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John DenverBeginnings

Vinyl pressings

Beginnings

by John Denver · 1974

14 pressings6 countriesFolkFolkWorld& Country

Beginnings was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 Beginnings

6 pressings came out in 1974, 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

1974
Label and catalog number
Mercury SRM 1-704
Format
LP, Compilation, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
Runout / matrix

SRM-1-704A-CP2 G.K.Runout side A, variant 1

SRM-1-704B-CP2 G.K.Runout side B, variant 1

P SRM-1-704A-CP2 G.K. 3 ARunout side A, variant 2

P SRM-1-704B-CP2 G.K. A 2Runout side B, variant 2

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 14 vinyl pressings

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

1970s14 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1974CanadaMercury SRM 1-704First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1974CanadaMercury SRM 1-704First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1974JapanMercury RJ-5146First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1974TaiwanGiant TD-1364LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · UnofficialLP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial
1974USMercury SRM 1-704First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1974USMercury SRM 1-704LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
1974USMercury SRM 1-704First yearLP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
1974USMercury SRM 1-704LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo
1974USMercury SRM 1-704First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · PromoLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo
1974USMercury SRM 1-704LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
1975AustraliaMercury 6338494LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
1977AustraliaMercury 6338 940LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
1977AustraliaRainbow RPL49947LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1977New ZealandRainbow RLP49947LP, CompilationLP, Compilation

Tracklist

  1. A1That's The Way It's Gonna Be2:14
  2. A2For Bobbi2:18
  3. A3Another Side Of This Life2:13
  4. A4Bells Of Rhymney4:51
  5. A5Never Coming Home2:09
  6. A6Get Together2:57
  7. B1Mr. Tambourine Man5:25
  8. B2Like To Deal With The Ladies1:55
  9. B3Rabbit2:22
  10. B4She Loves You2:33
  11. B5Long Tall Texan2:00
  12. B6Violets Of Dawn2:22

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Beginnings are there?

14 vinyl pressings of Beginnings are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1974 and 1977.

When was Beginnings first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Canada, Japan. One of them is Mercury SRM 1-704.

How do I tell if my copy of Beginnings is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM 1-704, RJ-5146) 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 Beginnings 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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