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Tracklisting & More Information
Is this the rarest Pink Floyd single in the world? We really do think so, and here's why.
The matrix information of this demonstration copy confirms it to be the very first pressing of their debut single. The 'G' stamper code and '1' mother code indicate this pressing came from the very first stamper, made from the first mother. You can't get closer to the master-tape than this pressing, unless you own the acetate.
During the past decade there have not been any documented sales of this record - the demo label 7" with the picture sleeve. A handful of regular stock copy 7"s, with or without 'Factory Sample' stickers, have appeared inside the promo sleeve but none of these are the true 'red & white A label' demonstration record.
To give this some additional context, over the past 20 years we have bought and sold:
- 2 copies of John's Children Midsummer Night Scene Track 7",
- 4 copies of Kate Bush's Eat The Music 7" (and 2 test pressings),
- 7 copies of the Sex Pistols God Save The Queen A&M 7",
- 8 copies of Queen's blue vinyl Bohemian Rhapsody 7".
...all widely regarded to be some of the rarest 'pop' singles.
And that does not include all the others we've seen for sale but not handled. In the same period, we have only ever seen one other copy of the genuine Arnold Layne 'A' label demo with the promo picture sleeve, and that was over 10 years ago. Apples & Oranges and See Emily Play have all turned up in recent years, but not Arnold Layne.
There's an interesting side-note to this copy. Until we acquired it earlier this year it had remained with its former owner for over 32 years. This record comes complete with its last purchase receipt, dated 30 Jan 1975, for the princely sum of 30 pence...unbelievable!
2007 saw the 40th anniversary, not only of Arnold Layne, but also of Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, and there was a very special 3-CD set released in September incorporating mono and stereo mixes of the entire album, along with a bonus disc of early material including Arnold Layne, See Emily Play, Apples & Oranges and their B-sides.
This Demonstration Record complete with sleeve is so rare it has to be the ultimate Pink Floyd single.
Arnold Layne was the first single released by The Pink Floyd, shortly after they landed a recording contract with EMI. The song was written by Syd Barrett.
Although it wasn't included on the UK release of the band's debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, many still consider Arnold Layne to be one of the finest psychedelic pop songs of its time.
The song is about a transvestite who steals women's clothes and undergarments from washing lines - Not the usual 'I love You, You Love Me' lyric of the time!
Rumour has it that Arnold Layne may have actually been based on a real person that stole underwear from the washing lines of Syd and bassist Roger Waters' Mums during their childhood days in Cambridge.
Despite finding a place in the Top 20, the song's unusual content upset Radio London, who eventually banned it from radio airplay.
A black and white promotional film of Arnold Layne was made the same year, featuring the band dressing up a mannequin on a beach.
Candy and a Currant Bun, the B-side, was originally known as 'Let's Roll Another One' before the record company forced Syd to rewrite it without the controversial drug and sex references. The re-recorded version which appears on the record has the lyric 'Please just walk with me' replacing the 'Please just f*** with me' that was on the original acetate!
FURTHER DETAILS :-
Matrices: (side 1 / side 2)
7XCA 27877-1 G 1 KT & 7XCA 27878-1 G 1 KT (both stamped)
The sleeve:
Printed in black on light pink paper, the front has :
THIS IS IT!
... THE NEXT PROJECTED SOUND OF `67
In the center is a circle with Columbia, a large A, and the title in it representing the 'A' label inside.
The back reads :
ROGER
NICK
SYD
RICK
THE
PINKFLOYD
'ARNOLD LAYNE'
'CANDY AND THE CURRANT BUN'
With the Columbia / EMI logos and catalogue number at the bottom.
The Labels:
The front is a white Columbia label with black titles & a large red 'A' on side one with an intact 4-prong push out centre with the 'KT' tax code.
The label is printed with :-
DEMONSTRATION
RECORD
and
NOT FOR
SALE
To the left of the center hole, it says:
DUNMO MUSIC
7XCA 27877 45
P 1967
Under the center hole, it says:
Brit.
(10.3.67)
To the right of the center hole, it says:
DB 8156
The text around the top edge of label reads:
The Gramophone Co., Ltd.- All rights of the Manufacturer and of the owner of the recorded work reserved.
The text around the bottom edge of label reads:
Unauthorized public performance, broadcasting and copying of this record prohibited.
Condition :-
The sleeve is in fantastic condition with secure flipbacks, no obvious ringwear, no rips, creases, tears or stains. In fact, the only clue to it being forty years old at all are some light scuffs to the very edges which are only visible on very close inspection as the pink shows through the black.
This is far & away the best sleeve you will ever see.
The vinyl :-
Much the same as the sleeve. If it has been played, it's not been played much. The surface is unmarked & it doesn't even show any hairline marks usually caused by the edges of paper sleeves. MINT.
An incredible copy.
This is without a doubt a time-warp copy that you would have been unlikely to find in this good condition in 1967, let alone forty years later. We couldn't believe it when we saw it.
We can guarantee that you will never find a better copy, if you can find one at all - An investment grade item !
7" RECORD
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