Collecting log: TOP 3 collectible acquisitions in 2015

Ready to send out 2015?  Near the close to another year, I have looked over the collectibles that were acquired this year, just like I did in the final blog last year. Here is the TOP 3 collectible acquisition in 2015, as selected by my own subjective criteria.


THE WILD, THE INNOCENT & THE E STREET SHUFFLE (US Columbia KC 32432)

The original US copy with the catalog number prefix "KC" used for promotion.
Behind is the second issue (PC 32432) with the album title printed in yellow.
Inset: Red promo stamp on the rear sleeve.

For Springsteen's first and second LP releases, no white-label promotional copies are known to exist concerning the US pressing. So, regular copies with red Columbia stock labels are issued for promotional purposes. These copies are housed in regular picture sleeves with a timing strip pasted over the front and a gold or red "Demonstration Not For Sale" indication stamped on the rear. This is a rare promo copy additionally accompanied by a 10-page original copy of song lyrics from Laurel Canyon Music, Ltd.

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE 3LP box (concluded)

The first pressing box release has been said to be limited to 450 numbered
copies. I have long wondered how that number was known.

On par with PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE, another FM-sourced, dynamic triple-vinyl LP release of LIVE IN THE PROMISED LAND is often referred to as the greatest vinyl Springsteen bootleg of all time. Which title is better depends on personal preference, or when and how one obtained each copy, as every collectible purchase has its own story (my vote goes to PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE). The reason why I here mention the other classic Bruceleg from the same 1978 tour is that this release also comes with the Slipped Disc Records label on each vinyl disc. This is no wonder because the two titles are made by the same bootlegger (commonly called Vicky Vinyl). To my knowledge, however, no generic yellow label version does exist for the first box and second gate-fold issues of LIVE IN THE PROMISED LAND. Assuming that my knowledge is correct, what is the implication of this fact to the topic here? (i.e. Which label, specifically generic yellow or custom Slipped Disc Records, is the first on PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE ?)

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE 3LP box (continued)

This is a follow-up survey I conducted in the last post to determine which label, specifically generic yellow or Slipped Disc Records, corresponds to the very first issue of PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE, a real landmark release among his entire vinyl bootlegs (By the way, the slick insert cover of this box release states Piste, rather than either of the above-mentioned two, as the record label on the right bottom corner).

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE 3LP box (continued)

When Springsteen’s popularity reached its peak worldwide in the mid to the late 1980s, there was an overwhelming demand for his bootleg records, especially of the classic titles like LIVE on Coral Records from the famous Bottom Line 1975 gig, and the original numbered copies for LIVE IN THE PROMISED LAND (see pic here), PHILADELPHIA SPECIAL, and PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE, the three 3LP-bootleg box releases from the legendary DARKNESS tour. Back then in Japan, second-hand bootleg retailers often asked collectors for extraordinary money for such a rare, used import copy. You can refer to the previous post for typical retail prices assigned for used copies of PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE that are found on a bootleg catalog issued by such a greedy retailer (a limited-numbered copy outrageously priced at 28,000 JPY and two reissues each at 12,800 JPY, which was still too expensive!). It was just impossible for a student to purchase a single copy at such costs.

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE 3LP box

The Roxy concert was not fully covered in its
entirety until the CD release in the early 1990s.

By the late summer of 1981, I obtained five vinyl bootlegs, the first three of which have been mentioned previously and purchased on the 26th of July, according to my log file. The subsequently obtained two titles were actually what had once transformed me into a Bruceleg junkie: PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE (3LP box) and LIVE AT THE ROXY THEATER, HOLLYWOOD 1978 (2LP). They were obtained together, following about one month of the first purchase (August 29, exactly), through mail order from the then most famous bootleg supplier in Japan, whose shop was located in Nishi-Shinjuku (West Shinjuku), Tokyo.

A Swedish site launched for Springsteen record collectors!

NOTE: The mentioned website is no longer available (so the links below do not work anymore).

