ROLLING STONES BEGGARS BANQUET 1st UK PRS UnBoXeD DeCcA

	£		160
	$		212

Another from my personal collection! An early stereo original Unboxxed decca pressing, ''1'' to ''1'' mother stampers! (earliest for the best audio quality on vinyl!) complete with the original Decca stereo record sleeve and correct 1st issue Garrod & Lofthouse gatefold cover in absolutely superbe condition! Stunning very near perfect audio quality on my systems throughout! 

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 FEATURE 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 fact this vinyl looks and sounds like it has barely been played at all in my opinion)! 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 surface marks\scratches\scuffs be seen, which have just very little if (no) effect on the audio! 

The Audio Quality

I have played this vinyl as usual track for track prior to listing!!,, The audio can not be surpassed on these earliest pressings in my opinion truly stunning!,

I have played this vinyl track for track at very loud volume on a top system, prior to listing. The audio is cristal clear and vibrant all of the way through, Please note! (no) background noise\crackle or nast distortion,,  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 at all in my opinion!  Please note! To be highly critical, There is a very small surface mark that looks like a scuff\scratch that i noticed produced very (very) minor light ticks on one  track only on side 2 (not) loud clicks or pops and (fortunately is mainly obliterated by the audio and very hard to notice unless played at very loud volume) and probably would not be noticable on most systems when played at a normal\ lower volume! I must emphisise that this is not obviously obtrusive at all.. In my opinion there was nothing major that really detracted from this awesome sounding vinyl! 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! I would grade the overall audio quality as at least excellent plus for the most part to very near perfect!!! 

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 static\tick  here and there (not) consistant through out the audio!!! Remember this is an original (not) a reissue that is 40 years old and would have been played on a system that is 40 years old!!

 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. Minimal spidering can be seen angled to the light, this has been played but 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 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. XZAL 8476-4K'' side 2. XZAL 8477-3K

The Mother Stampers

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

The Cover

This is the original GARROD & LOFTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (STEREO) gatefold! and the original 1st press cover !!!!! In superbe condition for 39 years old!! so rare like this!!!PLEASE NOTE! THIS IS THE ORIGINAL 1ST ISSUE STEREO COVER!!! THESE ARE OFTEN SWAPPED FOR LATER COVERS!! with (no) splits or tares or nasty names written! The laminate is lovely and glossy! ! the spine is superbe and all writing is legible with minor creasing! there is (NO) real rubbing or amaizingly creases to talk of that I can see!  super  sharp\square  corners (see photos) TRULY SUPERBE EXAMPLE!!!! (SEE PHOTOS)   RAREST 1ST PRESS  STEREO COVER! (NO YELLOWING WITH AGE)!try to find another as good as this!Must grade at least excellent plus!!!

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 BUBBLEWRAP 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 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!!!!!

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! These bids will be cancelled and the bidder will be blocked from further attempts to bid on my items.   

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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