Sold Date: March 31, 2017
Start Date: March 24, 2017
Final Price: £89.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 4
Seller Feedback: 4393
Buyer Feedback: 71

Back in the old folky days,
The air was magic when we played.
The riverboat was rocking in the rain,
Midnight was the time for the raid.

Oh, Isabela, proud Isabela,
They tore you down and plowed you under.
You're only real with your make-up on.
How could I see you and stay too long?

All along the Navajo Trail,
Burn-out's stub their toes on garbage pails.
Waitresses are crying in the rain,
Will their boyfriends pass this way again?

Oh, Mother Goose, she's on the skids,
Shoe ain't happy, neither are the kids.
She needs someone that she can scream at,
And I'm such a heel, for making her feel so bad.

I guess I'll call it sickness gone,
It's hard to say, the meaning of this song.
An ambulance can only go so fast,
It's easy to get buried in the past,
When you try to make a good thing last.

I saw today in the entertainment section,
There's room at the top for private detection.
To Mom and Dad, this just doesn't matter,
But it's either that, or pay off the kidnapper.

So all you critics sit alone.
You're no better than me for what you've shown.
With your stomach pump and your hook and ladder dreams,
We could get together for some scenes.

I never knew a man could tell so many lies,
He had a different story for every set of eyes.
How can he remember who he's talking to?
'Cause I know it ain't me, and I hope it isn't you.

Well, I'm up in T.O. keeping jive alive,
And out on the corner, it's half past five.
But the subways are empty,
And so are the cafes.

Except for the Farmer's Market,
And I still can hear him say;
"You're all just pissing in the wind,
You don't know it, but you are."

And there ain't nothing like a friend.
Who can tell you, you're just pissing in the wind.

I never knew a man could tell so many lies,
He had a different story for every set of eyes.
How can he remember who he's talking to?
'Cause I know it ain't me, and I hope it isn't you.
NEIL YOUNG: "On The Beach" LP.  RARE VERY FIRST UK PRESSING, RELEASED 3rd AUGUST, 1974.
 

  MATT, ROUGH TEXTURED MUSTARD COLOUR "Steamboat" REPRISE LABEL: K 5014.
The labels do not have the circled Warner (W) logo on the right side rims, they are much later re-issues, most copies found on
  ebay will be American or German pressings, an unplayed Mint UK first pressing ranks among the rarest records on ebay.  If only
lamination was becoming scarce in 1974, unplayed or not, 43 years is a mighty long time for non laminated covers to stand in
storage.   There is only light rubbing to the extremities and the very thin sheen top surface was not worn away on the main front
and back panels. Then authentic to 1974 is very important, because the almost unseen inside of "On The Beach" first issue covers
bizarrely had a brightly coloured floral pattern, as seen on the umbrella and chairs 'on the beach.'


  MAITRIX:  K 5014 -  A4  /  K 5014 - B4
Like so many Kinney Records first pressings by CBS, Reprise / Atlantic / Asylum / Elektra etc. label maitrix did not always have
low digits on the earliest  records for huge selling, chart topping titles.   "On The Beach" was at the opposite spectrum of that
and this is positively a first pressing record in first edition card credit inner sleeve and cover.

FIRST ISSUE ONLY, TOP OPENING THICK CARDBOARD "On The Beach" INNER SLEEVE, WITH TRACKS, CREDITS  AND
RUSTY KERSHAW'S SLEEVE NOTES.  LATER RE-ISSUES WERE GERMAN PRESSED & PRINTED WITH THIN PAPER INNERS,
THAT EVEN INCLUDED THE UK PRINTER BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ON FIRST ISSUE UK COVERS.   TOP RIGHT ON THE
  SIDE WITH THE TRACKS & MUSICIANS ETC. IS THE DEFINITIVE IDENTIFICATION FOR GENUINE FIRST ISSUES;
 
"Printed By Shorewood Packaging Co. Ltd. London"
 
The original owner never played the record and was so impressed by the cardboard inner sleeve, he placed the record  in a plastic
  rounded inner sleeve and replaced that into the "On The Beach" inner sleeve. There it remained until I bought the album this week,
the result is a Mint inner sleeve without the usual pronounced record impression, I included a picture with the record inside and
it will stay with the album.  No wear to detail and a sharp crisp top opening due to non useage.  Near the front  bottom right side
is a manufacturing tiny line, sometimes I think I go too far into items like this, especially when the beach background makes it
near nearly camouflaged. UNSPLIT, UNUSED, UNCREASED, UNSCUFFED AND UNAGED, IN MINT CONDITION.
   

