Spirogyra Bells,Boots And Shambles Original UK Polydor Vinyl LP 1973
£
1,032
$
1,367
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Description
On offer here is the absolutely mega-rare third album from Spirogyra entitled 'Bells,Boots And Shambles'.Now best described as Progressive Acid Folk,this was probably just folk-rock in it's day,but has now become the holy grail to collectors of the genre.This is the ORIGINAL UK POLYDOR VINYL LP from 1973 and a truely superb album it is,too.By the time of this release,Spirogyra were down to the duo of Martin Cockerham and Barbara Gaskin ,supported by several fine musicians.Tracks such as the four-part 'In The Western World' and 'The Sergeant Says' make this an all-time acid folk classic and it has always been one of my all-time favourite LPs.
The notoriously fragile SLEEVE remains in very good to excellent condition,with just a little wear to top,bottom and opening edges and scuffing on the top and bottom of the opening edges.There are just a few light creases on the album cover,with the biggest being on the middle of the front just in from the opening side.In the light,there are just a few light wear blotches on the front and back,but the spine remains solid and perfectly legible.I will grade the sleeve as EXCELLENT-.The LABELS are clean and clear and I will grade as EXCELLENT+.This brings me onto the VINYL,and as I know the album commands high prices,I will be as honest and accurate as possible.Visually,the vinyl remains lovely,with just two small marks visible on the dead wax on Side 1 and some very tiny lines on both sides where the dead wax meets the label.The LP plays through absolutely fine,with no skips or jumps whatsoever.However,there is some light background crackle throughout the album.There is a little background crackle at the start of each side,which soon disappears and a little re-appears during the sides.There are a few seconds of slightly heavier crackle at the very end of Side 2,when the music fades before coming back very briefly.It is a little noisy on ejection(i.e. on the dead wax after the music has finished) and that is it.All the vocals and instrumentation still come through strongly and sharply and despite the few flaws,it is still a superbly enjoyable listen.It has been so difficult to grade,but so no potential buyer is disappointed,I am going to grade as VERY GOOD+ or EXCELLENT-.The vinyl comes in the original plain white inner-sleeve(creasing only).The MATRIX numbers are 2310246 A//4 8 1 1,with PORKY scratched on the dead wax and 2310246 B//3 11 3 with LET THE BRAIN TAKE THE STRAIN scratched on the dead wax.
I think I have covered everything.I have owned the record from new for over forty years now and have played it many, many times,but always carefully and lovingly.Please note that I will only send the LP out with full insurance for whatever the bidding ends at and therefore the postage shown is only an estimate(only allows £7 maximum on system-may be about £9.50).Please wait for an accurate invoice which I will send as soon as the bidding ends.I am willing to send abroad provided it is fully insured and at the winning bidder's risk.Again,please wait for invoice on completion.Best of luck and happy bidding.
Tracks Side 1
1 The Furthest Point 2 Old Boot Wine 3 Parallel Lines Never Separate 4 Spiggly
Side 2
1 An Everyday Consumption Song 2 The Sergeant Says 3 In The Western World a In The Western World b Jungle Lore c Coming Back d Western World Reprise
The album was released on Polydor Super 2310 246.
