Vinyl pressings
by Don Ellis · 1971
Tears Of Joy was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 3 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.
Ƨ \ PAL-30928-1C A1A etched (Variant 1)
S \ PBL-30928-1C A1D etched (Variant 1)
Ƨ I PAL-30929 1A o AB etched, o stamped (Variant 1)
I PBL-30929 1A AC etched (Variant 1)
PAL-30928 1A °Runout side A, variant 1
PBL-30928 1A °Runout side D, variant 1
PAL-30929 1A °Runout side B, variant 1
PBL-30929 1A °Runout side C, variant 1
PAL-30928 1C A1Runout side one, etched
PBL-30928 1C A3Runout side four, etched
PAL-30929 1J 1 T VRunout side two, etched
PBL-30929 1B X5Runout side three, etched
S 67216-ARunout side A
S 67216-B S67216.BRunout side B
S 67216-CRunout side C
S.67216-DRunout side D
S 64553Side A and B
S 64554Side C and D
G 30927Side A To D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Netherlands | CBS S 67216First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Spain | CBS S 67216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Columbia G 30927 / Columbia C 30928First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Columbia CG 30927First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | US | Columbia G 30927 / Columbia C 30928First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Columbia G 30927 / Columbia C 30928First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPL 145~6LP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1972 | US | Columbia GQ 30927LP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 36AP 1481~2LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia G 30927 / Columbia C 30928LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia G 30927 / Columbia C 30928LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Tears Of Joy are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1971 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Netherlands, Spain. One of them is Columbia G 30927, released October 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G 30927, CG 30927, S 67216) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Ƨ \ PAL-30928-1C A1 and S \ PBL-30928-1C A1. 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.
