Vinyl pressings
by Tuck & Patti · 1988
Tears Of Joy was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 8 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.
WHO-0111-A SH2 α△19603 1-4Runout side A, variant 1
WHO-0111B-SH3 α△19603-X 1-5Runout side B, variant 1
WHO-0111-A SH1 α△19603 1-2Runout side A, variant 2
WHO-0111B-SH1 α△19603-X 1-1Runout side B, variant 2
DMX 70773 ®2DRunout side A
DMX 70774 ®2CRunout side B
SMX-70773Label side A
SMX-70774Label side B
370 111-1 S1 3 20 MRunout side A, stamped
370 111-1 S2 3 20 NRunout side B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Windham Hill Jazz L 43052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Windham Hill Records 370111-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Windham Hill Records WH-90111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | A&M Records 370 111-1 / Windham Hill Records 370 111-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | A&M Records 370 111-1 / Windham Hill Records 370 111-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | A&M Records 370111-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | A&M Records 37 0111-1 / Windham Hill Records 37 0111-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Venezuela | Windham Hill Records 550.013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Windham Hill Jazz WH-0111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | South Korea | Sung Eum Limited SEL-RA 1239LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | South Korea | Windham Hill Records WR-2022LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Tears Of Joy are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1988 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Windham Hill Jazz WH-0111, released April 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WH-0111, 37 0111-1, L 43052, 370111-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WHO-0111-A SH2 α△19603 1-4 and WHO-0111B-SH3 α△19603-X 1-5. 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.
