Vinyl pressings
by Carole King · 1972
Been To Canaan / Bitter With The Sweet was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 14 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.
T ODE 66063-TIA-Side Runout Etching
T ODE 66064-TIB-Side Runout Etching
ODE 66063-T3 ᵀᴵᴵᴵVar 2: Run-out Side A, etched
ODE 66064-T3 ᵀᴵᴵᴵVar 2: Run-out Side B, etched
ODE 66063-P1A side deadwax - etched
ODE 66064-P3B side deadwax - etched
ODE 66063-M1 (MR) △89896Runout side A
ODE 66064-M2 (MR) △89896-XRunout side B
66063Label side A
66064Label side B
MX41245Side A label
MX41246Side B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Ode Records ODK 4928 / A&M Records ODK 4928First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Barbados | Ode Records ODE-66031First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Brazil | A&M Records 7OD-4003 / Ode Records 7OD-4003First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Ode Records ODE-66031First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Ode Records ODE-66031First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Canada | Ode Records ODE 66031First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | France | Ode Records ODS-66.031 / A&M Records 66031First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | A&M Records 12 423 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Italy | A&M Records AM 45038First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | A&M Records AM-166First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | A&M Records 12 423 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Ode Records ODK 4928 / A&M Records ODK 4928First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Peru | A&M Records 11745First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Spain | A&M Records HS-889 / Ode Records HS-889First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | Ode Records ODS 66031First year7", Single | 7", Single |
20 vinyl pressings of Been To Canaan / Bitter With The Sweet are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1972 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is Ode Records ODE-66031, released November 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ODE-66031, ODS 66031, ODK 4928, 7OD-4003) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T ODE 66063-TI and T ODE 66064-TI. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
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.
