ZAPPA / MOTHERS The Grand Wazoo SCARCE ORIG UK 72 N/M

	£		27
	$		36

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Please see my Detailed Packing Description Further Down & All Shipping Costs and Options – NOTE: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment.

Artist or Band: THE MOTHERS

Album Title: The Grand Wazoo.

Producer(s): Frank Zappa.

Track Listing:

Side 1: For Calvin (and his next two hitchhikers); Grand Wazoo.

Side 2: Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus; Eat That Question; Blessed Relief.

Label/Format: Reprise – Dark Tan original with multi ridges. (please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: Both immaculate: as fresh and clean as new with just one faint spindle trace on side one and struggling to find any on side two at all.

Cat Number: K 44209.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 120 grams. Around average, I have this album to vary in pressing weight.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Moderate+, although not strictly commercial, this sold steadily and slightly better than would have been predicted, the stunning artwork would have probably helped sales – but it failed to chart.

Original Year of Release: December 1972

Matrix Nos: K 44209 A1 / K44209 B1 (both fully raised, clear and distinctive)

Run-Out Groove Etchings: ‘RAYS + KIPS’ on side two.

Musicians: Frank Zappa – guitar, percussion, vocals; Mike Altschul – woodwind; Bill Byers – trombone; Chunky (Lauren Wood)– vocals; Lee Clement – percussion; George Duke – keyboards, vocals; Earl Dumler – woodwind; Aynsley Dunbar – drums; Tony Duran – guitar, bottleneck guitar; Erroneous (Alex Dmochowski) – bass; Alan Estes – percussion; Janet Neville-Ferguson – vocals; Fred Jackson, Jr. – woodwind; Sal Marquez – bass, trumpet, vocals, brass; Joanne Caldwell McNabb – vocals, brass, woodwind; Malcolm McNabb – trombone, horn, trumpet in D; Tony Ortega – woodwind; Joel Peskin – saxophone, woodwind; Don Preston – Mini Moog; Johnny Rotella – woodwind; Ken Shroyer – trombone, brass, contractor and spiritual guidance; Ernie Tack – brass; Ernie Watts – tenor saxophone, C Melody Saxophone (the ‘Mystery Horn’), woodwinds; Robert Zimmitti – percussion; Gerry Sack - phantom tambourine.

Brief Artist & Album Info: Long overdue for offering this classic Zappa album, and this is one of his very best and in the type of condition his fans demand. Certainly one of the most inspired albums he produced in the early 70s. This carries on the ideas on Waka/Jawaka and extends them much further with a big band of session musicians and a few of the remaining Mothers of Invention. This is a predominately instrumental set and includes some stunning solos and virtuosity. The Grand Wazoo must have surprised those who thought Zappa had gone down the road of bawdiness – this proved yet again the unpredictable nature of his albums and that was just one reason why his music and career was so fascinating. This is a superb set, one of my personal favourites from his amazing catalogue. This is big band jazz-rock, often dubbed as ‘Art Rock’, few albums I have heard sound quite like it. Highly rhythmical, with Aynsley Dunbar on drums, George Duke on keyboards and featuring a great Moog solo by Don Preston. An album including 22 musicians including Frank, this is brilliantly produced by the man himself and this copy plays beautifully with absolute pristine sound from beginning to end. Something of a landmark monumental album that provides a stepping-stone to his later complex instrumental works. The cover is astonishing, featuring stunning artwork from Cal Schenkel, this would have helped sell a few albums for those curious buyers at the time. One all collectors will want near perfect and this will not disappoint, never easy being somewhat prone to all forms of wear if not treated and protected carefully. The record is simply immaculate, if I cannot grade this full Mint, I do not think I could for any. For those who found a vocal Zappa a little too extreme at this time, this hugely inventive set is well worth checking out – I guarantee, few will be disappointed – this is kind’a like jazz, but not as we know it – Parumpa-pa-pum.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): this being somewhat critical. An unlaminated gatefold format with matt, smooth surfaces. Printed in England by Howards. Later ones had a semi-glossy sheen, the first issues were always matt. An astonishing sleeve, for me one of the best ever, with stunning artwork by Carl Schenkel and this is a splendid example with little wear. This will please my ever-expanding customer-base of Zappa collectors.

