JUDY HENSKE & JERRY YESTER Farewell Aldebaran RARE N/M LP.

	£		132
	$		158

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Postage: UK £4.75. Europe (including Russia) £12.50. Rest of World £16.50. All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all. More details on this nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment. I try to keep my P&P prices as low as possible even yet another Royal Mail price hike, I will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably a little heavier.

Artist or Band: JUDY HENSKE & JERRY YESTER

Album Title: Farewell Aldebaran.

Producer(s): Jerry Yester & Zal Yanovsky.

Executive Producer: Herb Cohen.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Snowblind; Horses on a Stick; Lullaby; St Nicholas Hall; Three Ravens.

Side 2: Raider; One More Time; Rapture; Charity; Farewell Aldebaran.

Label/Format: Straight – US pink version, matt and smooth with one quite deep ring ridge.

Label Condition: A stunning clean pair that could pass for new. No spindle marks or traces of handling, an immaculate pair of US Straights – AND, never to be taken for granted, this copy plays with perfect sound.

Cat Number: STS 1052.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 133 grams. A very good weight for a American record from this time.

Country of Manufacture: US: this album was also issued in the UK, but did not included the Straight inner.

Rarity: This album wherever it was pressed is pretty rare; the US copies probably show up the most but still elusive especially in Europe. I have always found the best pressings of this album to be American and this truly looks like new and plays the same. If not for owning a copy almost the same, I would not be putting this up for sale, an album I really love, and one to do it superb justice. This is beautifully recorded and produced and Judy Henske’s vocals are simply breathtaking. Straight records were often inconsistent for pressing quality – they were known ‘Loss Leaders’ with little commercial potential and I feel quality control was variable. So often invisible (but very audible) pressings noises, crackle and even distortion are heard, the is album often suffers. Thus I would never buy this album (or indeed others on Straight) unless I can hear it first. This copy is simply fantastic and can be played with total confidence, I cannot remember hearing anything unwanted at all. Of course, little in life is ever ‘perfect’, and this imported copy has the usual corner cut, but that apart, it is again possibly the best cover I have seen for this album. Many, including my own, have sticker marks or tears and most usually suffer considerable ring wear which this has largely avoided. But the most important factor bar none, is the sound quality, and this likely unplayed record (prior to my mandatory sound-check) is simply superb and nigh-on flawless. Such copies are rare, make no mistake.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: STS-1052-A RE / STS-1052-B RE

Brief Artist & Album Info: I have listed this as ‘folk’ – but it is not folk as we know it. A wonderful album and a one-off release on Zappa’s early Straight label, it is regarded by many fans of this label as possibly the very best – Captain Beefheart, Tim Buckley and Alice Cooper fans will argue against this of course. Zappa and Straight specialised in artists and bands that were ‘a little different’ which most mainstream labels at the time would simply not touch, and on paper this looks probably the most accessible issue on this label, and probably just about is – but there are twists of course. Farewell Aldebaran is a very surreal kind of folk with strong psych overtones. Judy Henske has the most amazing voice, delicate one minute then soaring away with stunning power and control. A husband and wife team, Jerry wrote the music and Judy the lyrics. It was produced by Jerry also with Zal Yanovsky. The real sting in the tail on this wonderful album is the final title song, all is quite ‘normal’ for the first minute or two and then the vocals go completely crazy sounding like the robots from the retro ‘Smash’ advert from yester-year – this has to be heard to be believed. Zappa was clearly a huge fan of this album with ‘all the joy it manifests’ – he was of course right, this album cannot really be compared to anything else I have ever heard, its totally unique. As listed above, this is a US pressing and it really does look unplayed. I have not had a worthy copy of this for around seven years, one or two have shown up, but rejected due to pressing issues and poor sound. This one blew me away totally and I fail to see or hear how this record could be beaten. The cover is not perfect as it had the almost mandatory corner cut, but that apart, it is one of the best I have seen, and even with this flaw, betters my own. If, like many I would suggest, you have not heard this title, I give it a huge thumbs up and strongly recommend it, after a couple of plays you will be hooked. Zappa’s choice of issuing this gently off-beat and slightly ‘out-there’ psych-folk classic was nothing short of inspired. Do not lose this one.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): that is NOT taking into account of the right corner diagonal cut – no-one can put a grade on that, it purely a subjective flaw and purely a matter of opinion. So many of the obscure imported albums had corner cuts, saw cuts and drill holes, few ever avoid them and I consider this ‘normal’. A gatefold format and unlaminated with gently textured surfaces. The inside has the lyrics and with the paste-on style paper. Printed in the USA and includes its original Straight inner.

