The Who : My Generation 1B / 1B 1st Press 1965 (Brunswick)

This FINAL UPGRADE first mono pressing on the iconic 'Brunswick' label is of a standard that is so very rarely found today.  Not only does it play with audio that is practically 'as new' but the cover is also in superb condition and has hardly been handled.  It is so clean!

I have played every track once and in many cases twice so as to provide a comprehensive grading and I have never heard a 1B/1B first press as impressive as this.  There is not one single click or pop, no crackle and there is barely any static.  The playback is stunning!  It is obvious this record has hardly been played judging by the clarity and depth of the audio and there is also very little spindle wear.  This record and cover has been beautifully preserved over the last 55 years.

As can be seen there is just a single stamper on the S1 label.

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LAT 8616 // MG-10256-1B / MG-10257-1B // A  23 / GU  21

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The cover is Near Mint-

The labels are Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex+

In a word...stunning!  Visually it does not get much better than this!  This first press still has an immaculate glossy sheen and there are no marks or scratches at all.  There are only a few very faint sleeve removal hairlines on both sides and only one on S1 that is a little more obvious.  I am looking under a strong light so as 'pick up' any imperfections - this is without doubt a superb copy.  There are also a couple of minor 'spots' on S1 and three on S2 but they have no affect on the fantastic quality of the audio.  As stated there is very little spindle wear and the run out grooves and 'Brunswick' labels are super clean with no marking.  Incidentally the KT tax stamp can be seen on both run out grooves.

Play grading  

'Out In The Street' begins S1 in superb style with barely any static on the intro and you're already 'soaking' in that deep rich sound.  As the vocals come in the audio is perfect and yes I use that word carefully.  The playback is stunning and it continues to play with sublime precision and there is no interference of any kind.  Considering this 'mono' record is being played through a stereo system the quality of the audio cannot be underestimated.  I can safely say this opening track grades as Near Mint although arguably better than that!

'I Don't Mind' plays with sublime clarity from the very first groove and the clarity throughout cannot be faulted.  There are no clicks, pops or crackle and only a minimal touch of barely audible static.  It is perhaps not even worth mentioning as it just so minor and 100% non-intrusive.  A stunning Near Mint version - oh and the fade out plays perfectly also.

Of course there are so many classic on this album and one of them 'The Good's Gone' plays with 'high end' audio from start to finish.  For an album of this age to play as 'cleanly' as this is such a rarity and especially this one!  You can turn this up to loud without fear of any distortion the playback is absolutely outstanding.  Honestly I cannot put into words the quality on offer here.  There is no 'background' and Mint- is a true representation of the audio.

'La-La-La-Lies' has only the lightest touch of static on the intro but blink and you miss it!  From then on the audio is so strong and once again there is no interference.  The power and definition of the audio is fantastic and Near Mint may be under selling it!

'Much Too Much' is STUNNING from the very first note!  It continues to play with such dynamic power and the classic sound of the melody has lost none of its quality over the intervening years.  This has to be Mint- again although the minus is not really required!

'My Generation' plays superbly with only the bare minimum of inner groove distortion.  Again it might not even be worth a mention as it is so minor and I am sure would be eradicated when played as a 'mono' record.  Another 'pure' track in that there is literally no interference and to the end it plays with incredible power and depth.  The final section has perhaps just a touch more distortion but is in no way intrusive.  This is still a very impressive Near Mint finish to the side.

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The classic 'The Kids Are Alright' has barely any static on the intro and then plays as per S1!  The clarity is exceptional and again there are no clicks, pops, static or crackle.  Right to the end it plays beautifully and I can't decide between Near Mint and Mint- so I'll go for the former.

Another soul number 'Please Please Please' is one of the 'quieter' tracks on the album and yet there is no loss in clarity/quality.  With only a minimal touch of mega light static this is nigh on perfect and each note can be heard with real precision.  Near Mint without a doubt.

'It's Not True' plays with imperious audio from the very start.  I had to turn this up to max and again there is no loss in audio quality.  This is a sensational version and I have never heard better and that goes for the other tracks also!  This is Mint in the truest sense of the word and the power and definition of the audio that 'blasts' from the speakers could not be improved upon.  What a version!

'I'm A Man' is of the same 'high end' standard which is very impressive as there are many quieter 'moments' here.  There is not even a dust tick, the clarity is stunning.  The long instrumental section plays with great precision and there is such depth to the sound.  No 'muddiness' whatsoever and it is so obvious this record has not been overplayed.  There is only a minimal, and I mean very minimal, touch of barely audible static so will grade as Near Mint just to be cautious :-)

'A Legal Matter' is another highlight and has no obvious inner groove distortion.  It plays with stunning sonic quality considering it is the penultimate track on the album - rememmber this mono record is on a stereo set up!  This is a 'high end' version' and Mint- is well deserved.

The drum intro on 'The Ox' plays perfectly and the rest of this instrumental plays loud and true with no obvious distortion again - how rare is that?!  It is such a strong and powerful track and whilst the audio is superb throughout the end section in particular is breathtaking.  I honestly think Mint- is a fair grading - an example of the clarity is on the fade out which has no 'background' at all.

In summary this highly collectable and relatively rare first pressing is of a standard that is nigh on impossible to find today.  And that is a phrase I do not often use!  It is a FINAL UPGRADE album hence the starting price but of course I am open to sensible offers.  The clarity and sonic quality on offer here is just outstanding and whilst I have sold a number of these down the years I have never sold one like this!  That applies not only to the audio but to the cover also which remains in near perfect condition.  In some quarters it could be said that this original cover is just as collectable as the record and it is certainly hardly ever seen in such stunning condition.  The original inner is also in superb order.

The Cover

This famous 'Robert Stace' cover as previously mentioned is a fantastic example of its kind.  It is super clean!  The edges have no rubbing and the pinched spine is nigh on perfect with only a small number of very faint crease lines and it remains 100% legible.  All four corners have barely any wear and are in superb shape and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The laminated 'Clarifoil' front cover has no marking and only a small number of creases next to the spine which you always see anyway.  There is no laminate splitting or lifting either.  The back cover is what everyone always looks out for of course!  The 'white' is just so...white!  There are only a couple of very faint marks but as can be seen from the photos it is a superb copy and there is no obvious marking or staining at all.  It really is a stunning example of its type and in honestly believe a Near Mint- grade is richly deserved.

Inner Sleeve

The original 'Foreign patents pending' inner is in great condition with no side splits and only a little age related fading and some minor creasing also.

The Labels

The iconic 'Brunswick' labels are in wonderful condition with hardly any spindle wear and no marking or writing.  They could hardly look any better!  They have the KT tax stamp on each run out groove.

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

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

LAT 8616 // MG-10256-1B / MG-10257-1B // A  23 / GU  21

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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