Vinyl pressings
by Weather Report · 1980
Night Passage was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 12 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.
PAL-36793-1D ❀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side A, variant 1
PBL-36793-1J MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side B, variant 1
PAL-36793-1B ❀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side A, variant 2
PBL-36793-1B MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side B, variant 2
PAL-36793-1A ❀ o B3 S 2 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side A
PBL-36793-1B ❀ A14 S1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side B
AL-36793Side A label
BL-36793Side B label
PAL-36793-1H MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. C oT1Side A runout, variant 1
PBL-36793-1E ❀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. E o T1Side B runout, variant 1
PAL-36793-1E ❀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. o TISide A runout, variant 2
PBL-36793-1E ❀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. T\Side B runout, variant 2
PAL-36793-1D ❀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Side A runout, variant 1
PBL-36793-1K MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. PSide B runout, variant 1
PAL-36793-1G ❀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Side A runout, variant 2
PBL-36793-1K MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. PSide B runout, variant 2
PAL-36793-1H MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. 5B o T ISide A runout
PBL-36793-1H D MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. E o T ISide B runout
Side A: PAL-36793 1E [Scribed flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A. CALIF. [Stamped] T1
Side B: PBL-36793 1E [Scribed flower] MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A. CALIF. [Stamped] T1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Columbia 20.143First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | CBS SBP 237528First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | ARC JC 36793 / Columbia JC 36793First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 84597 / CBS 84597First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | CBS CBS 84597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Israel | CBS JC 36793 / CBS 84597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | CBS CBS 84597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 30AP 1956First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237528First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | CBS S 84597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | CBS 84597 / CBS S CBS 84597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | ARC JC 36793 / Columbia JC 36793First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | ARC JC 36793First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | ARC JC 36793 / Columbia JC 36793First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | ARC JC 36793 / Columbia JC 36793First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | ARC PC 36793 / Columbia PC 36793LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of Night Passage are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Japan, Canada and more. One of them is ARC JC 36793.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36793, 84597, 25AP 1970, 20.143) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-36793-1D ❀ MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. and PBL-36793-1J MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.. 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.
