Vinyl pressings
by Country Joe McDonald · 1973
Paris Sessions was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
V SD79328A2A TRunout side A, variant 1
V SD79328B2A TRunout side B, variant 1
V SD79328A2A T ARunout side A, variant 2
V SD79328B2A T ARunout side B, variant 2
VSD79328A-2A (stamped) T (etched)Side One runout
VSD79328B-2A (stamped) T (etched)Side Two runout
VSD 79328A2 A PRRunout side A, variant 1
VSD 79328A2 A PRRunout side B, variant 1
VSD 79328 A PR S/WRunout side A, variant 2
VSD 79328 B PR S/WRunout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Vanguard VSD 79328 / Vanguard VSD 79328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Vanguard VSD 79328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Vanguard 519059 / Vanguard VSD 79.328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Vanguard VSD.79328 / Vanguard VSD 79328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Vanguard VSD 79328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Vanguard VSD.79328 / Vanguard VSD-79328First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Stereo, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Vanguard VSD 79328LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Vanguard VSD 79328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Vanguard VSD 79328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Vanguard VSD 79328 / Pye Records VSD 79328LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Vanguard GXF-45LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Paris Sessions are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1973 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Vanguard VSD 79328.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VSD 79328, VSD.79328, 519059) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V SD79328A2A T and V SD79328B2A T. 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.
