Queen Archivist 19.01.2010 22:30 |
Here is a question for you. I'll be intrigued to see what the majority opinion is on this out there... What was the VERY FIRST Queen CD - to be issued anywhere in the world, and I don't mean promos? 1. The very first CD album? When, where, what? 2. The very first CD single? When, where, what? We feel about 95% certain that we know what the first CD album was (a clue is that is wasn't a UK release), and 100% certain what the first CD single was. But let's see what you think. Ta muchly |
Walter B. 20.01.2010 01:52 |
Queen Archivist wrote: Here is a question for you. I'll be intrigued to see what the majority opinion is on this out there...What was the VERY FIRST Queen CD - to be issued anywhere in the world, and I don't mean promos? 1. The very first CD album? When, where, what? 2. The very first CD single? When, where, what? We feel about 95% certain that we know what the first CD album was (a clue is that is wasn't a UK release), and 100% certain what the first CD single was. But let's see what you think. Ta muchly Hi Greg, I think that The Game was the first Queen CD released, USA, September 1983. The disc itself was made in West-Germany though. It came in a longbox. The first cd-single? Hmm, could it be the first batch of the 3" series (Seven Seas of Rhye (QUECD 1), Killer Queen (QUECD2) and Bohemian Rhapsody (QUECD3), UK, October 1988? Cheers. |
Pim Derks 20.01.2010 17:36 |
Depends on what you think of as a cd-single. I believe the various CD-video promos that were released in 1984/1986 of Break Free/Highlander also included an audio portion...? Otherwise I'd have to go with one of the 3" cd-singles too. |
Micrówave 20.01.2010 20:00 |
I have to question that THE GAME release. If it were a 1983 release on a West German label, that would not be considered a US release but an import. Also, what was the catalog number on that West German CD? The 1st issue EMI CD for the game had a catalog number of 46213. Which is close to the numbers on all the other CDs prior to. Flash had 46214, Hot Space had 46215. The First album had 46204, but Greatest Hits had 46033, almost 200 lower than those previously mentioned. Even lower was 46016... The Works. I believe that to be the first US released Queen CD. Whether or not it was released in the rest of the world prior to releasing the Queen catalog on CD, I don't know. The Works was issued in Japan on Toshiba in 1984, CAT. NO: CP35-3117 There were no CD Single releases off of The Works, as Capitol had not ventured into the CD Single market yet and never did with Queen until their contract ended with The Miracle. |
Walter B. 21.01.2010 02:16 |
Before EMI records released CDS, some ELEKTRA pressings were produced in West Germany and/or Japan. These are the so-called Target cds. Target CDs are a class of pressings released by WEA (Warner-Elektra-Atlantic) in the early-to-mid 1980s. Most were manufactured in either West Germany or Japan for distribution in the U.S. before domestic pressing facilities went online. Target CDs were also distributed in other markets. The catalogue number for the West German Target CD of The Game is ELEKTRA 64513-2. There are also Target CDS for News of the World and Greatest Hits. * edit * A West German ELEKTRA pressing for the Japanese market of The Game could also be the first CD release...Catalogue number 38XP-15, (released end of 1983?). This one has a gold sticker OBI. |
bigV 21.01.2010 12:14 |
A few words if I may, Walter? They are known as "Target" CD's because of the target-like shape in the front of the disc: "News of the World"link "The Game"link "Greatest Hits"link I do believe that one of these three, possibly NOTW is the first Queen CD. V. |
Walter B. 21.01.2010 12:42 |
bigV wrote: A few words if I may, Walter?They are known as "Target" CD's because of the target-like shape in the front of the disc: [...] Sorry bigV, my mistake. I know what they are. Bad use of syntax from me there... |
Micrówave 21.01.2010 15:05 |
Great thread, by the way guys. So where were these Target CD's available? Were they available at nationwide chain stores or did you have to hunt them down? I remember specificallly searching for a Queen CD of older material and was unsuccessful until I managed to get the standard Elektra imports around 1986 or 1987. You could get albums and tapes no problem, but Queen CDs were tricky back then. I always wondered why. |
Queen Archivist 21.01.2010 19:20 |
