ZAPPA / MOI Freak Out - SCARCE UK 1971 Verve 2 N/M LPs

	£		159
	$		211

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Artist or Band: THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION

Album Title: Freak Out! (original first pressed UK single album version).

Producer(s): Tom Wilson.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Hungry Freaks Daddy; I Ain’t Got No Heart; Who Are the Brain Police?; Go Cry On Somebody Else’s Shoulder*; Motherly Love; How Could I Be Such a Fool*.

Side 2: Wowie Zowie; You Didn’t Try to Call Me; Anyway the Wind Blows*; I’m Not Satisfied; You’re Probably Wondering Why I’m Here.

Side 3: Trouble Every Day (Original full version); Help, I’m a Rock.

Side 4: The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet.

* Denotes, not included on the original 1966 UK version.

Label/Format: Verve – intense black and silver format with matt finish. Later Select Verve pressings were more a grey-black and pressed much thinner. (Please see my label scan for any information needed).

Label Condition: Four superb examples that retain real freshness and fine good looks. Any of the tiny few spindle marks are small and very faint. Without any doubt, this early select repress, and first FULL UK version, has hardly been played.

Cat Number: 2683004 / Select.

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 these Records: 121 / 125 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 140 to 150 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 20 records from these eras. Later pressings were usually lighter still).

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Scarce and quite honestly little easier to find than the single album original. The 1966 single stereo version is very rare indeed and possibly the rarest Mothers album ever made. This Select repressing is now back to the correct original US format - a double album and now including the three missing songs omitted from the original UK version. Also ‘Trouble Ever Day’ is back to the original full length version. I can only assume the original UK issue was issued on a budget and cut down to a single album to save costs. What chance did a debut album from a weird bunch of Americans have of selling here?, hence it’s great rarity, especially in stereo. This early 1970s repressing (if ‘repressing’ indeed is the correct term), also has the gatefold cover which the 1966 UK original didn’t, so never dismiss this album as a ‘reissue’. It’s a highly significant copy, the first full version issued in the UK. With this copy I also include two very special repro inserts - the legendary Freak Out ‘Hot Spots’ and ‘Hot Spots Map’, now both full size (the map seen in scale against the cover). These are nigh-on impossible to find as originals and when they surface, commanding massive prices. These are superb repros and most collectors will have never even seen them before. These are a FREE bonus to the winning bidder and you are not bidding for these as such – but what a bonus these are for sure. I am a Zappa Fan(atic), but have never seen these as originals that were only available on request in the United States for a very brief time. Finding this underground psych classic in such lightly played conditions is also incredibly difficult. For those who shelled out to buy a copy, most played into submission. Both of these records look barely even played and offer fantastic sound quality.

Original Year of Release: 1966 (single album, SVLP and VLP series), this full double UK version was not issued until 1971.

Matrix Nos: 2352023 A // 1 420 1 1 4 & 2352023 B // 1 420 1 1 4 & 2352024 A // 1 420 1 1 4 & 2352024 B // 1 420 1 2 1 4.

Musicians: Frank Zappa - guitar, vocals; Ray Collins - lead vocalist, harmonica, tambourine, finger cymbals, bobby pin and tweezers; Jim Black - drums, vocals; Roy Estrada - bass, guitarron, soprano vocals; Elliot Ingber - alternate lead and rhythm guitars. Other performers: Motorhead Sherwood – noises, Kim Fowley - megaphone, Mac Rebennack – piano, Paul Butterfield, Les McCann – piano, Jeannie Vassoir – (the voice of Suzy Creamcheese).

