Stealers Wheel - Ferguslie Park - MINT 1973 UK First Pressing LP

	£		26
	$		35

Artist & Title: Stealers Wheel – Ferguslie Park

Very rare MINT 1973 UK FIRST PRESSING 12-track vinyl LP – the second studio album from the Scottish band – housed in the original MINT ‘fat cow’ picture sleeve complete with the original MINT ‘fat cow’ lyric inner sleeve. The record, sleeve and inner are all in immaculate MINT condition and the LP sounds as wonderful as ever. A superb copy of this essential genre defying album!
Highly desirable for its A-2/B3 first pressing matrices (cut by Bob Ludwig at Sterling Sound) and flawless Mint condition, and increasingly difficult to find in even reasonable condition, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to add this superb rarity to your collection at an extremely advantageous price.

Catalogue Number: A&M Records ?– AMLH 68209

Release date: 1973

Overall Grade: MINT/MINT (LP/Cover)

Matrix/Runout: Side 1: AMLH 68209 A-2 STERLING RL   Side 2: AMLH 68209 B3 STERLING

Picture Labels.
? 1973
A Leiber-Stoller Production.
Made In England
A&M Records *Trademark of A&M Records Inc.
Recorded at Island Studios, London.
Paintings: John (Patrick) Byrne

This LP from Stealer Wheels’ creative peak is hardly ever offered for sale in this condition – if ever.

“Melodically and sonically, it's a delight for the ears.”

This is the extremely rare real thing: a genuine Mint/Mint condition UK first pressing. The record, sleeve and inner are all in immaculate Mint condition without any major defects like scratches, tears, creases, stickers, writing, dog ears, stains or the like. This album genuinely looks like it was bought new today. See pics. All items are the genuine originals bought together by me in 1973 not reprints or replacements. The LP is the original UK 1973 stereo LP, which was only played occasionally on top-end audiophile equipment and lovingly cared for.

“An additional charm is the inclusion of more John Patrick Byrne artwork.”

THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THIS WONDERFUL ROCK ALBUM EVER OFFERED FOR SALE IN RECENT TIMES

Ferguslie Park is the second of the three Stealers Wheel albums. It finds Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan at the peak of their game. The material is excellent, ably performed by a large assortment of session musicians but never sounding tired or robotic (check out the piano solo on 'Star', for example - as perfect as you could possibly imagine). Rafferty and Egan's songs reflect upon the dubious delights of fame, managers and the celebrity machine, finding plenty of dissatisfaction and bitterness along the way ('Good Businessman', 'Star', 'Wheelin', 'What More Could You Want'). Melodically and sonically, it's a delight for the ears, utilising all sorts of interesting instruments. The album ends questioningly on the hit single 'Everything Will Turn Out Fine', at first glimpse a three-minute burst of optimism, yet closer inspection suggests more than a touch of ironic cynicism, which perhaps sums up Stealers Wheel as well as anything. An additional charm is the inclusion of more John Patrick Byrne artwork, typical for a Rafferty release as aficionados will know. This time round, his painting is as dark and disturbing as some of the music within ('Who Cares'). For my money, a really strong album.

This may be your only ONCE IN A LIFETIME chance to own this rare piece of rock history in this condition.

“Well it is perfect really…”

Ferguslie Park was recorded after a dizzying string of changes in Stealers Wheel -- co-founder Gerry Rafferty's exit soon after finishing the group's first LP, his replacement by Luther Grosvenor and the delayed climb of "Stuck in the Middle with You," Rafferty's return, and the firing of all involved and the reduction of the group to its founding duo of Rafferty and Joe Egan. The resulting album, recorded with some nine support players (including ex-Herd members Gary Taylor and Andrew Steele, plus guitarists Joe Jammer and Bernie Holland), conductor/arranger Richard Hewson in support, and Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller producing, is an upbeat if somewhat less focused work than its predecessor -- the mix of hard rock ("What More Could You Want") and lean, melodic songs ("Good Businessman") highlighted by lush choruses, and augmented with occasional spacy digressions such as the shimmering percussion-based interlude between "Wheelin'" and "Waltz (You Know It Makes Sense)," makes this a surprisingly diverse body of music. There wasn't a hit single to be found here, however, which meant that listeners had to find the album on their own; there are moments that anticipate (albeit distantly) Rafferty's solo work, including some well-placed sax breaks, and also jagged, bluesy guitar in all sorts of unexpected places, such as behind the tuneful organ on "Blind Faith" (and the "Shakin' All Over" riff even makes a veiled appearance on "Good Businessman").

A fantastic time warp example of this rarity in amazing condition, a true investment grade item - get it while you can!

AND IT MUST SELL IN THIS ONCE ONLY AUCTION

You can read more about this album and Stealers Wheel all over the web.

I pack my records professionally in stiff corrugated cruciform record boxes leaving the Vinyl (housed in anti-static bags) outside the Sleeve.

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“I've bought LPs brand new that weren't in as good condition! Very quick delivery.”

“Mint means MINT for this seller!! trade with confidence!!!! AAAAAAAAA”

“Very fine item. Well packed. Quick shipment. Thanks.”

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