Neil Young - Original 1969 US Reprise label 1st Pressing 12-track LP - Without 'RE-1' Matrix Etching

Rare original US 1969 Reprise Records 1st pressing - the original non remixed LP version of legendary singer/songwriter and ex-Buffalo Springfield members 12-track debut album - recorded with and co produced by Jack Nitzsche & Ry(land) Cooder.

Youngs solo debut album was recorded using Haeco-CSG processing with the intention of making stereo records compatible with mono record players. The process had an unfortunate sound degrading side effect in both stereo and mono - and Young was displeased with the overall sound quality and especially the way hes voice sounded.

Track 3 & 4 on Side 1 and 2 & 3 on Side 2 was subsequently remixed stressing Youngs voice and adding some overdubs during the summer of 1969 - only a few month after the initial release November 12, 1968.

This - The first - pressing has tan and orange steamship labels with integrated circular ':r', 'reprise' and boxed 'W7' logos and 'Warner Bros - Seven Arts Records' lower rim text.

Vinyl has handetched matrix number - otherwise machine stamped trail off information:

Side 1: o 30817 RS6317A -1C AA2 p
Side 2: 30818 RS6317 B- 1C1 A2 o p

Most Neil Young vinyl US pressings from the late 1960s up through the mid-late 70s were manufactured by Columbia - the petit 'o' stresses that metalparts - masters, mothers and stampers was manufactured by Columbias plating and processing operator, Customatrix - from the acetate made from mastertape 30818.
The small engraved 'P' is the symbol for Columbias Pitman, New Jersey, pressing plant. The important matrix detail is that the 1C & 1C1 matrix endings stresses that this is from the 1st mastering - this is as such the 1st pressing before the remastered issues which has "RE-1" matrix etchings.

Vinyl is housed in a gatefold picture sleeve which has Roland Deihls full cover close up drawing of Neil Young on front cover - no name banner above the cover artwork.

Condition: VG++ (Vinyl and Labels)/VG++ (Cover):

Vinyl is in astonishing condition - supremely bright and shiny and with almost no signs of handling or play - a single superlight and slightly complex mark -otherwise hardly any sleeve inflicted wear.

Labels have a single or two barely visible spindletraces couple with a little label rise from a removed sticker - labels are - like the vinyl conservatively graded close to near mint/excellent.

Picture cover has an upper opening corner dent settling with just a little wrinkling in the area. Cover is otherwise almost free from signs of handling or storage: the very faintest wear along top front vinyloutlione - next to nothing - hardly any seam or corners wear - perfect inner spread and mint cover centres - a cover conservatively graded close to near mint/excellent - overall a simply very attractive copy and very rarely seen ondition copy.

Tracklisting:

Side 1:
1 The Emperor Of Wyoming (2:14)
2 The Loner (3:55)
3 If I Could Have Her Tonight (2:15)
4 I've Been Waiting For You (2:30)
5 The Old Laughing Lady (5:05)

Side 2:
1 String Quartet From Whiskey Boot Hill (1:04)
2 Here We Are In The Years (3:27)
3 What Did You Do To My Life? (2:00)
4 I've Loved Her So Long (2:40)
5 The Last Trip To Tulsa (9:25)

Recorded August - October 1968 at Wally Heider Recording, Sunset Sound Recording and TTG Recording, Hollywood, CA

Credits:
Neil Young - vocals, guitars, piano, synthesizer, harpsichord, pipe organ
Ry Cooder - guitar
Jack Nitzsche - electric piano
Jim Messina, Carol Kaye - bass
George Grantham, Earl Palmer - drums
Merry Clayton, Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Gloria Richetta Jones, Sherlie Matthews, Gracia Nitzsche - backing vocals

Technical Credits:
David Briggs, Ry Cooder, Jack Nitzche, Neil Young - production
Dale Batchelor, Donn Landee, Mark Richardson, Henry Saskowski - engineers
Rik Pekkonen - arrangements, engineer

Artwork:
Danny Kelly - photography
Ed Thrasher - album art direction
Roland Deihl - cover painting