SPRING...UK ORIGINAL RCA NEON 1971 CLASSIC PROG EX COND

	£		500
	$		663

                 **   PLEASE READ FULLY BEFORE YOU BID **

• FULLY PLAY-CHECKED PRIOR TO LISTING. 
• DETAILED CONDITION REVIEW & GRADING OF THIS ALBUM ARE GIVEN BELOW.
• A PROTECTIVE RESERVE PRICE HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE ALBUM .
• POSTAGE RATES ARE GIVEN BELOW  (POSTAGE IS NOT FREE )
• PLEASE WAIT TO BE INVOICED BEFORE PAYING.

                           SPRING  -  album of the same name

UK original 1971 issue on RCA Neon 6 produced by Gus Dudgeon.

Matrix stamps (run-offs) Side 1. AGBS 0522-A-1    Side 2. AGBS 0522-B-1

VINYL....in EXCELLENT condition. Clean, healthy playing surfaces, near silent run-ins , audio quality is excellent.  Just the faintest hint of micro-static in a couple of places but only similar to that on some brand new records . 1-2 extremely faint one-off low level noises (not clicks) on the entire album  which were barely audible. Examination under a bright light and magnification revealed just the lightest of superficial hairlines and a couple microscopic marks. Nothing significant noted that adversely affected the sound reproduction. No scratches (other than the hairlines), no clicks, no scuffs, no groove wear. An extremely nice original example, well cared for and now highly collectable.

A rock solid EXCELLENT grade is appropriate (in accordance with the record gradings below).

RECORD LABELS....both sides are EXCELLENT , one ultra faint spindle trace .

INNER SLEEVE....it's the black original and EXCELLENT, polylined with only very light corner undulations/wrinkles .

TRIPLE GATEFOLD COVER ....in EXCELLENT condition, clean, solid edges, no tears or repairs, no biro writing, no creases, no scuffs. There are some small spots of print rubbed/lifted inside the gatefold , none on the outside panels (see pics) . Corners have the very mildest of wear/rubs in keeping with being almost 40 years old. Minor external signs of storage/handling on picture panels. Spines are in excellent condition.

Supplied in a protective polythene outer cover.

Track List.......

01.The Prisoner (Eight By Ten)
02.Grail
03.Boats
04.Shipwrecked Soldier
05.Golden Fleece
06.Inside Out
07.Song To Absent Friends (The Island)
08.Gazing

Spring, from Leicestershire (same area of England that brought us bands like Family and Pesky Gee/Black Widow) was one of many British prog rock bands that was not very well known, but their one and only album is a wonderful example of early progressive rock. And if you're a mellotron fan, then you really should own this album, since the band is credited with three guys playing mellotron (vocalist Pat Moran, guitarist Ray Martinez, and keyboardist Kips Brown). Another musician of note in this band was drummer Pick Withers (who was then known as Picque Withers). He would later be a member of Dire Straits.

Following a gig in Cardiff , Spring's touring van broke down on the way home leaving the band stranded. It was then that fate dealt one of its kinder blows for the first car to stop and help them was being driven by Kingsley Ward who owned Rockfield Recording Studios. Inviting the band to audition, Ward snapped them up for management, being heavily influenced by their mellotron driven progressive rock. 

Prior to the release of their self-titled debut album, Spring toured the UK supporting Velvet Underground and also played with the likes of Keith Christmas and the Sutherland Brothers.

The album is full of goodies like "The Prisoner (Eight by Ten)", "Grail", the acoustic singalong "Boats", "Shipwrecked Soldier" and the mellotron epic "Golden Fleece". "Song to Absent Friends (The Island)" is the odd piece here but then the song segues in to "Gazing" which goes back to the mellotron-heavy prog rock the band is best known for. Some elements of the album hint at parallels to the King Crimson classic - In The Court Of The Crimson King .

The album was recorded live in the studio with the only overdubbing being the acoustic guitar. If you're a fan of such early British prog acts as Beggars Opera, Cressida, Gracious, Fantasy, or even the Moody Blues then you are almost certain to enjoy Spring's music.

Record Gradings

Mint = Unplayed, undamaged, possibly still sealed in shrinkwrap. Accompanying booklet, lyric sheet or poster should be perfect. Should play without fault.

Excellent = Played but very well cared for, may have some hairlines or paper grazes on playing surface but none which are significantly audible although perhaps the occasional micro-noise similar to static may be present. Cover may have very light general wear or crease/light corner fold but no rips/splits.

Very Good = Played many times but plays well without major deterioration in sound quality. Playing surfaces may have some marks and /or a few superficial scratches which will be no more than lightly audible in parts. Cover and paper contents may have general signs of usage and storage without significant damage.

Good = Heavily played with noticeable surface marks and/or scratches which will be audible, possibly throughout. No skips or jumps despite the prescence of some crackles, clicks and pops. Cover and paper contents may have heavy creases, edge scuffs, stains, annotations, splits and discolouration.

PAYMENT - (required within 5 days) by one of the following methods....Paypal  , UK GBP personal cheque (UK account only - cheque to clear) , £ Postal Orders, or International Money Order drawn in sterling. 

FEEDBACK - first by you on receipt of the item, then reciprocated by me. 

MAILING COSTS / POSTAGE RATES....

UK £7.50.... Special Delivery (next day delivery &  fully insured)

Europe £11.50 .... International Signed For/Recorded Delivery (includes insurance up to £500)

Rest Of The World (USA , Japan etc) £15.50..... International Signed For/Recorded Delivery (includes insurance up to £500)

Every effort is made to mail the item out within 48 hours of receipt of payment. 

If there is a problem then email me first to resolve the matter amicably.