FIRST ISSUE ONLY COVER, WITH THE INSIDE PRINTED WITH THE COLOURED FLORAL PATTERN OF THE SCENE OF
ARTWORK, THE THREE BEACH CHAIRS & UMBRELLA SET.  
I carefully took a picture of the inside without placing stress on the opening sides, not an ideal glimpse of a view but it does
  show the unbelievable lengths that went into printing an interior colour pattern.   My picture looking at the inside could not
show the internal spine in the centre where either side of the front and back, the pattern was printed 100% perfectly symmetric.
An extraordinary inside of a cover for an extraordinary album, is the only logic required for printing that inside a single sleeve,
if nothing else, it readily identifies a first edition "On The Beach" cover.
  Unused, as I mentioned the extremities have some rubbing, as ever, the ridged edges of the spine, the corners and the edges, but
  I must stress how the thin sheen is still protecting the front and back panels.   Ageing is as minimal as it gets for a genuine first
  UK pressing, I always find it frustrating when a true Mint unplayed is inside and I have to discuss relatively light scuffs. The surreal
  artwork has exceptionally vivid colours, unfaded and deeply toned as the day 'Shorewood Packaging' printed it. I have shown my
  usual range of pictures, the close up of the spine's titles shows the rubbing to the ridged / raised edges, but also how  perfect
  the black lettering of the titles are.  A record impression and a few tiny edge lines that naturally form over the decades.
A BEAUTIFUL, STURDY STRONG COVER IN EXCELLENT+++ CONDITION.


Being such heavily texture labels in 1974, any positioning near a spindle leaves streaks rather than traces, there are no traces
  at on either side's label centres of ever being on a spindle / turntable. The same is true for the vinyl, I could not even find any
  factory handling on the gleaming virgin top surface or the grooves,in fact, if you look at the picture of Side 2's label, there are
  substantial delicate shavings of vinyl in and around the spindle hole.  I would not risk dislodging it 'just pressed' appearance
  and my records always arrive as you see them in the pictures.
 
  A really stunning looking, unplayed first UK pressing of "On The Beach," only the second I have been able to offer on ebay, now
  into our 16th years. As much as I am dying to hear this amazing looking record, combining with the vinyl shavings, I have to
  concede the rarity of a true Mint first pressing has to be respected. I'm relieved really because any attempt to describe one of,
  if not the most intensive and intimate album ever written, recorded and released, only to be ignored in 1974, except for a very
  small hardcore of Neil Young fans.  Certainly one of the rarest Mint first pressings I have been privileged to offer on ebay.
  THE RECORD IS IN 'DAY OF ISSUE', UNPLAYED MINT CONDITION.
  SIDE 1
"Walk On"
"See The Sky About To Rain"
"Revolution Blues"
"Vampire Blues"

SIDE 2
"On The Beach"
"Motion Pictures" (For Carrie)
"Ambulance Blues"

 
  Neil Young - vocals, guitars, Wurlitzer electric piano, banjo & harmonica
  Ben Keith - slide & steel guitars, Dobro, Wurlitzer electric piano, organ, hand drums & backing vocals
  Tim Drummond - bass & percussion
  Ralph Molina - drums, hand drums & backing vocals
  

Graham Nash - Wurlitzer electric piano
Rusty Kershaw - slide guitar & fiddle
David Crosby - guitar
George Whitsell - guitar
Rick Danko - bass
Joe Yankee - harp
Levon Helm - drums


