Vinyl pressings
by Tom Waits · 1983
Swordfishtrombones was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, the album's first year, in 17 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.
ST·IL 835297-C JS-KENDUN [Allied logo] B-18561-C FOR KATHLEEN AND KELLESIMONE SLM Δ5273 1-1Runout side A
ST·IL 835298-C [Allied logo] B-18562-C JS KENDUN SLM Δ5273-X 1-1Runout side B
ST-IL-835297-ARLabel side A
ST-IL-835298-ARLabel side B
ST IL 835297 C JS KENDUN [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-18561-C FOR KATHLEEN AND KELLESIMONE SLM Δ5273 SP 1-2 0-1Runout A, variant 1
ST IL 835298 B SP 0-ISMI-1 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-18562-B JS KENDUN SLM Δ5273-X 1-2Runout B, variant 1
ST IL 835297 C JS KENDUN [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-18561-C FOR KATHLEEN AND KELLESIMONE SLM Δ5273 SP 1-2 0-1Runout A, variant 2
ST IL 835298 B SP 0-ISMI-2 [Allied 'ɑ' Logo] B-18562-B JS KENDUN SLM Δ5273-X 1-2Runout B, variant 2
ILPS • 9762 • A -1U-1-5 JS • KENDUNRunout side A, variant 1
ILPS • 9762 • B -1U-1-2 JS • KENDUNRunout side B, variant 1
ILPS • 9762 • A -1U-1-1 JS • KENDUNRunout side A, variant 2
ILPS • 9762 • B -1U-1-1 JS • KENDUNRunout side B, variant 2
1 SMX-61513 W2ASide 1 runout etching
SMX-61514 W2ASide 2 runout etching
△ MX207155 60211-1 S1Stamped runout A
MX207156 60211-1 S2Stamped runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | US | Island RecordsLP, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | US | Island Records 90095-1LP, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Australia | Island Records L 38135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | Island Records L 38135LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | Asylum Records 60211-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | Island Records L 38135 (ILPS 9762)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Island Records 79 00951First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Island Records ISL 95First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Asylum Records 66 02111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Island Records 205 774 / Island Records 205 774-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Asylum Records 60211-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Island Records 814 522-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Island Records 062-1654321First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | Island Records ILPS 9762First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Israel | Island Records BAN 129762First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | USSR | AnTrop П91 00085LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1991 | USSR | AnTrop П91 00085 / AnTrop П91 00086LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1991 | USSR | AnTrop П91 00085LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1991 | USSR | AnTrop П91 00085LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1992 | Europe | Island Records 205 774LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1994 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9762LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Special Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Special Edition · Limited |
| 1994 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9762LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1994 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9762LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 183LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2001 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 183LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2001 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 183LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2009 | Europe | Island Records 0042284246910LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| 2009 | US | Island Records 4228424691LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Island Records 0042284246910LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ireland | Island Records 0042284246910LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Club edition |
| 2023 | Europe | Island Records 00602448898425 / UMe 00602448898425LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | Europe | Island Records 0060244886477LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2023 | US | Island Records B0037074-01 / UMe B0037074-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | US | Island Records B0038251-01 / Island Records B0037074-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISM-95LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 95 / Island Records ISM-95LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records ILPM 9762 / Island Records 842 469-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 205 774LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Island Records 062-VG-71411LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Greece | Island Records VG-71411 / Island Records 062-VG 71411LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Island Records ORL 19762LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Island Records ORL 19762LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Island Records 0042284246910LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPM 9762 / Island Records 842 469-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Island Records 90095-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
79 vinyl pressings of Swordfishtrombones are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1982 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Australia, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is Island Records 7 90095-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7 90095-1, 90095-1, ILPS 9762, L 38135) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST·IL 835297-C JS-KENDUN [Allied logo] B-18561-C FOR KATHLEEN AND KELLESIMONE SLM Δ5273 1-1 and ST·IL 835298-C [Allied logo] B-18562-C JS KENDUN SLM Δ5273-X 1-1. 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.