Hi Walter (great to hear from you) yes, we too thought The Game CD from 1983 was the first CD. But now it seems that an Elektra Hits 1 CD I found at Brian's, predates that. The CD has 1981 on it, but CDs weren't available til 1982, so the 81 must only relate to the original release year. But.... although we thought (Gary Taylor and I) that the Game 83 disc was Capitol Records, it seems that a small handful of Elektra discs came first. We are greatly intrigued by this. Much more digging is required. Also, I see that someone else has offered a great reply to this, on this thread, which I'll get to next. We need to get this stuff right, since I have, after all, made a bit of a thing of spotlighting the VERY FIRST example of each format. I'll dig further. Thanks for your info Walter. By the way.... the entire subject of Long Boxes is VERY interesting. I've never seen any CD other than HR in such packaging.... not a Capitol disc, nor an Elektra one. But they do exist, evidently. CD singles.... we think the 3" first was the EMI series you mention, and the first 5" is I WANT IT ALL, 1989. But again we are checking our facts. |
Queen Archivist 21.01.2010 19:34 |
Microwave.... BIG thanks for a greatly useful response... What you say is really interesting. I have to say here that I'm not bothered by the first Queen CD just in certain countries... USA, Germany, UK... that's not the issue. I just want to find out where the FIRST cd ANYWHERE in the world was. Microwave... I think you have concluded the following things, which I have put in numerical order.... Greatest Hits had 46033 (almost 200 lower than those previously mentioned) (Queen) The First album had 46204 The 1st issue EMI CD for the game had a catalog number of 46213. Flash had 46214 Hot Space had 46215. Even lower was 46016... The Works So... can you just clarify what precisely you are concluding was the first Queen CD, and why. Make sure we're on the same page. Many thanks. |
Queen Archivist 21.01.2010 19:37 |
Walter.... this info is also great... Before EMI records released CDS, some ELEKTRA pressings were produced in West Germany and/or Japan. These are the so-called Target cds. Target CDs are a class of pressings released by WEA (Warner-Elektra-Atlantic) in the early-to-mid 1980s. Most were manufactured in either West Germany or Japan for distribution in the U.S. before domestic pressing facilities went online. Target CDs were also distributed in other markets. The catalogue number for the West German Target CD of The Game is ELEKTRA 64513-2. There are also Target CDS for News of the World and Greatest Hits. Same question... just to be sure, what are you concluding was the first CD then???? BigV.... the scans are very useful too. Thank you. |
Walter B. 22.01.2010 02:33 |
Hi Greg, Some answers: The USA had longoxes for the ELEKTRA pressings of News of the World, The Game and Greatest Hits. There were also longboxes for the CAPITOL releases of The Works, A Kind of Magic (2 versions) and The Miracle. Target cds: News of the World (West Germany, Elektra, catalog number 112-2) News of the World (West Germany, Elektra, catalog number 112-2, odd pressing error with second row of target squares running between 10 o’clock and 4 o’clock) (bigV posted a picture of this one) The Game (West Germany, Elektra, catalog number 64513-2, catalog number is shown on disc and inserts as 64513-2) The Game (West Germany, Elektra, catalog number 513-2/64513-2, catalog number is shown on disc as 513-2 and on inserts as 64513-2) Greatest Hits (West Germany, Elektra, catalog number 5E-564-2). The seems to be no logic in the ELEKTRA catalogue numbering, so I don't know which one came first... The EMI cds were released November/December 1986. But...The Greatest Hits album (CDP 7460332) was released in September 1984 or September 1985. Hence the lower catalogue number. The Works album precedes the number (CDP 7460162) because that album (cd version) was released May 1984. You can quite easily distinguish them from the 1986-versions, because they don't have a barcode on the back and the discs are Made in Japan. The 1986 versions have barcodes and are made in the UK, Holland or West Germany. I hope this helps? |
john bodega 22.01.2010 02:53 |
Queen I (1973), obviously. Fucking hell, some people ... |
Walter B. 22.01.2010 02:54 |
Micrówave wrote: Great thread, by the way guys. So where were these Target CD's available? Were they available at nationwide chain stores or did you have to hunt them down? I remember specificallly searching for a Queen CD of older material and was unsuccessful until I managed to get the standard Elektra imports around 1986 or 1987. You could get albums and tapes no problem, but Queen CDs were tricky back then. I always wondered why.The Game is on eBay right now: http://cgi.ebay.com/Queen-The-Game-Elektra-513-2-West-Germany-Target_W0QQitemZ180459699111QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMusic_CDs?hash=item2a043c7ba7 |
Micrówave 22.01.2010 09:49 |
