Vinyl pressings
by Esther Phillips · 1962
Release Me / Don't Feel Rained On was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1962, 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.
Bell Sound Nashville Matrix L5000 5Runout, side A, etched, Bell Sound Nashville Matrix stamped
Bell Sound Nashville Matrix L5003 5Runout, side B, etched, Bell Sound Nashville Matrix stamped
L5000 △44888 Bell Sound [MR logo]Runout, side A
L5003 △44889 Bell Sound [MR logo]Runout, side B
L5000 5A Side Runout, Scribed
L5003 5B Side Runout, Scribed
Bell Sound Nashville MatrixBoth Runouts, Stamped
L-5000A Side Label
Bell Sound Nashville Matrix L5000 5Runout, side A, etched, Bell Sound Nashville Matrix stamped
Bell Sound Nashville Matrix L5003 5Runout, side B, etched, Bell Sound Nashville Matrix stamped
Δ44888 BellSound (MR) L5000Side A runout
Δ44889 BellSound (MR) L 5003Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Australia | His Master's Voice EA-4502First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Canada | Quality 1470XFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Canada | Quality 1470XFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Netherlands | Stateside Hss-1048First year7" | 7" |
| 1962 | UK | Stateside 45SS-140First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | US | Lenox Records NX-5555First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | US | Lenox Records NX-5555First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1962 | US | Lenox Records NX-5555First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | US | Lenox Records NX-5555First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1962 | US | Lenox Records NX-5555First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | New Zealand | Stateside MSS 20137", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1967 | US | Atlantic 45-24117", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Stateside 45SS-1407", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Atlantic 45-24117", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Atlantic 45-24117", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| ? | US | Atlantic 45-24117", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Release Me / Don't Feel Rained On are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1962 and 1967.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Lenox Records NX-5555.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NX-5555, 45SS-140, EA-4502, 1470X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Bell Sound Nashville Matrix L5000 5 and Bell Sound Nashville Matrix L5003 5. 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.