All Songs written by Neil Young.
Recorded between November, 1973 & April,1974, at  Arrow Ranch, Woodside, California, & Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood.
  Produced by Neil Young, David Briggs, Mark Harman & Al Schmitt.
After writing the pressing details, the track & credit listing, I have just sat for ages staring at the blank page underneath,
  wondering how to even start this description.  Even knowing I am unable to describe the tracks, for certain records so major to
  me personally, I can't just simply grade this rare UK first pressing of "On The Beach," without discussing an album I rate as one
of the greatest ever recorded and issued.   Neil Young is unlike any other artist, he underwent the heaviest guilt ridden, darkest
  depression of his entire life, there was an intensity to his songwriting and his performances where simply extraordinary.   I will
briefly cover the reason for that, a heroin overdose killed both guitarist Danny Whitten and Bruce Berry, the former roadie for
  CSN & Y and Crazy Horse in 1973, it had a deeply profound effect on the very sensitive Neil Young.  While other musicians are in
  music for the fame, glory and of course money, Neil Young was and still is, a living, breathing artist who is genuinely affected
  and moved by events in his life and even more so, on behalf  others.  A product of the 1960's decade, who's principals and ethics
are the same today as they were in when he first set out in 1966, this 1974 "On The Beach" album was right in the middle of the
  period when he was a truly 'broken arrow'.   An album was recorded on the 1973 tour, "Time Fades Away," and although it was in
  reality a "Tonight's The Night" tour, the LP with that title would not be issued until 1975, leaving this "On The Beach" the most
  immediate and affected album of them all.  During  the 1973 tour Neil would often play the song "Tonight's The Night" twice and
  sometimes even three times during the same set, recounting the stories to his audiences of the Whitten and Berry deaths in the
most chilling detail.  It was as if Neil Young was deliberately trying to destroy himself as a successful artist, but on stage in
  front of audiences.   "Time Fades Away" received horrific damning negative reviews from the music journalists who were unable
  to understand the sheer intensity of Young, they could only relate to his far more accessible earlier songs like"Heart Of Gold",
  which would also now began the alienation of so called 'fans'. This section of the verses given in full above from the incredible
"Ambulance Blues" was Neil Young's answer to his critics, deserting fans and maybe even fellow musicians;
I never knew a man could tell so many lies,
He had a different story for every set of eyes.
How can he remember who he's talking to?
'Cause I know it ain't me, and I hope it isn't you.

Well, I'm up in T.O. keeping jive alive,
And out on the corner, it's half past five.
But the subways are empty,
And so are the cafes.

Except for the Farmer's Market,
And I still can hear him say;
"You're all just pissing in the wind,
You don't know it, but you are."

And there ain't nothing like a friend.
Who can tell you, you're just pissing in the wind.

I never knew a man could tell so many lies,
He had a different story for every set of eyes.
How can he remember who he's talking to?
'Cause I know it ain't me, and I hope it isn't you.
With that in mind, if you read the amateur but honest and sincere Rusty Kershaw liner notes on the inner sleeve, you get a real
insight into the musical genius of Neil Young, when wracked with guilt and grief about the loss of two close friends to heroin.
Those same journalists who reviewed "On The Beach" most certainly did read the liner notes and heard Neil Young's performance
of "Ambulance Blues", the truth in those lyrics stung them into mounting the most viscous campaign against a new album in the
entire history of rock music.  Maybe only John Lennon's 1969 "Bed-In" and the live recording of "Give Peace A Chance" received
slightly worse, if only because of their disgraceful savaging of Yoko.    As a result the magnificent 1974 "On The Beach" failed
commercially, the fact the LP contained the most intensive songs and performances of Young's entire career, fell onto deaf ears
but to a handful of people.  Just how much "On The Beach" meant to Neil Young was seen throughout the arrival of the CD era, he
refused permission to release it on a CD during the 1980's and the 1990's, available now but as ever a 1974 LP is only heard with
it's true impact and sound from original vinyl.  Ebay descriptions are usually no more than preset up templates filled in with
copy & pasted info from a convenient website, the rest is to to entice buyers, how much the original record has meant to me on a
personal level during the last 43 years, began way before I dreamed of becoming a record seller. This is a true story, the early
1980's, when my original 1974 record was worn smooth from constant playing, I simply couldn't find a matching first issue that
was not also in the same terrible state as mine. Eventually in a music paper advert, I found one guy specialising in selling folk
related records and I gave him a call, he had a Mint- copy and I arranged to go round to see it. It was exactly what I was looking
for and when I asked how much he wanted, he came up with an extremely high figure for a time when few considered vinyl to even
have a collector's value.  The figure of £25 made me gulp, it was 35 odd years ago and brand new records only cost about £4 then,
I hesitated, but just for a split second because I hated the awful sounding re-issue I had bought cheaply,I happily met his price
and still have that treasured record today. So why is the original that rare, if still in top playing condition?  For such a major
established artist,"On The Beach" sold so poorly in August, 1974, in the UK it struggled to reach No.42 and after only 21 days it
dropped right out of the charts, decades later it became an album that achieved legendary status.  Historically in 1974, it was the
studio follow up to "Harvest" and the minimalist production was something of a culture shock for anyone looking for more of the
same, events cannot be controlled and like all true great's, Neil Young expressed his pain in songs.

