FRANK ZAPPA Hot Rats RARER ORIG UK Tri-Col 1969 EX++ LP

	£		83
	$		110

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Artist or Band: FRANK ZAPPA

Album Title: Hot Rats.

Producer(s): Frank Zappa who composed and arranged all songs.

Engineer(s): Dick Kunc.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Peaches en Regalia; Willie the Pimp; Son of Mr Green Genes.

Side 2: Little Umbrellas; The Gumbo Variations; It Must Be a Camel.

Label/Format: Reprise – Yellow, pale green and black steamboat originals (‘tri-coloured’ Reprise format, please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: A little mild toning in the green quadrant of side two apart, little else to fault with fine good looks retained and very light and faint.

Cat Number: RSLP 6356.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 134 grams. About average for this one.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: The actual album itself, moderate, this was Zappa’s most commercially successful album in the UK, although it failed to sell well in his native US. But, and a huge BUT, when found as a very first UK pressed example on the tri-coloured Steamboat label it becomes a rarer album (especially with a record in this super and lightly played condition). This landmark classic record was only available for a relatively brief time on this label before being repressed on the tan labels that still for a short time, had the RSLP number. It still urks me when tan label copies are offered as ‘Originals’ or ‘First Pressings’, such examples are repressings. This copy has clearly hardly ever been played and has stunning detailed sound and plays with astonishing high-fidelity sound. And also for good measure, an RSLP cover with little real wear, only mildly aged. This legendary cover is often seen very shabby and even worn out. To find an example with the RSLP number with the coveted genuine first pressing inside in this condition makes this set even harder to find and the actual record is little short of connoisseur standard with truly stunning sound quality.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: RSLP 6356 A1 / RSLP 6356 B1 [the ultimate first pressing].

Musicians: Frank Zappa - Guitar, octave bass, percussion; Ian Underwood - piano, organus maximus, flute, all clarinets, all saxes; Captain Beefheart - vocal on ‘Willie the Pimp’; Sugar Cane Harris - violin; Jean luc Ponty - violin; John Guerin - drums; Ron Selico - drums; Max Bennett - bass; Shuggy Otis - bass.

Brief Artist & Album Info: The greatest moustache in rock history and THE album that proved to the world that Frank Zappa was one of the greatest guitarists of his generation – if not THE best ever. A point proven over many years of quality albums, not just a small few. At the end of 1968 Zappa’s contract with MGM expired, he and his manager Herb Cohen set up Bizarre Records. This gave them total control over their own packaging and music. Major distribution was needed too, so they chose Reprise, Frank Sinatra’s label which had recently been acquired by Warner Brothers. Hot Rats was the second album to be just accredited to Frank Zappa, he used a 16-track recorder and state-of-the-art production techniques, making this a musicial extravaganza with truly phenomenal sound and detail. This was quite a successful album in the UK, but mysteriously was a relative failure in his native US. This is a jazz-rock, predominately instrumental album and (for me anyway) one of the greatest ones ever made - I simply adore this album and I have probably heard this album more times than any other (not this copy hasten to add, just the once for a mandatory play grade). Zappa called upon the services of some of the great musicians of the West Coast. Don ‘Sugarcane’ Harris features heavily on electric violin with some blistering solos as does French violin virtuoso Jean luc Ponty. Also featured are veteran bassist Max Bennett, John Guerin, a young drummer who had been working with Tom Scott on fusing rock and jazz, with Shuggy Otis, Ron Selico and Paul Humphrey. Zappa supplied himself with the finest rhythm section money could buy. The other hugely important presence was fellow-Mother Ian Underwood, who played keyboards and electric saxes. This is one of Underwood’s finest moments recording with Zappa, his blistering electric saxophone solo on ‘The Gumbo Variations’ takes the breath away. Last but not least there is a cameo performance from Don van Vliet, aka Captain Beefheart on vocals for ‘Willie the Pimp’ the lyrics of which are derived from an interview Zappa conducted with a New York-based groupie named Annie. Zappa himself plunges into an awe-inspiring guitar solo. His wah-wah pedal make the notes talk, but amongst the frenzy there remains a marvellous melody throughout. Frank dubbed in percussion, chains, castanets that added that extra fizz and Underwood is credited for playing ‘organus maximus’ which was actually a pipe organ. The cover is as famous as the music too, it features Christine Frka (Miss Christine) of the infamous GTO’s lurking inside a disused swimming pool in Beverly Hills. A striking image that was seen under many an arm in the heady days of the late 60s. She is often credited as the inspiration for the Alice Cooper look, both recorded on Zappa’s Straight label. A notably thin Czech girl, she sadly she died in 1972. ‘Hot Rats’ charted at 9 in the UK and a miserly 173 in the US. A work of genius that must have opened many eyes, ears and minds on it’s issue. Even non-Zappa fans who simply never understood his music often appreciated this album. Anyone who likes the sound of the electric guitar cannot fail to be impressed by this blistering set. Some rock guitarists have been quoted as saying Hot Rats contains impossible to play guitar chords, well this great man played them, and how. This easily ranks in my top 10 greatest albums ever made, I never tire listening to it and this wonderful vintage copy does it full justice. It plays practically as quiet as a CD but with all the detail and dynamics of a master-recording, this is gateway into Zappa’s recording studio itself and nothing – and I mean NOTHING will better it, the great feeling of holding and playing a first-pressed ‘Hot Rats’ is a pleasure in itself. The new CD versions are very good but the basslines are far less forward on the silver disc and some details seem slightly more muted, or even lost. There will never be a better way to enjoy the king of the bizarre than on this record – a timeless excusion into Frank’s world of jazz-rock, the word ‘masterpiece’ is often overused, but not in this case. If you have not experienced the wonderful world of Zappa, there is no better place to start – but be warned – this man’s music is seriously addictive and he has a vast catalogue.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very High, seldom seen without moderate or heavier ringwear, fading and major surface rubbing and grubbiness.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(-): an unlaminated gatefold format with matt finish. It was printed and made in England by MacNeill Press, it of course has the RSLP 6356 catalogue number, beware of Kinney covers being offered as ‘Original’, they look practically the same the number apart.

