BORN TO RUN US pressing LP variants: Clarifying pressing plant-specific matrix number suffixes 1A, 1B, and 1C

This post represents the 100th upload on this blog in two years and eight months of sharing my views and thoughts on what I have collected over the years, mainly focusing on vinyl collectibles of both official and bootleg records (but I haven't written about what I don't own - that's my policy). It is remarkable to me (as a non-native English user) that I still continue and enjoy writing. Here I take this opportunity to thank all of you who have read and commented to this blog and those who have sent me private messages for whatever reasons.

HUMAN TOUCH / LUCKY TOWN Japanese collectibles (not on vinyl): On the 25th anniversary of the twin album releases (continued)

The text-only sleeve is often used for advanced promo releases, especially in 
regions outside the U.S., like Japan, as any picture material is not available
or not allowed to be used when discs are ready for distribution. A combination
of two small Kanji characters in parenthesis means "planned" or "scheduled."

The second selection from what I consider the Top 3 Japanese rarities from HUMAN TOUCH and LUCKY TOWN is probably the rarest and most sought-after among all of Springsteen's 3" CDs. The Boss Is Back!!: Human Touch c/w Better Days (SONY XDEP 93043) is an advanced promotion-only single release for distribution to radio stations and music critics/reviewers before it was available for regular sale in Japan on March 19, 1992. For this reason, and owing to the unique, now defunct disc format and custom-designed black & red title sleeve, this CD has become highly demanded by collectors all over the world. 

HUMAN TOUCH / LUCKY TOWN Japanese collectibles (not on vinyl): On the 25th anniversary of the twin album releases

This year marks the 25th anniversary of HUMAN TOUCH and LUCKY TOWN, simultaneously released here in Japan on April 8th, 1992 (about a week behind the US release date). I remember that his new moves (recording without the E Street Band and touring with "the other" band) were highly criticized by many, especially those who saw themselves as old-guard and long-time fans. In this regard, I was rather in a minority because several of the performances they played during 1992-1993 were (and still are) my favorites, including uptempo rocking Atlantic City (as mentioned before), the 1992 version of If I Should Fall Behind performed in the original folk-rock arrangement, and the 1993 rendition of Lucky Town with the extended guitar outro. 

Classic Vinyl Bootleg Revisited: PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE 3LP box (Update 1)

According to Hobbes, sold at $25 back in old days
(see his comment to this blog)

First of all, thank you so much for recent comments on some topics and private messages (PM) directed to me after the last blog was up on this site. I feel sorry for not being able to respond to most of them by posting new blogs, just because I'm having a flood of work that still pulls me away from blogging. Since I started this site, I've tried to write at least once a month (and did so). This time, however, I just couldn't do that. As a result, there was no update last month. Now I'm recovering from overwork, but I think I still need some time for restoring normal activity. Anyway, here's a short note in response to a recent comment and a PM regarding PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE from two fellow collectors.