Vinyl pressings
by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians · 1988
What I Am was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
7-27696-A - DMM-SR1 SterlingRunout side A, etched
7-27696-B - DMM-SR1 SterlingRunout side B, etched
7-27696-ALabel side A
7-27696-BLabel side B
[Cinram 'CR' logo] 92.76967.A1③Side A runout
[Cinram 'CR' logo] 92.76967.B1 ④Side B runout
R/S Alsdorf PRO 518-ARunout side A stamped
HRunout side A etched
R/S Alsdorf [Kreu 84, struck out] BRunout side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 76967First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 76967First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Europe | Geffen Records 927 696-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | Geffen Records PRO 518First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | Geffen Records 999First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Geffen Records 7-27696 / Geffen Records 9 27696-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | Geffen Records 7-27696-DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Australia | Geffen Records 7-276967", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Australia | Geffen Records 7-276967", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | Geffen Records 0.2115312", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Geffen Records 927 568-7 / Geffen Records GEF 497", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Geffen Records 921 153-012", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | France | Geffen Records 927 568-7 / Geffen Records GEF 497", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Mexico | Geffen Records PRO-332 / Warner Bros. Records PRO-3327", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records WB-77-6557", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of What I Am are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Canada, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Geffen Records 7-27696.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-27696, 7-27696-DJ, 92 76967, 927 696-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-27696-A - DMM-SR1 Sterling and 7-27696-B - DMM-SR1 Sterling. 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.