A snapshot from the section of GREETINGS FROM ASBURY PARK, N.J.

Quite busy these days and I just can't afford to have time for my blog work. Here I just want to tell you that one of my good friends in Sweden has launched a new collector-oriented website called Springsteenrecords. Although the site is still under construction, there are already many pictures and images of rare, unique and interesting vinyl collectibles from all over the world. Take a look and enjoy the site.

Collecting log: GREETINGS first US pressing LP (KC 31903 with the matrix suffix 1A/2A)

It was a little surprise to me that, after 42 years of the release, I was able to find a well cared, beautiful used copy of the first pressing LP at a local record shop in a small town in the Far East

From last Saturday to this Wednesday, here we had 5 consecutive national holidays. So, I took a short trip to visit a local used record shop I have never been before, and found a used stock copy of GREETINGS FROM ASBURY PARK, N. J. At the first face, the sleeve was in pretty fine conditions, as pictured here, which made me think that this one was a Japanese press missing an Obi. I usually don't pay particular attention to regular releases, but I noticed that the catalog number printed on the spine started with the prefix "KC".

Collecting log: LAST AMERICAN HERO FROM ASBURY PARK, N.J., Japanese custom promotion-only compilation LP

Two copies in my possession, one in excellent condition and the other in good condition.
Found on the insert sheets are the English lyrics for 10 tracks (left) and their Japanese translations (right).

Definitely, one of the rarest and most sought-after LP releases from his entire official vinyl catalog. Given the estimated value of £1,400 or more for a mint copy, this promotion-only compilation album is ranked at the 5th position on the whole listing, and taking the 2nd place on the album listing (just next to the complete press-kit package of BORN TO RUN or so called "the Script cover" release), of the Top 40 Worldwide Springsteen Rarities that appear as the feature article in the number 329 issue (November 2006) of Record Collector magazine.

BORN TO RUN US pressing LP variants: unusual red labels (JC 33795)

Hand-etched matrix numbers read AL 33795-1CJ SS / BL 33795-1BJ SS

I don't exactly remember when I obtained this second catalog number issue with the US Columbia prefix "JC" (JC 33795). There is no particularity with regard to the fold-out sleeve that appears standard for the reissue of this album with the bar code and a single-line producer credit without spelling errors. However, the record label is unusual. It's a red label without a yellow Columbia rim, which resembles like red European reissue labels. On each side on the label are black lettering around the center hole and white lettering on the rim that starts at 7 o'clock saying "Columbia" Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. Marca Registrada. Not a misprint or production error because the basic design (especially that of the rim) differs from the normal US Columbia labels. Probably, a minor label variation for the Columbia Records-reissue series (maybe after 1980?) that is nothing to rave about but to record it here,for reference purposes.

THE RIVER rare Mexican single sleeve 2LP

A rare Mexican reissue copy released in 1986 under sealed conditions, although the shrink is torn here and there.

This is not a highly sought-after gate-fold release (CBS LP2S-103) of the double album, but the single sleeve reissue (CBS LP2S-125) out sometime in 1986. Searching through the internet for the original Mexican release many years ago, I found this particular copy in sealed conditions on set sale at a local shop in Mexico. The sealed original gate-fold sleeve copy for 19.00 euro!!! I thought this was a bargain price because back then, I was NOT aware of the existence of the single sleeve version at all.

My First Vinyl Bootlegs (concluded)

The three in original form (or sort of)

Information about original vinyl copies of Springsteen bootlegs have been available from various published sources including literature and internet reviews. For me, although out of date covering only up to 1984, Chris Hunt's section of Blinded By The Light (P. Humphries & C. Hunt, 1985, Plexus, London) is still the primary source when referring to vinyl Bruceleg titles.

