ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all, and records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time as most record buyers will already know. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS including full side protection and bubble wrap, the records removed from the covers of course. All this very safe packing means I lose money on every box I post, but safe delivery is, and will always be paramount. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives. Also, I will pay for insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received if possible. PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT send any item, no matter what its value without a Royal Mail or courier tracking number. ALL my items must be signed and trackable to comply with Ebay delivery rules. Please do NOT ask me to make any exceptions to this rule as no country offers 100% reliable service without it.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take longer from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business.

ANY ITEM or ITEMS TO BE PAID WITHIN A MAXIMUM OF 6 DAYS or they will be cancelled – NO EXCEPTIONS.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion, as will any bidder who cancels a bid. Please only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: CAPTAIN BEEFHEART

Album Title: The Spotlight Kid

Producer(s): Don van Vliet

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: I’m Gonna Booglarize You Baby; White Jam; Blabber ’n Smoke; When It Blows It Stacks; Alice in Blunderland.

Side 2: The Spotlight Kid; Click Clack; Grow Fins; There Ain’t No Santa Claus on the Evenin’ Stage; Glider.

Label/Format: Reprise – original dark tan with matt, smooth surfaces. This genuine first issue has no Warner logo.

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and attractive with moderate spindle marks in number, but these are fine and light. This record plays very impressively throughout with very little unwanted.

Cat Number: K 44162

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 this Record: 141 grams

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: Scarcer as a genuine first pressing, later tan label copies include a small Warner logo at the 3 o’clock position of the rim text. First issues also include a thick card graphic lyric insert sheet as seen. Never easy to find in better condition.

Original Year of Release: 1972

Matrix Nos: K 44162 A1 / K44162 B1 [machine punched and clear]

Musicians: Don van Vliet (Captain Beefheart) – vocals, harmonica; Zoot Horn Rollo (Bill Harkleroad) – guitar, slide guitar; Rockette Morton (Mark Boston) – bass guitar; Drumbo (John French) – drums, percussion; Ed Marimba (Art Tripp) – drums, percussion, marimba. With: Winged Eel Fingerling (Elliot Ingber) – guitar on ‘Alice in Blunderland’; Rhys Clark – drums on ‘Glider’.

Brief Artist & Album Info: This famous cover sees the Captain attired in a western styled Nudie suit and looking real dapper. This all looks very ‘normal’ for a Captain Beefheart album until you notice the strange eerie yellow glow that surrounds him. It was the first album by Beefheart to only be credited to him, there is no mention of ‘The Magic Band’ anywhere on this set. This I feel is the most underrated album in the Captain’s catalogue, yes it is more subdued than previous with some slower songs, some critics rated him as the greatest white blues singer of the time after hearing this record. Musically more conventional than the free-form avant garde mayhem that dominated on the Trout Mask Replica and Lick My Decals Off, Baby albums, this is less challenging than the aforementioned pair that were to ‘out there’ for many (if not most). An eagerly awaited album, but it surprised many as it was deemed by some as a step backwards to the earlier blues-based sound of the pre-Trout Mask Replica period. To date, the band were struggling to get by financially, was it time to try and sell more records and become a little more commercial? Well possibly, but this album is hardly commercial for what most would consider from the word. Here was a blend of steamy swamp-blues that still defied the ‘conventional’. The record has a very warm sound with an emphasis on bass. It includes more impressive work from this great band line-up with some catchy hooks and complex arrangements. Van Vliet still sounds like Howlin’ Wolf and rarely has his voice been better than on this fine recording. The heavy, deep blues of ‘Blabber ‘n Smoke and the brilliant ‘When it Blows it Stacks’ are memorable. Some songs are noticeably downbeat with lyrics to match, especially the demanding ‘There Ain’t No Santa Claus on the Evening Stage’ where even the jingle bells have a funeral sound. One of the real highlights is the classic ‘Click Clack’ which is one of Beefheart’s greatest ever songs. The Captain and the band take a train ride in song with lovely rhythm and sound with great use of the harmonica. Even better for me is the surrealistic ‘Grow Fins’ ’I’m gonna grow fins and go back in the water again; I’m gonna take up with a mermaid and leave you landlubbin’ women alone’ – bizarre stuff from a unique and surreal musical mind. Just the one instrumental on this set, ‘Alice in Blunderland’. The Spotlight Kid is an important album, it was a stepping stone between the free-form experimental ‘fun’ albums and his earlier blues sets. An album demands to be heard again and full recognition of its brilliance is long overdue. This is a lovely original UK copy that includes the elusive insert, the record clearly played a few times, but still offers top-quality sound. The cover is always difficult to find nice, this one of the finest I have seen for a while. Many collectors and fans of this unique talent should enjoy this impressive copy.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT: or close to. A single unlaminated format with matt, smooth surfaces. Printed and made in England by Shorewood, includes the plain white inner sleeve and the card lyric insert.