Walter- Nice spot. I was actually wondering where you could get these Target CDs at the time of release. Could I have gone to my local Wherehouse music and found it right along with The Thompson Twins and Men At Work or would this have to have been ordered from overseas somehow. ----------------------------------------- Greg- About The Works CD... it has the lowest catalog number from Capitol out of all their CD releases. This has always kind of confused me. But then, I was just a teenager at the time. I first got all my Queen CDs in the late 80s, but The Works was the first I got on CD. The liner says Capitol, 1984, CDP 46016... Made in JAPAN. My A Kind Of Magic CDs, and subsequent ones are Capitol and were made in the USA until the Hollywood contract took over for the release of Innuendo. But what's wierd is (1) my Hot Space and all prior to are all EMI and made in the UK but the discs themselves look identical (format wise) to my Works CD right down to the font and layout. (2) Also, the spine of the CD jacket is identical.... location of album title / record label / catalog number all line up. Now I had to pay about twice as much for the "import" CDs (Hot Space and before) but I paid regular price for The Works, Magic, and so forth. Why wouldn't The Works have cost me double? Did it have something to do with the distribution deal in The States because of the new deal with Capitol and why would it not be made in USA? Why would their CDs look the same as the EMI "import" discs? Even my A Kind Of Magic spine and CD are very similar in format but it clearly states "Made In USA". By the way, my Works, Magic, Miracle, and Innuendo CDs all came in full-artwork cardboard longboxes when I bought them from Musicland/Sam Goody in the 80s. The import CDs came in clear plastic longboxes with no kind of artwork. |
Micrówave 23.01.2010 14:11 |
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Queen Archivist 25.01.2010 20:43 |
Thank you Walter. Great and useful info, as always. Much appreciated. How do you know this stuff? Is the CD area of Queen something you specialise in??? Have you done specific research into this? By the way... are you coming to the UK convention in march??? |
Walter B. 26.01.2010 01:44 |
Hi Greg, You're welcome. I have made lists with cataloguenumbers and releasedates from most releases from around the world. Not only cds, but also vinyls. |
Wilki Amieva 04.01.2014 10:26 |
I've just read this... As far as I know, the first QUEEN CD album is GREATEST HITS by Nippon Elektra (32XD-329 / 5E-564-2), released in Japan and for the USA in November 1982, and before the "target" CDs. *** The above is nonsense! Please red further posts from me. Sorry for any inconvenience *** The first proper QUEEN CD single would be the Seven Seas Of Rhye UK CD3, released in November 1988 by Parlophone/EMI Records (20 3005 3 UK: QUECD1). The first QUEEN CD5 is the UK promo for I Want It All, also by Parlophone/EMI Records (CDPROMOQU 1). But the first QUEEN CD single would be the I Want To Break Free promo CD-video (video portion only playable on PAL LaserDisc players) released in late 1984/early 1985. |
cmi 04.01.2014 11:07 |
I think the first Queen CD on Earth was NOTW Elektra Target CD: link It has the earliest catalog number in 3-digits format (112-2) and even in 5-digits format (00112-2). 'The Game' has 513-2 in 3-digit format and 64513-2 in 5-digits. It's very possible that 64- prefix were added sometime later after NOTW release with 00- prefix. BTW, link |
Wilki Amieva 04.01.2014 11:30 |
The NEWS OF THE WORLD CD by Elektra takes its catalogue number from the vinyl. Its back sleeve mentions Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Under Pressure. I think this could suggest that this CD came third, after GREATEST HITS and THE GAME. Anyway, it has to be an Elektra/Asylum release. By the way, QUEEN switched from Elektra/Asylum Records to Capitol Records in late 1983. Brian May's STAR FLEET PROJECT was the first QUEEN-related release to see the light under the new agreement with Capitol for the former Elektra/Asylum territories in late 1983. Of course, that wouldn't matter too much for the USA back catalogue, which was renegotiated in late 1990 for Hollywood Records. |
Walter B. 04.01.2014 12:44 |
Wilki Amieva wrote: I've just read this... As far as I know, the first QUEEN CD album is GREATEST HITS by Nippon Elektra (32XD-329 / 5E-564-2), released in Japan and for the USA in November 1982, and before the "target" CDs. The first proper QUEEN CD single would be the Seven Seas Of Rhye UK CD3 for I Want It All, released in November 1988 by Parlophone/EMI Records (20 3005 3 UK: QUECD1). The first QUEEN CD5 is the UK promo for I Want It All, also by Parlophone/EMI Records (CDPROMOQU 1). But the first QUEEN CD single would be the I Want To Break Free promo CD-video (video portion only playable on PAL LaserDisc players) released in late 1984/early 1985.Hi Wilki, First of all, I have great respect for your knowledge, but I think you're not right about the Greatest Hits album from Japan. That CD-album with cataloguenumber 32XD-329 was released in Japan November 28th, 1985. The album for the Japanese market has a red OBI-sticker. There is also a Greatest Hits CD-album from Japan with cataloguenumber 38XP-94. This one has a golden OBI-sticker. As far as I know that album was released in Japan November/December 1984. |