According to BBTL, the first edition of HOT COALS FROM THE FIERY FURNACE on Hoffman Avenue Records (HAR164; the original copy of THE JERSEY DEVIL: Ragamuffin Gunner) was pressed on multicolor vinyl with picture labels and came in an orange and black slick cover. Among the three bootlegs I'm talking about, relatively detailed information is available for this old bootleg, in part because the man who made it is long publicly known, and featured and interviewed in essential readings such as BOOTLEG: The Secret History Of The Other Recording Industry (C. Heylin, 1996, St. Martin's Griffin, New York). I know slightly more than what are said about the pressing number and slick cover variation. So, this vinyl title is going to be featured on "Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited" sometime in the future.

My First Vinyl Bootlegs (continued)

As told in the last blog, 34 years ago, I obtained the following titles as my first bootleg records.

• THE JERSEY DEVIL: Ragamuffin Gunner (2LP, TMQ 5468)
• YOU CAN TRUST YOUR CAR TO THE MAN WHO WEARS THE STAR (2LP, TAKRL 24903)
• DON'T LOOK BACK: Collectors Item 1974-1980 (LP, PUD 104)/li>

I well remember that I wouldn't try to listen to these records for a while after the very first play. This was simply because the sound quality was intolerant for me who was a novice to these underground products. Once getting accustomed to bootleg sound, however, I became absorbed in these live recordings (especially those performed with radically different arrangements such as Incident, Tenth Avenue, and For You, and stunning covers of I Want You and Up On The Roof). Moreover, I became gradually interested in the amateurish appearance of printed or slick covers (as a non-US resident, I had long wondered the album title and front sleeve drawing of YOU CAN TRUST ... until I obtained the relevant information on the Texaco company through internet search).

Cheapest homemade labels I have ever seen: from left to right, Side 4 of THE JERSEY DEVIL, Side 4 of YOU CAN
TRUST ... and SIde 1 of  DON'T LOOK BACK. The original labels are shown below for comparison.

My First Vinyl Bootlegs

Still keeping my first purchases in 1981, although these
are not original but mediocre pirated copies

It was a summer midnight in 1981. When I was listening to my favorite AM radio program, the female DJ suddenly and briefly introduced information from an anonymous listener reporting Springsteen's bootlegs that were right in stock at a major import record shop in my habitation area. Although I never had the experience of listening to any bootleg records back then, I already knew about such famous titles as 'E' TICKET and FIRE ON THE FINGERTIPS through media articles featuring the lawsuit against the Californian bootleggers. As I owned all the official album releases (up to THE RIVER) at that point, this information was enough to stimulate my ever-growing interest in these underground releases.

So that weekend, I went to the shop and asked the shopkeeper what bootleg titles were available. While explaining to me that some box sets were already sold out, he showed me three remaining titles that came in the crudest LP sleeves I had ever seen. Nevertheless, I bought them all without hesitation because, whatever they were, I had decided to do so since I heard of these bootlegs on the radio. This was how it all started. I still keep these vinyl LPs even though I have not listened to them for decades, and I know they are worthless pirate copies.
— To be continued.

BORN IN THE U.S.A. Japanese test pressing LP w/ flyers (and advanced promo cassette tape)

Despite the fair condition, this test press sold extremely well
(from actual auction)

Auction watching continues. Regularly checking Yahoo! Japan auction for rare Springsteen collectibles, I saw another case of high competition that has ended early this week (July 13) with the incredible final bid of over $500. The auctioned item was a test pressing copy of Japanese BORN IN THE U.S.A. LP (CBS/SONY 28AP 2850) in a white plain cover with the small custom sticker. The total bid volume was 29 from six competitors (again I was just watching, not joining the auction). Interestingly, at least two bidders seem to have joined the auction of the custom promo-only THE "LIVE" cassette tape which was mentioned on the last blog (July 12).

THE "LIVE": The Legend Comes Alive Japanese promo-only cassette tape

Certainly rare but over-valued?

