Description "20th CENTURY MAN"  (Ray Davies, 1971) This is the age of machinery, A mechanical nightmare, The wonderful world of technology, Napalm, hydrogen bombs, biological warfare. This is the twentieth century, But too much aggravation It's the age of insanity. What has become of the green pleasant fields of Jerusalem? Ain't got no ambition, I'm just disillusioned, I'm a twentieth century man, but I don't wanna be here. My mama said she can't understand me, She can't see my motivation, Just give me some security, I'm a paranoid, schizoid, product of the twentieth century. You keep all your smart modern writers, Give me William Shakespeare, You keep all your smart modern painters, I'll take Rembrandt, Titian, Da Vinci and Gainsborough. Girl, we gotta get out of here, We gotta find a solution, I'm a twentieth century man, but I don't want to die here. I was born in a welfare state, Ruled by bureaucracy, Controlled by civil servants, And people dressed in grey. Got no privacy, got no liberty, 'Cos the twentieth century people, Took it all away from me. Don't wanna get myself shot down, By some trigger happy policeman, Gotta keep a hold on my sanity, I'm a twentieth century man, but I don't wanna die here. My mama says she can't understand me, She can't see my motivation, Ain't got no security, I'm a twentieth century man but I don't wanna be here. This is the twentieth century, But too much aggravation, This is the edge of insanity, I'm a twentieth century man but I don't wanna be here. THE KINKS: "Muswell Hillbillies" LP.  RARE FIRST UK PRESSING, RELEASED 24th NOVEMBER 1971. ORANGE RCA LABEL: SF 8243 MAITRIX: APRS 5984 - 4E / APRS 5985 - 4E The very first pressing, only one pressing was made in 1971, "Muswell Hillbillies" sold so poorly it never made a UK chart entry. Pye pressed the records, as usual for the early 70's, they allocated a digit before the letter 'E', first pressing generally have either '- 3E' / '- 3E' ' or '- 4E' /- 4E', but they were chosen at random and many, many variations exist for other RCA LP titles.   Like David Bowie albums from the early 1970's, you need to learn individual first pressing end digits before the letter 'E', at this point in 1971, the orange RCA labels were not matt and softly textured, but with a slightly 'bobbly' or roughly textured with a positive sheen top surface.  Pye's massively thick, heavyweight vinyl was unique to 1971, still to the 60's standard and   so was the very powerfully mastered sound! ORIGINAL 1971 PYE/RCA INNER SLEEVE, UNUSED AND UNSPLIT, IN NEAR MINT CONDITION FIRST ISSUE 'Howards Printers (Slough) Ltd' GATEFOLD COVER, WITH A DISTINCTIVE SQUARE SHAPE SPINE. As there was only one pressing and one printing, like their other gatefold covers in the early 1970's, I can lay the full blame   on 'Howards Printers (Slough) Ltd' for printing yet another cover with ink deficiencies, a base colour of green showing though   the colours of the artwork became their trademark!  This massively heavyweight very first pressing record was at least inside    a deluxe, extra thick and heavy cardboard type, they had a rougher open grain top paper surface. I have written this same for   dozens of album titles, the most affected were Island and Vertigo, but there were many others, a prime example from the same   1971, is Sandy Denny's "North Star Grassman And The Raven" first pressings.  I can best describe the top surface as being more   like an American gatefold cover, so was the heavy duty construction.  The spines were square or book shaped, but all the covers   suffered from instantaneously fading ink as early as late 1971!   Particularly the spines when the artwork continued over onto   the back, I was pleasantly surprised to see this spine had not turned a shade of green, as my pictures show, completely unworn   with 'day of issue' lettering but none of the usual fading or colour loss, the green hue base colour is mostly on the outer edges.    This is not the usual ebay seller speculation, I collected Kinks records as issued from their earliest 1960's LP's and take great   interest in how they have faired over all of the decades.  