FRANK ZAPPA Lumpy Gravy RARE ORIG UK 1968 Verve SVLP LP

	£		97
	$		129

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World

Please see my Detailed Packing Description Further Down with Picture & All Shipping Rates.

Artist or Band: FRANK ZAPPA

Album Title: Lumpy Gravy.

Producer(s): Frank Zappa.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Lumpy Gravy Part I.

Side 2: Lumpy Gravy Part II.

Label & Format: Verve – Original matt black and silver format. This includes the original ‘Sold in UK’ etc text.

Label Conditions: Both in lovely clean conditions. Just a tiny few light spindle marks and on this evidence as well as super sound, it looks little played.

Cat Number: SVLP 9223.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm .

Weight of this Record: An impressive 150 grams. The Select repressings are very light and flimsy in comparison. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 140 to 150 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 20 records from these eras. Later pressings were usually lighter still).

Rarity: Rare as a stereo first pressing and even harder to find with a record that has avoided heavy playing. Frank Who?, many would have said when viewing this freaky looking man in the mid-60s – few would have forked out full album price for such a piece. This album did not chart in the UK and is very seldom found as an original in mono or stereo, most that surface are worn or even trashed. Only a mere few Mothers of Invention fans would have brought initial pressings of this album – far too way out for most, and the number of SVLP originals found reflect this fact. Until reissued, this album included a laminated cover with two large inside flipbacks and an absolutely massive thick spine. Far heavier pressed vinyl, this is a thick heavyweight, the originals, whether stereo or mono, include that extra detail, dynamics and fidelity the thinner pressed reissues seem to lack – this is a highly complex record. When this elusive title does makes an appearance, its more often than not, unlistenable or even playable. It must be remembered this album was often bought by certain types of listeners and rarely hi-fi enthusiasts and only seldomly will copies be seen even Very Good. This one is a high grading better than Excellent and plays even better. The cover too, with its huge spine, possible one of the thicknest ever, are most usually totally flattened or crushed, worn and tatty. This does have minor blemishes but remains highly pleasing to the eye and the spine intact and erect. Now over forty-yars-old, this indispensable classic will seldom be found much better and was a joy to hold, view and hear. The mothers and stampers below reitterate just how early this copy is, within the first 300 made with the prized 1 G’s as seen below.

Original Year of Release: 1968 [in the UK].

Etchings and Matrix Nos: V6 8741 A-1G / V6 8741 B-1G

Stamper Codes: 1 G / 1 G

Brief Artist & Album Info: I am always delighted to be able to offer the rare early titles from this great composer and musician, one of the greatest musical minds of all-time. Lumpy Gravy has a special place in the Zappa catalogue; he cited it as his favourite work, and Civilization Phaze III, that was written in his final years, was meant to be it’s completion. This was actually recorded in February 1967 and is one of Zappa’s earliest recordings. It also constitutes Zappa’s most extreme refusal of conventional formats. Although commissioned by Capital Records to ‘write something for an orchestra’ - to the tune of $40,000 - Zappa also included eerily bizarre arrangements of jolly melodies, 30,000 bursts of guitar distortion, sped-up interludes, and bizarre discussions by people who had been placed inside a piano. This was a sure-fire recipe for commercial failure, and pretty much was, it failed to even chart in the UK. Although many of its procedures - collage, fragmentation, parody, humour, documentary - have since become requisites in the ‘postmodern’ academy, Zappa’s writing was too brash and severe for contemporary classical recognition. The back cover showed Zappa in tuxedo and top hat, he is seen leering into the camera - asking ‘Is this Phase 2 of We’re Only in it for the Money?’. Lumpy Gravy was designed as a companion volume to the next classic release, working as its subtle counterpart. Towards the close we hear the words ‘Cos round things are... are boring.’ Then he exhales, as if blowing out smoke. The listener is spiked with discontent, pondering a list of ‘round things’ (smoke rings, circular logic, records...). Despite his repeated condemnation of drugs, Zappa’s attack on the mundane was universally interpreted as dope-fuelled fantasy. In fact, no dope-head could summon the skill and energy to construct Zappa’s surrealist extremes. When the slogan ‘Round Things are Boring’ reappeared on the covers of One Size Fits All in 1975. Zappa’s dedicated, no detail-missed, fans felt contented. Lumpy Gravy appeared in the US album charts for just one week - at 159 (but only in stereo). It failed to chart at all in the UK making original pressings rare – very rare in fine conditions. This was his ‘solo’ debut and a major and very complex work from the genius, that was Frank Zappa.

Cover’s Potential for Wear: Moderate in theory as originals were laminated on both sides and give the originals that huge extra boost in ‘class’. This is a lavish cover with its distinctive and massively thick spine, but is delicate and is usually seen badly creased, crushed or totally flattened.

Cover Grade and Format: EX(-) is probably harsh with there is a little wear and blemishes but looks lovely. A gatefold format, and laminated front and back, a massively wide spine and the inside has two large flipbacks on the top edges (that disappeared along with the laminate flipbacks on the Select reprintings). Printed and made in England by Garrod & Lofthouse and this is the SVLP Stereo format original.