Brief Artist & Album Info: Led by the genius that was Frank Zappa, The Mothers of Invention were outsiders, even on this their debut album. Older than most of their contemporaries, they brought a cynicism to their work that celebrated joys without resorting to nostalgia. Telling parodies of pop forms that were as engaging as those upon which they drew, while experimental pieces, drawn from avant garde compositions by Varese and Stravinsky, took the idea of ‘rock’ into unchartered territory. Zappa’s skills as a musician and engineer ensuring the innovative nature of this creation. Even today, its great fun to listen too. This original issue did not chart in the UK and only made 150 in the States. Made with a budget of $25,000, some $6,000 more than average at this time, the albums’ producer was Tom Wilson, he laid his job on the line to make this album and stayed with the band for four albums. This copy on offer is the early 70s Select ‘repress’ now back to it’s correct US double album format in glorious mind-blowing stereo. It has three songs MORE than the 1966 original and the FULL six minute version of ‘Trouble Every Day’, which makes this album highly significant. Wilson’s production is quite astonishing. Like all Zappa Verve albums, this is vital to any collection, all the Verves were different and all remain absolutely essential. Even from the opening bars of ‘Hungry Freaks Daddy’ with its distorted riff which replicates the Stones ‘Satisfaction’ the stage is set. It has a leering savagery and points the finger at Mr America and suggests a wave of non-conformism. The powerful ‘Trouble Every Day’ a song about the Watts race riots in America at this time and was highly controversial – as was the whole album, it’s far more evocative when heard in full. The astonishing ‘Help, I’m a Rock’ must be the ultimate ‘Freak Out’ track - this must have sent shock-waves out to listeners on first issue, nothing had been heard like this before. The final track is even more challenging, and even today will scare the daylights out of most unsuspecting listeners: ‘The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet’ a modernist sound-composition, has to be heard many times to be fully appreciated, and this even blew me away with the incredibly detailed stereo mix. This track alone saw Zappa trashing 60s top ten pop music - this was loud, crude and mind-shattering - one subtitle, ‘Ritual Dance of the Child Killer’, referred to the plot of Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring, but in this scandalous context, with ‘Suzy Creamcheese’ (a high-school virgin, who tells us this band is crazy and that they all smell bad (on this Select cover only), played by Jeannie Vassoir. She sounds as if she’s simultaneously losing her virginity and having an orgasm, but this was the 1960s and no one really noticed, Zappa’s ability to outrage was apparent right from the very beginning. A stunning conclusion to a remarkable work - nothing had ever been heard like it before (or since). Zappa with the greatest moustache in musical history, put the snarl and sneer into music, he did not conform and this album, like the man himself was a true original. Too weird and unconventional for most at the time, Freak Out remains one of the most important albums ever, breaking so much new ground, its influence and importance cannot be overstated. This record, given its age, type and history is in fabulous condition and finding a better early pressed Select copy will prove difficult. In terms of musical history and development of the underground ‘alternative’ music scene, few records come close to the importance of Freak Out. This record almost single-handedly reinvented rock and little remained the same thereafter. If this form of entertainment was not for you back when it all happened, try it now. No album collection should ever be without this legendary masterpiece being included. [Whooooo could imajun, They would Freak Out on Ebay? - Ebay, Ebay doo doo doo doo doo doo].(a bit of nostalgia for the ‘old folks’ there). With the repros of the infamous and impossible rare ‘Hot Spots’ inserts, this double set is sure to delight fans of the greatest musical mind in rock.

Cover Condition and Format: EXCELLENT: an unlaminated gatefold format with matt finish. It was printed and made in England by MacNeill Press.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very High: seldom seen devoid of significant rubbing, creasing and especially, ringwear.

Cover Front: A few very light rubs and minor surface creases and the creepy psych artwork still looks impressive with rich colour and the lack of grubbiness and rinwear is always good news. Any record rim impression or rubs are tiny and very fine indeed.

Cover Back: Very different to the 66 version and including the text by Suzy Creamcheese as written further down - this is unique to this cover, it was not included on the single format. Not too dissimilar to the front, and even better if anything. Almost certainly one of the earliest Select covers made, this has more than withstood the test of time.

Inside Gatefold: Superb with little to fault at all. Only the US originals included the text promoting the ‘Freak Out Hot Spots’ map are they were never available elsewhere. The text on Zappa is very interesting, it reads:

“Frank Zappa is the leader and musical director of the Mothers of Invention. His performances in person with the group are rare. His personality is so repellent that it’s best he stay away… for the sake of impressionable young minds who might not be prepared to cope with him. When he does show up he performs on the guitar. Sometimes he sings. Sometimes he talks to the audience. Sometimes there is trouble”. Again all the artwork and text is omitted from the 1966 version.

