Collecting log: THE RIVER single disc test pressing for the possible CX-encoded noise-reduction release in the early 1980s (Part 2 of 2)

Taken from the front sleeve of the CX-SAMPLER
LP (Columbia Special Products CXSM 170258),
distributed in the U.S. and featuring tracks from
Billy Joel and some others, but not including any
recording by Springsteen.

Compatible eXpansion (CX)-encoding technology was a short-lived and ultimately unsuccessful initiative by Columbia/CBS Records in the  U.S. and Europe during the early 1980s. Originally created in the late 1970s by CBS laboratories in the U.S., the technology aimed to reduce surface noise and extend dynamic range on vinyl-disc playback through the use of a decoder. While its adoption failed on vinyl, the noise-reduction system achieved greater success when applied to laserdiscs. In the U.S., at least one Springsteen album, BORN TO RUN (Columbia JC 33795), was commercially released in this now-forgotton format, possibly as a temporary, experimental release to gauge customer reactions and market trends (see 09/30/2021 and 10/08/2021). However, no other albums have been confirmed to be pressed in this audiophile edition anywhere in the world.

Collecting log: THE RIVER single disc test pressing for the possible CX-encoded noise-reduction release in the early 1980s (Part 1 of 2)

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).

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.

BORN TO RUN US pressing LP variants: the short-lived, CX-encoded noise-reduction disc released in the early 1980s (Part 1 of 2)

This special vinyl edition is the one I previously mentioned as a major lack in my LP list of various U.S. BORN TON RUN releases when I replied to the comment posted by an anonymous visitor (to the blog article on 07/29/2016). It is one of about 70* new and reissue titles of various music genres from Columbia Records' unsucceeded project in the early 1980s to introduce a novel noise-reduction technology to the analog audio sound, called "Compatible eXpansion (CX)" encoding system, originally developed by CBS Laboratories in the late 1970s. 
*According to the information available on Wikipedia; however, the number differs depending on the sources.

A small CX identification sticker is not pasted on the shrink warp,
but directly glued on the lower right corner of the rear side of
the gate-fold sleeve (Columbia JC 33795).

The "CX"-encoded disc program would allow vinyl sounds better not only by reducing record surface noise but also by extending dynamic ranges. The "CX" is said so because a CX-encoded disc could even sound normal on any regular audio device (with an acceptable level of dynamic range compression), although you can benefit from the noise reduction/dynamic range expansion process if your playback system is equipped with add-on CX-decoder hardware.

Collecting log: The early 1980s U.K. vinyl pressings with "timtom" or "Ty" handwritten matrix inscription (Part 3 of 4)

Happy new year! I tried to complete this topic within the last year but was just not able to have enough time to do so. Anyway, I'll continue to blog on my collection and hope all your collectors' wishes come true this year.

In my collection, the earliest example of a timtom-inscription, as shown in the inset on the upper-left corner, is found on Side 2 of BORN TO RUN (matrix number suffixes; -A4/B2) that was included in the 3-LP box set released in the U.K., November, 1979. However, his hand-etching was not found in the other two albums (the first two albums) also coming in this box; the same is the case for a later regular copy of BTR LP shown on the left (-A5/-B3).

Collecting log: The early 1980s U.K. vinyl pressings with "timtom" or "Ty" handwritten matrix inscription (Part 1 of 4)

Whoever credited (see the inset taken from the lyric sheet), the
master lacquer of this vinyl pressing is cut by someone else.
Shown is a U.S. repressed copy of THE RIVER Disc 1, where the
matrix inscription "chet" means that the master-cutting engineer
is Chet Bennett who worked for CBS Records in the 1980s.

As you see in this blog, one of my favorite activities to do when hunting a vinyl record, whether official or bootleg, is to check the dead-wax space for the matrix numbers and associated stamps or inscriptions. This can allow us to know fundamental information regarding production of a given record, such as the generation of the pressing and location of the pressing factory. The initials of a mastering engineer are also hand-etched or stamped, though not always. Of course, we can know who is responsible for mastering and cutting, from production credits that are usually printed on the inner or outer sleeve, or accompanying lyric sheet. 

Collecting log: Collectable acquisitions in 2017 (Part 1 of 3)

To me, officially and privately, 2017 was the busiest in recent years, and although the calendar year is coming to a close, here in the Far East, the fiscal year still continues to the end of March next year. Accordingly, the number of blog posts this year (that counts 22 including this one) is the lowest since 2014 when I started writing about my collection. This situation also slowed down my activities for collecting and hunting, which, in marked contrast to the last year's report, resulted in few exciting collectables in 2017 (and that's why I refrain using the term "best" collectable for the title of this year-end post). Having said that, I pick up three vinyl titles from this year's acquisition: they are not new here, or probably not main stream collectables, but still worth mentioning as interesting items. Note that this first post is also the latest part of a featured blog series THE RIVER LP collectibles.

