Vinyl pressings
by Janis Ian · 1979
Fly Too High / Night Rains was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 9 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.
XSS-166717-1E MASTERDISK RL A1 S1Runout A etch; MASTERDISK stamp
XSS-166-721-1H MASTERDISKK RL A2 S1Runout B etch; MASTERDISK stamp
XSS 166717Matrix A on label
XSS 166721Matrix B on label
XSS 166717Side A Label
XSS 166721Side B Label
NB-2245-AS CP-1 AZrunout side A etched, AZ combined
NB-2245-BS CP-2 AZrunout side B etched, AZ combined
NB 2245 ASlabel side A in parentheses
NB 2245 BSlabel side B in parentheses
ZSS-166659-1B RLSide A runout groove, etched
ZSS-166660-1BSide B runout groove, etched
MASTERDISKSide A runout groove, stamped
ZSS 166659Side A label
XXS 166717-1HRun-out
XXS 166720-1HRun-out
XXS 166717Label
XXS 166720Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Columbia 23.155First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Argentina | Columbia 23.155First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | Interfusion K7676First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia 1-11111First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 12.7936First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 7936 / CBS 7936First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS 7936 / CBS CBS 7936First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Mexico | CBS BS-35,019First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Interfusion K 7676First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Spain | CBS CBS 7936First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Spain | CBS CBS 7936First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | CBS S CBS 12-7936First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | CBS S CBS 7936First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Columbia 43 11123First year12", Single, Stereo | 12", Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia 43-11123First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Italy | CBS CBS 79367", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Netherlands | Columbia 657672 77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Fly Too High / Night Rains are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1979 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia 43 11123.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 43 11123, 43-11123, NB 2245, 1-11111) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-166717-1E MASTERDISK RL A1 S1 and XSS-166-721-1H MASTERDISKK RL A2 S1. 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.
