Vinyl pressings
by Miles Davis · 1977
Water Babies was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 12 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.
AL 34396-2C S A ⁰A-side runout, variant 1
P BL 34396-2C S\ A ⁰B-side runout, variant 1
AL 34396-2C S B 5 oA-side runout, variant 2
P BL 34396-2C S I A 2 oB-side runout, variant 2
P AL 34396-2A I BSide A runout, variant 1
P P BL 34396-2A ISide B runout, variant 1
AL 34396-2A PSide A runout, variant 2
P BL 34396-2A PSide B runout, variant 2
o AL 34396-2B 1 TA-side runout, variant 1
o P BL 34396-2B 1 TB-side runout, variant 1
o P AL 34396-2K T 1 COLUMBIA NY AA-side runout, variant 2
o P BL 34396-2B 1 T A 11B-side runout, variant 2
AL 34396-2A 0Side A runout
P BL 34396-2ASide B runout
AL34396-2ESide A Runout, Stamped
BL 34396-2ASide B Runout, Stamped
C 34396Side A and B Labels
AL 34396Side A Label
CBS S 81741 A1A-side runout, variant 1
CBS S 81741 B1B-side runout, variant 1
CBS S 81741.A1 1 AA-side runout, variant 2
CBS S 81741.B1 5 AB-side runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Discos CBS 19.730First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP 234971First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | CBS 225031First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS 81741 / CBS PC 34396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | CBS CBS 81741First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 314First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 234971First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Portugal | CBS CBS 81741 / CBS 81741First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Spain | CBS S 81741First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | CBS CBS 81741 / CBS 81741First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia PC 34396First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34396First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34396First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PC 34396First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 18AP 2072LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 23AP 2572LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 23AP 2572LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1986 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 21136LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Spain | CBS CBS 21136Album, LP, Reissue | Album, LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | US | Columbia PC 34396 / Columbia 34396Album, LP, Reissue | Album, LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | Columbia PC 34396 / Legacy 888837843119LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | US | Columbia 34396 / Legacy 888837843119LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | Columbia PC 34396LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | Germany | Columbia C 34396 / 88985371011-08LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia C 34396LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 34396LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 34396LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of Water Babies are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1977 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia PC 34396, released March 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 34396, 34396, CBS 81741, 19.730) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 34396-2C S A ⁰ and P BL 34396-2C S\ A ⁰. 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.
