MusicStack has partnered with a vinyl to CD conversion service who will convert the LP Gatefold to recordable CD for you. It will sound great with no annoying clicks, pops or background noise. All recordable CDs come in a standard jewel case with artwork printed on glossy paper.
How does this service work?
The seller will ship the LP Gatefold to the digital conversion center in Arizona, USA where it will be format shifted onto a recordable CD directly from the LP Gatefold only for your ears. The LP Gatefold and the recordable CD will then be mailed to you. The digital conversion center will not retain any copies of the item.
What does it cost?
Price of the LP Gatefold + $35 USD for the conversion to recordable CD + cost of shipping of the LP Gatefold to Arizona + cost of shipping of the LP Gatefold from Arizona to your location paid in advance.
unipack sleeve Guitarist Mick Abrahams was one of the founding members of Jethro Tull. Unfortunately, following the release of the group's debut LP "This Was", reportedly at loggerheads with Tull front man Ian Anderson over musical direction, in late 1968 Abrahams quit the group. Interested in continuing to explore a mixture of blues-rock and jazz idioms, Abrahams wasted no time forming Blodwyn Pig (a stoned friend of the band supposedly came up with the name). Showcasing the talents of drummer Ron Berg, multi-instrumentalist Jack Lancaster, and bassist Andy Pyle (who'd played with Abraham in McGregor's Engine), the group was quickly signed by Island (A&M acquiring American distribution rights). The quartet debuted with the 1969 single 'Dear Jill' b/w 'Sweet Caroline' (Island catalog number WIP 6059). A&M released the single in the States under catalog number 1158.
Produced by Andy Johns,1969's "Ahead Rings Out" offered up and introduction to the group's unique mixture of blues-rock and jazz-tinged genres (the latter courtesy of Jack Lancaster's instrumental touches). Not exactly the most commercial album of the year, exemplified by tracks like 'It's Only Love' and the instrumental 'Backwash' their unique mixture of styles took a little getting use to. It was also an album that was hard to aptly describe. Imagine a more rock oriented John Mayall with horns and you'd be in the general neighborhood. Reviewers were pretty kind to the band, but the first couple of times I spun the LP I found it kind of shrill and unimpressive. Abrahams had a rough and rugged voice that I actually liked and exemplified by tracks like the single 'Dear Jill', 'See My Way', and 'Summer Day' their stripped down blues-rock moves were pretty good. While most of the attention went to Abrahams guitar (well deserved), the true stars were found in the band's rhythm section. Berg's powerful drumming managed to keep the whole thing together, while Pyle's bass patterns were continuously creative. At the other end of the spectrum, Lancaster's horns were definitely an acquired taste. The guy was certainly talented (in concert he frequently played two horns at once - a trick he apparently picked up from Rahsaan Roland Kirk). Unfortunately, to my ears his embellishments were frequently distracting making a song like Lancaster's instrumental 'The Modern Alchemist' technically impressive, but far from enjoyable. Weird enough to warrant investigating, but certainly won't appeal to everyone. By the way, in England the LP was tapped for a second single:
- 1969's 'Summer Day' b/w 'Walk On the Water' (Island catalog number WIP-6069) In France and the rest of Europe the single was flipped with 'Walk On the Water' chosen as the 'A' side:
The LP went top-10 in the UK, but in spite of the single and an American tour, only hit the lower reaches of the American charts. (For completists, the original US release featured a slightly different track listing than the UK album - the notable difference being the inclusion of 'See My Way'.) "Ahead Rings Out" track listing: (side 1) 1.) It's Only Love (Mick Abrahams) – 3:232.) Dear Jill (Mick Abrahams) – 5:193.) Walk On the Water 4.) The Modern Alchemist (instrumental) (Jack Lancaster) – 5:38 (side 2) 1.) See My Way - 5:00 2.) Summer Day - 3:43 3.) The Change Song (Mick Abrahams) – 3:454.) Backwash (Mick Abrahams - Jack Lancaster - Andy Pyle - Ron Berg) – 0:515.) Ain't Ya Coming' Home, Babe? (Mick Abrahams - Jack Lancaster - Andy Pyle) – 5:35 Thanks to YouTube there are quite a few Blodwyn Pig performances available on the web:
German Beat Club performance of 'The Modern Alchemist'
Payment Accepted: PayPal, Cash (USD - at your risk), Personal Check (USD made out to Scott Blackerby), Certified Check (USD made out to Scott Blackerby), Postal (USD made out to Scott Blackerby), PayPal (make payment to )
I've used the Goldmine Grading Guide in grading the collection. Most of the catalog is graded VG or slightly higher. To me that reflects an LP that's been played, but with care and attention. Neither the cover nor the vinyl are pristine, but the cover will be intact without substantial flaw and the vinyl will play without substantial hiss and without skips. Exceptions are noted for each offering. Since I buy music 'cause it's stuff I want to hear, virtually everything I sell is play graded - in other words, I've actually listened to the item. Finally, albums are graded cover first, vinyl second, i.e. VG/NM means a very good cover and near mint vinyl.
