FRANK ZAPPA Lumpy Gravy RARE VLP ORIG UK 68 MONO LP

	£		118
	$		156

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Postage: UK £4. Europe £10. Rest of World £14. ALL signed for. – NOTE: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment.

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 intense black and silver format. MGM credits and includes the original ‘Sold in UK’ etc text. Side one has the embossed ‘K T’ tax codes, botb pristine as made.

Label Conditions: Side one label is superb, with just a couple of very fine and faint spindle traces seen under light. Side two has s gre long spindle marks, but not many. Clearly the original owner played side one a small number of times, but probably not side two. For a few more adventurous record buyers of the time, this could have been a curiosity purchase and not all would have liked it. Hence I feel, a possibly more ‘heavy-handed’ owner hardly played this record more than a couple of times which for a mono copy of this rare Zappa album, is good news. Even the marks on side two show little with normal viewing and both labels remain very attractive and fresh looking.

Cat Number: VLP 9223.

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm .

Weight of this Record: 135 grams. A good solid weight for this or any record.

Rarity: Rare in stereo but very rare indeed in mono with very even pressed and less even sold. 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. ‘Lumpy Gravy’ is a true mono record as well with different mix and sound presentation. It remains one of the most elusive in Frank’s entire catalogue and was not even officially issued in his native US in mono – a mere few were pressed as DJ promos. 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 VLP originals found reflect this fact. Like all the Mothers’ monos, this was not repressed again. Initially (in both modes) this album included a laminated cover with two large inside flipbacks and an absolutely massive thick spine (as seen in close-up). The Select Verve reissues (only in stereo) had a plain matt cover, much thinner, standard spine, no flipbacks and a totally different catalogue number. The vinyl much thinner pressed too. It still amazes me how many early 70s reissues are offered as first pressings or ‘originals’. The geniune first pressings, 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, it’s more often than not, unlistenable or even playable. For those tiny few who bought this in mono, practically all did so to play on the appropriate equipment of the day, not for the difference the mix offered. 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 record has survived extremely well and offers supreme sound that direct you directly into Zappa’s recording studio. Just one small mark on side one emits half a dozen light ticks but little else. The cover too, with i’ts huge spine, possible one of the thicknest ever, are most usually totally flattened or badly crushed, worn and tatty. This does have a considerable central crack which is hardly unusual, but still is still erect and most of the text present and undamaged except that area (this seen in close-up). Now over 44-years-old, this indispensable classic will seldom be found a great deal better. I am always seeking out quality Zappa albums, and this now has proved to be the most difficult to find, especially in decent condition – and this one is way be than ‘decent’. The mothers and stampers below prove this to be an ultimate first issue – ‘G’ being the first in the sequence. But being honest, they will go little further as so few were ever made anyway. I have seen a small few ‘R’ and ‘A’ in stereo, but did the mono ever get beyond ‘G’? So arguably, the very rarest Zappa standard issue made in the UK. It really will be seldom seen or offered and this is very nice indeed.

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

Etchings and Matrix Nos: V 8741 A-1 / 6 8741 B-1

Stamper Codes: 1 G / 1 G

Brief Artist & Album Info: “The way I see it, Barry, this should be a very dynamite show” – the classic opening line of the Zappa’s first solo masterwork ‘Lumpy Gravy’ – one of his personal, prized and complex albums from his amazing catalogue that now spans six decades – it remained his own personal favourite and Zappa was not a man to dwell back on his previous albums in a big way.

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; ‘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 it’s 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 it’s 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. This album appeared in the US album charts for just one week - at 159 (but only in stereo). It’s failure to chart at all in the UK make original pressings rare – very rare in anything like top conditions – the run of pressings on this was very small indeed, I have never seen a stamper go beyond ‘A’ on a stereo, and I would be surprised if many monos made it past ‘G’, which in theory means within 300 to 500 copies. This album will always be a cornerstone of any Zappa collection and the mono mix original is almost legendary, here with all the glorious sound and details totally intact with practically the sound of the mastertape itself – this was the genius that was Frank Zappa.

Cover’s Potential for Wear: Moderate in theory as originals were laminated on both sides. These give the originals that huge extra boost in ‘class’. This is a lavish cover with it’s distinctive and massively thick spine, but is delicate and is usually seen badly crushed or even totally flattened. As stated above, this does have a deepish crack near the centre, but this is the only major blemish on what is still a super example. That wonderful spine often causes laminate issues too, as the spine flattens it causes the laminate to lift and crack, often forming huge blisters and vast creases that creep into the cover. Also, rarely seen with laminate that can be considered shiny, most become dulled and with considerable rim impression from the thick record. When this classic sleeve is seen somewhere near it’s best, it is a thing of beauty and art – an historically important piece from this master-musician’s early catalogue.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(–): a gatefold format, laminated front and back with the massively wide spine. The inside has two large external flipbacks on the top edges (these disappeared along with the laminate and wide spine on the Select reprintings). These first covers were printed and made in England by Garrod & Lofthouse and this (of course) includes the much rarer VLP Mono catalogue number.

