Track and time information found on a two-page stapled fact sheet for a Japanese sample copy of NEBRASKA LP |
The Hong Kong (left) LP shares the same catalog number (25AP 2440) and the identical matrix stamp with the Japanese copy (right), which shows where it is pressed (see here for the relevant blog). |
In order to gather more information, I extended the survey beyond my collection and checked the label images found online. As a result, in addition to the US, UK and Hong Kong, I confirmed that the LP copies issued in the following countries carry the same track-length misprints on the label: Canada (Columbia TCX 38358), South Africa (CBS DNW 2804), and Zimbabwe (CBS DNW 2804; most probably S. Africa-pressed; see here for another blog article on Zimbabwean records). Although I am still not sure if the LP is the officially licensed product, the South Korean pressing also has the error (many thanks D.B.M. for sending the scanned images for the white label promo copy in response to the previous blog).
UK insert included in repressed copies of pre-BITUSA albums such as NEBRASKA to promote album sales |
On the other hand, as far as I examined, I couldn't find any misprint label release from the following countries: Holland, Spain, Greece, Ex-Yugoslavia, Portugal, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and India. However, because of the small number of sampling, this does not necessarily eliminate the possibility of the erroneous label in these releases, and more investigation is needed to avoid biased conclusions. Like the Japanese LP, certain releases such as Mexican do not bear the track length information on the record labels (On the Mexican release, correct playing time for each track is printed on the rear sleeve).
Finally, what is the implication, if any, of these misprinted label releases? The points listed below summarize what I saw as facts and told here.
- The measurable number of the misprinted edition on the Side 2 label exist from various countries (counting at least six).
- Three out of the four tracks on the label (Used Cars, My Father's House and Reason To Believe) are misprinted for their play time.
- The erroneous track time (5' 43") for My Father's House differs considerably from the correct one (5' 03") but is comparable to the length (5' 35") for the alternate take that is inadvertently and officially released on the early CD edition of the album pressed in Japan.
From these facts, I think it is not irrelevant that
the erroneous Side 2 label does not result from inadvertent
manufacturing error or careless printer's typo, but rather reflects what could
have been the very first Side 2 arrangement including the
alternate take of My Father's House which was eventually not adopted in the final version. Maybe wishful thinking, but it seems unlikely to me that the above facts took place independently as casual incidents. Anyway, over these nights, listening to what is the most suitable among his entire albums for deep-night listening, I enjoyed ruminating about a sort of "behind the scene" thing on it. And thanks once again D.R. in England for providing me with the UK label pictures that worked as catalyst for me to write about this topic.
→ Read three consecutive posts starting from here for the updated information.
I confirm that the Brazil pressing (or at least 'a' Brazil pressing) carries the same track-length misprints on the label.
ReplyDeleteHi Eddy, thanks always for the info. Yes, and in addition, the rear sleeve of the Brazilian edition (CBS 138.641) lists the Portuguese translation to seven out of ten track titles, which makes it unique and collectable among various LP releases of this album.
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