US
February 1964- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BLP 4156
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
BNLP-4156 A VAN GELDER PSide A runout
BNLP-4156 B VAN GELDER PSide B runout
BN 4156-ALabel, side A
BN 4156-BLabel, side B
Vinyl pressings
The Freedom Rider
by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers · 1964
20 pressings3 countriesHard BopJazz
The Freedom Rider was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Freedom Rider
5 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
US
February 1964- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BST 84156Blue Note ST-84156
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
BNST-84156•A• VAN GELDER P STEREOSide A runout
BNST-84156•B • VAN GELDER P STEREOSide B runout
BNST 84156-ALabel, side A
BNST 84156-BLabel, side B
US
February 1964- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BST 84156Blue Note ST-84156
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
BNST-84156·A· VAN GELDER STEREO PRunout, side A
BNST-84156·B· VAN GELDER STEREO PRunout, side B
BNST 84156-ALabel, side A
BNST 84156-BLabel, side B
US
February 1964- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BLP 4156
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · DG side 1
- Runout / matrix
BN 4156-ALabel, side A
BN 4156-BLabel, side B
US
February 1964- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BLP 4156
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
BN 4156-ALabel, side A
BN 4156-BLabel, side B
BNLP 4156-ALabel, side A
BNLP 4156-BLabel, side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 20 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s11 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | US | Blue Note BLP 4156First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Blue Note BST 84156 / Blue Note ST-84156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Blue Note BST 84156 / Blue Note ST-84156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Blue Note BLP 4156First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Blue Note BLP 4156First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BST 84156LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note 4156 / Blue Note BLP 4156LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BST 84156LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BST 84156LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BLP-4156LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BST-84156 / Blue Note ST-84156LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
1970s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Blue Note BST 84156LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Blue Note BST- 84156 KLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Blue Note BST- 84156LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Blue Note BST- 84156LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BST-84156LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Blue Note 84156 / Blue Note BST-84156LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Blue Note ST-84156 / Elemental Music ERLP 1018LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| 2019 | US | Blue Note 84156 / Universal Music Special Markets B0029463-01LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Blue Note BST 84 156 KLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Tell It Like It Is
- A2The Freedom Rider
- B1El Toro
- B2Petty Larceny
- B3Blue Lace
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Freedom Rider are there?
20 vinyl pressings of The Freedom Rider are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1964 and 2019.
When was The Freedom Rider first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US. One of them is Blue Note BLP 4156, released February 1964.
How do I tell if my copy of The Freedom Rider is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLP 4156, BST 84156) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BNLP-4156 A VAN GELDER P and BNLP-4156 B VAN GELDER P. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Freedom Rider on vinyl worth?
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
