ROLLING STONES BEGGARS BANQUET 1ST UK UNBOXED DEcCa

	£		310
	$		411

ANOTHER FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION!! HERE WE HAVE A VERY (VERY) SCARCE AN EARLIEST UK MONO PRESSING OF BEGGARS BANQUET!!! SCARCE RARE J.T. TAX CODE!!!  -4A -3A MATRIX ENDINGS AND ''1'' TO ''1'' MOTHER STAMPERS!!!

visually and audibly looks and sounds barely played. Audio graded very near mint on my systems !

Beggars Banquet is an LP released in 1968 by The Rolling Stones. It marked a return to the band's R&B roots, generally viewed as simpler and more primal than the conspicuous psychedelics of Their Satanic Majesties Request!!.

Following the long sessions for the previous album in 1967, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards decided that the band needed more direction in the studio and in early 1968 hired Jimmy Miller, who had produced the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic. The partnership would prove to be a success and Miller would work with the band until 1973!!!.

In March, the band began recording their new album, aiming for a July release. One of the first tracks cut, "Jumpin' Jack Flash", was released as a single that May, becoming a major hit!!!.

Beggars Banquet was Brian Jones' last full effort with The Rolling Stones. In addition to his slide work on "No Expectations", he played harmonica on "Parachute Woman", "Dear Doctor" and "Prodigal Son", sitar and tambura on "Street Fighting Man", mellotron on "Jigsaw Puzzle" and "Stray Cat Blues" and did backing vocals with the rest of the band on "Sympathy for the Devil". His contribution to the next album, Let It Bleed, would be minimal!!!.

By June, the sessions were nearly completed in England, with some final overdubbing and mixing to be done in Los Angeles during July. However, both Decca Records in England and London Records rejected the planned cover design - a graffiti-covered lavatory, and the band held back the album. By November, however, The Rolling Stones gave in, allowing the album to be released in December with a simple imitation invitation card cover. The idea for a plain album cover was also implemented by the Beatles for the White Album, which was released one month prior to Beggars Banquet. This similarity, coupled with Beggars Banquet's later release, garnered the Rolling Stones accusations of imitating the Beatles. In 1984, the original cover art was released with the initial CD remastering of Beggars Banquet!!!.

Critics considered the LP as a return to form. It was also a clear commercial success, reaching #3 in the UK and #5 in the US (on the way to eventual platinum status)!!.

The original LP pressing did not credit Rev. Wilkins as the writer of "Prodigal Son".(LATER PRESSINGS FETURE THIS)

On 10 December 1968 and 11 December 1968, the band aimed to promote Beggars Banquet by recording a television extravaganza entitled The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus featuring John Lennon, Eric Clapton, The Who and Jethro Tull among the musical guests. However, the project did not air and would not receive an official release until 1996!!!.

Jean-Luc Godard filmed some of the recording sessions showing the band recording "Sympathy for the Devil", the lead off track for the album. The film is widely available on DVD!!!.

1. "Sympathy for the Devil" – 6:27
   • Keith Richards on bass; Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, Marianne Faithfull, Anita Pallenberg and Jimmy Miller on backing vocals; Rocky Dijon, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts on percussion
2. "No Expectations" – 4:02
   • Brian Jones on slide guitar, Nicky Hopkins on piano
3. "Dear Doctor" – 3:26
   • Brian Jones on harmonica
4. "Parachute Woman" – 2:23
   • Mick Jagger on harmonica
5. "Jigsaw Puzzle" – 6:17
   • Nicky Hopkins on piano, Keith Richards on acoustic guitar and electric slide guitar, Brian Jones on guitar and Mellotron, Bill Wyman on bass
6. "Street Fighting Man" – 3:18
   • Dave Mason on shehani, Keith Richards on bass, Brian Jones on sitar and tambura
7. "Prodigal Son" (Rev. Robert Wilkins) – 2:55
   • Brian Jones on harmonica
8. "Stray Cat Blues" – 4:40
   • Brian Jones on Mellotron
9. "Factory Girl" – 2:12
   • Rik Grech on fiddle, Dave Mason on Mellotron
10. "Salt of the Earth" – 4:51
    • First verse sung by Keith Richards.