Wilki Amieva 04.01.2014 20:35 |
Thanks, Walter! My memory it's not what it used to be, so I checked my notes. For some reason I was under the impression that the "target" CDs came after the Japanese CDs. Well, I stand corrected. It helped a lot I am in the process of relocating/sorting/cleaning my CD collection... The first QUEEN CDs were pressed by PolyGram in West Germany for Elektra/Asylum Records in the USA during 1983 (82?)-1984. - THE GAME, catalogue number: 513-2 (64513-2), matrix number: 7559 64513-2 2893 026 01, traditional 'E' logo, barcode in back sleeve. - NEWS OF THE WORLD, catalogue number: 112-2 (00112-2), matrix number: 7559 00112-2 2893 278 01, traditional 'E' logo, barcode and no barcode editions (for longboxes?). - GREATEST HITS, catalogue number: 5E-564-2, matrix number: 7559 00564-2 2893 799 02, new 'sunset' logo, no barcode (longboxes with barcode exist). The last one was also released by Elektra/Asylum Records in Japan in late 1984. - GREATEST HITS, catalogue number: 38XP-94, matrix number: 7559 00564-2 2893 799 02 (?), new 'sunset' logo, no barcode, golden obi, no lyric sheet (date?). These are known as "target" CDs because of the label on the surface of the CDs. Then GREATEST HITS was also pressed by JVC in Japan for the US market and also for the internal market in late 1985, respectively: - GREATEST HITS, catalogue number: 5E-564-2, matrix number: 564-2-U3E123, new 'sunset' logo, no barcode (longboxes with barcode exist). - GREATEST HITS, catalogue number: 32XD-329, matrix number: 564-2-U3E (?), new 'sunset' logo, no barcode, red stickered obi and lyrics sheet, "I-11-28" date. Elektra abandoned its traditional 'E' logo for the new 'sunset' logo in late 1983/early 1984, so perhaps it's safe to say that NEWS OF THE WORLD and THE GAME are pre-1984, while all GREATEST HITS are from 1984 and later. Judging by the matrix numbers, it would appear that THE GAME came first, and then NEWS OF THE WORLD (whose back sleeve refers to Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Under Pressure). |
Adam Unger (QueenVault.com) 04.01.2014 22:25 |
I looked through all of the 1983 fanclub mags and the Autumn issue mentions that The Game is available on CD in the US. No mention of News Of The World or Greatest Hits. I imagine that the productions were limited due to them being signed to Captiol by 1984. |
Wilki Amieva 04.01.2014 23:26 |
Good spot, Adam! I was going to check the fanzines myself later. I also have several folders with EMI-Odeon and Elektra/Asylum Records documentation that I have to go through. So we have, in tentative order: - THE GAME, catalogue number: 513-2 (64513-2), matrix number: 7559 64513-2 2893 026 01, traditional 'E' logo, barcode in back sleeve, manufactured by PolyGram West Germany for Elektra/Asylum Records USA before Autumn 1983. - NEWS OF THE WORLD, catalogue number: 112-2 (00112-2), matrix number: 7559 00112-2 2893 278 01, traditional 'E' logo, barcode and no barcode editions (for longboxes?), manufactured by PolyGram West Germany for Elektra/Asylum Records USA (in late 1983?). - GREATEST HITS, catalogue number: 5E-564-2, matrix number: 7559 00564-2 2893 799 02, new 'sunset' logo, no barcode (longboxes with barcode exist), manufactured by PolyGram West Germany for Elektra/Asylum Records USA (in late 1984?). - GREATEST HITS, catalogue number: 38XP-94, matrix number: 7559 00564-2 2893 799 02 (?), new 'sunset' logo, no barcode, golden obi, no lyric sheet (date?), manufactured by PolyGram West Germany for Elektra/Asylum Records Japan (in late 1984?). - GREATEST HITS, catalogue number: 5E-564-2, matrix number: 564-2-U3E123, new 'sunset' logo, no barcode (longboxes with barcode exist), manufactured by JVC Japan for Elektra/Asylum Records USA (in late 1985?). - GREATEST HITS, catalogue number: 32XD-329, matrix number: 564-2-U3E (?), new 'sunset' logo, no barcode, red stickered obi and lyrics sheet, "I-11-28" date, manufactured by JVC Japan for Elektra/Asylum Records Japan (on November 28th 1985?). (Of course, by 1984 we would also have some THE WORKS CDs by Capitol Records USA and EMI Records UK/Europe made in Japan, and also the first EMI UK/Europe Records' GREATEST HITS made in Japan.) By the way, I have searched the matrix numbers in Google, and I've found there are several variations of the 'target' CDs: link THE GAME has at least three different runs, and that could also point to an earlier release. |
cmsdrums 05.01.2014 12:11 |
