VELVET UNDERGROUND 3rd ORIG UK 1969 1st Press CS-8108

	£		56
	$		74

THE VELVET UNDERGROUND – The Velvet Underground (3rd) ORIG MGM LP / MGM-CS 8108 (UK, Stereo, 1969)

Happy to present this original 1969 UK press of the 3rd LP.  This has the original Val Valentin mix throughout, reckoned by many to be a more balanced, better organized mix than the subsequent Lou Reed ‘closet’ mix – the one which was initially used in the US, while this one was predominantly used in the UK.  Having said that, both versions have their fans.  This is what Wiki has to say:

Sterling Morrison thought Reed's mix had a small, closed in, cramped sound. The phrase "Closet Mix" was coined by Morrison, who said, "We did the third album deliberately as anti-production. It sounds like it was done in a closet – it's flat, and that's the way we wanted it. The songs are all very quiet and it's kind of insane. I like the album." Overall, the songs on Reed's mix of the album sound different from the Valentin Mix in that the vocals are brought to the foreground, as opposed to the more "even" mix of Valentin's version. Drums and percussion on the Closet Mix are generally panned to one stereo channel only (typical of many other 1960's rock recordings.) On the Valentin mix drums are usually placed in the center.

Notable differences in the music can be heard on the two different versions. "Some Kinda Love" is a completely different performance. The Closet Mix uses a slower, quieter take, while the Valentin Mix is a slightly more upbeat and closer to the way the band performed the song in concert. The Valentin version of "Some Kinda Love" is about 20 seconds longer

Either way, there is no doubting that when this LP was released both here in the UK and at home in the US, it bombed.  Maybe it was just too much of a diversion from the last LP (White Light White Heat) being way more mellow in tone.  This UK 1st press is a very rare beast indeed – the usual figure that’s bandied about is that a mere 600 of these got out, so finding one today in playable state is unlikely.  It was re-issued in the UK in 1971 with a different catalogue reference and it’s this issue people started to pick up on when David Bowie’s fans ventured into VU/Lou Reed territory from 1973 onwards.

The front-laminated tri-flipback sleeve is in better condition than some that have come up for sale but shows the following imperfections:  tape residue lines on all four sides of the front where the edges have been previously ‘reinforced’; around a half-dozen established ‘spine out’ creases; some lighter ‘thumb’ creases; creases to the rear flips; a shape in black marker to each half of the horizontal picture on the rear; some softening of the opening edge; rubbing to the corners (not heavy) and a slight ring impression to the front.  So overall not perfect by any means but still solid without rips or tears and a rare surviving example of this  sleeve with flaps in the classic 60s UK style.  Graded as G+ (Good Plus).

The labels are fine with no writing or damage, no stickers or residue.  There are quite a few spindle trails around the centre hole showing this has had moderate play.

 The medium weight disc shows the following machine stamped matrices: 

Side 1 2YMG 291-1G

Side 2 2YMG 292-1G

The mothers/stampers for both sides are 1  G, showing this is one of the very first copies ever pressed.  The vinyl shows several fine hairline-type marks particularly on Side 1.  There are also quite a few small but fine SURFACE scratches across the sides.  Not much in the way of scuffing, just many fine, thin lines.  NONE OF THESE HAVE MUCH EFFECT ON THE AUDIO!  It has been carefully listened to from start to finish and bar a little light surface crackle and the OCCASIONAL soft tick, there is nothing to interfere with the rich and soft production on this album.  There are NO loud pops, nor hiss, nor snappy clicks and no sticks or jumps.  NO distortion or loss of clarity/lack of definition.  Vinyl grades a visual VG (Very Good) but the playgrade is higher than that.

Rare in any condition, this is a solid example with plenty of life left.  It represents one of the very first times this music was available on the UK market before all the reappraisals of the 70s,80s & 90s.  Only the very few paid attention this first time round and they were rewarded with an LP which has influenced countless other lo-fi and melodic efforts.  In short, it’s a piece of pop music history.  NO RESERVE!

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