Cover Front: Marked a little due to some toning near the top edge, there is very little elsewhere at all. The actual graphic of Miss Christine is very clean with few blemishes and this front has remained practically crease-free. The white areas on this front are nigh-on impossible to find without some mild traces of grubbiness or set-off, here any discolour (the aforementioned toning apart) is only light and any marks are fine and faint. Overall, a nice looking front that will match or better many, not perfect but it’s a tough one. The eerie presence of Miss Christine in that swimming pool sets the tone perfectly for this crazy time and era.

Cover Back: The back has little to fault at all, any blemishes are tiny, few and faint. Many have major deep and penetrating ringwear, often forming near full circles. This splendly exceptional back had barely any traces of inkloss and the richess of the colour is impressive. With normal viewing, this is probably as good as they ever get, only with scrutiny under light are any minuscule marks seen. The lack of creasing, fading, rubbing and noteworthy ringwear is something you rarely associate with this cover, and remember, this is a first-made, not a 1970s version.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Some toning on the top fold on the left side, only very thin with minimal traces elsewhere. Note the close-up of the great Captain Beefheart circa his classic 1969 Trout Mask Replica era. Two of the greatest musical minds of the 20th century, now both sadly departed.

Top Edges: Moderate toning, this edge appears the most exposed over the past 40+ years.

Bottom Edges: Light patchy rubbing, any toning or discolour very faint indeed.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with minimal traces of wear and no feathering or trimming. Record enters on the back edge, the front being closed.

Spine and Text: This delicate black spine is solid and quite straight with only slight compression, a little aged but folded squarely so both right edges meet up near perfectly together and parallel. Actual wear is mimimal, but some discolouration to the white text, but at least it’s all present and that is not to be dismissed lightly.

Cover Summary: One of rock’s most famous covers and this is a very respectable example with a few hints only of it’s great age but little more. It should please many collectors but not quite for the highly discerning – the record however might be.

