Vinyl pressings
by Judie Tzuke · 1981
I Am The Phoenix was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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.
# TRAIN 15 1Y//1∇EC 1 L 3 AGAINST ALL ODDSSide A Runout, Variant 1
TRAIN 15 2Y//1∇EC 1 1 3 ♡Side B Runout, Variant 1
# TRAIN 15 1Y//1∇EC AGAINST ALL ODDS 1 1 3Side A Runout, Variant 2
TRAIN 15 2Y//2∇ EC 1 1 2 ♡Side B Runout, Variant 2
# TRAIN 15 1Y//1∇EC 1 L 3 AGAINST ALL ODDSSide A runout
TRAIN 15 2Y//1∇EC 1 1 3 ♡Side B runout
side 1 10 AA6302123 1Y 320 1Aboth sides all stamped
side 2 10 AA6302123 2Y 320 1E
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company 6302 123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | The Rocket Record Company 6302 123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 6302 123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Phonogram 6302 123 / The Record Compagny 6302 123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | The Rocket Record Company 6302 123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 6302 123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | The Rocket Record Company STAR 5208First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | The Rocket Record Company TRAIN 15First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | The Rocket Record Company TRAIN 15First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1983 | UK | The Rocket Record Company PRICE 30LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of I Am The Phoenix are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1981 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company TRAIN 15.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TRAIN 15, 6302 123, STAR 5208) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, # TRAIN 15 1Y//1∇EC 1 L 3 AGAINST ALL ODDS and TRAIN 15 2Y//1∇EC 1 1 3 ♡. 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.
