Queen : The Works A2/B3

This very early FINAL UPGRADE pressing plays to a standard that you so rarely find today with no intrusive interference at all.  There are non clicks or pops and the clarity is exceptional.  The cover and lyric inner are also in great condition.  A superb example of this now 34 year old album.

EMC 24 0014 1 // A2 / B3

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 3 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 5 Near Mint)

The cover is Ex+

The lyric inner is Mint-

The labels are Mint-

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and has a very impressive glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  I can only detect 3/4 very faint sleeve removal hairlines that obviously have no affect on the immaculate audio.  There are only a couple of spindle traces on each label and it is clear that this vinyl has only been lightly played down the years, the audio quality provides further proof of that.

Play grading  

With no obvious static on the run in grooves 'Radio Ga Ga' then plays with phenomenal clarity from start to finish.  There is no 'background' and it quite simply plays 'as new'.  The audio definition is stunning and it is clear this vinyl has only ever been lightly played in its 35 years and easily grades as Mint it is that good.

'Tear It Up' is also deserving of a Mint grade as there is just no interference to be heard, not even a dust tick.  What is so impressive is the clarity on offer here.  Without enthusing too much there is excellent clarity and there is then clarity such as this.  On a vinyl that has hardly been played there is more 'sound' and the clarity shines through.  It is so obvious here and there is no distortion whatsoever which is such a rarity.  A stunning rendition.

'It's A Hard Life' often has some 'background' at the beginning but there is nothing intrusive here.  The 'operatic' intro is faultless and the piano section that follows has only 3 or 4 mega quiet static ticks and I do mean quiet!  They could easily be missed.  From then on the audio is nigh on perfect, the clarity is stunning.  The odd dust tick but as I often say this is not interference and what you expect to find anyway.  This track plays to a wonderful standard which is impressive when you consider there are a number of quieter sections.  There are no clicks, pops or crackle and if truth be told hardly any static.  It is Near Mint but the vast majority is better than that!

'Man On The Prowl' ends the side with astounding quality...again!  There is no interference and remarkably no distortion whatsoever.  This is rare as this track will often have some distortion and especially on the instrumental end section.  Not here!  This is Mint from beginning to end.

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S2 again has no static on the run in grooves and 'Machines' then plays with superlative audio from the very start.  So often the opening  grooves on any record will have some interference, especially one of this age, but there is not so much as a dust tick here.  This is audio of the highest quality.  It continues in the same style and yes I'm running out of suitable adjectives as per usual!  This high octane track quite simply plays as Mint- with no distortion and no interference.  The quiet end section plays incredibly well with only 3 or 4 dust ticks.

'I Want To Break Free' and 'Keep Passing The Open Windows' both keep up the exemplary standard with nothing to detract from the superb clarity.  I always play every second of every album so as to provide a comprehensive grading and there is no interference on either track.  There are a couple of static ticks right at the end of the fade on the former but is practically in the dead wax!

'Hammer To Fall' is 'as new' from start to finish with tremendous power and depth.  There is no distortion and believe me that is a rarity for this 'high octane' track.  This is a 'high end' version and could not play any better, Mint all the way!

The real test of this vinyl is the super quiet 'Is This The World We Created...?' and I am delighted to say it does not disappoint!  Final tracks (and very quiet ones) are prone to some 'background' but there is hardly any here and the clarity is stunning.  There are a handful of super quiet dust ticks and a couple of static ticks but plays so delicately with no obvious intrusion whatsoever.  I would grade it as Near Mint and is one of the finest versions I have heard in a long time.

In summary this very early pressing plays with sublime audio on both sides and I am confident in saying there is no intrusive 'background' of any kind.  Hardly any 'background' at all if I'm honest!  With no clicks or pops, no crackle and next to no static this is a FINAL UPGRADE album that has barely been played over the last 35 years.  A stunning example that would add to any collection.

The Cover

This cover is in lovely condition apart from a little wear on the lower right corner.  The top edge and spine are in perfect order and the bottom edge only has a small amount of light rubbing.  The corners are supremely clean aside from the small tear already mentioned and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover is very clean with only a small number of very faint 'spots' top right.  The back cover is faultless, wow!  This is a fine example of this cover and it would be difficult to find better.

The Lyric Inner

The lyric inner with the four rounded corners as per the first/early pressings is nigh on perfect apart from a couple of mega small rubs on the bottom edge.  There is no marking or creasing.

The Labels

They are near perfect apart from a couple of minor spindle traces on each side.  They have no marking or writing.  Stunning!

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

EMC 24 0014 1 // A2 / B3

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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