VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR Least We Can Do UK 1970 Orig LP

	£		34
	$		45

Artist or Band: VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR

Album Title: The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other.

Producer(s): John Anthony.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Darkness; Refugees; White Hammer.

Side 2: Whatever Would Robert Have Said; Out of My Book; After the Flood.

Label/Format: Charisma – Pink scroll format with deeply textured rough surface finish.

Label Condition: Two lovely intensely coloured examples with deep rich colour and spindle use looks modest. These deeply textured rough labels do not show spindle marks as freely as the later smooth types but they do chip easily, so the lack of chips around the hole rim and general attractiveness is refreshing to see. A tiny scuff trace can just be seen at the 12 o’clock position on side one. (Please see label scan for all information needed).

Cat Number: CAS.1007.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 138 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 135 to 145 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, many records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 50 records from these eras.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity & Special Note: This album was intially pressed with different matrix numbers and has a different mix and is very rare indeed (A and B, with no G). This copy has A + G and B + G matrixes which means it was remixed and still hard to find as an original with the textured labels. This album did not sell well initially, a band too extreme for many and certainly an acquired taste. What I always feel obliged to mention regarding this label is the pressing quality. Most collectors will know Charisma pressings are somewhat variable with clean pressings always difficult to find. I have been asked quite a number of times for VDGG albums that play ‘perfect’ or very close to – so many fans have copies of their records but find they have (often very serious) pressing or cutting problems resulting in noise and very bad distortions. Finding ‘perfect’ copies is near impossible expecially for this album that has the most incredible intense sound and dynamics. This copy has a few, mostly light clicks and slight surface sound traces on the impossibly quiet passages but NO groovewear distortions, and I consider that a bonus. The vast major of this record plays really well with little unwanted, the sensitivity of the system it will be played on must be considered too. My LP12 is highly revealing and little escapes so any of the minor sounds may prove less apparent for some collectors. There are a few brief clicks at the start of ‘White Hammer, but few others of real note were noticed. The sound remains focused and sharp throughout and this will test out any system and its tracking ability. As stated, Charisma records are a lottery and none are the same. Some have horrendous pressing faults and serious surface noise but this has avoided such problems and I enjoyed this copy immensely. Some exist that will be close to perfect but are highly elusive and rare - looking at them gives few clues, they have to be played and this is what I do. Also the early copies can be destroyed by heavy needle abuse from vintage record players - this VERY complex album is not tolerant of this. I know I will be asked, but sorry, no, this copy does NOT include the impossibly rare poster.

Original Year of Release: 1970

Matrix Nos: CAS 1007+A+G / CAS 1007+B+G

Brief Artist & Album Info: Their first album issued in the UK, their first album proper was Aerosol Grey Machine that was issued in the US and some European countries only. For many these days, VDGG were the definitive UK prog band, for sure they were up there with the very best. A band now very much back vogue after reforming and recently touring, they seem more popular now than way back in the early 70s when they did not even sell out my ‘local rock’ venue in Ipswich. Fronted by the eccentric and intense vocalist Peter Hammill, VDGG made some of the most complex and inspired sounds of the early 70s. David Jackson, the saxophonist often played two simultaneously creating a mesmerising sound and often an amazing racket. With multiple pick-ups and treatments, these dual saxes often sounded more like eight. Musically complex using constantly changing time structures and like fellow progsters, King Crimson their albums have great highs and lows in volume. This album remains my second favourite they ever made after the legendary Pawn Hearts that still ranks possibly the only serious contender to King Crimson’s debut as the best album of its genre. An album of blistering real hi-fi sound with immense levels of volume and some very quiet passages too. I always feel it a shame it was not issued on Decca or a similar high quaility label where pressing issues were a major rarity. A marvellous original band that were under-appreciated at the time but adored by the few (myself included) – Hammill remains one of rock’s great exponents of originality and mildly extreme. This is real, exciting progressive rock for the connoisseur fan. This is not a flaw-free record with a few gentle clicks at the start of ‘White Hammer’ but they disappear quickly and apart from the odd sporadic click and crackle trace there is not too much else to fault on what is a better than ‘average’ Charisma pressing. If silence is mandatory, well the latest CD remaster is impressive but still lacks the solidity and immense dynamics only the analogue format offers. If in doubt, please do not bid.

Cover Grade and Format: EX(-) but arguably better for one of the most intolerant of covers, this is rarely seen devoid of heavy ringwear that often eats right into the artwork. It’s a gatefold format and unlaminated. Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd and it still has the Patents pending text and with B&C credits on the back proving it a genuine first and correct for the pink scroll copies. Beware of substitutions with the phonogram credits. Again, sorry NO poster.

Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very high++ the later ‘Phonogram’ credited examples are easier to find in better condition because the records inside were much thinner and they are not as old.

Cover Front: Apart from some mild edgewear encroaching into view, this has little else to fault apart from the odd fine and light surface crease, the lack of ringmarks is a real bonus. The artwork is unfaded and attractive with no scuffing or price sticker marks or pulls. These are so difficult to find like this.

