Vinyl pressings
by Randy Weston · 1975
Carnival (Live At Montreux '74) was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 6 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 1004 S̲A̲ 1C S 2Runout side A - variant 1
AL 1004 S̲B̲ 1C S 1Runout side B - variant 1
AL 1004 S̲A̲ 1ARunout side A - variant 2
AL 1004 S̲B̲ 1ARunout side B - variant 2
AL 1004 S̲A̲ 1B \T CTH
AL 1004 S̲A̲ 1B \T CTH
FLP40148 A//1 420 05 11 3Side A, Stamped
FLP40148 b//1 420 05 11 4Side B, Stamped
40148A MCIEtched run-out side A
FLP 40148B MCIEtched run-out side B
FLP 40.148 ALabel side A
FLP 40.148 BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | France | Freedom 278.093First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Freedom 26 302-0 UFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Freedom PA-7106 / Trio Records PA-7106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Freedom FLP 40148First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Arista AL 1004 / Freedom AL-1004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Arista AL 1004 / Freedom AL 1004First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Arista AL-1004 / Freedom AL-1004First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Arista AL 1004 / Freedom AL 1004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | Discophon 4294LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK & Europe | Freedom FLP 41004LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Carnival (Live At Montreux '74) are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1975 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Arista AL 1004.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 1004, AL-1004, FLP 40148, 278.093) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 1004 S̲A̲ 1C S 2 and AL 1004 S̲B̲ 1C S 1. 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.