Whilst the info here is far more helpful to answering the question, as an aside I have a full page ad for The Works from 'Record Mirror' magazine in the UK; whilst I don't have it in front of me right this moment, I recall it saying something like 'available on LP, XDR Cassette, and coming soon on the new CD format' |
Thistle 05.01.2014 13:03 |
I reckon Zebonka's on the right track...... |
Thistle 05.01.2014 13:11 |
^ obviously not, but his daft comment actually got me thinking.....I once owned a boxset called "Queen Unseen" which had photos from their first photoshoot, a COA, posters and a sealed copy of "Queen", which was an original press. I'm sure it had an early 80s date, but it's so long ago I can't remember exactly what that date was. Anyone know the set, or the edition of the CD that was in there?? Cheers :) |
ITSM 06.01.2014 02:49 |
My guess for the first "new" album to be released on a CD was A Kind of Magic, since they included the "Extra Magical Ingredients" on it...? |
cmi 06.01.2014 03:27 |
ITSM wrote: My guess for the first "new" album to be released on a CD was A Kind of Magic, since they included the "Extra Magical Ingredients" on it...?Fantastic guess! |
Wilki Amieva 06.01.2014 12:29 |
The first QUEEN UNSEEN box set was first released in early 1992, with proceeds going to The Terrence Higgins Trust. It included the QUEEN original EMI CD release from 1986 (CDP 7 46204 2), and then further runs contained the Parlophone re-issue from 1992 (same catalogue number). I really don't know if the first batch of the A KIND OF MAGIC CDs from EMI Records and Capitol Records (manufactured in Japan, black discs) were released at the same time as the LPs and CTs. The Japanese CD was released later. The first EMI and Capitol CDs for THE WORKS (also manufactured in Japan, red discs) were released some time after their LP and CT counterparts. Of course, both EMI Records and Capitol Records manufactued their own CDs some time later (silver discs). Does anybody know the actual dates of their own manufacturing release? By the way, THE GAME Elektra/Asylum CD was released in USA in September 1983 according to an internal memo. |
dysan 06.01.2014 12:50 |
Great thread guys! |
Walter B. 06.01.2014 13:03 |
Wilki Amieva wrote: The first QUEEN UNSEEN box set was first released in early 1992, with proceeds going to The Terrence Higgins Trust. It included the QUEEN original EMI CD release from 1986 (CDP 7 46204 2), and then further runs contained the Parlophone re-issue from 1992 (same catalogue number). I really don't know if the first batch of the A KIND OF MAGIC CDs from EMI Records and Capitol Records (manufactured in Japan, black discs) were released at the same time as the LPs and CTs. The Japanese CD was released later. The first EMI and Capitol CDs for THE WORKS (also manufactured in Japan, red discs) were released some time after their LP and CT counterparts. Of course, both EMI Records and Capitol Records manufactued their own CDs some time later (silver discs). Does anybody know the actual dates of their own manufacturing release? By the way, THE GAME Elektra/Asylum CD was released in USA in September 1983 according to an internal memo.Thanks Wilki. So I got it right from the start... After my first reply in this thread in which I wrote that the very first CD (The Game) was released in September 1983, I also found out the date: September 13th, 1983. I don't have any dates for AKOM and The Works unfortunately. |
Thistle 06.01.2014 14:15 |
Thank you for clearing that up, Wilki :) |
Wiley 06.01.2014 14:46 |
This kind of topic is the only reason why I still check this Website often. From between all the crap, rises an interesting discussion with cool findings. Thanks to Mr. Brooks for starting the discussion and to Wilki, Walter and the rest of the very knowledgeable folks that contributed. |
MackMantilla 06.01.2014 14:56 |
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MackMantilla 06.01.2014 14:59 |
I have a GREATEST HITS japanese CD by Toshiba-EMI but, I don't know which year is from.. |
Walter B. 06.01.2014 15:58 |
MackMantilla wrote: I have a GREATEST HITS japanese CD by Toshiba-EMI but, I don't know which year is from..That one is from 1987. |
Walter B. 06.01.2014 16:01 |
cmsdrums wrote: Whilst the info here is far more helpful to answering the question, as an aside I have a full page ad for The Works from 'Record Mirror' magazine in the UK; whilst I don't have it in front of me right this moment, I recall it saying something like 'available on LP, XDR Cassette, and coming soon on the new CD format'I am not 100% sure about this, but I think that the CD-version of The Works was first released in the UK on May, 14th, 1984. When was the magazine published? |
cmsdrums 07.01.2014 03:47 |
