Music From The Big Pink - Original 1968 US Capitol label Stereo 10-track LP

Rare original 1968 US Capitol Records vinyl 10-track vinyl LP album - the very influential debut album by The Band... an album steeped in American roots music traditions - country, blues, gospel, folk, gospel, rockabilly - and with an overall orientation towards closer culture-bourne values. At the time, George Harrison and Eric Clapton cited the album as the reason why they decided to abandon overdriven blues and psychedelia to pursue a path of quiet contemplation and authenticity.

Vinyl has the generic company black rainbow rim labels with top oval company logo... and without 'A Subsidary...' text along lower label rim - vinyl is housed in a outer pasted gatefold picture cover.

For those into the handetched matrix information: 
Side 1: ST 1 2955 B4 #2    O
Side 2: ST 1 2955 B4 2    O
suggesting that the pressing was done by Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Jacksonville pressing plant... labels and matrix information are era specific and underlines originality. 

Condition: VG++ (Vinyl and Labels)/VG++ (Cover):
Vinyl is simply extremely close to perfect - barely any signs of use or handling except for an absolute minimum of sleeve wear - next to nothing.
Labels are in perfect condition - an album barely played with the original shine to prove it.
Cover is in amazing condition - as good as no seam wear - just hints of spine edge wear - and a very marginal lower spine corner dent - very close to perfect and a simply extremely desireable copy.

Tracklisting:

Side 1:
1. Tears Of Rage (Bob Dylan, Richard Manuel) 5:23
2. To Kingdom Come (Robbie Robertson) 3:22
3. In A Station (Richard Manuel) 3:34
4. Caledonian Mission (Robbie Robertson) 2:59
5. The Weight (Robbie Robertson) 4:34

Side 2:
1. We Can Talk (Richard Manuel) 3:06
2. Long Black Veil (Marijohn Wilkin, Danny Dill) 3:06
3. Chest Fever (Robbie Robertson) 5:18
4. Lonesome Suzie (Richard Manuel) 4:04
5. Wheel's On Fire (Bob Dylan, Rick Danko) 3:14
6. I Shall Be Released (Bob Dylan) 3:19

Recorded early 1968 at A&R Studios, New York, and at Capitol Studios, Los Angeles.
Pressed by Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Jacksonville pressing plant

Credits:
Garth Hudson - organ
Levon Helm - drums, vocals
Richard Manuel - piano, vocals
Rick Danko - bass, vocals
Jaime Robbie Robertson - guitar

John Simon - Production
Albert Grossman - Arrangements
Don Hahn - Engineering
Rex Updegraft - Engineering
Shelly Yakus - Engineering
Tony May - Engineering

Milton Glaser - Artwork/design
Bob Dylan - Cover Painting
Elliott Landy - Photography