Vinyl pressings
by Donald Byrd · 1969
Fancy Free was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
BNST ∙ 84319 ∙ A ¬ ∙ VAN GELDERSide A runout, etched/stamped
BNST ∙ 84319 ∙ B ∙ VAN GELDERSide B runout, etched/stamped
BNST 84319-ALabel A
BNST 84319-BLabel B
BNST84319.A. VAN GELDER 114Variant 1, Side A runout
BNST84319.B. VAN GELDER 114Variant 1, Side B runout
BNST.84319.A. 114 VAN GELDERVariant 2, Side A runout
.BNST.84319.B. VAN GELDER 114Variant 2, Side A runout
BNST ∙ 84319 ∙ A ¬ ∙ VAN GELDERSide A runout, etched/stamped
BNST ∙ 84319 ∙ B ∙ VAN GELDERSide B runout, etched/stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Germany | Blue Note BST 84 319 KFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Japan | Blue Note BST 84319First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Note BST/84319 / Blue Note BST 84319First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Blue Note BST 84319First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Blue Note BST 84319LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST 84319LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST 84319LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | Blue Note BST 84319LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | Blue Note BST 84319LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Japan | Blue Note GXK 8141 / Blue Note BST 84319LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Japan | Blue Note GXK 8141 / Blue Note BST 84319LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | UK | Blue Note BST 84319 / Blue Note CDP 0777 7 89796 2 16LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1993 | US | Blue Note CDP 0777 7 89796 2 16 / Blue Note BST 84319LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | US | Blue Note B0028724-01 / Universal Music Special Markets B0028724-01LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
14 vinyl pressings of Fancy Free are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1969 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Germany, Japan. One of them is Blue Note BST/84319, released December 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BST/84319, BST 84319, BST 84 319 K) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BNST ∙ 84319 ∙ A ¬ ∙ VAN GELDER and BNST ∙ 84319 ∙ B ∙ VAN GELDER. 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.