Walter B. wrote:I'll dig it out - I'm just at the final stage of cataloguing all my stuff for sale (CDs, vinyl, memorabilia, tons of press cuttings etc..) so need to get this out anyway. I'll report back.......cmsdrums wrote: Whilst the info here is far more helpful to answering the question, as an aside I have a full page ad for The Works from 'Record Mirror' magazine in the UK; whilst I don't have it in front of me right this moment, I recall it saying something like 'available on LP, XDR Cassette, and coming soon on the new CD format'I am not 100% sure about this, but I think that the CD-version of The Works was first released in the UK on May, 14th, 1984. When was the magazine published? |
MackMantilla 07.01.2014 07:52 |
Walter B. wrote:Thanks for the info.MackMantilla wrote: I have a GREATEST HITS japanese CD by Toshiba-EMI but, I don't know which year is from..That one is from 1987. |
Jam Monkey 14.01.2014 16:25 |
Does anyone know the release dates/years of these Japanese issues: The Game (38 XP-15) The Game (32-XD-492) News Of The World (32-XD-409) Thanks! |
Jam Monkey 14.01.2014 16:51 |
Walter B. wrote:The back of this cover is dated 21/04/88. Is this incorrect?MackMantilla wrote: I have a GREATEST HITS japanese CD by Toshiba-EMI but, I don't know which year is from..That one is from 1987. |
Walter B. 15.01.2014 00:57 |
Jam Monkey wrote:Older Japanese CD's often have a lettercode on the back of the CD - for example I-3-25, or H-12-10. This was a code used prior to 1991 to identify year of release. My understanding is that the code is:Walter B. wrote:The back of this cover is dated 21/04/88. Is this incorrect?MackMantilla wrote: I have a GREATEST HITS japanese CD by Toshiba-EMI but, I don't know which year is from..That one is from 1987. Release Year / Code 1984 / N 1985 / I 1986 / H 1987 / O 1988 / R 1989 / E 1990 / C 1991 / D Hence the releasedate would be 22-04-1987. |
Walter B. 15.01.2014 00:59 |
Jam Monkey wrote: Does anyone know the release dates/years of these Japanese issues: The Game (38 XP-15) The Game (32-XD-492) News Of The World (32-XD-409) Thanks!I have the following dates: The Game (38 XP-15) - September/October 1983??? The Game (32-XD-492) - 28-11-1986 News Of The World (32-XD-409) - 25-4-1986 |
Jam Monkey 15.01.2014 06:55 |
Walter B. wrote:Thanks a lot for the information, I never knew about the letters.Jam Monkey wrote:Older Japanese CD's often have a lettercode on the back of the CD - for example I-3-25, or H-12-10. This was a code used prior to 1991 to identify year of release. My understanding is that the code is: Release Year / Code 1984 / N 1985 / I 1986 / H 1987 / O 1988 / R 1989 / E 1990 / C 1991 / D Hence the releasedate would be 22-04-1987.Walter B. wrote:The back of this cover is dated 21/04/88. Is this incorrect?MackMantilla wrote: I have a GREATEST HITS japanese CD by Toshiba-EMI but, I don't know which year is from..That one is from 1987. I looked up some pictures on eBay and it makes perfect sense. A Kind Of Magic was H-9-3, The Miracle was E-6-9. |
Mr.QueenFan 15.01.2014 09:49 |
Walter B. wrote:Thanks a lot for this explanation. It took me a while to understand it, but i finally did.Jam Monkey wrote:Older Japanese CD's often have a lettercode on the back of the CD - for example I-3-25, or H-12-10. This was a code used prior to 1991 to identify year of release. My understanding is that the code is: Release Year / Code 1984 / N 1985 / I 1986 / H 1987 / O 1988 / R 1989 / E 1990 / C 1991 / D Hence the releasedate would be 22-04-1987.Walter B. wrote:The back of this cover is dated 21/04/88. Is this incorrect?MackMantilla wrote: I have a GREATEST HITS japanese CD by Toshiba-EMI but, I don't know which year is from..That one is from 1987. Just one question, do you know the reason why that next to the date O.4.22 they have the exact date one year later (X~88.4.21)? Just curious about this. |
Walter B. 15.01.2014 13:14 |
Mr.QueenFan wrote:As I understand it there are two theories about this:Walter B. wrote:Thanks a lot for this explanation. It took me a while to understand it, but i finally did. Just one question, do you know the reason why that next to the date O.4.22 they have the exact date one year later (X~88.4.21)? Just curious about this.Jam Monkey wrote:Older Japanese CD's often have a lettercode on the back of the CD - for example I-3-25, or H-12-10. This was a code used prior to 1991 to identify year of release. My understanding is that the code is: Release Year / Code 1984 / N 1985 / I 1986 / H 1987 / O 1988 / R 1989 / E 1990 / C 1991 / D Hence the releasedate would be 22-04-1987.Walter B. wrote:The back of this cover is dated 21/04/88. Is this incorrect?MackMantilla wrote: I have a GREATEST HITS japanese CD by Toshiba-EMI but, I don't know which year is from..That one is from 1987. 1) The second date (O.4.22) is the release date; the first one is when the price for this CD is valid until. 2) The first date mentioned on the back of the CDinlay (88.4.21) is for CD rental shops to know when they're allowed to begin renting out that particular release. Record companies, for Japanese pressings, have the right to allow or forbid rental of the CD for up to 1 year after the date of release. A quick google search will show that there are very different views on this particular area... PS Please don't ask me where the X (X~88.4.21) stands for... |
