Vinyl pressings
by Tim Hardin · 1969
Simple Song Of Freedom was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 9 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.
JZSP151555-1A P 2Runout Side A, Variant 1
JZSP151556-1A P 3Runout Side B, Variant 1
o ZSP151555-1B P 1Runout Side A, Variant 2
o ZSP151556-1B P 3Runout Side B, Variant 2
ZSP151555-1D
ZSP151556-1D
ZSP151555-1D sssssssSide A runout
ZSP151556-1D sssssssSide B runout
ZSP 151555Side A label
ZSP 151556Side B label
ZSP151555-1C T IIRunout Side A
ZSP151556-1C T IIIRunout Side B
JZSP151555-1A p 2A-Side Runout Etching
JZSP151556-1B p 1B-Side Runout Etching
JZSP 151555A-Side Label
JZSP 151556B-Side Label
ZSP151555-1C TIIStamped Side A, except TII etched
ZSP151556-1C TIIStamped Side B, except TII etched
JZSP 151555Label Side A
JZSP 151556Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | CBS BA 221672First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | Columbia 4-44920First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | CBS 4441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | CBS CBS 4441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | CBS 4441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | CBS 4441First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Japan | CBS/Sony CBSA 82014First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461245First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Scandinavia | CBS CBS 4441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Scandinavia | CBS 4441 / CBS CBS 4441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | UK | CBS CBS 4441First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Columbia 4-44920First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Columbia 4-44920First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Columbia 4-44920First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Columbia 4-44920First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Netherlands | CBS 44417", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Netherlands | CBS 44417", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Europe | CBS CBS 22087", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Simple Song Of Freedom are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1969 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 4-44920.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-44920, 4441, CBS 4441, BA 221672) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JZSP151555-1A P 2 and JZSP151556-1A P 3. 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.