Goldmine Grading Standard:
Mint [M]: Absolutely perfect in every way - certainly never played, possibly even still sealed. (More on still sealed below). Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.
------------------------------------------------------------ Near Mint [NM or M-]: A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record shows no obvious sign of wear. A 45 rpm sleeve has no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling.
An LP jacket has no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same is true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, and the like. Basically, Near Mint looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.
------------------------------------------------------------ Very Good Plus [VG+]: Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK.
The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but is should be barely noticeable. The center hole is not misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turn-up corners, or a slight seam-split. An LP jacket my have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount.
In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.
------------------------------------------------------------ Very Good [VG]: Many of the defects found in a VG+ record are more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise is evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during the song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.
Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.
------------------------------------------------------------ Good [G], Good Plus [G+]: Good does not mean bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear.
A jacket or sleeve has seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. If it's a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it.
------------------------------------------------------------- Poor [P], Fair [F]: The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and/or writing. The LP jacket barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, and written upon.
Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.
Payment Methods Accepted
PayPal, Cash (US Dollars - at your risk), Personal Check (US Dollars made out to Scott Blackerby), Certified Check (US Dollars made out to Scott Blackerby), Postal (US Dollars made out to Scott Blackerby), PayPal (make payment to )
Shipping Costs
I ship domestic orders via USPS media mail. Typical delivery is in 3 - 5 days.
I can usually pack 2 - 3 LPs into a mailer
Rates may change as USPS seems to modify their rate structure on a regular basis.
Currently I am limiting sales to the US.U
I ship via USPS media mail which has proven dependable and the most economical delivery for buyers
I can normally pack 1 to 3 LPs in an LP mailer $6.00. $1.00 for each additional LP.
Return Policy
Obviously, grading is subjective and there are bound to be cases where someone disagrees with the way we've graded an album. In cases where you feel I'm way off the mark, let me know and I'll work to reach a mutually agreeable solution. I've sold several hundred albums over the last couple of years, including many on eBay. During that timeframe I've run into two disagreements. I sold a Tommy Boyce solo album which noted the cover had a tiny tear where someone had taken a price sticker off. The buyer was upset since she had known Boyce and wanted to frame the LP for display purposes. Even though the description clearly noted the tiny tear (and it was visible in the picture we posted), I offered her a refund, or a price adjustment to what she thought was fair. I never got a response. I sold a Richard Wright LP. The buyer told me it was a misprint sporting the same track listing on both sides. I provided a full refund and let the buyer keep the LP (he was in South America and it wasn't worth the hassle to get the LP back). Curiously, as a Pink Floyd fan I'd listened to the LP a couple of times and had no recollection of the mispressing. Oh well ...
Seller Information
Reserving items: If you contact me in advance, I'll reserve items for up to 3 weeks. If I reserve something, make sure you honor your commitment to purchase the item, otherwise I'm unlikely to continue doing business with you. Packaging information: I pack items in new record mailers with filler pads for additional protection. So far I haven't had any problems ... Unless you're buying some exceedingly expensive items, or your order totals more than $100.00 I'd suggest not bothering with insurance. If you want insurance, let me know ...
Shipping to United States
Payment by PayPal
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No Insurance, No Tracking, No Signature, - days Estimated Delivery
