Vinyl pressings
by Third World · 1979
The Story's Been Told was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 13 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.
ILPS 9569 A-2U JONZ. 1Side A runout, stamped (JONZ. etched)
ILPS 9569 B-2U GO SOUND CLINIC 1Side B runout, stamped (SOUND CLINIC. etched)
ILPS 9569-ASide A label
ILPS 9569-BSide B label
ILPS.1.9569.WW1 #3 ---◃ JS.XTALSide A Etched (Variant 1)
ILPS.2.9569.WW1 ---◃ JS.XTALSide B Etched (Variant 1)
ILPS.1.9569.WW1 #3 ---◃ JS.XTALSide A Etched (Variant 2)
ILPS.2.9569.WW1 #2 ---◃ JS.XTALSide B Etched (Variant 2)
SUBA ILPS-1-9569 JW2 #3 JS∙XTALSide A etched, variant 1
ILPS∙2∙9569∙JW1 #7 JS∙XTALSide B etched, variant 1
SUBA ILPS-1-9569 JW2 # #1 JS∙XTAL 0Side A etched exc "0" stamped, variant 2
ILPS∙2∙9569∙JW1 #8 JS∙XTAL 0Side B etched exc "0" stamped, variant 2
ILPS∙1∙9569 LW2∙ 1 ✲ JS∙XTALSide A runout
ILPS∙2∙9569∙LW1∙ 4 ✲ JS∙XTALSide B runout
ILPS∙1∙9569∙LW1∙ 1 ✲ JS∙XTALSide A runout Variant 2
ILPS∙2∙9569∙LW1∙ 1 ✲ JS∙XTALSide B runout Variant 2
ILPS.19569/1
ILPS.19569/2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Island Records L 36970First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records ILPS 9569First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9569First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9569First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Colombia | Ariola 18(0831)00083First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Island Records 9123 047First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 200 663 / Island Records 200 663-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Island Records 200 663 320First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | Jamaica | Jah's Music Productions ILPS 9569First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Island Records ILS-81232First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Island Records ILS-81232First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | Island Records ILS-81232First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Island Records 200 663 / Island Records 200 663-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Peru | Island Records ILPS 9569First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Island Records ILPS 9569First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | South Africa | Island Records ML 4363LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Island Records 9123 047LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of The Story's Been Told are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Italy, Australia and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9569.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9569, ILPS 19569, L 36970, XILP 9569) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9569 A-2U JONZ. 1 and ILPS 9569 B-2U GO SOUND CLINIC 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.