This is not an album based on one key track, every second of "On The Beach" is a rivetting listening experience and one to return
  to  over and over again. This is not a depressing album, just take the deeply beautiful melody of "See The Sky About To Rain," it
  sounds very much like a track from happier days on either "After The Goldrush" or "Harvest," as a songwriter Neil Young's genius
  was always producing the most amazing new songs.  His wistful gently sung vocals had a fragility that were ruined when records
  reach completely worn out stages. I do miss out when I decide to leave a record of this stature unplayed, so much info is unsaid,
  for example, the track I just mentioned, "See The Sky About To Rain" has a really fantastic Byrds cover version recorded in the
same 1974, on the 1974 re-union Assylum album, Gene Clark sang the lead vocals.  "On The Beach" is not just an acoustic album
either, from the Byrds & CSN&Y, you have David Crosby's electric rhythm guitar played in perfect synch with Neil's electric lead
guitar, firing out the superb riff to the incredible "Revolution Blues." On these first pressings Rick Danko's bass is extremely loud
and with such emphatic drumming from Levon Helm, this really was a very powerful, heavy rock backing. I do not want to enter into
'salesman' territory for this masterpiece of an album, and over the last few decades more than enough has been written about the
unquestionable greatness of "On The Beach," to list on ebay without needing to discuss individual tracks.
{Roy}
    R & M RECORDS.

My lifetime's love of music and records began at a very young age, the arrival of the Beatles and the 1960's decade
  in general had a very profound effect. It was only natural to bring all my first hand experience of collecting vinyl
  into becoming a professional record seller.  Nearly thirty years ago we entered into the wonderful atmosphere
of record fairs with the highest possible standards set. When the Internet became the world's new market place for
  vinyl, in 2001 it was time to join ebay. Those standards were rigidly adhered to as they will always continue to be,
the basics of honesty and integrity were very much part of the era the music I love originated in, so here is our friendly
and very efficient service we are proud to provide;

EVERY RECORD IS FULLY PLAYED AND COMES WITH A 'NO ARGUMENT' MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.
  I USE GOOD OLD COMMON SENSE AS WELL AS A GLOBALLY ACCEPTED GRADING TERMINOLOGY
  FROM THE U.K. "RECORD COLLECTOR PRICE GUIDE" BOOK.
THERE IT CLEARLY STATES "Sound Quality" AFFECTS EVERY GRADING LEVEL AND THAT IS THE ONE
AND ONLY POSSIBLE WAY TO ACCURATELY GRADE RECORDS. i.e. COMBINING A STRICT VISUAL
INSPECTION WITH VERY CLOSELY LISTENING TO EVERY SECOND, UNLESS PERHAPS IN THE CASE
OF GENUINELY UNPLAYED VINYL.  EVEN THEN WE STILL TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR A RECORD
WHEN A CUSTOMER RECEIVES EITHER A SEALED OR AN UNPLAYED RECORD.
 

  We take 100% responsibility after an item has been posted and offer our fullest support in the event of any problems.
"There Are No Problems, Only Solutions" (John Lennon)
MY DESCRIPTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE 100% HONEST AND TOTALLY ACCURATE ON ALL GRADINGS
FROM 'V.G.' ( VERY GOOD), TO THE ULTIMATE 'MINT' CONDITION.


