UK
January 1969- Label and catalog number
- Transatlantic Records TRA 179
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
TRA 179 A1Runout stamp side A
TRA 179 B1Runout stamp side B
Vinyl pressings
Birthday Blues
by Bert Jansch · 1969
18 pressings9 countriesFolkFolkWorld& Country
Birthday Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. 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 Birthday Blues
8 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 4 countries. 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.
UK
January 1969- Label and catalog number
- Transatlantic Records TRA 179
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
TRA 179 A1Side A, runout stamped
TRA 179 B1Side B, runout stamped
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- Reprise Records RS 6343Reprise Records 6343
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
30891 RS 6343 A -1F. A 2 Ԁ ᴑSide A runout, variant 1
38292 RS-6343 B 1C A 3 Ԁ ᴑSide B runout, variant 1
P 30891 RS 6343 A -1F. X B 2Side A runout, variant 2
o 38292 RS-6343 B 1C P A 1Side B runout, variant 2
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- Reprise Records RS 6343
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Terre Haute
- Runout / matrix
30891 RS 6343 A 1B B v ᴑ TSide A runout, etched, Variant 1
30892 RS-6343 B 1B ᴑ TSide B runout, etched, Variant 1
30891 RS 6343 A 1B \ B3 ᴑ TSide A runout, etched, Variant 2
30892 RS-6343 B 1B \ A2 ᴑ TSide B runout, etched, Variant 2
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- Reprise Records RS 6343
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
Ƨ 30891 RS-6343 A 1A ᴑ A2Side A runout etched, except o stamped
Ƨ \ 30892 RS-6343 B 1A ᴑ A5Side B runout etched, except o stamped
Ƨ I 30891 RS-6343 A 1A ᴑ B2Variant 2 - Side A runout etched, except o stamped
Ƨ \ 30892 RS-6343 B 1A ᴑ A4Variant 2 - Side B runout etched, except o stamped
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- Reprise Records RS 6343
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 18 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Reprise Records RS 6343 / Reprise Records 6343First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | France | Transatlantic Records TRA 179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Reprise Records RS 6343 / Reprise Records 6343First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Reprise Records RS 6343First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Reprise Records RS 6343First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Reprise Records RS 6343First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Transatlantic Records TRA 179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Transatlantic Records TRA 179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
1970s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Spain | Movieplay S-21.233LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | France | Transatlantic Records TRA 179LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1972 | US | Reprise Records RS 6343LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Transatlantic Records IRP-80897LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Japan | Transatlantic Records YZ-155-LALP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Italy | Earmark 42009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Sanctuary TRA 179 / BMG TRA 179LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2017 | US | Superior Viaduct SV124LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Transatlantic Records TRA 179LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Transatlantic Records TRA 179LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Come Sing Me A Happy Song To Prove We Can All Get Along The Lumpy, Bumpy, Long And Dusty Road2:01
- A2The Bright New Year1:31
- A3Tree Song2:33
- A4Poison3:12
- A5Miss Heather Rosemary Sewell2:09
- A6I've Got A Woman5:11
- B1A Woman Like You4:22
- B2I Am Lonely2:21
- B3Promised Land2:48
- B4Birthday Blues1:10
- B5Wishing Well2:13
- B6Blues2:41
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Birthday Blues are there?
18 vinyl pressings of Birthday Blues are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1969 and 2017.
When was Birthday Blues first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, Canada, France. One of them is Transatlantic Records TRA 179, released January 1969.
How do I tell if my copy of Birthday Blues is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TRA 179, RS 6343) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TRA 179 A1 and TRA 179 B1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Birthday Blues 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.
