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Two copies of purported U.S. CX-encoded test pressings of THE RIVER (Disc One) came in a plain white sleeve
with minimum information typed on a white sticker. Alongside is an original regular copy (US Columbia PC 36854). |
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Happy New Year, and thank you for your kind and considerate inquiries via PM about the status of the blog (and my health). Yes, I’m doing fine. As has happened occasionally in the past, over the past three months, my work and personal life have leaned heavily towards the former, leaving me unable to write. I suppose I’m truly a
workaholic! Consequently, my collecting activities have been minimal, with only one or two items worth mentioning. That said, it’s only within the past week or so that I’ve finally found some breathing room. Here, I’d like to share my insights about a questionable record—whether official or bogus—that has piqued my interest for some time.
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CX identification stickers are typically affixed to the rear
sleeves (photo sourced from the blog on 12/29/2022). |
Previously, I introduced the
Compatible eXpansion (
CX)-encoded vinyl pressing of
BORN TO RUN (
U.S. Columbia JC 33795), released circa 1982 or early 1983 (see
09/30/2021 and
10/08/2021). This pressing shares the same catalog number as the late 1970s and later reissues, but it is distinguished by
CX identification stickers on the album sleeve (see the image right). This particular vinyl format is notable because it can be played both with and without a
CX decoder, which is why it is referred to as "
compatible." To my surprise, this unique pressing of Springsteen's iconic album has been largely overlooked by collectors, as well as in guidebooks, databases, and fanzines like
Backstreets, for nearly four decades. It appears to have only been added to the
Discogs database around 2019 (
here).
Despite the innovative technology behind it, the CX encoding system was highly criticized by prominent sound engineers, including Robert "Bob" Ludwig, known later for his work on many of Springsteen's records, including back catalog reissues. Ludwig said, "I hate it. I’m going to give up the business if it ever catches on." (Billboard, June 27, 1981, p. 33). As a vinyl collector, however, I always regard this short-lived release as a unique entry in Springsteen's catalog, rarer and more difficult to find than other variant releases of the third album, such as the Half-Speed Mastered edition (U.S. Columbia HC 33795 for the original and HC 43795 for the reissue).
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Although apparently a different pressing, the record labels and stamper rings of a CX-encoded disc (right) are
indistinguishable from those of a standard copy (left). Both are manufactured at Columbia Records' Pitman plant,
as evidenced by the "P" stamp in the deadwax (see the image below). |
To date, this
U.S. pressing remains the only confirmed commercially released
CX-encoded Springsteen record, despite the numerous
CX-encoded LPs pressed in
Holland and widely available across
Europe—none of which, to my knowledge, include any Springsteen titles. However, as I wrote previously (
09/30/2021),
BORN TO RUN was not the first
CX-encoded Springsteen album that brought this unsuccessful audiophile format to my attention. That distinction goes to
THE RIVER (Disc One only), reportedly not a commercial release but a test pressing. So far, I have seen it appear online just twice.
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The matrix number on Side One deadwax is machine-typed
"XRD-AL-36855-A2" with a "P" stamp, the hallmark of
Pitman-plant manufacturing, on the upstream.
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Back in 2016, the first copy appeared on
eBay with the caption
"COLUMBIA EXPERIMENTAL DEMO CX ENCODED #20/500 Bruce Springsteen The River." The seller, located in
Massachusetts, seemed knowledgeable about audio formats and devices, likely with some direct or indirect connection to the music industry. Then, in 2020, another copy was listed on the auction under the heading
"BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN 'THE RIVER' CX ENCODED AUDIOPHILE PROMO 1 LP RARE UNUSUAL WLP," although it was actually not a WLP (white label promo). This second copy was sold by someone, probably a second-hand record retailer or shop staff, based in
Washington State. Both vinyl pressings look identical in terms of labels and deadwax matrix numbers.
— Continued to Part 2.
