Vinyl pressings
by Tracy Chapman · 1989
Crossroads was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. 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 1989, the album's first year, in 11 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.
R/S Alsdorf 969273-7-Ax 969259-7-A x 9Runout side A stamped variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 969273-7-Bx 969259-7-A x 6Runout side B stamped variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 969273-7-A 969259-7-A Λ5Runout side A stamped; Λ5 etched variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 969273-7-B 969259-7-B Λ5Runout side B stamped variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 966682-0-A 966671-0-AA side runout, stamped
R/S Alsdorf 966682-0-B2 966671-0-AB side runout, stamped
R/S Alsdorf 969273-7-Ax 969259-7-A x 9Runout stamped side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 969273-7-Bx 969259-7-A x 6Runout stamped side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 969273-7-Ax 969259-7-A x 6Runout stamped side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 969273-7-B 969259-7-BRunout stamped side B, variant 2
EKR-95(T)A-1 DAMONT IRunout, Side A, Etched
EKR-95(T)B-2 DAMONT MT DRunout, Side B, Etched
EKR95-A-1 MTSide A
EKR95-B-1 MTSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Elektra 7-69273First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Brazil | WEA 6WP.1069First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Canada | Elektra 96 92737First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | Elektra 969 273-7 / Elektra EKR 95First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Elektra 966 682-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | Elektra 969 273-7 / Elektra EKR 95First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | France | Elektra 969 273-7 / Elektra EKR 95First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Mexico | Elektra PRO 398First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Portugal | Elektra 9692737 / Elektra 755969273-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Spain | Elektra 1.130First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Elektra EKR95T / Elektra EKR 95 (T)First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1989 | UK | Elektra EKR95TB / Elektra 755 966671-0First year12", Single, 45 RPM, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1989 | UK | Elektra EKR 95First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | UK | Elektra EKR95TE / Elektra EKR 95 (TE)First year10", 45 RPM, Stereo | 10", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Elektra EKR 95XFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
18 vinyl pressings of Crossroads are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Elektra 969 273-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 969 273-7, 966 682-0, EKR95T, EKR95TB) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 969273-7-Ax 969259-7-A x 9 and R/S Alsdorf 969273-7-Bx 969259-7-A x 6. 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.