Apart from "Percy" in 1970, from 1966 all the Kinks covers had some    kind of design or printing issue that affected them right from day one, my original "Muswell Hillbillies" was bought on the day    it arrived at my local record shop, one of the few that was, everything written here was experienced first hand. Here is a record    left unplayed but even though it was perfectly stored, it still has the same light fading I found on my cover in November 1971.    This is unworn in the conventional sense of constant use and is in fantastic condition, I happen to believe in telling it exactly    as is and then explaining how I arrive at gradings.  The  corners are in as close to perfect as I have seen, not quite perfect but   absolutely minimal standing in storage traits after all those decades, the same applies to all the edges and fractional storage   signs pale into of consequence at all with the main cover as starchy and rigid as the day it was made.  Storage was so careful,   there is not the seemingly obligitory ring wear on the front and back or either of the inside panels, please see my pictures for   how exceptional this is for a first edition "Muswell Hillbillies" UK gatefold gatefold cover.   The far right front's edge had the printing finished  over it, not cut straight and stuck underneath the inside's left side panel overlapping edge.  That folded over edge does partially have the green hue, I sincerely hope my attention to detail does not   detract from this beautiful looking and perfectly stored  rare first edition cover.  This benefited from a plastic outer sleeve from brand new, what a superb collection this came from!  If not, and it had the expected heavy use of the record, it would   have positively looked like the average condition of this heavyweight cover. The inside has the complete lyrics printed over a colour picture of the band outside and not far from the pub they are seen inside on the outside artwork, in outstanding unaged, immaculate condition.     I feel it is unfair to downgrade such a beautiful cover of this vintage due to how it was made and printed, in what is now as long    as 42 years ago.  This was after all how they were first bought and I am one of the few record sellers who can speak from genuine experience in 1971, this is  as close to perfect as it can possibly be.    JUST A GENTLE RECORD IMPRESSION, SO NEAR MINT CONDITION. THE RECORD IS GLEAMING LIKE NEW, IN UNPLAYED / MINT CONDITION. SIDE 1 "20th Century Man" "Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues" "Holiday" "Skin And Bone" "Alcohol" "Complicated Life" SIDE 2 "Here Come the People In Grey" "Have A Cuppa Tea" "Holloway Jail" "Oklahoma U.S.A." "Uncle Son" "Muswell Hillbilly" Ray Davies - lead vocals & acoustic guitar   Dave Davies - lead guitar, slide guitar & backing vocals John Dalton - bass guitar John Gosling - keyboards Mick Avory - drums & percussion Mike Cotton - trumpet John Beecham - trombone & tuba All songs Written By Ray Davies. Recorded August - October 1971 At Pye's Morgan Studios, London. Produced By Ray Davies. This was bought as part of a superb collection and all the other records were either barely played or in this ultimate condition,     I'm delighted to offer an unplayed first UK pressing, but it pesents a major problem as a Kinks fanatic.  I really wanted to hear    this stunning condition record, I cannot possibly be allowed to start writing the length of description, such a loved album has   to involve.   I rate "Muswell Hillbilly" as among the Kinks greatest ever albums, it had to be, the themed albums really started in 1966 with "Face To Face" and they  all included Ray's incredible talent to examine society and like a photograph, he managed to   perfectly capture the subject.   You had just about every view of the 'subject matter', humour mixed with profound observations set to some of the finest music, so "Muswell Hillbilly" as much of a masterpiece as "Village Green",  "Arthur", "Lola Versus...." and the soundtrack to "Percy."  Only now "Muswell Hillbilly" contained such classic Kinks songs, tracks like "Holiday", "Alcohol" and "Skin And Bone" instantly became concert favourites for both the band and the audience, sure, Kinks albums no longer sold, but a loyal live following filled every venue the Kinks played.  