looks almost as unplayed in my opinion! 

The Audio Quality

 I have played this through track for track prior to listing at very very loud volume on a top system! The moment the needle hits the playing surface it is obvious this vinyl has barely ever been played at all!  The audio quality is as you would expect when purchased new, superbe, TOP, TOP, TOP! cristal clear and extremely vibrant through out in fact this plays as a new vinyl would sound in my opinion!    This played through as perfect as it gets unbelievable audio seperation, that I haven't heard like this before and stunning bassey feel throughout almost cd. quality on my systems! One of the best sounding audio copies that I have heard and one of the earliest possible makes all the difference! This vinyl has been stored separately from the cover in a poly sleeve for all of its storage life! This is the way I always  have stores my records! The audio on this pressing in my opinion is almost as good as it gets for a very early and the 1st issue variation! Even in between tracks this is almost quiet!  This is the best audio that I have heard of this pressing!  I would class myself as highly critical and this is a truly exceptional sounding vinyl   by this awesome rock band ''Queen'' and so hard to find the earliest 1st pressing like this! Please check my completed listings of records that i have sold of this quality and you will see that i normally get it right! I would grade the audio at least excellent plus to near as mint through out!

Please note! That i always make this disclaimer! That although I never heard any loud clicks or pops during the play of this record please allow for the odd isolated static/ ticks , certainly not consistent throughout the audio, but this is a genuine 39 year old vinyl that would have originally been played on a 39 year old system!

Points to note! This has been stored in a case laying dormant for at least 35 years! A build up of dirt and dust in the grooves from laying dormant causes static crackle\ticks! A constant clean before each play is recommended ! This would reduce any static and enhance the audio quality!

The Record Sleeve

This is the original thick card type cardboard picture record sleeve, clean and straight becoming fragile at the bottom edge to mention and not noticed unless looked for in my opinion!

The Cover

This is the original and earliest 1st UK issue Garrod & Lofthouse  printed un laminated Embossed front gate fold cover! This is absolutely superbe Very Near Mint brilliant clean and  white! Rare to find in this awesome condition super straight in  appearance and the 1st issue with embossed front (Later pressings have glossy type front and not embossed with barcode at the rear)(see photos) No creases to mention at all! Any rubbing or indents are hard to notice, really only noticed if looked for in my opinion minor rubbing at the rear and slight vinyl impressions again only noticed if looked for. (See Photos) The spine is absolutely square like it was when new. Truly remarkabel for nearly 40 years old!  JUST TRY TO FIND A BETTER ORIGINAL 1st ISSUE! I would grade the cover at least excellent plus To Near as Mint! No splits or tears.

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLE WRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 800 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light! Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!

SHIPPING TO THE USA, CANADA & JAPAN IS 18.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 15.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS FREE SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Please note! All items are now despatched by signed for 1st class delivery! I normally despatch within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds (not on Weekends)

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement (It is my prime interest to make sure that the items arrive in the same condition that they left me!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!

MY NEW POLICY! Because of the unfortunate recent problems that I have had with non payments, Any new ebayers with low, poor or no real history,  Please do not bid on my records without first contacting me! 

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW! (click the link bellow)

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