VARIOUS, Picnic (RARE 1970 HARVEST DBL)(PINK FLOYD)

	£		38
	$		50

ARTIST: VARIOUS ARTISTS ON HARVEST (inc: PINK FLOYD, DEEP PURPLE, PRETTY THINGS, KEVIN AYERS, SYD BARRETT, BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST & FOREST)

TITLE: ‘PICNIC – A BREATH OF FRESH AIR’

FORMAT: DOUBLE VINYL LP

YEAR OF 1ST RELEASE: 1970

PRESSING: 1ST

LABEL: HARVEST

CAT. NO: SHSS 1

MATRIX NO. SIDE A: SHSS 1 A-2

MATRIX NO. SIDE B: SHSS 1 B-1

MATRIX NO. SIDE C: SHSS 2 A-1

MATRIX NO. SIDE D: SHSS 2 B-1

RECORD CONDITION: NEAR MINT

Other than being a wonderful sampler for the diverse range of music on the brilliant Harvest label back in 1970, this double album has the added inducement for collectors of Pink Floyd music in that it features a very rare track with ‘Embryo’. The history of this recording is that it’s a half realised demo that apparently appeared on this collection by accident, but seeing as it has subsequently only ever turned up on the scarce 1980’s Floyd compilation album ‘Works’ it remains a fascinating little addition to the Pink Floyd back catalogue only available as a first pressing through this album. Elsewhere, Floyd fans can delight in the stunning audio that is breathtakingly apparent on this early vinyl cut of Syd Barrett’s solo ‘Terrapin’, while other psychedelic, proggy and trippy highlights are available on stand out selections by Forest, Roy Harper, The Battered Ornaments, Pete Brown & Piblokto and a great early tune by Barclay James Harvest! One impressive thing about record label samplers from this period is that they weren’t afraid to use some of their artist’s strongest material and care was obviously taken with the running order, ensuring that this double album works as a continuous listening experience.

This Near Mint grade applies to both these extremely well maintained albums. They both have the shiny, pristine appearance of new vinyl and neither of them have any damage, absolutely nothing other than the vaguest suggestion that both records have been played a maximum of two or three times. The spindle wear, or lack of it, backs up this theory, this is not the kind of wear caused by heavy usage! Both records have no marks or defects in the vinyl, there is nothing other than the very occasional, totally non-sounding paper scuff. There is an absolute minimum of surface noise to report, the run-in grooves are close to silent, and even better is the fact that over all four sides I only heard one or two faint pops, if that!

COVER CONDITION: EXCELLENT

This is a front laminated gatefold sleeve with typically Floydesque cover art by the Hipgnosis team. This really is a fine example of a well cared for album cover, spared the usual complaints that attach themselves to 34 year old record covers - such as un-sticking, badly scuffed edges and ring-wear. None of that applies here, this is a record cover maintained to an excellent standard and any signs of age and wear are very minor indeed. The laminate that wraps all the outers is still 99% unharmed, all that there is to show that this cover has been handled a little bit is a few light laminate creases and a small split in the laminate along the spine which is not a serious piece of damage. The spine itself is still firm, upright and clearly legible. The top and bottom edges are smooth and unblemished. The front and back sleeves do not have any ring-wear but you can make out a faint circular impression of a record when holding the cover up to light. The inner spread that displays the great Harvest label albums from the period hasn’t retained quite the bright colourful gloss of the outer sleeves simply because it has not been protected all these years by a laminate covering. Overall, this is a good looking piece of art (yes art, that’s basically what these classic gatefold sleeves were) that has been looked after very well indeed.

ANY OTHER DETAILS: STEREO

TRACKLISTING:

Side One

‘Into The Fire’ – Deep Purple

‘Mother Dear – Barclay James Harvest

‘Embryo’ – Pink Floyd

‘Twisted Track’ – The Battered Ornaments

‘Glenlogie’ – Shirley & Dolly Collins

Side Two

‘The Good Mr. Square’ – Pretty Things

‘Song Of The Ages’ – Roy Harper

‘This Worried Feeling’ – Bakerloo

‘Eleanor’s Cake Which Ate Her’ – Kevin Ayers

‘Again And Again’ – The Greatest Show On Earth

Side Three

‘Water’ – Third Ear Band

‘Terrapin’ – Syd Barrett

‘A Glade Somewhere’ – Forest

‘Golden Country Kingdom’ – Pete Brown & Piblokto

‘Round And Round’ – Panama Limited

Side Four

‘Black Sheep Of The Family’ – Quatermass

‘Postcards Of Scarborough’ – Michael Chapman

‘Maybe My Mind (With Egg) – Tea & Symphony

‘Old Gopher’ – Edgar Broughton Band

PLEASE IGNORE THE DATE ON MY PHOTOS, IT'S WRONG AND I CAN'T SEEM TO GET RID OF IT!

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