Collecting log: THE RIVER-era promotion-only various artists' compilation albums released in Japan and The Killer Tracks From The River (concluded)

One of the few coolest sleeves among his entire vinyl releases.

Since the mid-1970s, as pointed out in the early issue of the Backstreets Magazine (#10, Summer 1984), Japan has been a major source of highly collectable vinyl records from Springsteen. As far as the 1970's albums go, the most highly demanded include the advanced white label promotional 1st pressing copy of THE WILD, THE INNOCENT & THE E STREET SHUFFLE (CBS/SONY SOPL-239; released in 1974) with a typo obi, both regular and promotional 2nd pressing copies of GREETINGS FROM ASBURY PARK, N.J. (SOPO-124; released in 1975) with a wrap-around obi, and the world's first-ever custom promotion-only album LAST AMERICAN HERO FROM ASBURY PARK N.J. (YAPC 95; relased in 1978). Although not an LP but a 12-inch EP recorded at 33 1/3 rpm, The Killer Tracks From The River (XDAP 93030; released in 1981), another custom promo-only compilation,probably represents the most important Japanese 30-cm diameter discs released in the 1980s under his name.

THE RIVER Gate-fold sleeve 2LP: Venezuelan release

Right after opening the parcel that has been delivered from the other
side of the globe. International shipping cost only $5.00 by FEDEX 
which are unbelievably cheap compared to the current standard rates
for importing LP or 12" releases.

Special record packages, like gate-fold sleeves or box sets, always stimulate collectors' mind. This is particularly the case when they are limited in quantities or available only in certain regions or countries. As already featured several times in this blog, the gate-fold sleeve edition of THE RIVER LP is a representative example of such vinyl collectibles and has been released back in 1980 in the following five countries: Israel (CBS 88510), Mexico (CBS LP2S-103), Venezuela (CBS CS-10378), South Africa (CBS AGP 87/88) and Hong Kong (CBS/SONY 40AP 1960-1). What makes these releases more collector-oriented is the fact that they differ from each other, slightly or totally, in terms of the artwork design inside the gate-fold sleeve. So, serious collectors, including myself, have collected them all (or are trying to do so).

THE RIVER 2LP: The US Columbia Santa Maria Plant pressing

Before and after cleaning LP sleeve: Vertically aligned two images on the left
(before cleaning) are taken from the actual auction page. The "20" marking on
the front sleeve is very faint (yellow circled). There is 
a small corner cut on the
upper-left corner of the rear face of the sleeve which has a gold promo stamp.

Recently, I obtained a US analog copy of my favorite album from a US eBay seller. It was a cheap buy as you can guess from the relatively worn sleeve conditions. However, the highly priced international shipping of LP package, which cost close to triple the amounts of the item this time, always annoys me as a non-US resident. After delivery of the LP across the Pacific, the first thing I had to do was to remove the handwritten black markings "20" made on both the front and back covers, which I guess indicate the set price ($20) when this copy was once sold on store shelves before being auctioned. It was not a tough or cautious work because the album sleeve was still glossy laminated, thus relatively tolerant to a little rough wiping with convenient organic solvents like absolute ethanol (although the use of which generally causes damage to sleeves such as de-colorization). 

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). 

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

Unfortunately, a white round sticker (apparently not coming originally) is not
removable without deterioration of the surface of the front sleeve. Insets show
CBS logos with the catalog number printed on front and rear sleeves.

It took 20 days since the order placed late last month and finally I received it across the Pacific Ocean, from a seller in a Central American country.

Recently, I obtained an original Mexican copy of THE RIVER (CBS LP2S-103) that had long been put on my want list of vinyl collectibles. Long since interested in this gate-fold release, I had had hard luck with getting it: outbid on eBay a few times, experienced once the lost during international delivery (according to seller's excuse), unable to accept offers due to overpricing or unacceptable conditions (e.g. torn and/or with lots of blots and spots) and so on. Released in 1980, this particular copy I obtained is found to be overall in very good condition with the exception of a couple of defects such as a price-tag (?) sticker and ring wear slightly developed on the front cover.

THE RIVER New Zealand 2LP with "lyric" inner sleeve misprint

Faulty "lyric" inner sleeve turns out to be looking good (Image taken from blog on December 28, 2014).

Faulty production series continues. A year back in this blog, I briefly introduced a major production error that is found in a New Zealand copy of THE RIVER 2LP (CBS S2BP 220235). I think this would be a good opportunity to show the details of what error occurs with it. I bought this copy from a New Zealand seller and just like the standard issue, it comes with two printed inner sleeves for two records and the fold-out insert that opens up to reveal most of the song lyrics (Independence Day to Wreck On The Highway). However, one of the two inner sleeves, which should feature several pictures and the track listing for Sides 1 and 2 of Record 1, actually is the reprint of the inner pages of the lyric sheet.

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.

Collecting log: TOP 3 collectible acquisitions in 2014

Seeing the New Year soon, I have checked back the recent collecting log and selected what are considered as Top 3 collectibles from what I have obtained through this year. The (subjective, self-satisfied) results are listed below with a short note for each collectible.