Cover Back: Very similar again to the front with a moderately light crease near the left edge, a mild ‘thumb-crease’ that has not broken the ink hence it has very modest visibility. Any other creases are light and marks hardly even show with normal viewing. Light ringwear around the top half of the cover is no surprise and finding any B&C example with none is nigh-on impossible. The pink scroll records are much thicker and heavier than the Hatter repressings thus the covers usually suffer accordingly. In real terms this is very light and detracts from the artwork little, there is one small surface scuff near the bottom edge and a few small chips to the spine fold. Both front and back on this one are really nice and above average for the most intolerant of covers.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Both faces are in superb condition with little to fault at all – the white areas are still just that – white with minimal traces of set-off or grubbiness.

Top Edges: Light patchy rubbing, more near the corners.

Bottom Edges: Consistent moderate rubbing.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with little wear and no feathering, record is stored on the back edge.

Spine and Text: The spine has chipped and rubbed but no text was printed on this one. Still solid, square and straight and folded square so both right edges meet up near perfectly and parallel. Not the best spine ever, but oh-so typical for this one.

Corners: All corners have rubbed in context of their respective edge.

Cover Summary: With the main faces looking fine and neat, this is still an attractive ‘difficult’ cover. Shame it was never laminated (in the UK anyway), and given all the facts I think most realistic collectors will enjoy it.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EX(-), with some light hairlines and one or two light paper scuffs, these have no effect on sound. There is one very small deep mark however at the start of ‘White Hammer’ that does produce a few light clicks, I have mentioned this already. If this is an issue, please do not bid They are hardly major and short-lived. The record appears modestly played overall and the playing surfaces are respectively clean. Often seen with pressing pits and bubbles, this copy has avoided them entirely and this copy is very flat too and tracking is effortless. A copy certainly played a few times but the evidence strongly suggests, far from excessive.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippetts or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This is a very difficult record, but a very rewarding listening experience, and I think I could search forever to find any copy that will play absolutely perfectly. This solidly pressed ‘original’ gives a very fine account of itself for the most of its entirety (especially for a Charisma record of this era). I have mentioned the brief clicks on track three several times already and I will leave it there. It has very powerful sound with extremes in dynamics and details. A record of massive highs and lows and most plays really well with little unwanted. Dave Jackson’s shrill electric reeds send a shiver down the spine and Hammills vocals have ‘in the room’ qualilty. The explosive bassline midway through ‘White Hammer’ has stomach wrenching depth and if played loud enough I am sure it could remove glass from windows. I have rarely heard such depth and power in sound and it shook my room when play-grading. Another noteworthy moment of hi-fi nirvana, amongst many moments is the blood-chilling distorted scream of ‘Anihilation’ on the brilliant final song ‘After the Flood’ – this never fails to generate that rare ‘tingle factor’ I experience with the real classic moments in sound. There is no distortion or groove pressing sounds on this copy - believe me, they are common. The last copy I offered (with poster) had considerable distortion on the first song but looking at the record gave no clues to this. Minor surface sound blemishes and the odd sporadic click is almost the least you expect. This is why I play-grade all my albums, at least you will know what is coming and not at the mercy of guesswork. So many examples of this album can disappoint in a huge way and on all the songs, this sets a high standard and plays mostly above its visual grading. But if you have any doubts, PLEASE DO NOT BID.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: I now offer the fastest possible posting, mostly the very next day after payment is received or within 48 hours maximum. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with TWO thick stiffners for even extra protection. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used for clarity and well as sender label. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but NOT surface mail abroad. I never make profit on posting and offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends, with the total costs including ‘standard’ or ‘optional extra insurance’ P&P – ALL UK and Russian packets go out non-negotiable Recorded Delivery. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 4,000+ items sold in over 7 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional.

PLEASE NOTE: I will now only send packets to Russia with Recorded Delivery at a cost of £7 per single LP. If this is unacceptable to Russian collectors, please do not bid. I only want my records to arrive safely and this gives packets a better chance to do so. Also ALL UK packets will be sent with either Recorded or Special Delivery as standard (both have to be signed for). All shipping costs and rules can be found after my description. If they are not acceptable, please do not bid.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & OPTIONS:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (First Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4 (OPTIONAL).

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: ALL EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA (NOT RUSSIA, see below) (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £5.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £9 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: RUSSIA (Recorded Only, if this is unacceptable, please do not bid):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ only £7) = £9 (OPTIONAL extra insurance as above).

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (any part); Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £8.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £13 (OPTIONAL).

* If Rules allow for that country.

PLEASE NOTE: I always get a Royal Mail ‘Proof-of-Posting’ receipt for ALL packets that are sent out and I am happy to prove this to any customer who wishes to see it via email.

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders.

The customer can choose their method of shipping with the exception of second class or surface mail overseas – these I will NOT use. The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£35).

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT neccessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.