Cover Front: Always loved the cover of this album, so much detail and work went into this one and this example does it near full justice. This is clean, fresh, with few marks and no rubbing, scuffing or creasing. Even under light it has few blemishes – a couple of minor small, faint marks but little else – and this well worthy of a second look.

Cover Back: Similar to the front with just the odd faint surface blemish or tiny crease when scrutinised closely. Always nice to see devoid of ringwear and grubbiness, this again sets a high standard.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Under light, a few minor surface marks are just seen including a minor press mark made in manufacture – little I can do about natural blemishes of course – it shows little anyway. All the musicians are pictured with instrument details and the text describes the ‘Legend of Cleetus Awreetus’.

Top Edges: Both practically unworn.

Bottom Edges: Some mainly light patchy rubbing on the back, being the traditional storage edges, few escape with a little at the very least.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Both very sharp, clean and crisp with barely any wear and guaranteed untrimmed. The front is folded and tucked, not cut, this gives a very neat edge to the front and this is unrubbed. Record enters on the back edge that is practically devoid of any thickening or burrs.

Spine and Text: A complex graphic spine that is solid, very straight, uncompressed and folded square, so the edges meet up very closely together and parallel. This is in superb condition with barely any traces of wear at all and certainly one of the very best ‘Wazoo’ spines seen yet. All text and artwork near perfect and unworn and this is truly exceptional. Just light rub traces near the very ends.

Corners: Very light tip rubs only with the odd faint tip crease if being critical. All retain very neat, excellent and well defined shape.

Cover Summary: A very impressive Grand Wazoo cover – and one of Zappa’s most spectacular and colourful – lamination would have made it even more stunning. The amazing artwork is as complex as the music enclosed. This lovely early item will please most collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(++): a typical plain white, unlined Reprise inner for this period. Only very slightly aged by minor and faint discolouration. Barely any real wear at all with two immaculate window circles, unsplit edges and barely a crease to be seen.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT(-): I will stick with my maximum grading, although this is as close to full Mint as they ever get. A supreme example that sounds as good as it looks. A wonderful, barely played copy that is super clean, shiny, jet black and solidly pressed. Any surface trace blemishes are minuscule, even viewed critically under light – truly, in the past, I bought many records brand new with more marks showing that these fantastic playing surfaces have. Finding this better will prove near impossible and this at least matches my own personal copy.

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 snippets 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 Zappa masterwork plays up to it’s very high visual grading with nothing to fault whatsoever. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is astonishing with a full and wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Devoid of surface sounds and no pops or clicks were noted and few copies will match, let alone better this for quality sound. Detail from the big band, the sheer power and realism on any quality system will impress even the most demanding listener and this record gives a commanding display. This is analogue and vinyl near it’s very best. Zappa proves again he is the master musician, a man capable of producing such varied and wide ranging styles of music. Who wants predictable formulated music? – every album this man made was different and unpredictable – that is why is was impossible to get bored with him. This record without any doubt, has barely been played and offers mastertape audio quality. Carefully stored and handled, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this Zappa classic. This copy will prove very difficult to find significantly better and the actual record nigh-on impossible, this merits my higest possible recommendation. For those yet to discover the wonderful world of Frank Zappa – give this one a go – but be warned – his music is highly addictive and his catalogue is vast.

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/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with QED Silver terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. 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. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are 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 at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand based on over 7,000+ items sold in nearly 10 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please as me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

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

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£46 maximum]) = £10. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£46 maximum]) = £14. Add £4 per extra LP. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. 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. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

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 necessarily 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’.