Gravy Train - Original 1970 UK Vertigo label 6-track LP - Large Side 2 Swirl Logo Label

Rare original 1970 UK Vertigo label 6-track LP - Lancashire, UK, progressive/psychedelic rock quartets debut album - labelled "Richly harmonic, daringly jam-laden, and peppered with guitar roars that simply defy comparison" by Allmusics Dave Thompson, who called the album "a genuine minor classic" writing that "Gravy Train is the sound of the British underground at its most joyously liberated peak."

Vinyl has the Side 1 full swirl logo label and the Side 2 label with the large 'Swirl' logo only above centre hole and outline company name at bottom label - stressing that this is the original 1st issue.

Vinyl has machine stamped matrix info:

Side 1: 6360023 AV1, mother/stamper 1 1 1
Side 2: 6360023 2Y*3, mother/stamper 3 1 3

Vinyl is housed in a generic polylined company 'swirl' logo inner sleeve with "0470" dating on lower front - ultimately in a non-laminated and textured Hipgnosis designed gatefold picture cover.

Condition: VG++ (vinyl and labels)/VG++ (cover):

Vinyl: Near Mint, VG++:
Vinyl is super lustrous - extremely little and very light signs of play or handling - a touch of sleeve inflicted scuffing only - plain near mint.

Labels: Near Mint, VG++:
Both labels has just a little light spindlewear - looks like 1 - 2 handfuls - no wear to centerhole itself - basically displaying that this album was listened to a few time - but cared for when so.

Cover: VG:
Front cover is really nice - a touch of inevitable vinyl outline.
Back has a touch of ringwear - next to nothing - and a 4 x 3 cm lower left corner sticker tear.

Inner spread is almost mint.

Cover has a little corners and edge rubbing - almost none to top seam, front panel opening and spine wear - just a little to back panel opening and front panel bottom - more pronounced but far from worn along lower back panel.

All in all a simply very nice cover which would be at least upper VG+ bordering to close to near mint/excellent if not for the sticker tear.

Playgrading: VG++:
Vinyl plays great - straight tracking, barely any noise in the parts without sound. Vinyl displays dynamics and volume, clearly defined instruments and no distortion. Vinyl grading is straight near perfect.

Tracklisting:

Side 1:
1. The New One 5:15
2. Dedication To Sid 7:17
3. Coast Road 6:46
4. Enterprise 6:20

Side 2:
5. Think Of Life 5:10
6. Earl Of Pocket Nook 16:11

All songs written and composed Gravy Train

Recorded at Olympic Sound Studios London

Line up:
Norman Barrett - Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals
Barry Davenport - Drums, percussion
J.D. Hughes - Flute, Keyboards, Alto & Tenor Saxophone, Vocals
Lester Williams - Bass, Vocals

Technical Credits:
Jonathan Peel - Production
Keith Harwood - Engineer

Artwork:
Hipgnosis - Cover Design, Photography