Mr.QueenFan 15.01.2014 16:23 |
Thanks Walter B. for your explanation. It's the first time i'm hearing about rental cd's as a business or inserted into a business. I find it fascinating to discover these little things. Thanks again. |
BikerKev 30.01.2018 07:54 |
Here is the answer to the question of ''What was the first ever Queen CD Pressing'' The Works, pressed in Japan by the Sanyo corporation in December 1983 for distribution in Japan and the UK from January 1984 onwards. It does not ave a barcode on the rear case insert as barcades were not introduced until the summer of 1984. The Electra CD of The Game was pressed in the Autumn (The Fall) of 1984 and carries a barcode on the rear card insert. |
Dr Magus 30.01.2018 09:29 |
The first cd pressing was actually The Cosmos Rocks in 1979 which predates Live At Wembley 25th anniversary cd by 31 years. |
Walter B. 30.01.2018 11:57 |
BikerKev wrote: Here is the answer to the question of ''What was the first ever Queen CD Pressing'' The Works, pressed in Japan by the Sanyo corporation in December 1983 for distribution in Japan and the UK from January 1984 onwards. It does not ave a barcode on the rear case insert as barcades were not introduced until the summer of 1984. The Electra CD of The Game was pressed in the Autumn (The Fall) of 1984 and carries a barcode on the rear card insert.Interesting. Does this mean that there are The Works cds with 'Manufactured by Sanyo' in the center ring matrix? Have you seen one? |
cmsdrums 30.01.2018 15:07 |
Walter B. wrote:Presumably the Japanese edition was therefore available in stores before the UK one (even if pressed at the same time) because Greg's original post states:BikerKev wrote: Here is the answer to the question of ''What was the first ever Queen CD Pressing'' The Works, pressed in Japan by the Sanyo corporation in December 1983 for distribution in Japan and the UK from January 1984 onwards. It does not ave a barcode on the rear case insert as barcades were not introduced until the summer of 1984. The Electra CD of The Game was pressed in the Autumn (The Fall) of 1984 and carries a barcode on the rear card insert.Interesting. Does this mean that there are The Works cds with 'Manufactured by Sanyo' in the center ring matrix? Have you seen one? "We feel about 95% certain that we know what the first CD album was (a clue is that is wasn't a UK release)" This prompts me that I must dig out that Record Mirror advert I referred to 3 years ago on page 2...might do tonight!!! |
BikerKev 30.01.2018 17:43 |
I have one in my collection, the 1983 pressing by the Sanyo Corporation in Japan ''The Works'' I used to have both the Sanyo pressed discs, ''The Works'' and ''Greatest Hits'' Both the first Queen CD releases were manufactured in Japan by Sanyo, both had Red printed labels on the label side of the disc and support the official first EMI library codes of CDP 7. The Works is CDP 746016, i do not recall the CDP 7 for ''Greatest Hits'' that CD was kept by a ex girlfriend of mine, the little witch, the second hand price for the ''Greatest Hits'' original pre-barcode Japanese Sanyo pressing has gone through the roof. Sanyo manufactured in Japan whilst EMI was still building its Swindon plant which took over production of Queen titles in late 1985 for distribution during 1986. The first UK produced discs, the ones with all the faults on them, e.g track numbers changing before the track had actually finished and gaps between tracks that bled into each other, were quickly remastered and re-released during the 1993-1995 under the mantle of 'Digital Master Series' a much improved sound as they were supposed to have been mastered using the SBM (Sony Bit Mapping System) well i thought they were an improvement until i purchased the whole collection direct from Japan, the Vinyl Replica Series, now that was a real improvement, all pressed by Toshiba in Japan using a new master pressing system, then we had another remastered series in the UK, the 0777 series, mainly pressed in Uden Holland, that were in fact pressed from the masters of the ''Vinyl replica series'' pressed by Toshiba, the third attempt at getting the CD to sound like a vinyl album played on a high end turntable. Then we had the contract buy out by Island Records, remember the ''Extra Hits compilations'' that popped up, then finally the 2011 