The blog article this time, unlike regular ones, is not on vinyl but about cassette collectible. I had been watching with a great interest a Yahoo! auction in Japan since last week because of highly competitive bidding. The auctioned item was the above-mentioned custom promotional-only cassette tape (CBS/SONY XDKP 93022), which ended up a few days ago (July 9) with the final bid close to $300! I guessed the final bid amount would be around one-third of the actual one, though. As you can see, this particular auction resulted in total cumulative bids of over 20 that were actually placed by three presumably hard core collectors (I did not join the auction, just following).

BORN TO RUN US pressing LP variants: a major production error

A short note that follows the series of BORN TO RUN US pressing LP variants. This regular copy is actually not a variant but an erroneous product with the gate-fold interior sleeve being upside down. The catalog number PC 33795 suggests that this one is an early copy but found out to be rather one of the later pressings, as the outer rear sleeve prints the producer name correctly in a single line. The hand-etched matrix codes are AL-33795-1G on Side A and P BL-33795-1A MCR on Side B. I obtained this a couple of years ago on eBay where the US seller did not stress this spectacular error on the item description, so the auction ended with no competitors and cost me only the starting bid of $1.99. As always annoying, however, the international shipping took much more money ($22.74).

Collecting log: A seldom seen NEBRASKA white label promo LP (from Spain)

My first BORN IN THE USA tour boot, obtained
Dec. of 1984 (image taken from Popsike)

In the latest archive release (i.e., August 5th, 1984, East Rutherford, NJ) from Springsteen’s official live download site, what I consider the best thing is to be able to hear two NEBRASKA tunes, Atlantic City and Highway Patrolman, in awesome sound quality. Especially, an early, fresh performance of the former is a highlight of the show to me (as for the previously available full-band arrangements, I prefer the MTV PLUGGED version to the one on LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY which I never like). It is possible that this live version is the one that was seriously considered for inclusion on LIVE 1975/85, but was left off. I well remember, despite the terrible sound quality, when for the first time I listened to the full-band live take through the magic of bootlegging (specifically, BORN IN CINCINNATI, one of the earliest and crummiest bootlegs from the 1984 tour, capturing the July 6th concert). This really is an exciting and thrilling part of listening to his live performance.

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: PHILADELPHIA SPECIAL 3LP box (concluded)

Slick cover inserts from unnumbered (left) and numbered (right) editions

For old vinyl bootleg collectors, the DARKNESS tour live LPs were (and still are, to any like me) something special; they captured generally great performances, sounded excellent (as a bootleg) mostly sourced from FM broadcasts, and often came as a large volume (i.e., a 3-LP format to comprise a concert consisting of two sets plus encores). Although not necessarily fulfilling the above criteria (especially, its sound quality), PHILADELPHIA SPECIAL was an interesting release to search for; it was probably the only known vinyl bootleg of a complete concert from 1978 which was sourced from the audience recording. A triple record in colored vinyl was also rare in the late 1970s. These make this box set unique when compared to the other triple vinyl bootlegs from the 1978 tour.

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: PHILADELPHIA SPECIAL 3LP box

Probably, the only 1978 full-concert live vinyl bootleg made from
an audience recording. This copy is numbered 075 of 1000.

PHILADELPHIA SPECIAL (Phantom Productions LTD 001) is a triple-LP bootleg that captures the first of the two shows performed in Philly, August 18th and 19th, 1978, during the DARKNESS tour. Unlike the landmark releases from this tour such as PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE and LIVE IN THE PROMISED LAND, the vinyl records never sound great because the concert was not broadcasted through radios and because the master tapes used for the pressing were sourced from average audience recordings (no soundboard recording is circulating for this show in contrast to the next night which has been bootlegged on CD). Actually, the Blinded By The Light book (Humphries & Hunt 1985) rates the sound quality "poor". In my opinion, however, this box set represents a typical example of an old U.S. vinyl bootleg worthy collecting.