At this stage in 1971, Ray developed into an extrovert character   on stage and while performing "Alcohol", staggering around with a bottle in one hand and Kinks concerts became a real joy to   attend.   While the world around him turned to heavy, dark moody progressive music, with musicians and no longer bothering to   communicate with audiences, Ray Davies brought back the age of fun with theatrical and absorbing sets from the band.  I had   better return to this album, but having just taken one careful undetectable play, how can I not remember how amazing the Kinks   were live in the early 1970's.  They toured non stop and even if leaving Pye to sign for RCA failed to ignite commercial success,   Ray seemed like a man re-born and really happy, ironically Pye pressed RCA records in the 1970's so at least perfect mastering   and pressings kept their records to the same superb audio standard.  While listening to the album before, I jotted down some   track notes, it was refreshing using a pen and paper, remember that?  I decided I could type that out after giving some album   info and one my informal 'chats', if I had a template form to fill in like other regular sellers impose on themselves, I would go   crazy!  This way I can keep my descriptions loose and open to how I feel on any given day, anyway, this unplayed record had the   most stunning sound quality on every single track and there was not a negative word needed, virtually no surface sound or static   beyond vinyl's natural, just fantastic music!  The labels do not have any spindle traces, the vinyl is totally unmarked and like   brand new, I  always make certain not leave any signs of being played on the labels or records, Kinks albums from any decade are   now extremely rare in top condition.  The pre-1967 mono only albums that did sell sell and chart, are virtually all wrecked today   and after "Something Else", a shocking statistic is they never again charted in the UK  after 1967. The ever re-shuffled 60's and   early 70's singles compilations did carry on selling and charting, so the rarity of all UK pressed Kinks albums makes this a very   special occasion for me, here are some album details.   The "Muswell Hillbillies" title was a very clever pun about the part of North London Ray and his younger brother Dave grew up in, most artists chose exotic locations  to centre albums around, the Kinks just popped down to their local pub instead!  The serious   side of the lyrics and the album's theme, an examination of the futility and hardships of working class life,near poverty and how   Lonon was having communities broken up and scattered around new housing developments.  The Victorian houses of the "Arthur"   period were now being demolished and in their place 'uniform boxes' were built, writing from the heart inspired Ray Davies into   genius mode.  He was just as scathing about the stresses imposed onto ordinary people by the 'People In Grey', the lyrics I chose   from "20th Century Man" were a perfect illustration of the album's theme, the music itself is just typical of the Kinks, folk, blues   R & M RECORDS. My lifetime's love of music and records began at a very young age, the arrival of the Beatles and the 1960's decade   in general had a very profound effect. It was only natural to bring all my first hand experience of collecting vinyl   into becoming a professional record seller.  Over twenty years ago now we entered into the wonderful atmosphere of record fairs with the highest possible standards set. When the Internet became the world's new market place for   vinyl, in 2001 it was time to join ebay. Those standards were rigidly adhered to as they will always continue to be, the basics of honesty and integrity were very much part of the era the music I love originated in, so here is our friendly and very efficient service we are proud to provide; EVERY RECORD IS FULLY PLAYED AND COMES WITH A 'NO ARGUMENT' MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.   