remasters, by now the Queen releases have been released on CD five times, then we have the SACDs direct from Japan, the UIGY 95 series. The 2011 Japanese UIGY 95 series of SACD pressings retailed for 4,500 yen plus local tax and if 'like me' personal import duty to the UK, then we got yet another set of SACD pressings from Japan, the UIGY15011 onwards pressings pressed in the Autumn of 2016, again in Japan and retailing for 3,000 yen plus local tax or personal import duty to the UK, these pressings have been promised as the last pressings onto a disc type format as HD and DSD downloads will be available, no idea when. The final SACD pressings from Japan are very good and a marked improvement on the 2011 SACD pressings, they are the nearest we are going to get to the original ''Vinyl pressings'' sound quality from Queen albums from 1974 to 1982, the only true analogue recordings from Queen, as from ''The Works'' onwards all mastering was done digitally and recorded onto master tape digitally, the 1986 release of ''The Complete Works'' box set of vinyl LPs bore witness to this as ''The Works'' album from the box set has the same left/right stereo channel reversal difference from that of the original vinyl master (the left and right channels were reversed, ''what was the left channel'' on the original 1984 vinyl pressing was actually the right channel, just as in the original first Sanyo pressing of ''The Works'' CD) Next we will be getting the full back catalogue in ''HD 24bit-96kHz'' stereo downloads, available to purchase from ''HD Tracks'' website no doubt. Well i suppose if you have everything else then you will end up paying for them as well. I hope this is informanative and could be some help to someone somewhere. |
Adam Unger (QueenVault.com) 30.01.2018 19:10 |
What are the differences between the 2011 Japan SACD pressings and the newest pressings? |
Walter B. 30.01.2018 19:13 |
Thank you for your elaborate answer. As far as I know the Sanyo CD pressing plant in Japan started producing cds late 1984. I also have the so called red face cds of Greatest Hits and The Works (CDP 7 46016 2). My disc of The Works has something like CP35 or CP38 in the matrix. No mention of Sanyo Manufacturing. If your cds have that, I would be interested in a picture. |
cmsdrums 30.01.2018 20:04 |
I also have the original red labelled Greatest Hits CD too but don’t recall anything about Sanyo but will give it another look sometime. |
Penetration_Guru 30.01.2018 22:43 |
On formats - the Orb USB stick already had 24 bit 96Khz files on it. ...and the DSD files can be found if you know where to look. |
Walter B. 31.01.2018 12:16 |
In Japan almost every Queen album is available as hi-res download: link |
aristide1 31.01.2018 13:03 |
The hi-res potential is wasted by unnecessary digital processing. First CD transfers remain the reference - lower resolution but no eq or compression, not even azimuth correction. Updated with better sources found for some tracks, as the ones used for 2015 vinyls. I've done a small forensic research by comparing IN THE LAP.. from the leaked studio tape with the CD versions. The first transfer from 1986 is identical, then things are going down the hill very fast. The HR version already has a "smiley face" eq and the others are more and more compressed. An intersting fact i've discovered comparing SHA 1986 same matrix number pressings from UK, DE and NL, was a 0.2 db in the total amplitude level on different pressings. The small level adjustment seems to be done "in the factory". Apparently there are CDs with (slightly) different amplitudes and same matrix number. But only one is the original, and if you are a purist then you should seek that one. For my taste, azimuth corrected (easily done with a proper software) first CD transfers are the best digital experience of Queen music. |
dysan 31.01.2018 16:48 |
I agree with this for all my fav artists. With Bowie, the long derided 80s RCA discs have become THE versions to own. Nearer to source, let f*cking around done to it. |
Adam Unger (QueenVault.com) 31.01.2018 18:20 |
This is off topic, but Dysan's comment made me think of this. Jeff Rougvie has a blog on how they signed Bowie to Rykodisc and created the Sound & Vision box set. It is fascinating reading. It talks about how they constructed the box set and went through Bowie's archive.... with some distressing information on how the tapes were preserved (or not). The blog has the newest post at the top, so scroll to the bottom to start reading in order. link |
cmsdrums 03.02.2018 10:49 |
Related video here of a news item from 1983 regarding EMI not backing CD from the outset…Queen, along with other EMI artists, get a mention around five minutes in: link |
MamaQueen 09.02.2018 06:20 |
hahaha, CD, you baby! Mine was the Greatest Hits LP, hahaha! |