ASTRAL WEEKS..UK LP - 1st ORIGINAL - VAN MORRISON..E/X

	£		108
	$		142

ASTRAL WEEKS – UK ORIGINAL! - VAN MORRISON – 1st UK WARNER BROTHERS PRESSING!

“I have decided to sell my record collection which has been accumulated over many years”

I am not a trader or record shop. I am music fan who has amassed vinyl records over many years and over the coming days/weeks I will be offering rare, and much sought after vinyl records including Prog Rock, Blues, Folk, etc from collectible labels such as Pink Island, Blue Horizon, Deram, Atlantic plum, Vertigo swirl etc etc..

Van Morrison – Astral Weeks

Catalogue No:  WS 1768

Release Year:  1968

Country of origin:  UK  (Original 1st pressing)

To say this LP is rare is of course an understatement, and perhaps one of the most sought after LP’s from the Warner Brothers stable and probably the rarest of Morrison’s UK pressings, on the Red/Orange Warner Brothers label (WS 1768) – indeed it is without doubt one of the most sought-after LP’s!

Purists and collectors of Van Morrison would both already own this masterpiece of eclectic songs, ranging in styles from Jazz, Folk, and Blues and to any other style in-between, or they would yearn to have it in their collection. I have been asked to part with this LP many times over the years, but have adamantly refused to sell. The true music fans out there will know my sentiments when I talk about this LP, and my reluctance to let it go.

I do not think there is any dispute whatsoever that this was the LP that set Van on his journey to international stardom.

I have played the album recently on an upmarket deck. Personally, I would class the vinyl as in excellent (EX) condition, but some people might say it’s in very good+?? condition. However, I would believe this to be because of the ‘very few’ minor ‘pops’ just here and there, (they really are minimal).. and they really do not detract the superb listening, quality and enjoyment of this mega-collectible LP - there are no discernable scratches or ‘jumps’ on this LP!!...(maybe the odd ‘pops’ are a bit of static??)

The LP is pressed on heavyweight vinyl and on close inspection under a light there is the odd scuff mark, but as afore-mentioned this does nothing to detract it from the listening quality of this highly rare and collectible LP.

Please remember that I am highly critical of my own description of this LP because I believe in treating others the way I wish be treated. Therefore, this is an honest description of this seminal LP.

Believe me when I say that each track is crisp, with absolute minimal noise. There is no sound distortion whatsoever and the vinyl itself looks healthy and clean. There is the odd ‘pop’ in-between some of the tracks but in no way is it the detestable breakfast-frying sound!

Both Red/Orange labels are in excellent condition. No unwanted writing/ink, rips, or tears. However, there seems to be spindle marks if you look closely enough around the spindle hole, but this in no way does not detract or devalue the appearance of the labels. The spindle marks are hardly distinguishable and more observable when correctly angled under a strong light (as displayed in images) –  but again I feel I’m being too critical of my own description.

The sleeve I would describe as ‘very good+’ with the usual wear indicative of some covers produced during this time. The sleeve/cover still retains all the laminate, but it does have a few creases. There is no peeling or flaking away of any of the laminated cover and in my honest opinion the inoffensive creases only compliment the authenticity of the LP’s 42 years of age since its release (again, see image). The plain white inner-sleeve also shows the authentic and slight discolouration!

The cover is also free from unwanted ink/writing with no rips or tears!

The image distortion where it shows the full LP is a shadow - no, I'm definitely not a photographer!

The cover is also the original flipback laminated cover, made by Garrod & Lofthouse and distributed by Pye Records Ltd – very much all original, rare and highly collectible!

In my honest opinion, and I have seen this LP sell for extremely extortionate prices,  and unless you want to pay those kind of sums for Astral Weeks this original pressing will most definitely be a welcome addition to any vinyl collection. On the very rare occasion I have seen this LP sell on eBay in quite poor condition for ridiculous prices, but such is the rarity of the original Red/Orange 1st UK pressing, it is rarely even seen for sale!

Whoever the lucky winner is of this classic 1st pressing, and remarkable recording for its time of release, will not be disappointed!

Please take into consideration that I am not a photographer, but I will do my best with any further images you require and, if you have any questions about the LP please contact me.

Contact is to be made within 3 days of winning bid and payment to be made within one week of winning bid.

Postage and packing within the UK = £3.50

Worldwide international postage (insured) = £12.00

Thanks and Good Luck!

Review

“Astral Weeks is generally considered one of the best albums in pop music history. For all that renown, Astral Weeks is anything but an archetypal rock & roll album: in fact, it isn't a rock & roll album at all. Employing a mixture of folk, blues, jazz, and classical music, Van Morrison spins out a series of extended ruminations on his Belfast upbringing, including the remarkable character "Madame George" and the climactic epiphany experienced on "Cyprus Avenue." Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, Morrison sings in his elastic, bluesy voice, accompanied by a jazz rhythm section (Jay Berliner, guitar, Richard Davis, bass, Connie Kay, drums), plus reeds (John Payne) and vibes (Warren Smith, Jr.), with a string quartet overdubbed. An emotional outpouring cast in delicate musical structures, Astral Weeks has a unique musical power. Unlike any record before or since, it nevertheless encompasses the passion and tenderness that have always mixed in the best post-war popular music, easily justifying the critics' raves. “Beside You”, Madame George”, Slim Slow Slider,.. outstanding”.