ANY QUESTIONS ON OUR ITEMS ARE WELCOMED AND WILL BE PROMPTLY REPLIED TO.
 

WE ARE FULLY EXPERIENCED AT SHIPPING WORLDWIDE AND NO EFFORT IS SPARED TO PROTECT
RECORDS AND COVERS ETC.  WE WELCOME BIDDERS FROM ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

ALL RECORDS ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR SLEEVES AND PLACED INTO NEW PROTECTIVE CARD
SLEEVES AND THEN PLACED INTO NEW, HEAVYWEIGHT PLASTIC OUTER SLEEVES.
THE GREATEST ATTENTION IS PAID TO MAKING THE PACKAGING EXTREMELY STRONG & SECURE.
EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE A SAFE DELIVERY AND WE ONLY USE THE VERY BEST
QUALITY PACKAGING MATERIALS, THE COST OF THE ITEM IS IMMATERIAL, EVERY RECORD IS
TREATED EXACTLY THE SAME.

WE DO NOT TREAT POSTAGE AS A MONEY MAKING PROJECT, POSTAGE IS LESS THAN COST, USING
ONLY PROFESSIONALLY PACKED BOXES WITH SUBSTANTIAL PROTECTIVE PACKAGING THAT DOES
WEIGH A LITTLE EXTRA.

UNDER PAYPAL & EBAY'S GUIDELINES, ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA A FULLY INSURED TRACKABLE
SERVICE.


We have kept all our charges at the same level for years now, but due to the Post Office's new price increases, regretfully we
will have to increase the cost of LP's, however, singles will remain unchanged.  Ebay were aware of that happening and have
  increased their minimum postal cost for LP's to £7.00, that figure has been enforced by the UK Post Office and it will become
our UK First Class, Recorded Delivery cost for albums up to the value of £46.  A temporary reduction this week means we can
now post LP's for £5, but who knows how long before the Post Office return to £7?

For LP's valued above £46, the cost will be £9, we are unhappy about either increase but our high standard of packaging has meant
in 13 years of ebay trading, there has not been one record damaged, we are determined to maintain that in the present and future.

IN THE UK RECORDS UP TO THE VALUE OF £46 WILL BE SENT RECORDED DELIVERY, OVER £46 WILL BE
SENT SPECIAL DELIVERY.
  FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA 'INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR.'

POSTAGE  COST FOR LP's
UK: UP TO VALUE OF £46, FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY  £5.00
UK: OVER VALUE OF £46, FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY £9.00


EUROPE: FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR  £15.00


USA,JAPAN & REST OF THE WORLD FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £20.00


POSTAGE COST FOR EP's & 7"
UK: UP TO THE VALUE OF £46 FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY £3.00
UK: OVER THE VALUE OF £46 FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY £6.00
EUROPE: AIR MAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £10.00
USA, JAPAN ETC. AIRMAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £12.00


PAYMENT DETAILS.

WE WILL SEND ALL WINNING BIDDERS AN INVOICE WITH THE FULL PAYMENT AND POSTAL DETAILS,
AS NEAR TO THE AUCTION ENDING AS POSSIBLE.

OUR AIM IS TO MAKE YOUR PURCHASE SMOOTH AND TROUBLE FREE.


FOR UK BUYERS;

WE ACCEPT:  PAYPAL, CHEQUES, POSTAL ORDERS & BANK WIRES.


FOR OVERSEAS BUYERS;

WE ACCEPT:  PAYPAL, INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDERS IN POUNDS STERLING ONLY.
OR BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFERS.

WE WILL NOT MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS ON CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORMS AND WILL ALWAYS
CONDUCT ALL OF OUR BUSINESS WITH TOTAL HONESTY.
AS MUCH AS WE SYMPATHISE WITH THE WAY SOME COUNTRIES CHARGE SUCH HEAVY IMPORT
DUTIES, WE WILL NOT LIE.


  Pay me with PayPal.

I don't charge my buyers extra!