Germany
1977- Label and catalog number
- ECM Records ECM 1097ECM Records ECM 1097 ST
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
ST ECM 1097-A HRRunout side A
ST ECM 1097-B HRRunout side B
Vinyl pressings
Watercolors
by Pat Metheny · 1977
19 pressings5 countriesFusionContemporary JazzJazz
Watercolors 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Watercolors
8 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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.
Germany
1977- Label and catalog number
- ECM Records ECM 1097ECM Records ECM 1097 ST
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
ST ECM 1097-A HRRunout side A, stamped / etched
ST ECM 1097-B HRRunout side B, stamped / etched
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- ECM Records ECM-1-1097ECM Records ECM 1097
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
P ECM-1-1097-AS-CP-2 MASTERDISKA-Side runout, variant 1
P ECM-1-1097-BS-CP-2 MASTERDISKB-Side runout, variant 1
ECM-1-1097-AS-CP-3 MASTERDISKA-Side runout, variant 2
ECM-1-1097-BS-CP-3 MASTERDISKB-Side runout, variant 2
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- ECM Records ECM-1-1097
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo
US
1977- Label and catalog number
- ECM Records ECM-1-1097ECM Records ECM 1097
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo
- Runout / matrix
ECM-1-1097-AS-CP-3 MASTERDISKA-Side Runout Etching
ECM-1-1097-BS-CP-2 MASTERDISKB-Side Runout Etching
ECM-1-1097 AA-Side Label
ECM-1-1097 BB-Side Label
Canada
1977- Label and catalog number
- ECM Records ECM-1-1097
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
ECM-1-1097-A5Side A runout, etched
ECM-1-1097-B5Side B runout, etched
(2310 537)Side A and B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | ECM Records ECM-1-1097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1097 / ECM Records ECM 1097 STFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1097 / ECM Records 2301 097LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1977 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1097 / ECM Records ECM 1097 STFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1097 / ECM Records 2301 097LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1977 | Germany | ECM Records St 1097LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Japan | ECM Records ECM PAP-9069 / ECM Records ECM PAP-9069 STEREOFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Taiwan | ECM Records ECM 1097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1097 / ECM Records ECM 1097First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1097First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1097 / ECM Records ECM 1097First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM 1097LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM 1097LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM 1097LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Japan | ECM Records 25MJ 3312LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1097 / ECM Records 2301097LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | US | ECM Records ECM 1097LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | ECM Records ECM 1097LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | ECM Records ECM 1097LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Watercolors6:28
- A2Icefire6:07
- A3Oasis4:02
- A4Lakes4:43
- B1River Quay4:56
- Suite
- B3Sea Song10:16
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Watercolors are there?
19 vinyl pressings of Watercolors are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 1984.
When was Watercolors first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Germany, US, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is ECM Records ECM 1097.
How do I tell if my copy of Watercolors is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ECM 1097, ECM-1-1097, ECM PAP-9069) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST ECM 1097-A HR and ST ECM 1097-B HR. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Watercolors 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.
