U2 WAR LP A-1U B-1U MATRIX SUPERB RARELY PLAYED - STUNNING AUDIO -MARK FREE

	£		16
	$		21

WELCOME TO MY COLLECTING PASSION

Reluctantly I’m finally making the move to sell my entire record collection.

Thirty years of collecting vinyl is finally taking its toll on my living space.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS MY PRIORITY

All vinyl has been play tested before listing, and I grade as accurately and as fairly as possible.

I won’t sell you junk

If you are really not happy……

I offer a money back guarantee

U2 – WAR

Stunning early A1-U1,B1-U1 pressing.

EXCELLENT PLUS UNPLAYED APPEARANCE

12” ALBUM 33rpm – Gatefold Sleeve

Released by Island Records 1983

UK release

Catalogue number: ILPS 9733

Labels: Flat white paper labels with track listings and pictures of band members. Both labels are pristine and in EXCELLENT PLUS condition.

Matrix & Stampers info

S1: A-1U-1-1. TOWN HOUSE

S2: B-1U-1-4. TOWN HOUSE

This is a well looked after copy from my own personal collection

Track Listing:

Side One: Sunday Bloody Sunday / Seconds / New Year’s Day / Like a Song… / Drowning Man

 Side Two: The Refugee / Two Hearts Beat as One / Red Light / Surrender / “40”

“It was with 1983's War album, with its lyrical and "heroic" songs (Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day were openly committed to the northern Irish and Polish conflicts), that the band was able to change dimensions, from both an artistic and commercial standpoint.”

 In the UK, the album entered the charts at No. 1. War entered the US album charts in the Top 20 and eventually climbed as high as No. 12. War also reached No. 23 on the Top Pop Catalog album chart and became U2's first Gold album in the US, eventually being certified multi-platinum by the RIAA with 4 million units sold. It also earned a Gold record in Switzerland and Silver record in the UK. In the Hot Press Reader's Poll, it was voted No. 1 best album and best LP sleeve. UK magazine New Musical Express voted both the album and sleeve as No. 3 in its annual poll. And in the New Zealand Rip It Up Poll, War was voted the No. 1 album.

 All vinyl has been play tested before listing, and I grade as accurately and as fairly as possible.

SIDE ONE

Sunday Bloody Sunday

The drums sound crisp and distinct during the lead up to the first verse. Vocals are sharp and crystal clear. Absolutely no background noise can I hear. The mix sounds loud and fresh. You can hear the separation between the guitar overdubs, and all the background effects. There’s a little bit of dust crackle in the quiet gap between tracks. The track itself sounds unbeatable.

Seconds

During his writer's block period in 1982, Bono felt it was lonely writing lyrics, so he asked the Edge to assist in writing, but the guitarist wasn't interested in such a goal. The Edge finally wrote the line "It takes a second to say goodbye". Bono wrote the remainder of the lyrics. On the recording, the Edge sings the first verse of the song. Super clear track, where you really can hear all that is going on between the vocals, instruments and samples.

New Year’s Day

Another classic U2 track that helped them breakthrough to a worldwide market. It sounds like I’m listening to a Cd. I really don’t think I’ve played this vinyl until this listing. Normally this track would be one that you find played to death. Not here, this sounds box fresh. The guitars sound phenomenal. Again a very minimal amount of dust heard between tracks, but in context to how the tracks sound it is nothing.

Like a Song

“Like a song I have to sing, I sing it for you. Like the words I have to bring, I bring it for you.” This is another powerhouse of a track. Due to the quality of this copy, you can really hear all that is going on.

Drowning Man

Another test for a top quality is how the quieter tracks or moments stand up. There is no problem here, no crackle no tics, just pure audio. Featuring violin from future Waterboys member Steve Wickham. This a super sounding track with perfect audio. A great way to finish an outstanding side.

SIDE TWO

The Refugee

Starting the next side we have a super quiet lead in before the drums kick in. Super clear, with a great sounding bass. I can see why collectors prefer the UK pressing to the US version. This is quite a complex track and it is so good to be able to make all that is going on. Like the other tracks there are no pops, clicks or jumps.

Two Hearts Beat as One

Another classic single track that can often be found on other copies as being overplayed. Not here this sounds fresh, clear and free from any background noise.

Red Light

Branching off ever so slightly in style with this track that features backing vocal from Kid Creole and the Coconuts backing singers, and some rather funky trumpet. Again the audio on this track is perfect.

Surrender

Quite a dreamy track despite the darker lyrics. The Edges guitar over dubs are sounding on top form here. Great audio clarity and separation between vocals and instruments.

“40”

·       At a concert in Chicago on April 29, 1987, Bono said: "This is a song that when we were being thrown out of the studio... we spent ten minutes writing this next song, ten minutes recording it, ten minutes mixing it, ten minutes playing it back, and that's nothing to do with why it's called '40. A super end to a fantastic iconic album. The over all sound has been superb, and I honestly don’t think you’d find another copy with such good audio.

VISUAL GRADING FOR THE VINYL

I have looked at this vinyl a few times under strong lamplight and I really cannot see a mark. It appears like a new album, no scratches, no fine marks. I’ve really looked hard at this record, and one thing I did notice while watching it during playback is that it has a very slight bump for want of a better word. It is minor and hasn’t affected the sound. I wanted to mention it for 100% accuracy. This is not a bad warp or buckle, just a small shallow curve. This is a record that has not been affected by time, and is looking almost shop fresh. I don’t use the term mint ever, but this gets my highest grade of EXCELLENT PLUS!!!!

The labels are both pristine. There are no spindle marks at all. There are some splits in the paper as seen in the pictures. This is common and most likely came from the factory this way.

GRADING THE SLEEVE

The sleeve is sound and looks near immaculate. Sharp corners with only minimal rubbing, no rubbing to edges, nor is there any creasing. There are some small surface indentation marks, but nothing outrageous. This would easily grade Excellent plus (I never use the term mint) but for a small area of sticker residue in the top front left corner as seen in the pictures. Other than that it looks extremely freah. I’m grading this as EXCELLENT due to the mark.

THE INNER SLEEVE

Original black paper sleeve is in EXCELLENT PLUS condition with no faults.

This is a great chance for you go get this original pressing that is in this well preserved condition. Top audio, low matrix and stampers numbers and rare to find vinyl in this condition.

GRADING

I use the U.K Rare Record Guide grading system detailed below.

MINT The LP or single is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items are in perfect condition.

EXCELLENT The LP or single shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.

VERY GOOD The LP or single has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and an occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover and contents without any major defects.

GOOD The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

POSTAGE

All records come with a protective poly sleeve, and new white inner. Records are shipped outside of the sleeve within reinforced cardboard packaging to ensure safety during transit.

I post to most locations worldwide.

Please check before bidding if I can send it to you.

U.K – 1-3 single LP’s £3.90 Royal Mail Second Class Signed for

Europe - £12.50 Royal Mail International Signed for. For each additional LP or 12" add £2.20

USA, Australia, Japan - £18.50 International Signed for. For each additional LP or 12" add £3.80

Overseas orders valued over £80 will be insured for an additional £2.90.

PAYMENTS

Paypal

Is accepted from all buyers. Payment must be made no later than three days after the sale closes. If payment has not been made within this time I reserve the right to re-list the item.

Cheque or Postal order

UK buyers are also welcome to pay by cheque or postal order. Payment should be received no later than five days after the sale closes. Please allow one week fro cheques to clear once being received.