Vinyl pressings
by The Waterboys · 1988
Fisherman's Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 18 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.
CHEN · 5 A2 NS PRT ASide A runout, variant 1
CHEN · 5 B3 ASide B runout, variant 1
CHEN · 5 A3 NS PRT ASide A runout, variant 2
CHEN · 5 B ̶4̶ 6 ASide B runout, variant 2
CHEN.5.A.4 ΛSide A runout, variant 1
CHEN.5.B4⃫ 6Side B runout, variant 1
SN CHEN.5. A6 ΛSide A runout, variant 2
CHEN.5.B4⃫ 6Side B runout, variant 2
CHEN.5 A.4Side A runout
CHEN 5 B4 6Side B runout
FV-41589-A E1 G1 MASTERDISKSide A, variant 1
FV-41589-B- ̶5̶ ̶C3 MASTERDISK G1Side B, variant 1
FV-41589-A E1 G1 MASTERDISKSide A, variant 2
FV-41589-B C1 G1Side B, variant 2
FV-41589-A 2 G1 MASTERDISKSide A
FV-41589-B-4 EmwSide B
70071 1AEtched Runout - Side A
70071 1BEtched Runout - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Discos CBS 70-071 / Discos CBS 1-465111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australia | Ensign CHEN 321589First yearLP | LP |
| 1988 | Australia & New Zealand | Ensign TVL 93268 / Chrysalis TVL 93268First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Chrysalis 177.115/1-CHEN 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Ensign CHS-41589 / Chrysalis CHS-41589First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Ensign CHS-41589 / Chrysalis CHS-41589LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Europe | Chrysalis 209 423 / Ensign 209 423First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Chrysalis 1C 064 - 3 21589 1 / Ensign 1C 064 - 3 21589 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Ensign 75235 / Chrysalis 75235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Ireland | Ensign CHEN 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Ireland | Ensign CHEN 5LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Israel | Ensign CHEN 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | Ensign 64 3215891LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Italy | Chrysalis 209 423 / Ensign 209 423First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Portugal | Chrysalis 615494 / Ensign 615494First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Europe | Simply Vinyl SVLP 245LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2006 | UK | Ensign CCD 1589LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Chrysalis CHEN 5LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 2015 | UK & Europe | Chrysalis CHEN 5LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK | Chrysalis Catalogue CHENX5LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | UK | Chrysalis Catalogue CHENW 5LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
33 vinyl pressings of Fisherman's Blues are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1988 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Ensign CHEN 5.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHEN 5, FV 41589, 70-071, CHEN 321589) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHEN · 5 A2 NS PRT A and CHEN · 5 B3 A. 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.
