Derek And The Dominos - Layla And Other Love Songs- Test Pressing - HOLY GRAIL
Derek And The Dominos- Layla And Other Love Songs- Test Pressing Polydor England
ARTIST: Derek And The Dominos
TITLE: Layla And Other Love Songs
LABEL: Polydor-England / Presswell Records
NUMBER: SD-704
MONO/STEREO: Stereo
SPECIAL PRESSING INFO: Rare Special Advance Test Pressing Notes from A&R representative on sheet
GRADE (Side 1+2): Ex
GRADE (Side 3+4): Ex
Matrix / Runout (Label A-side): ST-C-702043 A AT PR AB W Matrix / Runout (Label B-side): ST-C-702044 A AT AB PR W Matrix / Runout (Label C-side): ST-C-702045 A AT PR AB W Matrix / Runout (Label D-side): ST-C-702046 A AT PR AB W
Condition Detail:
Comes with two generic white sleeves that are original. Side 1+2 has most of the cue sheet describing the songs and run length. Unfortunately
the release is missing the information on side 2 as it has been ripped from storage.
Side 3+4 has hand written notes on the song titles and run times. There are also check marks and notes on what needs work prior to the official release.
The sleeves have ware from storage and what not but still hold the records safely and will prevent any damage to the vinyl.
Side 1+2 vinyl is spectacular; there are absolutely no defects on either side. This side could be graded nm easily but we tend to air on the side of caution with grading especially with a record of such value.
Side 3+4 are just as clean as side 1+2 but there are 2 extremely light scratches present on side D. Aside from that the record is in outstanding shape. Due to the micro scratches we feel a grade of Ex is appropriate rather than nm.
Test Play:
All sides sound full and dynamic. The noise floor is unreal with this pressing; there is VERY little noise present, allowing for an unobtrusive listening with the musicianship and vocals taking the forefront. This low noise floor is in part to this being one of the first records produced from the master.
This is as close to digital noise floor as a vinyl could possibly get.
Playback description below if you would like more information track by track
Any vinyl over $100 will be shipped with insurance provided by courier as per courier terms.
Purchased at estate sale. Record cleaned with VPI HW27 Typhoon before grading, sleeved with archival liner and shipped using Bags Unlimited Mighty Mailers.
Played with a AT12S Shibata with NAD pre into an Aragon 8008 with PSB Stratus Goldi speakers. A detailed and visceral testing system.
We generally undergrade our records due to how detailed the stylus is. Small noise on our system will probably not replicate on a conical
or elliptical stylus.
This is sold as is. Please look at all info and ask any questions you have before you purchase.
Thank you.
Advanced Playback Description:
Side A starts with a few light pops near the lead in groove, then most noise goes away with an occasional crackle common with vinyl.
The Percussion on the first track stands out with a tight low end moving the song along.
Track two instantly hits hard with a super tight kick coming in and meshing perfect with the twangy guitars and distressed vocals. Each fill on the kit stands out perfectly, never taking away from the rest of the performance just adding a sense of movement that is contagious.
Track three starts a little hotter than previous tracks, with an electric blues groove. Clapton's guitar sings loud and clear in the forefront. The bass sits perfectly providing the movement and juxtaposition from the rest of the instruments, with the driving half time shuffle of the drums breaking the repetition with the occasional fill on the toms.
Side 2 starts with a great grove keeping the record moving. The fragility of the guitars stand out from the rest of the instruments creating a perfect soundscape with the organ in the background driving the urgency.
Track two sounds excellent with the vocals on the bleeding edge of distorting throughout the whole track but never getting too hot.
Track 4 instantly starts with a great guitar grove and leads into the perfect breakdown with a drum fill to get things grooving. As with the rest of the tracks the drums have a seamless groove, driving the song with fills placed spectacularly never over crowding the rest of the instruments. The mix is incredible with everything sitting balanced perfectly.
Track 4, a slower ballad, starts with a fantastic Clapton riff building straight into the groove with bass and drums. The vocals come in instantly creating a sense of dreariness and self reflection that fit perfect with the instrumentation.
Side 3 starts with a short and tasteful guitar riff to lead into the rest of the track. The urgency of this track stands out with a slightly more driven grove on the guitars and the slide guitar sitting in the forefront more than previous tracks.
Track two sound different than the rest of the tracks in terms of the mix, the kick has more punch and the guitars have more effects. The constant riffing from the guitar gives a great sense of movement and drive with the drums and bass matching the urgency. The end of the song makes great use of the dynamic range of vinyl slowly fading out while still keeping the punch and urgency of when the song is in full drive.
Track three guitar riffs are fantastic with just the right amount of grit and drive to stick out from the rest of the mix. The vocals come in with a stunning performance taking the place of the lead guitar for a little bit before both come in and riff off each other leading straight into the bridge. The groove is dramatic and infectious full of syncopation and killer licks on the guitars
Side 4 starts dead silent with no run in noise, until your hit with a fantastic arrangement of Little Wing by Hendrix.
The organ keeps the driving grove going in this cover meshing perfectly with the guitars and uplifting the vocals.
The solos are remarkable cutting through the mix and keeping the groove moving to the end where all instruments go full out.
Track two starts much softer letting the dynamics build slowly until the end. The mix has the vocals in the forefront with all instruments sitting below letting each word resonate with the listener.
The title track off the album starts off instantly with the classic riff standing out in the forefront. The track keeps the riff going throughout and builds around it. The vocals and background vocals sound incredible sitting just above the guitar every now and again building straight into the piano breakdown and switch up with a calming grove taking over until the b section starts up with urgency slowly building up leading into the outro with the piano switching melodies beautifully and seamlessly.
Track four perfectly wraps the album up starting with a haunting acoustic progression with vocals up front and clear. The occasional slide in the distant background helps create the beautiful melody full of self reflection. The bass sits quiet but drives the song along with the quarter note pulse acting as an extension of the acoustic guitar, almost making it impossible to hear the bass standalone; an excellent arrangement choice.
Overall this album is in stunning condition, I was expecting to hear some pops and other noise, but much to my surprise the record stayed near silent throughout the entire playing. There were occasional pops for the first track of side a but after 12 seconds the pops vanish. For the rest of the record there is very little to critique; there is an occasional crackle in the background but very faint and never taking away from the album.
Any defects noted in the condition description had no effect on the vinyls playback and we would give this a Nm in terms of audible condition.