I USE GOOD OLD COMMON SENSE AS WELL AS A GLOBALLY ACCEPTED GRADING TERMINOLOGY   FROM THE U.K. "RECORD COLLECTOR PRICE GUIDE" BOOK. THERE IT CLEARLY STATES "Sound Quality" AFFECTS EVERY GRADING LEVEL AND THAT IS THE ONE AND ONLY POSSIBLE WAY TO ACCURATELY GRADE RECORDS. i.e. COMBINING A STRICT VISUAL INSPECTION WITH VERY CLOSELY LISTENING TO EVERY SECOND, UNLESS PERHAPS IN THE CASE OF GENUINELY UNPLAYED VINYL.  EVEN THEN WE STILL TAKE FULL RESPONSIBITY FOR A RECORD WHEN A CUSTOMER RECEIVES EITHER A SEALED OR AN UNPLAYED RECORD.   MY DESCRIPTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE 100% HONEST AND TOTALLY ACCURATE ON ALL GRADINGS FROM 'V.G.' ( VERY GOOD), TO THE ULTIMATE 'MINT' CONDITION. ANY QUESTIONS ON OUR ITEMS ARE WELCOMED AND WILL BE PROMPTLY REPLIED TO.   WE ARE FULLY EXPERIENCED AT SHIPPING WORLDWIDE AND NO EFFORT IS SPARED TO PROTECT RECORDS AND COVERS ETC.  WE WELCOME BIDDERS FROM ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. ALL RECORDS ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR SLEEVES AND PLACED INTO NEW PROTECTIVE CARD SLEEVES AND THEN PLACED INTO NEW, HEAVYWEIGHT PLASTIC OUTER SLEEVES. THE GREATEST ATTENTION IS PAID TO MAKING THE PACKAGING EXTREMELY STRONG & SECURE. EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE A SAFE DELIVERY AND WE ONLY USE THE VERY BEST QUALITY PACKAGING MATERIALS, THE COST OF THE ITEM IS IMMATERIAL, EVERY RECORD IS TREATED EXACTLY THE SAME. WE DO NOT TREAT POSTAGE AS A MONEY MAKING PROJECT, POSTAGE IS LESS THAN COST, USING ONLY PROFESSIONALLY PACKED BOXES WITH SUBSTANTIAL PROTECTIVE PACKAGING THAT DOES WEIGH A LITTLE EXTRA. UNDER PAYPAL & EBAY'S GUIDELINES, ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA A FULLY INSURED TRACKABLE SERVICE. We have kept all our charges at the same level for years now, but due to the Post Office's new price increases, regretfully we will have to increase the cost of LP's, however, singles will remain unchanged.  Ebay were aware of that happening and have   increased their minimum postal cost for LP's to & £7.00, that figure has been enforced by the UK Post Office and it will become our UK First Class, Recorded Delivery cost for albums up to the value of £46.   For LP's valued above £46, the cost will be £9, we are unhappy about either increase but our high standard of packaging has meant in 12 years of ebay trading, there has not been one item damaged, we are determined to maintain that in the present and future. IN THE UK RECORDS UP TO THE VALUE OF £46 WILL BE SENT RECORDED DELIVERY, OVER £46 WILL BE SENT SPECIAL DELIVERY.   FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA 'INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR.' POSTAGE  COST FOR LP's UK: UP TO VALUE OF £46, FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY  £7.00 UK: OVER VALUE OF £46, FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY £9.00 EUROPE: FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR  £15.00 USA,JAPAN & REST OF THE WORLD FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £20.00 POSTAGE COST FOR EP's & 7" UK: UP TO THE VALUE OF £46 FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY £3.00 UK: OVER THE VALUE OF £46 FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY £6.00 EUROPE: AIR MAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £10.00 USA, JAPAN ETC. AIRMAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £12.00 PAYMENT DETAILS. WE WILL SEND ALL WINNING BIDDERS AN INVOICE WITH THE FULL PAYMENT AND POSTAL DETAILS, AS NEAR TO THE AUCTION ENDING AS POSSIBLE. OUR AIM IS TO MAKE YOUR PURCHASE SMOOTH AND TROUBLE FREE. FOR UK BUYERS; WE ACCEPT:  PAYPAL, CHEQUES, POSTAL ORDERS & BANK WIRES. FOR OVERSEAS BUYERS; WE ACCEPT:  PAYPAL, INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDERS IN POUNDS STERLING ONLY. OR BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFERS. WE WILL NOT MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS ON CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORMS AND WILL ALWAYS CONDUCT ALL OF OUR BUSINESS WITH TOTAL HONESTY. AS MUCH AS WE SYMPATHISE WITH THE WAY SOME COUNTRIES CHARGE SUCH HEAVY IMPORT DUTIES, WE WILL NOT LIE.   Pay me with PayPal. I don't charge my buyers extra!