US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Charlie Parker Records PLP-401Carlton PLP-401
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
M8 OP6115--1A A： RRunout side A stamped
M8 OP6116--1A RRunout side B stamped
Vinyl pressings
"Bird" Is Free
by Charlie Parker · 1961
32 pressings7 countriesBopJazz
"Bird" Is Free was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. 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 "Bird" Is Free
8 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 2 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.
US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Charlie Parker Records PLP-401-SCharlie Parker Records PLP-401
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
PLP-401-S- A SM STEREOSide A runout
PLP-401-B SM STEREOSide B runout
US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Charlie Parker Records PLP-401
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
PLP-401 #1 MONO
PLP-401 #2 MONO
US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Charlie Parker Records PLP-401
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
PLP-401 #1 MONO
PLP-401 #2 MONO
US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Charlie Parker Records PLP-401
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · Black Label, Gatefold Cover
US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Charlie Parker Records PLP-401
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
PLP-401 Side #1Etched side A
PLP-401 Side #2Etched side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 32 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | UK | Summit AJS 5 / Charlie Parker Records PLP-401First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | Egmont AJS 5 / Charlie Parker Records PLP-401First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1961 | US | Charlie Parker Records PLP-401 / Carlton PLP-401First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1961 | US | Charlie Parker Records PLP-401-S / Charlie Parker Records PLP-401First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | Charlie Parker Records PLP-401First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Charlie Parker Records PLP-401First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Charlie Parker Records PLP-401First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Charlie Parker Records PLP-401First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | UK | Esquire 32-157LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1964 | Germany | MGM Records 65 107LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1967 | France | Musidisc 30 CV 985LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
1970s10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | UK | Crown Records CRS 2003LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Crown Records CRS 2003 / Gallery Stereo GCRS 2003LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Crown Records CRS 2003LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Crown Records CRS 2003 / Gallery Stereo GCRS 2003LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Swing CLDE 905 / Swing CLDE. 905LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1974 | Japan | Baybridge Records ULS-1692-BLP, Album, Mono, Reissue · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Reissue · Mono |
| 1974 | US | Everest Records Archive Of Folk & Jazz Music FS 295 / Everest Records Archive Of Folk & Jazz Music FS-295 (E)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | Italy | Quadrifoglio VDS 390LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | Quadrifoglio International VDS 390LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Charlie Parker Records IGJ 50012LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
1980s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Rhapsody RHAP 7LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | Jazz Reactivation JR 139LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Brazil | Imagem Jazz IMS-6039 / Imagem 6039LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Year unknown8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Musidisc 30 CV 985LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Musidisc 30 CV 985LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Musidisc 30 CV 985LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Musidisc 30 CV 985LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Overseas Records ULS-1535-VLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Charlie Parker Records PLP-401-S / Charlie Parker Records PLP-401LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Charlie Parker Records PLP-401LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Charlie Parker Records PLP-401-S / Charlie Parker Records PLP-401LP, Album | LP, Album |
Tracklist
- A1Rocker5:15
- A2Sly Mongoose3:27
- A3Moose The Mooche3:55
- A4Star Eyes2:20
- B1This Time The Dream's On Me5:10
- B2Cool Blues2:42
- B3My Little Suede Shoes4:10
- B4Lester Leaps In3:56
- B5Laura3:00
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of "Bird" Is Free are there?
32 vinyl pressings of "Bird" Is Free are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1961 and 1985.
When was "Bird" Is Free first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK. One of them is Charlie Parker Records PLP-401.
How do I tell if my copy of "Bird" Is Free is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PLP-401, PLP-401-S, AJS 5) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M8 OP6115--1A A： R and M8 OP6116--1A R. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is "Bird" Is Free 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.