The Inner Sleeve: NEAR EXCELLENT: this album came in a plain white, unlined, open windowed inner. It has creases on the top two corners but little else to fault with secure edges and ultra crisp window circles and any discolour minimal.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(++): with any surface trace blemishes tiny, few and ultra faint. A superb visual copy that is super clean, shiny, intense black and heavily pressed. A copy hardly even played on all the evidence, a better looking and sounding first pressing will prove very very difficult to find. Being a 1969 record, of that there is NO dispute as from 1970 onwards the labels changed to tan, this is far harder to find in clean conditions and had the potential to be played on far less sympathetic equipment with thick, heavy (often damaged or worn) pickups. This beautiful record has a avoided all that and offers breathtaking, audiophile sound quality. With the majority of original Hot Rats being found badly scratched or well worn, this copy is like a breath of fresh air. For the ‘early-bird’ Zappa fans who bought this from the early days on this label, most played it into submission – imagine the thrill of hearing this masterpiece for the first time – this copy will again remind of that experience. Although recently reissued, NOTHING gives the thrill of a tri-coloured original. Hardly any surprise this album has acquired ‘Classic Album’ status and it remains (for me) one of the greatest albums ever made bar none. This contains musicianship and composition of the highest possible standard and few would have even known the calibre of this man’s brilliance at this time.

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 & Audio Grading – The Hot Rats Hi-Fi Experience: This astonishing record plays brilliantly with pristine sound, crank this up loud and prepare to be astonished. A superb pressing with barely a trace of any surface sound at all and not even one pop or click was noted. Both channels are crystal clear and the sound and production are up there with the very best from this period. Zappa spared no expense in recording this, his ‘solo’ masterpiece and the sonic delivery of the music defies it’s substantial age. This copy of Hot Rats will simply make your system sing with totally distortion-free sound. The delicate high frequencies of the electric violins and winds are totally unclipped and simply rasp and fizz from the speakers. Zappa’s frenzied and blistering guitar work is heard to maximum effect and this will leave fans wanting more. Played loudly enough, Underwood’s electric sax solo on ‘The Gumbo Variations’ is almost capable of ripping off the speaker cloth. What set’s this analogue recording apart are the bass-lines which are rich and deep and fully focused and more importantly – present! The CD versions are leaner and lack that vital depth, grace and power. My LP12 gave this record real ‘pace’ and rhythm and it’s total realism will please even the connoisseur listeners. If only all vintage vinyl played like this there would be no need to grade because the astonishing sounds embedded in these totally unworn (and original deeper) grooves, that for sure carry that extra detail and definition, will rarely be heard better.

Beefheart’s cameo role on ‘Willie the Pimp’ is famous as he shrieks Hot Meat, Hot Raaaaattttzzzzz, Hot Zitz, Hot Wrists, Hot Ritz, Hot Roots, Hot Sooooottts… this is the album’s only vocal track and it Fizzzessssss, the man’s voice totally unique and rarely sounding better. This record sounds so clean and special it should appeal to all vinyl lovers and collectors - even discerning audiophiles reading this. The record is a ‘keeper’ copy that is unlikely to need upgrading - if treated with the respect it deserves, this record will last another forty+ years and this one has now reached that landmark age. Nothing beats an original copy of this, this is a very special album indeed – a gateway to his even more challenging works. They don’t make records like this anymore and the spirit of this much-missed musical genius lives on in this monumental work, my musical world has never been quite the same since his sad and untimely death. The highest possible recommendation is mandatory.

His Legacy: Frank Zappa issued over 60+ official albums in his own lifetime and most I consider essential. Sadly leaving us all too young, it’s such a shame his work, music and talent was only recognised by many after his untimely death, but not unusual for a genius in the arts. But for lifelong fans, his name was known from his early years and lives on forever. Great to see and hear his son Dweezil playing his father’s music to adoring audiences, I was in seventh heaven when I attended the Zappa-Plays-Zappa gig in Cambridge last year and recommend anyone to see him and his brilliant band as soon as possible. With more and more music fans even now discovering the master guitarist and musician’s work, this is the ideal place to start. It simply emphasises the mundane mediocrity around these days, the greatest entertainer in rock refuses to die.

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.

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.

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 stiffners 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: 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 & 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 [£40 maximum]) = £9. (insurance optional extra £3). Add £2.50 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 [£39 maximum]) = £13. Add £4 per extra LP. (insurance 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: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, 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’.