Strange Fruit - Original 1970 UK CBS label 10-track LP

Original 1970 UK CBS label 10-track LP - English singer/songwriters second studio album - a great and largely undiscovered work of the acoustic based late 60's period. In the late 60's Gary Farr made the transition from leader of R&B outfit the T-Bones to a talented singer/songwriter. Farr signed to CBS Records in 1970, recording this sole album for the label - his debut album was release by the Marmalade label in 1969. Sessions featured contributions from Richard Thompson on lead guitar with backing from Mighty Baby.

Allmusic critic Ritchie Unterberger wrote in his review: "Farr, who had started recording in the mid-'60s as a journeyman British R&B/rock singer, showed signs of substantial growth by the time of this 1970 album. He was at this point writing most of his material, sometimes in a somber folk-rock-ish vein with echoes of the likes of Tim Hardin (without as much sentiment) or Roy Harper (without the craziness)."

Vinyl has the generic smooth orange company labels with black printing and centered boxed camera eye logo and company name.

Vinyl has the machine stamped matrix info:
Side 1: S-64138-A1, mother/stampers A 1
Side 2: S-64138-B1, mother/stampers A 1

- first pressing - manufactured from the first mastering - the first set of mothers and stampers - pressed at the CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton.

Vinyl is housed in a generic company add inner sleeve, and is ultimately housed in a Shorepak printed picture cover.

Condition: VG++ (Vinyl and Labels)/VG (Cover)
Superbly bright vinyl - has a touch of sleeve inflicted scuffing only - nothing inflicted by a needle. Labels has almost no signs of handling or play - overall near mint vinyl.

Cover has mild waving as though it has been subjected to humidity - nothing hints at dried up direct water. Cover has light vinyl outline and just a touch of wear along this... along with a few light wrinkles from marginal bends and a small area of discolouration towards lower front opening.

Seams are intact but with light wear - most of 'ar' in 'Farr' has been worn off - otherwise easily readable spine - opening edges are not rubbed. Cover has slightly rubbed corners - lower spine corner a dent settling with a little wrinkling... all in all a series of not so tough imperfections - artwork comes through nice and without any major disturbance. A decent upper VG cover.

Tracklisting:

Side 1:
1. In The Mud 3:39
2. Old Man Boulder 4:46
3. Strange Fruit (Lewis Allen) 4:53
4. Margie 4:10
5. Revolution Of The Season 4:56

Side 2:
1. About This Time Of The Year 4:45
2. Down Among The Dead Men 4:40
3. Proverbs Of Heaven And Hell 3:29
4. Old Man Moses 3:10
5. Sweet Angelina 4:40

All songs written and composed by Gary Farr, except where noted.

Pressed at the CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton.

Credits:
Gary Farr - Six & Twelve String Acoustic Guitars, Harmonica
Richard Thompson - Lead Guitar
Mick Evans - Bass
Ian Whiteman - Piano, Flute
Roger Powell - Drums

Technical Credits:
Martin Birch - Engineering
Fritz Fryer - Production
Mike Batt - String Arrangements

Artwork:
Eric Hayes - Front Cover Photography
Daniel Leone - Back Cover Photography
Ricky Farr - Liner Notes