BORN TO RUN US pressing LP variants: Album credit variations

Test pressing and gold promo-stamped copy for the
Half-Speed Mastered series LP released in 1981.
Hand-written codes on a plain white cover indicate the
matrix numbers scratched out in the dead wax area.

Originally released from Columbia Records in 1975 (with the catalog number PC 33795) and reissued several times, including the early repressing (JC 33795) and the recently remastered 180-g vinyl, the U.S. release of BORN TO RUN LP is available in a wide variety of variant forms. Thus far in this series, I have picked up variations initially focusing on different pressings of the LP discs (i.e., test pressing and white label promo), then production error/export variants, and recently, 7" singles of the title track (i.e., vinyl versus styrene disc) cut from this masterpiece. However, what gives rise to variations most is the album track information and production credits printed on the rear side of the gate-fold sleeve. Over the years, these descriptions are occasionally subjected to correction, revision, and reconfiguration. Here I summarize the notable differences as I observed regarding album credits and others, including the company logos.

Collecting log: Fade Away / To Be True US45 misprinting

Sealed with a store header card? (Never seen before)
Along with an open copy of the misprint version.

This is a short and quick note on a recently obtained old 7-inch disc. Shown left are two copies of the US release of Fade Away backed with Be True: one (on the right) is a used copy I have long owned while the other was advertised as "factory-sealed" when I bought it recently. It is, however, very likely a re-shrink-wrapped package as it came with a bizarre store header card that seems to be nothing to do with the Columbia Records. The main cause of purchasing the copy is simple: it was cheap and, although released 35 years ago, still looked better than my old copy. "To Be True", stamped on top of the one-side printed paper card, also called my attention. As well known, this erroneous B-side title can only be found on the record label, but not anywhere on the sleeve, which is another indication that this is a "once-opened" copy rather than being "factory-sealed" (looks fine, nevertheless). Otherwise, how would have the wrong song title been known and stamped on the header? I wish it could be a genuine factory-sealed copy, though.

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: ROULETTE (the U.S. version of unreleased/studio-outtake collection)

With the exception of Frankie (live in Cleveland,1976), all materials are studio recording. I Wanna Be with You is from the DARKNESS session, Backstreets is performed in string arrangement, and The Height is of course Meeting ...  The original comes with the silver labels on both sides with the hand-etched matrix numbers RT9-101-A and RT9-101-B. Obviously, this my favorite bootleg had been overplayed by myself, as evidenced by a lot of spindle marks around the hole in the record.

THE RIVER Gate-fold sleeve 2LP: 1980 original Mexican release (concluded)

The Mexican branch of CBS Records releases THE RIVER on vinyl twice in different packages, first in 1980 as the gate-fold cover (CBS LP2S-103) and later in 1986 with the single-pocket sleeve (LP2S-125). In addition to the sleeve format, slight but noticeable differences do exist between the two releases, mostly related to Spanish descriptions on the album credits and tracklist translation that are printed on the rear side of the sleeves and record labels on the waxes.

Slightly different looking of the original (lower) and reissue (upper) back covers

On the back side of the sleeve, the 1986 version puts a little more descriptions concerning copyright and credit matters (though I'm not sure as I don’t understand Spanish language), which imparts a little bit different impression compared to the original release.

THE RIVER Gate-fold sleeve 2LP: 1980 original Mexican release (continued)

Part of THE RIVER LP collection. From left to right: (top row) Mexican 1st (gate-fold), US early (w/ a round sticker), US later (w/ a square sticker), Canadian, and UK (w/ a square sticker plus discount price tag); (middle row) Mexican reissue, French (Dutch export w/ a round sticker), Filipino (w/ extra writing), Brazilian, and Ex-Yugoslavian; (bottom row) Japanese 1st (w/ a vertical obi), Hong Kong (gate-fold), Portuguese, Israeli (gate-fold), and South African (gate-fold). Arrows refer to an earlobe (see the main text).