Witches' Brew

The New Symphony Orchestra Of London • Alexander Gibson

"Living Stereo • Classic Records 180g Reissue (1994)"

Cat#: LSC-2225
Record Label: RCA Victor Red Seal / Classic Records
Country Released: US
Label Info: Living Stereo • Reissue • 180 Gram
Stereo/Mono: Stereo
Release Year: 1994
Title(s) / Tracks:
Side A Title Side B Title
A1 Overture To "Tam O'Shanter" Op. 52
(Malcolm Arnold) 		B1 Danse Macabre Op. 40
(Camille Saint-Saëns)
A2 Gnomus (from Pictures Of An Exhibition)
(Modest Mussorgsky; arr. Maurice Ravel) 		B2 Witches' Ride (from "Hansel And Gretel") (Engelbert Humperdinck)
A3 A Night On Bare Mountain
(Modest Mussorgsky; arr. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov) 		B3 Mephisto Waltz
(Franz Liszt)

Level of Testing
Full Playback x Partial Playback Visual Only
Vinyl Condition Score (points-based)
Vinyl 96 / 100 NM
Metric Severity Deduction
Playback (max 50)
Surface noise / crackle None 0
Ticks / pops (random) None 0
Repeating click None 0
Distortion / Groove wear None 0
Visual surface (max 40)
Cosmetic unless reflected in playback.
Hairlines / sleeve scuffs Very Light -2
Scuffs (heavier rub) Very Light -2
Scratches (non-feelable) None 0
Feelable scratch / Gouge None 0
Pressing defect visible (non-fill/flow lines) None 0
Handling / provenance (max 10)
Spindle marks None 0
Label damage / writing / stickers None 0
General handling risk (dirty storage / unknown history) None 0
Playback & visual notes:
Vinyl presents in exceptional Near Mint condition — as close as it gets to Mint without being sealed, with an almost unplayed appearance. Full playback on my system revealed no audible issues (no crackle, pops, distortion or repeating clicks heard). Strong audiophile provenance and housed in a high-quality anti-static inner sleeve, consistent with careful handling and correct long-term storage.
How to read this: Playback deductions reflect what is actually heard. Visual deductions are cosmetic unless confirmed during playback.
Sleeve Condition Score (points-based)
Sleeve 94 / 100 NM
Metric Severity Deduction
Structural / integrity (max 60)
Seam splits (top / bottom) None 0
Spine (legible / damage) Clean / fully legible 0
Corners / edge wear Very Light -2
Surface / print (max 30)
Cosmetic marks, rubbing, ringwear, gloss loss.
Ring wear / rubbing None 0
Creases / bends Very Light -2
Stains / fading / sunning None 0
Completeness / extras (max 10)
Original inner / inserts / booklet Unknown -2
Stickers / writing / residue None 0
Sleeve notes:
Near Mint sleeve with sharp edges, clean surfaces and no notable wear. No seam splits, ringwear, writing, stickers or staining observed. Overall presentation is excellent and consistent with careful ownership. Please see pics for very light issues.
How to read this: Structural issues (splits/spine) matter most; cosmetic wear is scored separately.
Grade Key (Score / Grade)
97-100 = M 80-96 = NM 70-79 = EX 60-69 = VG+ 50-59 = VG <50 = G+ / F
Applies to Vinyl, Sleeve and Overall scores (all out of 100).
How the scoring works
This listing uses a transparent points-based system so you can see exactly what contributes to the final figures. Playback is scored cumulatively (localised issues = small deductions, not an automatic downgrade of the whole record).
Important: Vintage vinyl is rarely dead-silent, even when visually excellent. The notes focus on what you will actually hear. If anything is uncertain, it is stated clearly rather than hidden behind a grade.
Grading System

My Grading Philosophy (Updated 20th Nov 2025)

  • The points-based score above is the primary method. The definitions below explain what each score band typically means in practice.
  • I use a hybrid of Goldmine (US) and Record Collector (UK) standards.

Mint (M)

  • Perfect condition in every way.
  • Guaranteed unplayed or factory sealed.
  • Cover, inserts, and inner sleeves are flawless.

Near Mint (NM or M-)

  • Almost indistinguishable from Mint.
  • Record may have been played once or twice with no audible issues.
  • No visible marks, scuffs, or handling wear.
  • Cover is bright, clean, and free from major defects.

Excellent (EX)

  • Very light signs of use but still a high-end copy.
  • Hairline marks or faint sleeve scuffs may be visible under strong light only.
  • Should play near-perfectly with minimal background noise.
  • Sleeve may show slight edge wear or minor handling but remains clean and attractive.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

  • Better than VG but not quite EX.
  • Light, non-feelable marks or occasional low-level noise may be present.
  • Still a solid, enjoyable listening copy.
  • Sleeve may show moderate wear, small creases, or faint ring wear.

Very Good (VG)

  • Played many times and will show signs of use.
  • Audible surface noise, more noticeable in quiet passages.
  • Light groove wear or feelable scratches possible.
  • Sleeve will show general wear, writing, or small defects.

Good (G) / Fair (F) / Poor (P)

  • Increasingly worn; may include heavy noise, distortion, repeats/skips, or significant sleeve damage.
Equipment Used for Testing
(Full Testing Only)
  • Turntable: JBL TT350
  • Stereo Receiver: Sony STR-DH190
  • Speakers: Elac Debut 3.0 DB63
  • Preamp: Cambridge Audio MM/MC 640P
  • Stylus / Needle: Audio Technica VMN95EN
  • Other Notes: Testing done with standard volume, quiet room, no EQ or DSP applied.
Postage
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All items packed in sturdy mailers with padding.

Next-day dispatch after payment where possible.

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Refund Policy
Most listings are EX/NM quality. If my grading ever falls below expectations, I will happily offer a full refund.