Vinyl pressings
by Dan Fogelberg · 1979
Phoenix was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 11 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.
S2 PAL-35634-2AM Masterfonics THE KIDS WILL NEVER KNOW A1Runout A, variant 1
S1 PBL-35634-2D Masterfonics LETS ASK THE WEASEL A4Runout B, variant 1
S1 PAL-35634-4E Masterfonics THE KIDS WILL NEVER KNOW A8Runout A, variant 2
S2 PBL-35634-4F Masterfonics LETS ASK THE WEASEL A2Runout B, variant 2
PAL-35634-2G THE KIDS WILL NEVER KNOWSide A runout
PBL-35634-2H LETS ASK THE WEASELSide B runout
PAL-35634-1H MASTERFONICS THE KIDS WILL NEVER KNOW PSide A runout, variant 1
PBL-35634-1J MASTERFONICS LET'S ASK THE WEASUE JS PSide B runout, variant 1
o PAL-35634-2C Masterfonics THE KIDS WILL NEVER KNOW T1Variant 1, side A runout
o PBL-35634-2C Masterfonics LETS ASK THE WEASLE 2TVariant 1, side B runout
o T1 PAL-35634-2AE Masterfonics THE KIDS WILL NEVER KNOW 1AVariant 2, side A runout
o T1 PBL-35634-2C Masterfonics LETS ASK THE WEASEL 1AVariant 2, side B runout
PBL-35634-4C MASTERFONICS LET'S ASK THE WEASELSide A Etching Stamp
PAL-35634-5A MASTERFONICSSide B Etching Stamp
AL 35634Side 1 Label
BL 35634Side 2 Label
PAL-35634-2GX Masterfonics THE KIDS WILL NEVER KNOW C XTSide A runout, variant 1
PBL-35634-2B Masterfonics LETS ASK THE WEASEL H7 o TSide B runout, variant 1
T1 PAL-35634-2AA Masterfonics The Kids Will Never Know ASide A runout, variant 2
o T1 PBL-35354 (Numbers Scratched Out) -2R 35634 Masterfonics Let’s Ask The Weasel ASide B runout, variant 2
PAL-35634-4F Masterfonics THE KIDS WILL NEVER KNOW S1A Side etched; Masterfonics stamped
PBL-35634-3A Masterfonics LETS ASK THE WEASEL D5 ºT1B Side etched; º Masterfonics stamped
AL 35634A Side Label
BL 35634B Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4024 / Full Moon FE 35634First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4024 / Full Moon FE 35634First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Brazil | Epic 144402First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | Epic EPC 83317 / Full Moon EPC 83317First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | Epic EPC 83317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25-3P 170First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Epic EPC 83317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25-3P 170First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | South Africa | Epic DNW2467First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Epic EPC 83317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Full Moon FE 35634 / Epic FE 35634First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Epic PE 35634 / Full Moon PE 35634LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | US | Full Moon FE 35634 / Epic FE 35634First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Full Moon FE 35634 / Epic FE 35634First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Epic FE 35634 / Full Moon FE 35634First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | Epic EPC 83317LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Epic EPC 83317LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Taiwan | Pop MH-7600LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1982 | US | Full Moon HE 45634 / Epic HE 45634LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | South Korea | King Record KP-2030LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Epic 47.210LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Rainbow RSVLP 205LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Epic PE 35634 / Full Moon PE 35634LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Full Moon FE 35634 / Epic FE 35634LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Full Moon PE 35634 / Epic PE 35634LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Epic PE 35634 / Full Moon PE 35634LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Full Moon PE 35634 / Epic PE 35634LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
35 vinyl pressings of Phoenix are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1979 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Full Moon FE 35634, released November 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FE 35634, EPC 83317, 25·3P-170, ELPS 4024) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S2 PAL-35634-2AM Masterfonics THE KIDS WILL NEVER KNOW A1 and S1 PBL-35634-2D Masterfonics LETS ASK THE WEASEL A4. 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.
