JOHN MAYALL WITH ERIC CLAPTON - BLUESBREAKERS - 1966 FIRST PRESS MONO ORIGINAL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION

DECCA RECORDS - CAT NO: LK 4804 - MATRIX NUMBERS: 7297-1A/7298-1A

This is a genuine first pressing mono copy of Bluesbreakers, arguably one of the mot influential and significant blues/rock records ever made. It showcased the precocious talent of Yardbirds guitarist Eric Clapton, whose playing style and delivery on this record influenced a generation of guitarists and set a standard for others to follow in subsequent Mayall line ups, including Peter Green and Mick Taylor.

The album also marks Clapton’s debut as a lead vocalist (“Ramblin’ On My Mind”) and as a composer (“Double Crossing Time”) which was jointly written with Mayall.

Thrown into the mix are John McVie on bass (later Fleetwood Mac) and the highly proficient Hughie Flint on drums (later McGuinness Flint) along with Johnny Almond and Alan Skidmore on saxophones.

Mayall, himself no slouch on guitar, wisely left all that to Clapton and chose to play keyboards and harmonica.

VINYL: VERY GOOD+ This is a typical mid-sixties heavy slab of mono vinyl, when they made records to last. There are a number of marks, hairlines and scuffs on both sides, some of which look as if they would case serious problems - they DON’T. The deep groove vinyl shrugs off the marks and plays without skips, sticks, or serious pops, and amazingly, hardly any background noise.  Side One has a light click for two or three revolutions at the start of “Double Crossing Time” but otherwise the audio is EX. Side Two has no audio problems at all.

LABELS: Side One, Excellent, no marks or writing. Side Two has a name written in the centre of the label (see photos) which may be removable with the right solvent.

COVER: Good+. This is the famous “Beano” cover on which Clapton displayed his disinterest in the photographer by reading a comic. It is an original MacNeill Press front-laminated sleeve, but has suffered quite extensive storage wear down the years. All the edges are worn, although the spine remains readable and reasonably intact. The bottom edge has some serious scuffing, and there is significant wear to the opening edge where the top and bottom corners of the flipbacks have been damaged, and there is the beginnings of a tear to the middle of the opening. There is a name written on the white area near the top edge.

INNER SLEEVE - New poly-lined plain white sleeve replacing the original.

OVERALL - The audio is close to a grade of EX, even though I would never use that grade for a record which visually shows significant marks. I would not hesitate to rate the vinyl as VG. The cover lets down the overall package, but spare covers can and do pop up on eBay so it may be possible to upgrade it. I have taken this into account on the pricing of this record, but I’m pretty sure you will not be disappointed by the audio, and I can’t emphasise how important this record is to any serious rock or blues collection.

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Postage and packing: All records will be posted in brand new heavy duty mailers, or boxes for multiple items. UK  - FREE FOR THIS ITEM - (NORMALLY 12" SINGLE OR ALBUM: £4.50) EUROPE - and WORLDWIDE - 12" SINGLE OR ALBUM £16.00 (ADD £2.50 PER ADDITIONAL RECORD, DOUBLE ALBUMS COUNT AS TWO)  BECAUSE OF EBAY RULES, ALL WORLDWIDE ITEMS WILL NOW BE SENT BY THE INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR SERVICE WHICH IS WHY IT MAY SEEM EXPENSIVE.  PLEASE NOTE: WE NO LONGER SELL TO RUSSIA OR BELARUS FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITH MISSING ITEMS.     ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I use the Record Collector Magazine grading system, and always play-grade items before listing. As a collector myself I know the importance of the detail, so please bid with confidence. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions before bidding. Good Luck!
GRADINGS: (plus or minus signs used to indicate records falling between these categories) Mint - The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality.  Excellent - The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality.  Very Good - The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch.  Good - The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches.