FAMILY - MUSIC IN A DOLL'S HOUSE 1968 1st UK press EX Tri-Colour Steamboat label
Sold Date:
February 10, 2019
Start Date:
February 3, 2019
Final Price:
£32.00
(GBP)
Bid Count:
15
Seller Feedback:
601
Buyer Feedback:
178
FAMILY -
MUSIC IN A DOLL'S HOUSE
REPRISE RSLP 6312
1st UK PRESS
1968
Family, in their early years, were among the very finest exponents of classic British psychedelia - this group made music to last, to stand the test of time, and I don’t think there’s a single moment wasted, lacking direction, or out of place on this incredibly memorable album - it’s easily one of the most enjoyable psych records ever made - evocative of the times without being drippy - strong, sure-footed and complicated without ever lapsing into pretentiousness (not that that’s such a bad thing, sometimes) - an essential document of the times and a massively important record!
Music in a Doll's House is the debut album the group released on July 19, 1968. The album, co-produced by Dave Mason of Traffic, features a number of complex musical arrangements contributing to its ambitious psychedelic/progressive sound.
The Beatles had originally intended to use the title A Doll's House for the album they were recording during 1968. The release of Family's similarly titled debut then prompted them to adopt the minimalist title "The Beatles" for what is now more commonly referred to as The White Album due to its plain white sleeve.
Family formed in late 1966 in Leicester from the remaining members of a group that was previously known as The Farinas and later The Roaring Sixties, whose sound was grounded in R&B. The Farinas originally consisted of John "Charlie" Whitney, Tim Kirchin, Harry Ovenall and Jim King, forming at Leicester Art College in 1962. Ric Grech replaced Kirchin on bass in 1965 and Roger Chapman joined the following year on vocals. The American record producer Kim Fowley suggested they call themselves "The Family" as they regularly wore double-breasted suits in performances, giving themselves a mafia appearance, a look they soon abandoned in favour a more casual dress code. They played the famous Marquee Club in April 1967. Family's debut single, "Scene Through The Eye Of A Lens/Gypsy Woman", produced by Jimmy Miller and released by Liberty Records in October 1967, was not a success. Around this time, drummer Harry Ovenall was asked to leave the band and was replaced by Rob Townsend.
The band signed with the Reprise Records label (the first UK band signed directly to UK and US Reprise) and their debut album Music in a Doll's House, was recorded during early 1968. Jimmy Miller was originally slated to produce it but he was tied up with production of The Rolling Stones' album Beggar's Banquet and he is credited as co-producer on only two tracks, "The Breeze" and "Peace Of Mind". The bulk of the album was produced by former Traffic member Dave Mason and recorded at London's Olympic Studios with engineers Eddie Kramer and George Chkiantz. Mason also contributed one composition to the album, "Never Like This", the only song recorded by Family not written by a band member, and the group also backed Mason on the b-side of his February 1968 single "Just For You".
Weight of the vinyl: An ultra heavy 145 gr.!!! (Far heavier than later re-issues). The vinyl version of a Rolls Royce, this oozes quality. Rarely found as a genuine first press these days!!
THE VINYL PLAYS SUPERBLY ALL THE WAY THROUGH BOTH SIDES .
THE STEREO REPRODUCTION IS SUPERB AND EVERY NOTE IS HEARD CLEARLY AND CRISPLY. JUST LIGHT BACKGROUND NOISE IN QUIET PLACES MAINLY BETWEEN THE TRACKS IN THE SILENT GROOVES. NEEDLES TO SAY, NO STICKS OR JUMPS!
On offer here is a very rare LP by the Leicester band FAMILY called '' Music in a Doll's House" and is a UK ORIGINAL 1st pressing!!!! Issued on the original tri-color Steamboat Reprise label.
The absolute rarity of this album is not to be underestimated. It hardly ever surfaces nowadays. This is an absolutely gorgeous super heavy slab of early quality REPRISE vinyl which is in great condition with just a few hairlines!! This has a lovely deep glossy sheen!! Hauntingly beautiful songcraft!!! Immense quality heavy/prog album that ticks all the right boxes and incredibly hard to find. I have twenty five years experience in grading. It doesn't get much better than this!!
Please, also have a look at my other albums on sale this week
****ELUSIVE HEAVY/ PROG MONSTER!!!****PERPLEXING SONGCRAFT!!!***AN INSPIRATION TO MANY SUBSEQUENT TOPACTS!!!***
Vinyl: VG to VG+. A great find!!! I have played this in FULL twice over> fantastic audio, a joy to listen to!! This is the true official 1st stereo press. I first played for a general listen and a second time for a more detailed observation. There are hairlines, but these are not impacting the great audio. I would say that the audio is actually closer to EX. This vinyl retains its fabulous deep glossy sheen. Fantastic songcraft!! I am very glad to be able to report that this is a fine slab of vinyl without any problems at all and as such worthy of inclusion of any great prog collection. Of course NO jumps/clicks/skips etc.
Sleeve: VG++. Made by "Garrod and Lofthouse Ltd." Front laminated with the three flipbacks. There are a few underlaminate creases near the opening. The spine is fully legible although a small area of 2cm. in the middle of the spine is missing its laminate and print but this area does not carry any lettering. All in all a wonderful sleeve with bright colours without any splits. The edges are 100%. NO writing, No stains etc..
the original inner advertising sleeve is present but does have a bottom seam split.
***This is a unique prime investment opportunity!!! Finding this album in any condition at all is nearly impossible!!! This is a great and seriously collectable super album!! You will buy into a piece of psych history.***
This is a unique investment opportunity!!! The next psych album to go completely through the roof. Finding this album in any condition at all is nearly impossible so late in the day. Get this while you still can. This value of the album is only going to go one way ... up and up ... until it will be totally unavailable at all for a reasonable price.
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