THE WILD, THE INNOCENT & THE E STREET SHUFFLE Japanese promo-stamped LP with a biography

Besides the white label promotional (WLP) LP with a typographical error on the Obi, there is another collectible for the first pressing vinyl copy of the Japanese issue of THE WILD, THE INNOCENT & THE E STREET SHUFFLE (SOPL-239). In Springsteen's world discography featured in Blinded By The Light (P. Humphries and C. Hunt, 1985, Plexus Publishing), if you check the Records and promotion only items of interest section of Japanese releases, you'll find the description for the second album, "Promotion copies came with a 5 page biography." I own two copies of the WLP (one with the Obi and the other missing it); however, neither of which came with the biography. So, I've been wondering if the biography was lost from these copies as they are second-handed. Or did it really come originally with the WLP copies?

THE WILD, THE INNOCENT & THE E STREET SHUFFLE Japanese white label promo LP: A typo on the Obi

What's wrong with this cover?
(Japanese white label promo copy)

THE WILD, THE INNOCENT & THE E STREET SHUFFLE, Springsteen's second album originally released in the US in November 1973, is his debut album in Japan that is issued in March 1974, as can be known by the catalog number (CBS/SONY SOPL-239) which precedes that assigned to the initial copies of the first album GREETINGS FROM ASBURY PARK, N.J. pressed in Japan (CBS/SONY SOPL-248). This is a fact well known, but there is a less known fact that the album could have been released at least one month earlier (i.e., February, 1974) than the actual release date. Why?  Take a look at the album cover pictured left, which explains the reason of the delayed commercial release.

Just 30 years ago ...

Exactly 30 years ago tonight, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band played the last of 8 concerts to conclude the Japan leg of the BORN IN THE USA World Tour. If my memory is correct, the final 8th concert was not originally planned but added for the public demand. It was a weekday (Tuesday) and the curtain time was set at 6:00 PM, a few hours earlier than in the US, due to the regulation here (i.e., concerts must be finished by 10:00 PM). Back then, a poor student managed to get two tickets through mail order, escaped early from school together with his classmate, and headed for Osaka Castle Hall where he saw finally what he had eagerly been waiting for. A good memory of youth.

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: THE AGORA SHOW Part I & II (2 x 2LP)

Typical old US bootlegs in a bad sense.
Rated one of the worst vinyl Brucelegs, in my opinion.

THE AGORA SHOW Part I and II are two double-LP sets of vinyl bootleg on the Modern Jazz Records label (matrix BS2000A/B/C/D and BS4000A/B/C/D, respectively), capturing the entire performance of the concert on the 9th of August, 1978, at the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland, OH. Needless to say, this show is one of the five radio broadcasts of the legendary DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN Tour. It was around Christmas time back in 1981 that I obtained these bootlegs at an import record shop. As I was already enthralled by exciting DARKNESS tour bootleg releases (i.e. PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE and WINTERLAND 1978), my expectations were high for these titles, which resulted in total disappointment after the first listening. In fact, the two bootleg records represent a typical example of what inferior bootleg is all about: crummy packaging, wrong and insufficient track information, and low-quality sound. Therefore, I had paid no attention to them until recently, when the Agora concert became available to purchase from Springsteen’s official live download site.

Collecting log: Dancing In The Dark Mexican colored 12" vinyl

Dancing In The Dark 12" remix collectibles:. Clockwise from
top left: Japan-only promo and the vinyl disc, US promo,
and regular Mexican and Portuguese releases.

More than 30 years ago, in a total surprise to his die-hard fans, Springsteen released special dance mix version of the first three top 10 singles (Dancing In The Dark, Cover Me and Born In The USA) from the album BORN IN THE USA, all of which are pressed in 12-inch format and remixed by Arthur Baker, then one of the most fashionable hip-hop producer. Music-wise, I believe that many of hardcore fans ignore, or are not interested in, these 12" releases. However, there are a few vinyl pressings worthy of collecting for Dancing In The Dark. Although I had refrained from collecting these for long, recently, I got a copy each for Mexican (CBS BS-35051) and Portuguese releases (CBS A 12.4436) at relatively cheap prices on eBay.

