US
January 1970- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BST 84321
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
BNST-84321-A VAN GELDER CRunout side A
BNST-84321-B VAN GELDERRunout side B
BNST 84321-ALabel A
BNST 84321-BLabel B
Vinyl pressings
The Prisoner
by Herbie Hancock · 1970
25 pressings8 countriesPost BopJazz
The Prisoner was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. 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 The Prisoner
5 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
US
1970- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BST 84321
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · All Disc Pressing
- Runout / matrix
BNST-84321-A VAN GELDERRunout side A
BNST-84321-B VAN GELDER 114Runout side B
BNST 85431-ASide A label
BNST 85431-BSide B label
UK
1970- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BST 84321
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
BNST‧84321‧A‧1 2 VAN GELDER CRunout side A
BNST‧84321‧B‧1 VAN GELDER 4Runout side B
UK
1970- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BST 84321
- Format
- LP, Album, White Label
- Runout / matrix
VAN GELDERRunout both sides stamped
BNST‧84321‧A‧¹Runout side A etched
BNST‧84321‧B‧¹Runout side B etched
BST 84321Matrix label both sides
Japan
1970- Label and catalog number
- Blue Note BST 84321
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
BNST-84321-A CRunout side A, etched
BNST-84321-BRunout side B, etched
VAN GELDERStamped in the run-out groove of both sides
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 25 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s14 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Japan | Blue Note BST 84321First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Blue Note BST 84321First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Blue Note BST 84321First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1970 | US | Blue Note BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1970 | US | Blue Note BST 84321First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Blue Note BST 84321First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Blue Note BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | Germany | Blue Note BST 84321 / Blue Note BST 84321 KLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Brazil | Blue Note BNLP 12163 / Blue Note BNLP12163LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BST-84321LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Blue Note BST-84321LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Blue Note GXK-8138 / Blue Note BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
1980s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Europe | Blue Note BST-84321LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | France | Blue Note BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Blue Note BST-84321LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | US | Blue Note BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | US | Blue Note BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
2010s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Universal 00602547173102 / Blue Note BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2015 | Europe | Blue Note BST 84321 / Universal Music Group International BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2015 | US | Blue Note B0022578-01 / UMe B0022578-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
2020s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Worldwide | Blue Note B0031460-01 / Blue Note BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Blue Note BST 84321 / Blue Note BST 84321KLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST 84321LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1I Have A Dream10:55
- A2The Prisoner7:55
- B1Firewater7:30
- B2He Who Lives In Fear6:50
- B3Promise Of The Sun7:50
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Prisoner are there?
25 vinyl pressings of The Prisoner are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1970 and 2020.
When was The Prisoner first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Japan. One of them is Blue Note BST 84321, released January 1970.
How do I tell if my copy of The Prisoner is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BST 84321) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BNST-84321-A VAN GELDER C and BNST-84321-B VAN GELDER. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Prisoner 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.