Cover Front: One that does not wear well, but this has fared well overall with most wear on the bottom storage edge. The front is clean, still fresh with minimal traces or rubbing or creasing, it has no fading or sticker issues. A tiny stain on the bottom left corner tip and a little pressing text on the front seen under light. Viewed normally full on, few blemishes even register and a fine looking captain on this classic front cover.

Cover Back: With four surreal pictures by van Vliet of four of Band members: Rockette Morton; Winged Eel Fingerling; Ed Marimba and Zoot Horn Rollo (missing is Drumbo, the great John French). Again mostly clean – a little faint grubbiness around the sides with the odd small mark – generally attractive with minimal rubbing and no ring wear.

Top Edge: Straight with any wear very gentle, patchy and light.

Bottom Edge: Again straight with mostly light rubbing, few storage edges for this will have much less.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, quite sharp, with any thickening light, this is guaranteed untrimmed. Record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: Solid, straight with minimal traces of compression. All text unworn and nicely centred as-seen. The white surface with minimal discolouration.

Corners: The corners have mostly light rubbing with the small stain on the bottom of the spine, excellent shape mostly retained with no knocks.

Cover Summary: Great picture, classic cover and looking impressive. Shorewood covers as many collectors will know, do not wear as well as some others, but this one has withstood the test-of-time, storage and handling well with any wear or ageing light. It should please many collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(++): a basic plain solid white unlined inner with no creasing and hardly aged. Both window circles crisp and undamaged, all edges unsplit with no repairs.

The Lyric Insert: PRACTICALLY MINT: this is an orignal, printed on one side only on thick card with all the lyrics. Very clean, uncreased with very sharp edges, this unmounted (e.g. no pin holes or tape marks). An amazing example, barely aged, ultra clean and fresh. Even the white back is impressive and totally unmarked, so often missing, this one will be difficult to match or find better.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(–): still a nice visual copy that is clean with fine shine and very solidly pressed. A copy with mostly light surface marks, most are quite wispy and faint as seen critically under bright light. Viewed in average room light, little even register. Visually a fine record that should please many collectors.

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 equipment, all listed further down.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This quality album plays above it’s high visual grading with hardly anything to fault. Offering strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is high with a full dynamic range and detailed sound with emphasis on bass. Any surface sounds minimal and light, a couple of light clicks only, little else. Overall a very clean pressing with no tracking issues*. Not always the case on this album, I have heard some with pressing noises and crackle, this has no such issues. Few available copies will outperform this early first pressing significantly I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, the music has a warm and deep atmospheric sound. Little of any note spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this quality album. It could prove difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2 grams. Records are a ‘contact’ format, and few will avoid the odd minor sound blemish.

I am one of the most established sellers on Ebay, trading since 2001 and offering the finest 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 all elements of the items I offer for sale. You may notice I only submit records quite sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade – visuals alone do not always tell a true story. I will try to 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 it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are the item being offered with no digital enhancements. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. I hope the item below is to your liking – any questions can be emailed and I will do my best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, major warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Equipment Used for Play-Grading: I now play-grade ALL the records I offer (unless clearly stated to the contrary) on the following equipment:

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 805 Nautilus (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable) with REL subwoofer. All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Nessie vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D7500 DSLR Camera.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid bid retractions. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

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] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 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 [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I only accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 2 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive – if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund if the item is returned in the same condition is was sent e.g. as per the listing pictures.

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, 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.