Warhorse : Warhorse A2/B2 1st Press

This first pressing is in amazing condition and plays with a clarity, depth and power that cannot be faulted.  I have given a full grading below and I hope I have done it justice!  I have owned 4/5 of these in my time and this is by far the most stunning example I have ever seen or heard.  It is practically Mint on both sides and the vinyl visually could not be any more impressive, it is immaculate!

The gatefold is in superb condition with barely any wear and has been preserved so well over the last 50+ years.  The original swirl inner just has some age related fading.  A stunning album in every way!

This is also a genuine first press as the Side B label has a large 'Swirl' logo, VERTIGO is written below the spindle hole and the credits are below the track titles.  

6360015   A//2   1 1 9

6360015   B//2   1 1 4

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint+)

The gatefold is Ex++

The labels are Mint-

The original swirl inner is Ex

Visual grading

Visually it doesn't get much better than this!  It truly is in beautiful condition and has that stunning jet-black glossy sheen of a hardly played vinyl.  At first glance you would think it was 'as new' I'm not joking!  There are no 'cloudy' areas or 'mottling' and there are no marks or scratches either.  I can only detect a couple of tiny 'specks' on S1 and one very small faint hairline on S2.  There is obviously no groove wear and has clearly not been on a turntable very often judging by the audio and minimal spindle wear.  The run out grooves are also incredibly clean and the Vertigo labels near perfect with no marking or writing.  A spectacular example!

Play grading  

The quiet organ intro on 'Vulture Blood' plays with stunning clarity when you consider this album is now over 50 years old.  There is barely any static and it then plays with genuine depth and power.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and the playback is quite simply outstanding!  The audio is so strong and deep and it has lost none of its original sonic quality.  The clarity cannot be faulted either - even the brief silent section is...well totally silent!  The remainder plays with great precision and the fade out has no 'background' at all giving you a good idea of the clarity.  This is easily a Mint- start to the album.

The percussive intro on 'No Chance' is nigh on perfect - just a hint of mega light static towards the end of this section but honestly I can hardly hear it.  The first vocal is 'as new' and it progresses in the same precise way with no intrusion.  The vocal is so 'clean' and every instrumental section plays with stunning clarity and power.  The 'high octane' vocal is so strong and there is no distortion on the top end.  The following percussive section could not play any better and again I cannot believe the audio quality on offer here.  There is just nothing that interferes with the music and the closing section is immense!  A fantastic Mint- version.

The intro on 'Burning' has a power and definition that is second to none and, you guessed it, no interference.  It continues to play with imperious quality and it is really is the depth of the music that stands out here.  You can tell this record has only been lightly played as there is no 'muddiness' to the sound, just pure clarity in all its glory!  The same applies to Holt's vocal which retains its original raw sound.  The second half is purely instrumental of course and it plays with unrivalled quality right to the end - in fact I have listened to it twice now and the playback is just out of this world!  So strong and powerful with literally no interference.  From start to finish this is Mint in every way.

'St Louis' ends the side with superb audio once more.  A minimal touch of barely audible static on the intro but thereafter plays with amazing power and clarity.  This is such a 'high octane' number and yet the playback is so strong and clear and I repeat this album is over 50 years old!  All the more impressive when you consider this is the final track also.  Yes I'm running out of superlatives as per usual but needless to say this is a Mint- finish to the side.  And wow what a side!

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'Ritual' on S2 has no obvious static on the intro and then plays...as per S1!  When you find a 'clean' vinyl from this era and especially a Vertigo pressing there is a greater sense of depth to sound, more warmth also.  Nowhere is that more obvious than on this track and the strong bass just adds so much to the mix.  Peck's mid solo could not play with any greater distinction and the final vocal etc is equally as good.  What a STUNNING version - MINT and then some!

The quiet acoustic intro on 'Solitude' again leaves me shaking my head in sheer disbelief!  There is no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  There is one mega light tick just prior to the vocal coming in but this first vocal section is breathtaking.  Again I had to play it twice it is just so good!  A little further in I think I heard a click type sound but it is very much hidden and totally non-intrusive.  Holt's entire vocal here is so strong, almost operatic in it grandeur and the guitar solo then plays with wonderful precision.  The rest of this instrumental is 'as new' as is the next vocal and to the end this classic track plays with a sonic quality that cannot be faulted.  Once again I am just blown away by the sublime quality here and I hope I've conveyed that in my words.  The long fade out is flawless and I honestly believe a Near Mint+ grade is deserved here.  Near Mint doesn't sound quite right somehow.

'Woman Of The Devil' plays with incredible clarity from the very first note and you won't be surprised to hear that the intro has no interference of any kind.  I know I'm repeating myself but wow the depth and power of the audio as it builds is just fantastic!  Never heard anything like it!  It continues to impress and every section plays with a clarity and power that explains why we listen to vinyl.  You cannot find this sonic quality elsewhere and especially when you own a vinyl as immaculate as this!  From start to finish there is no interference and...no inner groove distortion either.  This IS STUNNING IN EVERY WAY and rounds off this classic album with Mint quality audio.

In summary this genuine first pressing easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE i.e. no need to purchase another in order to find better audio.  The clarity and definition is so impressive and the power and resonance of the audio just envelops the room.  This is one you can turn up to max without fear of distortion.  Every intro and fade out plays with such precision and the dead wax between tracks is so 'clean', practically silent.  It has been preserved in immaculate fashion and the same applies to the cover.  This truly is an exceptional album and it really isn't easy parting with it!

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

The cover is in superb condition with only very minimal shelf wear and remains very strong and robust also like it has hardly been handled down the years.  The edges have only light rubbing which is not immediately noticeable and the wide spine is in perfect order.  There is barely any corner wear, just a minimal amount bottom right and the opening edge is also very clean with only a couple of minor crimps.  The front and back cover are a work of art!  There is no marking and there is no bending or creasing either.  The inside of the gatefold is very impressive when you consider how 'white' it is and has only three faint pencil type lines.  This has to be the finest example of this iconic cover that I have ever seen.

The swirl inner is dated 0171 but I suspect it is the original as the album was only released in Nov '70 so I'm sure they just pre-printed the inners in advance rather than retrospectively.  It is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and only minimal creasing.  There is however a fair amount of age related fading around the edges but it doesn't detract from the overall quality.

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

6360015   A//2   1 1 9

6360015   B//2   1 1 4

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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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

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