News Of The World 1/2 (1st Pressing)

This genuine first pressing is stunning and would impress any avid Queen collector.  There are no clicks or pops and barely any static.  There is no intrusive 'background' at all and the playback is nigh on perfect which is so rare for a first pressing!  The gatefold is also in superlative condition, I have never seen cleaner.

EMA 784 // YAX 5355 - 1 / YAX 5356 - 2 // RTD 6 / RLM 7

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the vast majority)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 5 Near Mint-)

The gatefold is Near Mint

The lyric inner is VG+
The labels are Near Mint-

Visual grading

This is a beautiful vinyl and retains an immaculate jet black glossy finish.  Both sides have an immaculate 'look' and I can only detect a couple of mega faint hairlines on S2.  There are no scratches or marks at all.  I cannot stress enough just how 'shop fresh' it looks, it is pristine.  There is a little spindle wear on S1 with just a little more on S2 so this vinyl has certainly been played a few times but there is no deterioration in sound quality at all and this is detailed below.  The labels and run out grooves are also extremely clean.

Play grading  

'We Will Rock You' plays with stunning clarity and power from the first note to the last.  There is no interference of any kind and you could wish for a better version.  Not bad a for a genuine first pressing!  It grades as Mint- and provides a superb start to S1.

The quiet intro on 'We Are The Champions' is also super clean with only a hint of barely audible static.  The first chorus is 'as new' and the remainder of this classic plays with wonderful depth and clarity.  There are no clicks or pops and no intrusive static or crackle either.  Am I really listening to a first press from '77!

'Sheer Heart Attack' is another example of a vinyl that has always been very carefully handled.  There is no distortion on the top end and the power and definition here is sublime.  Pure Mint- audio from start to finish.  The bass and powerful guitars are stunning here but one thing I've always found strange though - why aren't Taylor's drums higher in the mix?  Especially as he wrote it - ahh well I guess they knew what they were doing!!

The very quiet piano intro on 'All Dead All Dead' has only 2/3 mega quiet dust ticks and is nigh on perfect.  It continues in much the same way and the playback really is very impressive.  There are no clicks or pops and for a first 1/2 pressing the clarity is stunning.  I play every second of every LP so as to provide a comprehensive grading and there is nothing that intrudes on the quality of the listen here.  Even the fade out plays with perfect precision!

From the very first note 'Spread Your Wings' plays with such precision and this standard is kept up as you continue into the track.  It will often play with some distortion but that is definitely not the case here and the playback could not be any better.  It is Mint- and only at the end of the fade out are there 2/3 dust ticks.

'Fight From The Inside' ends the side with very impressive depth and power.  Surprising in a way as again this track more often than not will display some distortion.  I do not exaggerate my gradings and quite honestly this is one of the 'cleanest' versions of this track that I have heard in a long time.  If there is any distortion it is kept to a bare minimum and it provides a superb end to the side.

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The quiet intro on 'Get Down Make Love' has only a minimal amount of mega light static and the first vocal then plays with wonderful clarity and definition.  Whilst this album has obviously been played a number of times it has always been very carefully handled and stored and that is reflected in the stunning quality of the audio.  This track has no clicks or pops and the louder chorus sections play with superb definition and no distortion.  The psychedelic instrumental is just mind-blowing and is 'as new' without doubt, wow!  It continues in the same way to the very end with no hint of interference.

'Sleeping On The Sidewalk' is Mint- from start to finish and plays as intended back in '78, with a deep rich bluesy feel.  Yet again there is no 'background' - this quality is just astounding for a first 1/2 pressing.

'Who Needs You' more than keeps up this 'high end' standard.  It plays with such delicate precision and the clarity of each note is sublime.  In essence it is Mint but so as to adhere to Record Collector standards I will grade as Mint- as the audio is perfect in every way.

'It's Late' has a modicum of very light static for the few seconds but is not intrusive.  As the vocal begins the clarity is stunning and there is no other 'background'.  The first chorus is so strong and the quality has not diminished over the last 41 years and the further you progress the more you are impressed by it.  The odd dust tick perhaps but there are no clicks or pops and this is a fabulous version of this classic.  The mid instrumental section is breathtaking, I have never heard better.  This is just stunning!  The depth and mega strong bass just compliments Brian's work superbly and the powerful ends proceedings in stirring fashion.  Wow what a version!

'My Melancholy Blues' begins with incredible clarity but as it continues you can hear just a mega light static sound ever now and then.  It is very minor and perhaps I am doing myself a disservice by even mentioning it!  This final track often plays with some interference but this is definitely one of the 'cleanest' I have heard in a long time.  Not quite perfect but not far from it!  Again it is worth reiterating there are no clicks or pops and no intrusive static or crackle either.  A highly impressive version to end this stunning first pressing.

In summary this 1/2 first pressing is as close to being a final upgrade archive copy as it could possibly be.  My standards are very high!  The audio on both sides is of immaculate quality and the clarity and depth is 'high end' to say the least.  I grade with integrity as my feedback testifies and the audio here will not disappoint even the most die-hard of fans.  The gatefold is also in fantastic condition, it is practically 'as new'!

The Gatefold

This iconic G&L gatefold at first glance looks 'as new' and has been fantastically well preserved down the years.  The edges and wide spine have no rubbing at all and only one of the corners has a tiny (very tiny!) 'rub'.  The opening edge has no handling wear either.  The front cover and back cover are as close to perfect as they could be and have only a couple of very minor indentations, hardly worth mentioning really!  The inside is immaculate and the colours on this superb gatefold remain strong and vibrant.  An absolutely stunning cover without doubt.

The Lyric inner

The paper inner is very clean but there is a 5cm split on one side and a 3cm split on the other.  It is rare to find this inner without splits but aside from that it is in lovely condition with no marking or creasing at all.  It has the four rounded corners as per the first pressings.

The labels

They are both in great condition with no marking or writing.  There is some spindle wear as stated although not a massive amount.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

EMA 784 // YAX 5355 - 1 / YAX 5356 - 2 // RTD 6 / RLM 7

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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