Vinyl pressings
by Tom Waits · 1993
The Black Rider was first pressed on vinyl in 1993. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1993, the album's first year. 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 - 8021 - A-1 [SNA logo]Side A runout etched, [SNA logo] stamped
ILPS 8021 B 1- [SNA logo]Side B runout etched, [SNA logo] stamped
518 559-1/ASide A label
518 559-1/BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | UK & Europe | Island Records ILPS 8021/518 559-1 / Island Records ILPS 8021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | UK | Island Records ILPS 8021LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Island Records ILPS 8021/518 559-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| 2021 | Europe | Island Records ILPS 8021/518 559-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Europe | Island Records 00602448894885 / UMe 00602448894885LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | Europe | Island Records 00602455891488 / UMe 00602455891488LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | US | Island Records B0037067-01 / UMe B0037067-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | USA & Canada | Island Records B0038259-01 / Island Records B0037067-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Island Records ILPS 8021/518 559-1 / Island Records ILPS 8021LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Europe | Island Records ILPS 8021/518 559-1 / Island Records ILPS 8021LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
10 vinyl pressings of The Black Rider are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1993 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1993, in UK & Europe. One of them is Island Records ILPS 8021/518 559-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 8021/518 559-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS - 8021 - A-1 [SNA logo] and ILPS 8021 B 1- [SNA logo]. 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.
