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Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies

Vinyl pressings

Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies

by Duke Ellington · 1981

11 pressings7 countriesMusicalStage & Screen

Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies

8 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 4 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

1981
Label and catalog number
RCA Red Seal CBL2-4053
Format
LP, Album · Indianapolis Pressing
Runout / matrix

CBL2-4053A-1 ⅠRunout Side A, Stamped (Variant 1)

CBL2-4053d 2 ⅠRunout Side D, Stamped (Variant 1)

CBL2-4053B-1 ⅠRunout Side B, Stamped (Variant 1)

CBL2-4053C 2 ⅠRunout Side C, Stamped (Variant 1)

Full details of this pressing

US

1981
Label and catalog number
RCA Red Seal CBL2-4053
Format
LP, Album · Gatefold
Runout / matrix

CBL2-4053A-1 1 A2KRunout side A

CBL2-4053D 2 1 A2SRunout Side D

CBL2-4053B-1 1 A3RRunout side B

CBL2-4053C 2 1 A2FRunout side C

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 11 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1980s11 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1981AustraliaRCA Red Seal CBL2-4053First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981CanadaRCA Red Seal CBL2-4053First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981JapanRCA Red Seal RJL-5003~04First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981USRCA Red Seal CBL2-4053First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981USRCA Red Seal ABL1-4693First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981USRCA Red Seal CBL2-4053First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1981USRCA Red Seal CBL2-4053First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1981USRCA Red Seal CBL2-4053First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1982SpainRCA Victor BL-04053 (2)LP, AlbumLP, Album
1983EuropeRCA BL 84053 (2)LP, AlbumLP, Album
1987BrazilRCA Red Seal 111 5004 / RCA Red Seal 111.5004LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue

Tracklist

  1. Overture: Things Ain't What They Used To Be; Sophisticated Lady; Perdido
  2. A2I've Got To Be A Rug Cutter2:11
  3. A3Music Is A Woman1:42
  4. A4The Mooche2:43
  5. A5Hit Me With A Hot Note And Watch Me Bounce2:44
  6. Love You Madly; Perdido
  7. A7Fat And Forty (You're My Meat)1:57
  8. A8It Don't Mean A Thing3:41
  9. B1Bli-Blip2:03
  10. B2Cotton Tail2:44
  11. B3Take The "A" Train3:26
  12. B4Solitude3:21
  13. Don't Get Around Much Any More; I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
  14. B6Caravan3:00
  15. B7Something To Live For3:53
  16. B8Rockin' In Rhythm2:31
  17. C1In A Sentimental Mood3:25
  18. C2I'm Beginning To See The Light3:02
  19. Satin Doll; Just Squeeze Me
  20. C4Dancers In Love2:16
  21. C5Drop Me Off In Harlem3:15
  22. C6Echoes Of Harlem3:39
  23. C7I'm Just A Lucky So-And-So2:12
  24. C8Hey Baby1:52
  25. D1Imagine My Frustration2:23
  26. D2Kinda Dukish2:27
  27. I'm Checking Out Goombye, Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me
  28. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good; Mood Indigo
  29. D5Sophisticated Lady3:08
  30. D6It Don't Mean A Thing (Reprise)2:26

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies are there?

11 vinyl pressings of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1981 and 1987.

When was Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan. One of them is RCA Red Seal CBL2-4053.

How do I tell if my copy of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBL2-4053, ABL1-4693, RJL-5003~04) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies 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.

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