Collecting log: Mold disaster — a collector's nightmare

Looking nice outside but ... 
Some of box sets released in mid to late 1980s that I took back
 from parent's home to relieve from mold disaster.

As predicted on the previous post (on Jan. 18), I was extremely busy last month, which kept me from writing anything at all. Although still busy at the beginning month (April) of this fiscal year, I am gradually getting back to normal situation at work, and so was able to resume this blog. By the way, during this break, an annoying matter happened to my collection. Last month I made a few official trips and had a chance to make a brief stop at my parent's home where I have left many vinyl Brucelegs for space limitations in my current residence. Sadly, what I found there was that, while I hadn’t seen and taken care of them for some months, the jackets and sleeves of many got moldy! A total nightmare for any collector.

Collecting log: Bolivia-only Tunnel Of Love 4-track EP

TUNNEL vinyl rarities; still lacking the Spanish advanced promotional package, though.

Nearly 20 yeas ago, I obtained this EP (Tunnel Of Love / Ain’t Got You // Brilliant Disguise / One Step Up), originally released in late 1987 or early 1988 in a west-central South American country.

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: TEARDROPS ON THE CITY 3LP (concluded)

This is a follow-up posting to the last blog that attempted to clarify the differences between the original and reissue releases of this famous triple vinyl bootleg from THE RIVER European Tour in 1981.

Upper, the original matte surface;
Lower, the reissue laminated sleeve

[4]  As already mentioned, the notable difference is observed in the interior sleeve: the original has non-laminated matte surface. On the other hand, the reissue sleeve is laminated and becomes more darker than the original, most probably due to the use of re-photograghed image of the original one. This not only reproduces the fold line on the center of the sleeve as shown previously (that is NOT an actual fold), but also results in noticeable loss of picture details (for example, compare the mechanical appearance of a telephotographic camera). Like the outer colored sleeve, the interior image is also slightly expanded and therefore cut a little on its margin when compared to the original sleeve.

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: TEARDROPS ON THE CITY 3LP (continued)

At least one of the best-looking vinyl bootlegs
Upper, (what I believe) original copy; beneath, repressing

There are at least two main reasons for this Swedish 3-LP set from 1980s to be one of the most popular and sought-after vinyl Brucelegs over the decades. One is, as explained in the last post, attributable to its attractive gate-fold sleeve featuring full color and black & white live photos inside and outside, possibly taken from the actual show. Another reason is the fact that the original master tape of this Stockholm concert (May 8th, 1981) no longer exists, which means that the original pressing of the vinyl bootleg is the best possible source of the existing recording. The following is the excerpt from the booklet of the CD-R set entitled TEARDROPS ON THE CITY Revisited, released in 2002 by Piggham labels, which is purportedly remastered from a virgin vinyl copy, trying to recreate this acclaimed performance in the best possible digital format:

"... These two sets (i.e. TEARDROPS ON THE CITY and FOLLOW THAT DREAM) are sadly the only document we have from the shows since the mastertapes were destroyed during the mid-eighties by a fire in a building in the North of Sweden. This fact rendered the vinyl sets to be the only way to access the shows ever since..."  

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: TEARDROPS ON THE CITY 3LP

"Ridiculously overpriced, impossible to find even at the ridiculous price, these two three record sets nonetheless rank as the very best sound quality of any Springsteen live bootleg and that's saying something.”  That's what the author started with when he began to write about two Swedish vinyl bootlegs, FOLLOW THAT DREAM and TEARDROPS ON THE CITY, in a short column article entitled “The essential bootleg album guide” that is featured in the fanzine Backstreets no. 6 (May 1983).

The five titles of Swedish vinyl bootlegs from the early 1980s.
Upper row: (What I believe) the original pressings.  Lower row: The reissues from the mid-1980s.

BORN TO RUN US pressing LP variants: white label promo (3)

DJ time strip, commonly found in the US white label
promotional (and regular red label) LPs up to
DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN.