Cover Front: Very clean with very psychedelic, bright artwork with only minimal rub traces and no sticker marks or pulls – that is always a bonus on this cover which rarely seems to escape them. I have mentioned the bottom right corner diagonal cut already. The top right corner has a crease both sides and a little rubbing on the left pair, but little else. Clean, fresh and very attractive with barely any creasing and no ring marks. Not for the perfectionist of course, but it will take a lot of beating.

Cover Back: Same picture viewed normally now. A faint rim rub near the bottom edge but little else, very rarely will this be seen devoid of often heavy ring wear. The left edge as per the front – diagonally cut – some creasing to the others. All said, the least wear I have ever seen on this unforgiving cover.

Cover Inner Gatefold: The corner issues apart, this centrefold is nigh-on perfect, clean and ultra fresh.

Top Edges: Straight with minimal rubbing and no splits or repairs.

Bottom Edges: Largely the same again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Again impressive being clean and sharp, the closed front has a reall folded edge with just a small rub near the top and a trace at the bottom. The back entrance is sharp with no burring and barely any thickening, this guaranteed untrimmed.

Spine and Text: Solid, thick and robust, also straight and erect with no crushing or compression. Practically all the text present and ultra clear and sharp, just the odd tiny character clip being critical. Almost remarkably for a cover like this, both folds are barely worn with just small rubs to the very top and bottom. No splits and barely any rubbing on the face as can be seen on my spine close-up pictures.

Corners: I have already mentioned the corner issues above – bottom right cut – others have tip creasing and a little rubbing.

Cover Summary: A rare Straight cover with most of any flaws being on the corners and little else. It still looks very impressive indeed and few will better. Again, not the perfectionist, but realistically, it will seldom be seen much better and on that basis, it should please many, if not most collectors.

The Straight Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT: but looks even better. The only reason this unlined inner is marked down a little is for edge movement splits. I have very neatly repaired them to stop them potentially widening. Now neat and little evidence they were even there. This fragile matt thin paper inner is very clean, fresh and attractive with barely any creasing and no ring wear. This has just one tiny corner cut, much small than the main cover. The top opening edge is recessed and ultra crisp and sharp, a lovely Straight inner, the UK examples did not include this.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT(-): and as close to full Mint as I could ever imagine a vintage imported record ever looking. One time has overlooked, this really does have the hallmarks of an unplayed record, but for sure, at least one play after my mandatory sound-check. I take nothing for granted on any record, especially Straight. This Zappa label I know very well indeed as I own just about everthing on it. Pressing quality to say the least is variable, but this plays SUPERBLY. All those wonderful Judy Hensky vocals are pristine, clear and precise with no crackle, clipping or distortion. An almost supreme visual copy that has deep shine, ultra clean, intense black and very solidly pressed. With two nigh-on pristine labels and any surface traces minuscule (or less). A copy barely even run-in on all the evidence and visually this will rarely, if ever, be found better.

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: This immaculate record plays up to it’s very high visual grading and I heard nothing to fault. This album has a very powerful production and loud sound with a powerful intenseness. As stated Zappa was a huge fan of this pair, describing Judy as ‘highly pinchable’ on his Zapped Straight sampler album, he would not have invited them to record on Straight if that was not the case and Aldebaran has links to the great man’s own catalogue. This is a super find, how many will survive in this outstanding condition will be few. This American pressing is superb and all the frequencies are sharp and clear with no inherent pressing distortion or noises. At times, Judy’s vocals are simply breathtaking and the complex looking grooves are totally unworn – this has been a favourite for many years and even though I own a very nice copy, I am almost reluctant to let this go. An album for the musically more adventurous and if you have yet to discover ‘Farewell Aldebaran’, please give it a try – a magnificent and totally original album that deserves a good home. I do not think a better, available copy of this record will be found. Even with fairly mild (corner cuts taken as normal) cover wear, this is unreservedly recommended, a mini classic and a fairly well-kept secret still waiting to be discovered for some.

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 Terrarium Black 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 10,000+ items sold in over 12 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 2 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). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask 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] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £8. (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 [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced 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 [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced 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’.