US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Columbia CS 8497
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold, Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
XSM53988-1C PSide A - stamped
XSM53989-1E PSide B - stamped
Vinyl pressings
Song Book
by The Brothers Four · 1961
21 pressings5 countriesFolkFolkWorld& Country
Song Book was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. 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 Song Book
9 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 2 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
1961- Label and catalog number
- Columbia CL 1697
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
XLP-53986-1H PSide 1 Runout Stamped - var. 1
XLP-53987-1F PSide 2 Runout Stamped - var. 1
XLP53986-1B Pside A runout stamped - var. 2
XLP53987-1E Pside B runout stamped - var. 2
US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Columbia CL 1697
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
XLP53986-1E |-|||||||||Side A runout
XLP53937-1D || -|||||Side B runout
(x"Lp" 53986)Side A label
(x"Lp" 53987)Side B label
US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Columbia CL 1697
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · Hollywood Pressing; Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
XLP53986-1C . BH ISide 1 Runout Stamped
XLP53987-1A . BH I /Side 2 Runout Stamped
US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Columbia CL 1697
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · Hollywood Pressing, Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
XLP53986-1B . B H IIIIISide A runout, Stamped; "B H IIIII" is etched
XLP53987-1D B H IIISide B runout, Stamped; "B H III" is etched
x"LP" 53986Side A Label
x"LP" 53987Side B Label
US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Columbia CS 8497
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold, Bridgeport Pressing
- Runout / matrix
XSM53988-1B . IIII-IIIIIISide A, runout
XSM53989-1DSide B, runout
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 21 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s12 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Canada | Columbia CL 1697First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Canada | Columbia CL 1697First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Columbia CS 8497First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | Columbia CL 1697First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Columbia CL 1697First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Columbia CL 1697First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1961 | US | Columbia CL 1697First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Columbia CL 1697First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Columbia CS 8497First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1962 | Japan | Columbia SL-1083LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1962 | Japan | Columbia YS 207CLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1962 | Japan | Columbia YS-207LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
1970s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Japan | CBS/Sony SONX 60149LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia CS-8497LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia CL 1697LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | South Africa | CBS ALD 6508LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | CBS BPG 62012LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | CBS SBPG 62012LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CS 8497LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Special Products CSP 8497LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CS 8497LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Rock Island Line2:31
- A2Goodnight Irene2:30
- A3The Tavern Song2:15
- A4Lady Greensleeves3:03
- A5The Drillers' Song2:45
- A6Nobody Knows3:00
- B1Viva La Compagnie1:40
- B2Ole Smokey3:00
- B3Tarrytown2:18
- B4Come For To Carry Me Home3:14
- B5Summer Days Alone2:13
- B6Frogg No 24:10
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Song Book are there?
21 vinyl pressings of Song Book are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1961 and 1970.
When was Song Book first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, Canada. One of them is Columbia CS 8497.
How do I tell if my copy of Song Book is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CS 8497, CL 1697) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSM53988-1C P and XSM53989-1E P. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Song Book 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.