The vinyl

On initial visual inspection  THIS LOOKS AWESOME! still retains its original sheen from new !! In my opinion this vinyl looks barely ever played, certainly not overplayed, no audio sounding scratches or martks! This lays perfectly flat on the turntable!!!! This is the original THICKER and deeper grooved type of vinyl only found on original early pressings later pressings were much more flimsier and less robust. Only  in very strong light can possibly, any light sleeve removal marks or any surface marks be seen,  At least I can't see any audio sounding marks what so ever, at least nothing that would cause any loud clicks or pops during the audio! This playing surface is truly exceptional for 42 years old!!

The Audio Quality

I have very carfully played this vinyl as usual track for track prior to listing at very loud volume on a top system,, importantly using a dedicated mono cartridge!!,, The audio can not be surpassed on these earliest mono pressings in my opinion truly stunning!, in fact this is probably one of the best that I have heard, looks and sounds barely ever played in my opinion!!!

The audio is cristal clear and vibrant all of the way through, Please note! (no) background noise\crackle during the audio  which is so common on these early pressings!!! This is so rare to find like this and in this condition. There is (no) skips or jumps and no signs of any grooveware or signs that this has been overplayed Please note! To be very highly critical I heard two static pops in one place,, but only in between tracks on the silent place only that could possibly be dirt trapped .  Importantly there is no loud  clicks or pops heard during the audio, no distortion and certainly no skips or jumps.  I would class myself as highly critical , please look at my completed listings of records that I have sold of this calaber and you will see that I normaly get it right! The audio quality on was near perfect\near mint on my systems (One of the best copies that I have seen or heard) Very rare to find after 42 years, and also in mono the rarest and most soughjt after in this condition!!

Please note! I always add this disclaimer! That I have given my honest opinion when describing the audio quality of this vinyl. and have played it through track for track. !, Please allow for the odd isolated static\tick (not) consistant through out the audio!!! Remember this is an original (not) a reissue that is 44 years old and would have been played on a system that is 42 years old!! (One of the best that I have heard Audio graded as very near perfect \ near mint on my systems)

 Please look at my completed listings of records that i have sold of this calaber and you will see that i normally get it right!!!!!

The audio is graded at the very very top!!!!

The Labels,

These are the original ''UNBOXED'' DECCA labels!!!! In absolutely superbe condition with (no) nasty names written on them. Very near perfect! Only angled to the light can barely a handful of spider marks be seen! Unbeleivable to ever find, In my opinion this has only ever been played a very minimal amount of times ever!   not over played at all in my opinion! ''Made in England'' is featured (only UK press) and RARER STILL THE J.T. TAX CODE STAMPED ON THE RUN OFF GROOVED AT 12 OCLOCK TO THE MATRIX (THIS SHOULD BE K.T. IN LINE WITH THE CORRECT YEAR) VERY VERY RARELY SEEN!!!!!!(THE ORIGINAL MATERIALS USED FOR THIS PRESSING WOULD HAVE BEEN PRE 1963)   tax code (only EARLY press)!

Important note!The original  mono LP pressing did not credit Rev. Wilkins as the writer of "Prodigal Son" THIS IS (NOT) FEATURED ON THE LABELS ONLY 1ST PRESS!!!!!.(LATER PRESSINGS FEATURE THIS)

The Matrix

Side 1. XARL 8476-4A'' (rare crossed out\corrected matrix) see photos!

side 2. XZAL 8477-3A

The Mother Stampers

side1 ''1'' ''DH'' side 2. ''1'' ''D'' (LOOK ''1'' TO ''1'' MOTHER STAMPERS VERY VERY EARLY MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE FOR THE AUDIO QUALITY)

The Record Sleeve

This ios the original Decca poly lined sleeve no splits or tares light creasing and staining with age. The vinyl is now always stored seperately from the sleeve and cover!

The Cover

This is the original  GARROD & LOFTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ORIGINAL ((MONO))  gatefold! 1st ISSUE 1st press cover  without the usual yellowing!!!!! In superbe condition for 39 years old!! so rare like this!!!PLEASE NOTE! THIS IS THE ORIGINAL 1ST ISSUE MONO COVER!!! THESE ARE OFTEN SWAPPED FOR LATER COVERS!! with (no) splits or tares or nasty names written! The laminate is lovely and glossy! !Please note, ther is some general light storageware , minor corner  ware`bumping and rubbing to the edges and to the spine. There is also some creasing at the spine (see photos)  overal this is strong and straight  (SEE PHOTOS)   RAREST 1ST PRESS  MONO COVER!!Must grade at least excellent!!

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 IS 11.76GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 8.76GBP 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!!!!!

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement!!!!!!

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!!!!!

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

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

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