Top Edges: Very light rub traces.

Bottom Edges: Same again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, fairly sharp with little wear and no feathering. Minor small burr traces when viewed end-on, but now nearly 40-years-old, this is hardly a surprise for a double set.

Spine and Text: Solid and square, straight with only slight compression in a couple of small places. All text (blue on black) near perfect with few blemishes.

Corners: All have tip rubbing but mostly small and minor. All retain fine to very fine shape.

Cover Summary: Very dark and obviously very prone to wear, this has survived for forty odd years still looking attractive, it should please many collectors if not quite the perfectionists.

’Hot Spot’ Inserts: Superb repros of the ultra rare US only mail order inserts. I have never seen originals and unlikely to do so. These are large and full size and make this double set almost like ‘complete’. I reitterate, these are FREE to the winning bidder and as originals are near impossible to even find, let alone afford – the ultimate bonus for Frank fans.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT(-) sides 1, 2 4 and EXCELLENT(+) for side 3 that has a couple of fine surface marks that have NO sound. A super visual pair and clearly hardly even played. Fresh clean playing surfaces with any surface traces on the other records ultra fine, few and faint and few examples this age will be much cleaner or little used. Most collectors will enjoy these.

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 miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This trip into the psychedelic underground plays as good as it looks with little unwanted. Clean distortion-free sound, never take this for granted on any record this great age let alone one with such complex and powerful sound qualities with great detail and definition. This true stereo mix – not electronically created or enhanced – is amazing with pin-sharp sound. Even the fragile high frequencies remain totally unclipped and precise. Barely any surface sound or crackle, even on the vocal parts of ‘Rock’ with just the odd sporadic one-off click or two spread over the four sides. Even from way back this album had awesome fidelity, it has a slightly raw sound quality but not in a low-fi way - it’s dynamic and exciting and still thrills today, an amazing masterstoke of production by Wilson. Some albums from this time were flat, muted and lifeless, Freak Out was NOT one of them, this will leave the senses swimming with the mind-numbing sounds. Just listen to the sheer brutality of the bass on ‘Brain Police’, also the aforementioned ‘Monster Magnet’, with it’s crazed pulsating percussion and orgasmic frenzy of Suzy Creamcheese. The sounds that burst out of these unworn stereo grooves have detail I swear I had missed before, this is almost scary. This is a huge production masterwork, again for 1966 so advanced - no expense was spared. You want fantastic early stereo imagery and effects detail with clear sound, you have it here and it will prove difficult to beat overall.

End Piece: To emphasise the type and era of this record I quote from the back cover of this Select reissue (NOT on the original single cover) - it’s written by the (in)famous Suzy Creamcheese “These Mothers is crazy. You can tell by their clothes. One guy wears beads and they all smell bad. We were gonna get them for a dance after the basketball game but my best pal warned me you can never tell how many will show up…sometimes they guy in the fur coat doesn’t show up (Zappa) and sometimes he does show up only he brings a big bunch of crazy people and him and they dance all over the place. none of the kids at my school like these Mothers…specially since my teacher told us what the words to their songs meant.’’.

Early Zappa albums on Verve are fast disappearing and that’s all of them, not just the originals. Like many great albums, this was too ahead of its time for most, the world was not ready to ‘Freak Out!’ It’s just a shame that only after his untimely, premature death does the world now more fully appreciate this man’s work and greatness. A unique artist who simply wanted to entertain – but this had very stark messages and remains a dark and at times unsettling experience. Freak Out has to be regarded as one of the most important debut albums ever, a true landmark record, it was rock’s first double set, only just beaten by the folk genius of Dylan’s ‘Blonde on Blonde’. Only fellow ‘Vervesters’, The Velvet Underground’s debut, and maybe The Doors challenges this in the underground rock music genre for me. Enjoy this powerful stereo vinyl and enjoy the inserts, few will have even seen them before, okay, they are not originals, but the look fantastic. Remember: neccessity were The Mother(s) of Invention.

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.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

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 stiffners 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: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

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 [£40 maximum]) = £9. (insurance optional extra £3). Add £2.50 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 [£39 maximum]) = £13. Add £4 per extra LP. (insurance 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: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, 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’.