This is a continuation of the previous posts on the US vinyl pressings of BORN TO RUN, starting off the first blog this year, and the final part on the WLP copies. As explained before, the five copies in my possession are grouped into (1) the "John" misspelt sleeve, (2) the error-fixed and corner-cut sleeve with some promo stuff, and (3) the error-fixed and corner-cut sleeve with a time strip pasted on the front. Here's the last one which seems to be the most common among the various forms of the WLP album.

BORN TO RUN US pressing LP variants: white label promo (2)

 Columbia "Demo" stamp, circa 1975

As explained in the last post, there are several variations in the US white label promotional (WLP) vinyl album of BORN TO RUN that have been circulating in collectors' markets over the years. The matrix inscriptions on the dead wax areas of the vinyl indicate that the early WLP copies are pressed with the same stamper that has been used for pressing the script cover test pressing. So far I have owned five copies of the WLP version of this great album which are roughly classified into three groups: (1) the "John" misspelt sleeve, (2) the error-fixed and corner-cut sleeve with some promo stuff, and (3) the error-fixed and corner-cut sleeve with a time strip pasted on the front. The first one was already introduced the last time So, let me continue the subject for the other two.

BORN TO RUN US pressing LP variants: white label promo (1)

Although it still takes big money to obtain a copy of the script cover (for example, the latest eBay auction ending on January 25 has involved a total of 11 bids with the final amounts of US $1,107.00), you can easily find and get, at a much cheaper cost, the white label promotional (WLP) issues of BORN TO RUN LP US pressings. As pointed out in the previous post, based on the matrix information, the early promo and regular LP copies are made with the same pair of stampers that is originally used for pressing the script cover test pressing. So, if you pursue the best original sound (not remastering!) available for the vinyl album, an early WLP copy may be the choice unless it is exhausted due to aging and overplaying at a radio station.

Collecting log: Fire (live) / Incident On 57th Street (live) US 7" vinyl with production error

This 7" single from the US, which is released 28 years ago in 1987, features my favorite live performance on the flip side and is the first collectible I obtained this new year. At first glance, it may look like a test pressing, but this 7" single is actually a regular pressing without the paper label on Side A of the vinyl disc.
 
I have several 7" and LP discs with production errors from tiny to serious, such as a misspelling or typo (like African copies of THE RIVER), a blank record label,  mixing-up side A/B labels, and unbelievable manufacturing mistakes (such as an inner sleeve of a New Zealand copy of THE RIVER). However, this type of error (i.e. a disc without a label) is new to my collection. These erroneous releases in my possession will be shown sometime in a future.

BORN TO RUN US pressing LP variants: the script cover

The lyric sheets and track-list card are not genuine but photocopied

When it comes to the vinyl album of BORN TO RUN, it's not avoidable for a serious collector to mention the promotional package of the advanced test pressing, or much more famously known as the script cover. Nowadays you can find the copies that occasionally turn up on eBay in varying conditions, and actually I've seen two copies in the last two weeks, with the one being still on the auction at this moment. But before internet ages, it was quite tough to locate, and even more difficult to acquire an excellent copy, especially for collectors like me living outside the US.

BORN TO RUN US pressing LP variants

Various copies of this classic album with
more than half being the US pressings

Although THE RIVER is my favorite record, the greatest LP to me is always BORN TO RUN. Unfortunately, this classic album has been often mentioned as one of the all-time worst-sounding recording. Especially its muddy sound made me seeking for better sounding pressings, mostly targeting early US vinyl copies including the "Script" cover and "John" Landau misspelt copies. Anyway, I have collected this classic album over the years during which I noticed that there are several variations, even though trivial or minor, among the US vinyl copies with respect to the album credits on the double sleeve, the record labels, and of course, the matrix codes on the wax. So, I'm planning to start off this year with this topic. However, since it's busy season now in this country getting towards the end of this fiscal year (yes, here the fiscal year ends March), I'm afraid if I can keep up the blog work ...

 — To be continued.