PEARLS BEFORE SWINE - 1968 - "Balaklava" - RARE & OBSCURE PSYCH

$

28

SYNOPSIS

A record that virtually defies categorization, Pearls Before Swine's 1968 epic Balaklava is the near-brilliant follow-up to One Nation Underground. Intended as a defiant condemnation of the Vietnam War, it doesn't offer anthemic, fist-pounding protest songs. Instead, Rapp vented his anger through surrealist poetry, irony, and historical reference: Balaklava was the 1854 Crimean War battle that inspired Alfred, Lord Tennyson to write his epic The Charge of the Light Brigade; in reality, the "Charge" was a senseless military action that killed scores of British soldiers. Balaklava begins with "Trumpeter Landfrey," an 1880's recording of the actual voice and bugle charge of the man who sounded the charge at Balaklava. It makes the transition into "Translucent Carriages," a mix of acoustic guitars, a basic vocal, and ghostly narration ("Jesus raised the dead...but who will raise the living?"), all the more stunning. "Images of April" continues the mystical feel, combining flutes, cricket chirps, and frog croaks for a nether-worldly effect. Rapp virtually cries "I Saw the World," backed by a powerful string arrangement that makes the song even more impassioned. Like One Nation Underground, Balaklava is somewhat unfocused: "There Was a Man" is a little too Dylan-esque, and Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" detracts from Rapp's compositions. Unfortunately, the record closes with "Ring Thing," a morbid piece that refers to Tolkien's famous Lord of the Rings trilogy. Still, this is superb psychedelic music, successfully merging exotic instruments like marimba, clavinet, French horn, and swinehorn with Rapp's unique lisping vocals. But Balaklava isn't just acid-trip background music. It's probably the best example of what Rapp calls "constructive melancholy" (also the name of a recent CD collection of Pearls songs), a combination of the real with the surreal, and it's indispensable to any serious '60s rock collection.

PAYMENTS

PAYMENT PROCESS: Following the auction's completion, eBay will send the buyer a draft invoice notification. In the case of a simple one item transaction the buyer can pay from that draft invoice. In the case of multiple items warranting a combined shipment with discounted postal costs (from that received from eBay) a manual invoice must be initiated by the seller in order to reflect the applicable discount.

PAYMENT METHOD: PayPal is the required payment method as it results in a more streamlined and expedited process for both the buyer and the seller

PAYMENT DEADLINE: The seller has thoughtfully committed to shipping within one day following payment. If would be appreciated if the buyer would reciprocate with payment by one day after receipt of invoice.

SHIPPING

Disclosure of Shipping & Handling (S&H) Fee: This fee ($1.40) is for the safe delivery of your purchase to your doorstep. It is a cost reimbursement for the following expenditures: (1) specialized lp mailer costing $.95, (2) polyurethane sleeve for vinyl jacket protection ($.20), inner sleeve if needed ($.09) and delivery confirmation of ($.20). No other costs are reimbursed only those that relate directly to a safe arrival of your product, please keep this in mind when considering the total shipping costs.  

Postal Calculation: I use the eBay/USPS postage calculation tool in order for determining postage costs. This tool calculates postage amounts based upon a shipments destination, shipping type, weight, options, and S&H fee.

Packing Procedure & Precautions: As many buyers, and prospective buyers, inquire and/or request details about the packing process I thought that I would disclose it upfront as follows: (1) Vinyl is removed from jacket to prevent seam splits, (2) Jacket is inserted into a 4 mil. polyurethane sleeve in order to reduce that chance of damage. (3) Vinyl is placed in an inner sleeve and placed inside the poly urethane alongside, and not within, the jacket. (4) Protected item is then shipped in a 200 lb. test "bend resistant" corrugated cardboard protective lp mailer with materia packed inside the mailer to ensure that the record does not slide side to side.

Shipping options: Buyer decides what shipping method he wishes to utilize which boils down to using the less expensive Vs the more dependable and quicker. Domestic shipping (United States ONLY) can use the less expensive Media Mail or the more dependable Priority Mail. For International shipping, the less expensive method would be First Classs International and the more dependable would be Priority International.

RETURNS

Buyers have a fourteen (14) day period, from delivery date, to exercise their option of returns. The only stipulation that I request is that it is for an objective, and not subjective, reason. Vinyl collectors and enthusiasts are well aware that grading is extremely subjective and in the end is simply just one persons opinion. A difference of opinion on a vinyl's "Proper" or "Correct" grade is a someething that is difficult to agree on. That being the case, gradine alone will not be grounds for a refund. I make a concerted efort grade (conservatively) each record the very best that I can ensuring a fair grade. I have no intention of taking advantage of any buyer which is also why I don't sell my vinyl that is less than VG+ condition (those get donated and many are very collectible). On the other hand, if the reason is objective such as I adverttised a "Original " release but it turned out to be a "Resissue" or if it was advertised as "Still Sealed", but arrived otherwise then those would also be returnable. Items not delivered, or delivered damaged, shoud FIRST be address with your local postal servce.

GRADING SCALE

Vinyl is graded on a visual basis, primarily due to time constraints and the sheer volume (thousands) of records that I am selling. I use very bright lights and magnifiers to look for flaws and have been doing so for almost forty years. Grading scale is as follow:

Mint (M): - Still Sealed, if opened the grading should NOT be Mint

Near MInt (NM): - Looks like if just came from the retail store and opened for the very first time (i.e. nearly perfect). Shiny vinyl with NO visible defects. No writing, stickers, markings etc either on the jacket or vinyl. Near Mint records do not have to be "unplayed" as an used record can also be in Near Mint condition after many plays providing it had been properly cared for.

Excellent (EX) This is a record that appears to be Near Mint at first glance but upon thorough evaluation can be seen to have a blemish or minimal mark. As a Near Mint is in perfect condition, this grade is just a small step down in the grading level.

Very Good Plus (VG+): - These records will show some slight signs of wear, including scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK and can fall into this category. Minor signs of handling are OK also, such as telltale marks around the center hole where repeated playing could have enlarged or damaged the hole. There may also be light ring wear or discoloration, but is should not be overwhelming. Very Good Plus jackets should have minor wear such as a very minor seam wear or split (less than one inch long) at one of the seams most likely the bottom which iis the most vulnerable location. A VG+ may have some defacing such as cut-out markings (corner cut or punch holes).

Very Good (VG): - These records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in NM, EX and VG+ condition. They may lack the original gloss found on factory fresh records, groove wear is evident as are light scratches that may be deep enough to feel with a fingernail. The Very Good Plus record could have minor surface noise and some scratches may be audible most likely in the intros and space between songs but not at a level to overpower the music. - Minor writing, tape or sticker may exist on the jacket and/or label. These records remain a fine listening experience. Very Good Plus jackets will have many sings of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or around the edges of the cover will be obvious.