Soap Opera - 1975 US Pressed RCA label 12-track LP

1975 US Pressed RCA label 12-track LP - the 3rd concept album in great British rock bands theatrical period - following the 'Preservation Act' albums - originally developed as a Granada TV live teleplay in 1974, broadcasted under the title Star Maker, and starring Ray Davies and June Ritchie as the leads, with the Kinks providing live accompaniment - featuring the singles "Holiday Romance" (UK), "Everybody's a Star (Starmaker)" (US), "Ducks on the Wall" (UK) and "You Can't Stop the Music" (UK).

Vinyl has the generic tan company labels with vertical white outline RCA logo to the far left of centre hole and solid, white, horizontal Victor logo to the right of centre hole - all other print is black.

Vinyl has machine stamped (ms) and hand etched (he) matrix information:
Side 1: LPL1-5081-A-30 (he) STERLING (ms) RL (he) I A1 (ms)
Side 2: LPL1-5081-B-31 (he) STERLING (ms) RL (he) I A1 (ms)
suggesting this copy to be manufactured from a master supplied by the New York based Sterling Sound, mastered by Robert Ludwig and subsequently pressed by RCA Records Pressing Plant, Indianapolis.

Vinyl is housed in a gatefold picture cover with top spine sticker stating the 'AFL1-5081' catalogue number.

Condition: VG++ (Vinyl and Labels/ VG+(+) (Cover):
Vinyl is nice - bright and shiny... just a little sleeve inflicted wear - a little too much for a near mint grading. Not the best of carbon dyings either, but otherwise nice. Mint labels. Vinyl is overall graded close to near mint/excellent.

Cover has nice front and back cover centers - slight pressure lines towards the right front cover... a little very light wrinkling from edges.

Seams are intact - very little wear to top seam and a little more to lower seam. Spine has a minor top crease - outside the easily readable area. Opening edges are without rubbing.
Corners are very slightly rubbed and very nice - overall a close to near mint/excellent cover.

Tracklisting:

Side 1:
1. Everybody's a Star (Starmaker) 2:57
2. Ordinary People 3:49
3. Rush Hour Blues 4:27
4. Nine to Five 1:48
5. When Work Is Over 2:06
6. Have Another Drink 2:41

Side 2
1. Underneath the Neon Sign 3:53
2. Holiday Romance 3:10
3. You Make It All Worthwhile 3:49
4. Ducks on the Wall 3:20
5. (A) Face in the Crowd 2:17
6. You Can't Stop the Music 3:12

All songs written and composed by Ray Davies

Recorded at Konk Studios, Hornsey, London, UK
Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York, NY 10011, USA
Pressed at RCA Records Pressing Plant, 7900 Rockville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46224, USA

Credits:

The Kinks:
Ray Davies - vocals, guitar
Dave Davies - guitar, vocals
John Dalton - bass
John Gosling - keyboards
Mick Avory - drums
Alan Holmes
John Beecham
Laurie Brown

Additional Musicians:
June Ritchie - vocals of "Andrea" ("Norman"'s wife)
Lyndsey Moore, Pamela Travis, Shirley Roden - Vocalists

Technical Credits:
Ray Davies - Production, Arrangements
Roger Beale - Recording Engineer
Robert Ludwig - Mastering

Artwork:
Joe Petagno - illustration
Pat Doyle - art direction