Murder Incorporated / Because The Night (live) / Pink Cadillac / 4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) 
(Holland Columbia 661313 6)

    This 4-track 12-inch vinyl is pressed in Holland for export to France in 1995. Housed in a black & white cover whose design is identical to that of the 7-inch vinyl (COL 661313 7; backed with Because The Night) or 5-inch CD-EP (COL 661313 2; the same configuration as the 12") under the same title. Like the CD-EP, it comes with a black sticker on the front sleeve saying in French "titre inédit avec le E Street Band" (new song with the E Street Band). According to the Lost In The Flood collector's page, for unknown reasons, this release was hastily withdrawn. Seldom seen on eBay indeed, and equally tough to find as the 7-inch counterpart.

THE RIVER Gate-fold sleeve 2LP: South African and Zimbabwean records

A few additional notes on the South African pressing and its relation to the possible Zimbabwean release. 

Postulated company logo and name on the rear sleeves
that might identify country of manufacture
(right top, South African; right bottom, Zimbabwean)

On the South African LP: Neither label nor sleeve indicates as to where the record is pressed. However, there is a logo character on the sleeve that seems to identify the South African pressings of vinyl records. On the bottom right-hand corner of the back sleeve is a blue-colored logo "interpak", possibly referring to the name of a printing service company in that country (not confirmed, but Google search suggested so), although the meaning of the accompanied number ("110") is totally unknown. To support this, the logo is also found on the rear sleeves of the South African LP pressings of various Pink Floyd albums that are released from the CBS label (this info is taken from here).

THE RIVER Gate-fold sleeve 2LP: the South African release

With respect to album artwork and design, the South African pressing (CBS AGP 87/88) of THE RIVER album shows some differences from the other double jacket version such as Hong Kong and Israeli issues, and ordinary single pocket releases like the US and UK albums. The following summarize what I have spotted that are unique to this release.

The gate-fold sleeves of THE RIVER released in Hong
Kong (top), Israel (middle) and South Africa (bottom)

1. Aside from the outer front sleeve, all the other three sides of outer and inner gate-fold sleeve are noticeably blue-tinted (see the previous post on Sep. 20 for the inside gate-fold image). 
2. The spine is uniquely white whereas that of all the other releases is colored blue. 
3. The Gothic font used on the jacket is apparently different from that of the other releases. 
4. The outer rear sleeve, which normally features the track listing in almost all the other releases, instead displays the album credits that are otherwise found on the fold-out lyric insert. This coincides with the observation that the South African set probably does not include the lyric sheet originally. The album tracks are printed inside the gate-fold sleeve. So, the track information is not available unless the double jacket is opened. It is noted that there is a variant issue with the track information on the outer rear sleeve. This issue is pasted on the rear with a white sticker (10 x 14 cm) listing the song titles for the individual sides.  

THE RIVER Gate-fold sleeve 2LP: the Hong Kong release (continued)

Machine-stamped matrix number on Side A of Disc 1 of Hong 
Kong (upper) and Japanese (lower) releases

As described in the last post, I had suspected for long the authenticity of THE RIVER Hong Kong release and even considered it as the piracy product cannibalizing the Japanese records. In fact, the Hong Kong vinyl discs are almost NOT distinguishable from the Japanese ones. For instance, shown right is the matrix number stamped on Side A of Disc 1 that looks identical between the two releases. The same is also true for the other three sides of double LP, which most likely signifies the Japanese origin of these Hong Kong vinyls.

THE RIVER Gate-fold sleeve 2LP: the Hong Kong release

Upper: Incredible finding of a sealed copy, bought
from a French seller last year (Dec. 2013); Lower:
Full opened outer gate-fold sleeve of a used copy.

Housed in a double jacket that is made from thick cardboard, THE RIVER Hong Kong release is a sturdy vinyl record product. For its double jacket interior, this release adequately reproduces one side each of the two inner disc sleeves from the common single jacket record (check the last post on Sep. 20th and compare it to the Israeli release in black/white reproduction). 

As far as I checked, no misspelling, no typo, or misprint on the labels, sleeves or the fold-out lyric sheet. Overall, the best quality in terms of sound and packaging among the three different versions in my collection (i.e., Israeli and South African in addition to this).

THE RIVER Gate-fold sleeve 2LP

Undoubtedly, one of the major collectibles of THE RIVER 2LP is the release of the gate-fold sleeve, not only because of its rarity, but also because of its delux package that is far more suitable than a single pocket sleeve for housing a double LP. This special format has been issued in 1980 only in such countries as Israel (CBS 88510), Mexico (CBS LP2S-103), Venezuela (CBS CS-10378), South Africa (CBS AGP 87/88) and Hong Kong (CBS/SONY 40AP 1960-1), according to several informative sources that include the most comprehensive Lost In The Flood website. It remains unknown, though, why only these countries have chosen to manufacture the album in such a unique format.