Lamination, Front & Back: The laminate retains a fine shine and clarity but has some dulling around the record’s shape on the back and some mild friction rubs, seen more under light. Practically fully adhered with just two very small blisters on the back spine edge. There are fine marks and minor pressmarks, again mostly visible under angled light, normal viewing reveals little. Any real wear is modest, minor bottom edge rubbing just encroaches into view. A couple of small, fine spine hinge peels have little visual impact. The artwork of the man looks lovely and looks so much better with the laminate to bring out the colour which is vivid and attractive. The laminate on this one does not go round the bottom edges, hence some wear. Given the age and somewhat delicate construction, this is in fine shape.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Some mildish toning or staining to the right edge. A few small tone spots and some set-off where black rests on white, this is normal for this (and other) covers and is near unavoidable. Here modestly light and mainly near the edges. The two large flipbacks are relatively clean and with no damage and overall this inside looks fine.

Top Edge: Apart a corner chip (front right), there is little else to fault. Both very straight too.

Bottom Edge: Moderate rubbing to both.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, both quite sharp with little wear and no feathering. Record enters on the back edge.

Spine and Text: The star part of this original cover, as thick (at least) at the Jethro Tull ‘This Was’ debut album on Island. This one has not been crushed or compressed, hence no creasing to the wide surface. Throughout the years, it has been pushed over to some degree but just as easily pushed back with little effort and stands erect again. Some are flattened beyond this with the ‘backs’ totally broken, not the case here at all. Very solid and straight with just two small laminate peels on the top fold, these possibly lightly tipped-in, if so, very well with little visual impact. The laminate is fully adhered to the wide surfaces and all the huge text pristine perfect, a small section is seen in close-up.

Corners: A little burring to the top of the spine ends, some tip rubbing in context to their respective edge. General neatness is retained by most.

Cover Summary: A rare stereo original and these are never easy even to find. Given the facts, this is an attractive example, blemishes yes, but how many won’t have, let’s be honest. For looks, it totally blows away the standard unlaminated reissues and this should please many collectors. This includes its original plain white, unlined inner that has the ‘Patents Applied for’ text. A little minor ruffling but no heavy creases and the edges mostly solid and secure. A couple of small thins only.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: A lovely EX copy with only minor and few surface blemishes or hairlines. Clean with fine shine, intense black and heavily pressed with deep wide grooves for maximum sound fidelity. A copy lightly played and it appears carefully. As stated, purchased by certain music fans of the time, and many really did not take care of these valuable and rare gems. This has not suffered any old needle traumas and sounds wonderful, it should please most collectors.

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 snippetts 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: The bedrock of any Zappa collection, this amazing record plays even above its high visual grading with practically nothing to fault. Powerful dynamic sound with maximum fidelity from these unworn deep and wide grooves. Sound quality is almost as good as it will ever get from this record with a full dynamic range and all the fine details. A difficult and complex title – it includes dialogue and high-tech sound that rarely will be heard ‘silent’ on vinyl. Here these parts play supremely well and although the very beginning sounds a little muted and unclear, this is quite intentional, correct and normal on this record – even the CD version sounds the same. An intricate and complex work, the vast majority of these would have been damaged or trashed by heavy thick needles from the past. This rare Zappa classic was a joy from start to finish and will rarely be heard this clean, clear and focused. This album was highly technical and is beautifully produced and engineered and still has amazing sound values even today. Any minor sounds are just that, few, light, infrequent and barely any noteworthy clicks were heard. Even the quieter passages play well with few blemshes, truly, few will. This copy will prove very diffcult to find better. I have a heard several disappointing copies of this album in mono and stereo – I refuse to offer them. This record is just how Frank wanted it to be heard.

End Piece: Zappa himself cherished this album and he was a guy who rarely looked back at his own catalogue. The laminated cover is very nice indeed and makes the US and UK Verve select reissues look drab in comparison. The cover states ‘Francis Vincent Zappa, conducts Lumpy Gravy, a curiously inconsistent piece which started out to be a ballet but probably didn’t make it.’ It includes Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (with maybe even some of the Mothers of Invention) – What the cover does NOT states is: a brilliantly bizarre and original record from one of the greatest musical minds of the 20th-century – but it really should have done. The cornerstone of any Zappa vinyl collection, but Frankly, possibly not the best place to start if you are unfamiliar or about to start a Zappa collection for the first time – this is an uncommercial and complex work – maybe better to try the ‘easier’ material and work your way into the mind of a genius. A challenging album, one of around 60 essential records he made. For those who need this title or have an ear and mind to try him out, this strong original UK stereo copy is far too scarce and good to let slip the Net, its a copy I can strongly recommend, but not quite for the connoisseur or highly discerning collector, I always try to be as honest as I possibly can.

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 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon 2M moving magnet cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth 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 - PLEASE SEE MY TYPICAL PACKING BOX PICTURE.

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 heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth 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 thick boxes (NOT Mailers or Cruciforms, these do not offer maximum protection). The record(s) 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 THREE or EVEN FOUR 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. 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. Please see my picture of a typical finished box packet that will now be used on ALL transactions as from now. 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. These 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 6,000+ items sold in over 8 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 stiffners 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 FOUR 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); 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 timewasters. 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 neccessarily 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’.