Vinyl pressings
by The J. Geils Band · 1981
Freeze-Frame 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.
44 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 24 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.
SOO-1-17062-Z9 #4 · ─◁ MCR JoeSide A runout, variant 1
SOO-2-17062-Z5 #2 ─◁ MCR JoeSide B runout, variant 1
SOO-1-17062-Z9 #17 · ─◁ MCR JoeSide A runout, variant 2
SOO-2-17062-Z9 #2 · ─◁ MCR JoeSide B runout, variant 2
SOO-1-17062-Z3 #2 MCR Joe 0A Side runout, var. 1
SOO-2-17062-Z4 #1 MCR Joe 0B Side runout, var. 1
SOO-1-17062-Z4 #5 MCR Joe 0A Side runout, var. 2
SOO-2-17062-Z4 #3 MCR Joe 0B Side runout, var. 2
SOO-1-17062•Z9#2 MCR Joe 0Variant 1, side A runout
SOO-2-17062-Z5#8 MCR Joe 0Variant 1, side B runout
SOO-1-17062•Z4 #3 MCR Joe 0Variant 2, side A runout
SOO-2-17062-Z4 #5 MCR Joe 0Variant 2, side B runout
SOO-1-17062-Z13• 2 ✲ MCR JoeSide A runout, variant 1
SOO-2-17062-Z7• 3 ✲ MCR JoeSide B runout, variant 1
SOO-1-17062-Z1• 1 ✲ MCR JoeSide A runout, variant 2
SOO-2-17062-Z1• 2 ✲ MCR JoeSide B runout, variant 2
SOO-1-17062-Z1Y1 ✲ MCR JoeSide A runout, variant 1
SOO-2-17062-Z2 C1 ✲ MCR JoeSide B runout, variant 1
SOO-1-17062-P-17 ・⊗ ✲Side A runout, variant 2
SOO-1-17062-Z1 1 ✲ MCR JoeSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | EMI America 8034First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | EMI America EMAM-20First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI America EMAM-20 / EMI America EMAM.20First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | EMI America 31C 064-400064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America SOO-517062LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America SOO-17062First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America SOO-17062First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America SOO-17062First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America SOO-17062First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America SOO-17062First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Chile | Capitol Records 25251 A, SOO 1-17062First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | EMI America 11884First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | EMI America 1A 064-400064 / EMI America SOO-17062First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | EMI America 1A 064-400064 / EMI America 400064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | EMI America 1A 064-400064 / EMI America SOO-17062First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | EMI America 1C 038-15 7613 1 / Fame 1C 038-15 7613 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
61 vinyl pressings of Freeze-Frame are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1981 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is EMI America SOO-17062, released October 26, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SOO-17062, SN-16374, AML 3020, EMAM-20) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SOO-1-17062-Z9 #4 · ─◁ MCR Joe and SOO-2-17062-Z5 #2 ─◁ MCR Joe. 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.