Lamination – Front & Back: Although a poor seller initially, this cover over the years has become one of the rock classics – the younger Zappa wearing the famous PIPCO tee-shirt. This one has aged a little, but still looks impressive – this difference the laminate makes compared to the matt later ones is immense. The main issue is the crack on the spine which has put a mildish crease on the front on that edge along with a couple of other finer ones. These are rarely avoided. Any other creasing is light and few – a few edge hairline types and around half a dozen fine half moons in total that show little. Adhesion is impressive and near total with just a tiny blister on the top left corner tip and the same on the back bottom right. I have seen few with less than that and this makes a vast difference in appearance. The especially is very shiny with minimal traces of any dulling. The back has record rim dulling but only light in context. Clarity and even a high degree of freshness is retained and that famous early picture of Frank is impressive with rich intense colour. Not pristine enough for the perfectionist, but these mono originals are so scarce and elusive, sometimes compromise has to be made, this remains a strong example with just enough to remind of it’s vast age.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Quite impressive overall and aged little. Both the top external flipbacks are solid and undamaged and their ends have avoided any pulling. The bottom edge has no laminate end, this being the manufactured trimmed version, a tiny few has laminate covering the bottom edges and ending inside. The general lack of set-off where black rests upon white, is unsually good news, any traces are very light and faint indeed.

Top Edges: A couple of tiny surface chips on the back, little else to fault, these are both laminated.

Bottom Edges: The more delicate front has a little mild rubbing, the back has little to fault, these were not laminated, hence more vulnerable.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Both edges are open and there are NO adhesive lines inside, so both manufacrtured that way. These show little wear and are still quite sharp with any thickening or burring light and modest.

Spine and Text: This at least as thick as the debut ‘This Was’ Jethro Tull cover and few will ever survive unscathed. As can be seen on my close-up picture, this has a central deepish crack that has lost an ‘s’ in the word ‘Orchestra’. That apart, practically all other text is present and near perfect. The spine still erect with minimal compression and no crushing. This has not been flattened and rammed back into shape – such examples that have been, will only fall flat again fast – and I can reassure, this one won’t. The crack is by some distance the only real issue on this cover as such and is not pretty I suppose. But I for one, would prefer to view the main faces which still do look impressive. And the record itself will prove more than ample compensation.

Corners: Tipping rubbing on the bottom right front but the others show little wear and retain very fine or better shape. Even the spine top and bottom ends are very neat indeed remaining crisp and uncrushed.

Cover Summary: A very rare mono original and these are hugely elusive and at least three to four times rarer than the still scarce stereo version. This is still an attractive example overall, and my grading arguably a little harsh, but the spine crack has to be taken into consideration of course. For looks, it totally blows away the standard unlaminated reissues and this should please many collectors, but not the perfectionists.

The Inner Sleeve: NEAR EXCELLENT: a plain white unlined inner that has aged a llittle with a crease on the front and back. Genearlly clean with record impression but all edges unsplit with no repairs.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: NEAR EXCELLENT: with one very small mark on side one that emits half a dozen light ticks. Under light, some fine and light surface marks that have NO effect on sound, and overall, this rare mono record is in very fine condition. Simply compare to many ‘underground’ rarities of this era. Most are seen swathed in mulitudes of spindle marks, the playing surfaces badly marked, grubby and dulled, often with deep penetrating scratches. Arguably worst still – distortion and sound degrading – the invisible peril of the mono record. Often played with a blunt or badly misaligned stylus that stripped that delicate information from this complex record. This has NO such issues and all those incredible details are still clear, precise and present. Clean with a very fine shine, intense black and solidly pressed with deep wide grooves for maximum sound fidelity. A copy lightly played I feel sure, this still offers mastertape audio quality – especially when played on a worthy system. You will not hear this mix on CD and I feel it will always be the case, this classic is unique to the original vinyl format. As stated, mostly purchased by certain music fans of the time, and many really did not take care of these valuable and rare gems – this just gives mere hints of usage and handling, but I feel sure the owner was impressed enough to play it many times. This has not suffered any old needle traumas and sounds wonderful – the one tiny mark apart, 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 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 minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: The bedrock of any Zappa collection, this amazing record plays up to and most all exceeds it’s still impressive visual grading with very little nothing to fault. Powerful dynamic sound with maximum fidelity from these unworn deep and wide grooves. Sound quality is 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 with any surface sound minimal, gentle and faint – very little in fact. I have mentioned the brief few light ticks already. Although the very beginning sounds a little unclear, this is quite intentional, correct and normal on this recording – 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 stylus from the past. This rare Zappa classic was a pleasure from start to finish and will rarely be heard this clean, clear, precise and focused, especially in mono. Highly technical, beautifully produced and engineered and still has amazing sound values. A very first pressing – the mothers and stamper codes do not lie – this one will prove immensely difficult 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 and nothing else will do for me.

End Piece: Zappa himself cherished this album and he was a guy who seldom looked back at his own catalogue. Finding a mono copy with only relatively light issues is unusual, make no mistake. 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 state 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 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 is a very respectable original copy. It merits strong recommendation – how long before I find another?

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’.