Mike + The Mechanics – Living Years (1988 LP Original Canadian Atlantic / Cinram Pressing w/ Custom Lyric Inner Sleeve) - EX/NM Vintage Vinyl (78 19231)

Catalog an iconic 1988 pop-rock classic complete with its original custom lyric inner sleeve for your archival inventory: Living Years by Mike + The Mechanics. Distributed in Canada by WEA Music of Canada, Ltd. / WEA Musique du Canada, Ltée (Scarborough, Ontario) on green-and-red Atlantic Records labels (78 19231 / CR pressing code; matrix labels ST-A-887201 / ST-A-887202; ONE / TWO), this 12-inch stereo vinyl LP was produced by Christopher Neil and Mike Rutherford, engineered by Nick Davis (assisted by Paul Gomersall and Terry Irwin), and recorded at The Farm (Surrey, April 18th–August 18th, 1988). Performed by Mike Rutherford (guitar, bass), Paul Carrack (vocals), Paul Young (vocals), Adrian Lee (keyboards), and Peter Van Hooke (drums)—with contributions from Alan Murphy, Luis Jardim, Martin Ditcham, Sal Gallina, B. A. Robertson, Tony Banks (recording "Black & Blue" riff), and the King's House School Choir led by the late Michael Stuckey—the 10-track sequence spans Side One ("Nobody's Perfect", "The Living Years", "Seeing Is Believing", "Nobody Knows", "Poor Boy Down") and Side Two ("Blame", "Don't", "Black & Blue", "Beautiful Day", "Why Me?"). Housed in its original outer sleeve (78 19231, barcode 0 7567-81923-1 9) featuring sleeve design by Halpin Grey Vermeir, black-and-white photography by Geoff Halpin, and color portraits by John Swannell, the complete set includes both the original custom illustrated lyric inner sleeve (78 19231) and an archival Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MoFi) Original Master anti-static inner sleeve.

Structural & Visual Inspection

• Vinyl Surface & Labels Condition - EXCELLENT / NEAR MINT (EX / NM): Glossy black vinyl retains deep groove luster with crisp micro-groove definition, showing only faint, non-feelable hairline sleeve marks and minor surface dust flecks under angled macro inspection. Both Side One (ST-A-887201) and Side Two (ST-A-887202) green-and-red Atlantic Records labels (78 19231, CR) remain bright, vibrant, and clean with sharp black-and-white typography, minimal spindle marks, and clean center holes.

• Jacket & Inner Sleeves Integrity - VERY GOOD PLUS / NEAR MINT (VG+ / NM): Original outer sleeve exhibits crisp monochrome seascape/umbrella cover photography and band portraits along the top back panel, showing light edge/corner rubbing, mild ring wear along the lighter upper front border, and a solid intact spine with no seam splits. Includes both the original custom monochrome lyric inner sleeve (78 19231, clean and intact with light handling wear) and a clean Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MoFi) Original Master anti-static archival inner sleeve.

Condition Assessment Disclaimer: Please note that we are not professional graders; all condition assessments are determined visually to the best of our abilities. Prospective buyers and collectors are encouraged to carefully examine the accompanying high-resolution photographs—which depict the exact item you will receive—to form their own final grading assessment.

Item Specific Details