There is such a difference in packaging of this album in other countries than the standard release in the US (Elektra Records). The cover is slick on the Holland white-vinyl release and the German EMI Electrola release where the US version looked like recycled paper! (The crest is raised on the US version while the Holland and German versions did not feature this.) The sound on the US version sounds weighed-down and muddier than the clearer imported versions. (The German inner sleeve features four individual color shots on one side and a full-group stage shot on the other.)
Question to the vinyl collectors/connoisseurs on this list -- if you have these (and some from other countries, like Spain or Russia), which packaging is the best and which vinyl sounds best to you?
The 1997 EMI-100 reissue looks the best IMO. I can't say which one sounds the best, as I don't listen to my vinyl. I buy them, play them once and seal them :-)
The white vinyl pressings are really nice too, but my sleeve is a bit yellow-ish on that one due to the former owner :-(
"the israeli and venezuelan versions with unique sleeves are the best for me"
The Uruagayan one is nice too, plain white sleeve with just the title on it - has something classy IMO... Have to get the Venezuelian one too someday. The pressing from Israel is very nice too indeed :-)
"the israeli and venezuelan versions with unique sleeves are the best for me"
PLEASE go into a little more detail about these!! What is so unique about them? Please share!!
Israelian lp: link
Venezualian lp:
this picture (link but then in color and with the 'classic' writing of Queen - A Night At The Opera on top of it.
Tnx to RonB's excellent site :-)
the israeli version is quite often on ebay.you can get it in exc condition for less then 20 usd sometimes.it's a really nice item.
the venezuela one sells for about 100 usd.
the problem with both is that they are mainly offered in their orig.country and they have to be sent a long way.
Does anyone know if any original ANATO records had a specially-designed label on the vinyl, or did they all just use the generic EMI/Elektra label?
I made a screensaver (on my site) that cycles through the various LP labels, but I didn't include any from A Day At The Races on back because my records just have the generic Elektra label....
The US Elektra release has the green label with the cute butterfly, the German one has the full-colour crest on a white background, and the Holland white vinyl has the same. US record companies didn't pay much attention to small details as labels, for what reason I don't know! (The way the vinyl sounds, go figure!! LOL)
Cool so the label looks like the album cover? Are the songs printed over the crest?
I always thought the obvious thing to print on CD labels would be the same label as used on the vinyl, but record companies never seem to do this. :) Well Hollywood sort of did with the Live Killers disc.
"Cool so the label looks like the album cover? Are the songs printed over the crest?"
Beneath it, thank God!! And EMI is smack in the middle bottom of the label...nice touch!
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