Keith Hirsch’s CD Resource

The first CD pressing plant to open in the United States was CBS/Sony’s Digital Audio Disc Corporation, or DADC, in Terre Haute, Indiana.  To commemorate the opening of the DADC plant in September 1984, CBS/Sony pressed two promotional titles in very limited quantities.  The discs were then distributed to select members of the media and music industry insiders.  The two commemorative titles were a version of Bruce Springsteen Born in the U.S.A. with red text on the disc instead of black and a collection of early Thomas Edison audio recordings entitled The Edison CD Sampler.

Featured here is The Edison CD Sampler, and shown below are pictures of the cover and the disc.  The cover shows a photo of Thomas Edison with his Edison Cylinder Phonograph, but in an attempt at humor, the photo was altered to show Edison holding a compact disc.  The back cover of the booklet provides credits and instructions on the proper handling of a compact disc.  The back cover also states the following: “This disc was issued to commemorate the opening of the Digital Audio Disc Corporation: September 21, 1984″.

As shown below, the disc bears a copyright date of 1984 and is labeled a promotional copy.  This disc represents a very rare piece of history from the introduction of the compact disc.

The cover for The Edison CD Sampler. Note that the photo of Thomas Edison has been modified to show him holding a compact disc.  A statement on the the back cover indicates that this disc was issued on September 21, 1984.

The Edison CD Sampler.  The catalog number is ECDS-1, which is shown on the disc at 2 o’clock.  Stamped on the plastic ring is “Made in USA - Digital Audio Disc Corp.”, and the matrix code is “DIDX-135 11A2″.  Beneath the catalog number is the DADC plant ‘D’ logo and the words “Manufactured by Digital Audio Disc Corp. Terre Haute, Indiana, USA”.  Note the promotional statement and the copyright date of 1984 beneath the CD format logo.

In 1985, Vertigo, a sub-label of Phonogram, issued the world’s first CD single in Europe to promote the landmark Dire Straits album Brothers in Arms and the resulting world concert tour.  The four-track single featured long and short versions of the album’s title track, a portion of “Why Worry” from Brothers in Arms, and “Going Home”, a solo hit by Mark Knopfler.  This CD single was released in conjuction with the concert tour’s sponsor, Philips, a co-inventor of the CD format with Sony.

The “Brothers in Arms” CD single was pressed in West Germany by Polygram and was released under Vertigo catalog number 884 285-2.  Two variations of the CD single were released.  The variations are marked by a subtle difference on the front cover.  The first version has a concert tour date of 1985 in a blue triangle.  As the concert tour extended into 1986, the cover was modified with the new date, and the appearance of the triangle was improved with additional colors.  I have read that just 200 copies of the 1985 version were released, while only 500 copies of the 1986 version were released.  While I cannot verify these numbers, both versions are rare in my experience.

Shown below are pictures of the disc, the two cover variations, and the back insert.  Once again, the two versions of the CD single differ only by the cover.

The world’s first CD single, Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms” (Vertigo, catalog number 884 285-2).  The disc was pressed in West Germany by Polygram.  The label design is very similar to the one used for original issues of the Brothers in Arms album CD, except for the single, the guitar motif is pink instead of blue.  Two versions of this CD single were issued that differ only by the date on the cover.  Thus, this disc was issued with both versions.

The first cover for the Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms” CD single.  Note the statement “Live in 85″ in the blue triangle.  I have read that only 200 copies of the single with this cover were issued, but this has not been confirmed.

The second cover for the Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms” CD single.  Note the statement “Live in 86″ in the multi-colored triangle.  As can be surmised, the cover was modifed as the Brothers in Arms concert tour extended into 1986.  I have read that only 500 copies of the single with this cover were issued, but as with the first cover version, I have not been able to confirm this.

The back insert for the Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms” CD single.  The track list is provided.  Printed in the bottom right corner is “Printed in West Germany” and “Made in West Germany”.  This back insert was used for the 1985 and 1986 versions of the CD single.

CBS/Sony opened the first commercial CD pressing plant in Japan in 1982.  In the early days of the CD, many record labels turned to CBS/Sony to press their discs.  As a way to track the many manufacturing projects in the plant, for both outside labels and their own, CBS/Sony developed a system of project identification codes.  These codes appeared on discs and inserts for many titles issued outside of Japan.  Additionally, this system was later applied to discs coming out of CBS/Sony’s Digital Audio Disc Corp. (DADC) plant in the U.S.  Common project identification codes with their definitions and/or uses are as follows:

• DIDP: Digital Identification Project; DIDP numbers were used on CBS/Sony rock, pop, and jazz titles.
• DIDC: Digital Identification Classical; DIDC numbers were used on CBS/Sony classical titles.
• DIDX: Digital Identification External; DIDX numbers were used on non-CBS/Sony titles.
• DIDZ: The definition of the ‘Z’ is unknown, but DIDZ numbers were used on non-CBS/Sony titles as an alternative to DIDX numbers.
• DIDY: The definition of the ‘Y’ is unknown, but DIDY numbers were used on Columbia Record Club mail-order issues.

For the most part, a non-CBS/Sony title was assigned either a DIDX or a DIDZ number.  However, certain early A&M titles released in the U.S. were issued both numbers.  Discs are not found with both numbers.  Rather, two different issues exist, one with a DIDX number and one with a DIDZ number.  Both discs were pressed by CBS/Sony in Japan, and the discs and inserts are very similar in appearance.  The DIDX or DIDZ number appears on both the disc and the inserts.  It is presumed that the DIDZ discs were pressed first because the inserts in most cases were printed in Japan, whereas inserts with the DIDX discs were printed in the U.S.

Shown below are two early U.S. issues of Supertramp Breakfast in America with catalog number CD-3708.  Both discs were pressed by CBS/Sony and have “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring.  The top disc bears “DIDZ 10078″ beneath the catalog number, and the matrix code is “DIDZ-10078 11″.  The bottom disc bears “DIDX-26″ beneath the catalog number, and the matrix code is “DIDX-26 21″.  It is not clear to me why both issues exist.  As stated above, both are early U.S. issues.  There is no information on the inserts to suggest different distribution channels for the two discs.

Other A&M titles that exist as Japanese CBS/Sony DIDX and DIDZ pressings are Supertramp Crime of the Century (DIDX 25 and DIDZ 10076), The Police Ghost in the Machine (DIDX 2 and DIDZ 10070) and Synchronicity (DIDX 1 and DIDZ 10057), and Herb Alpert Rise (DIDX 3 and DIDZ 10074).  In my experience, both pressings for these titles and for Breakfast in America are quite rare.

I thought it was time to throw some holiday cheer into keithhirsch.com with a Christmas CD…or two!  Described here are two rare Elvis Presley Christmas discs.

In 1984, RCA issued the Elvis Presley Merry Christmas album on CD in the U.S. and Europe.  Although one might expect this album to be a staple in the Elvis catalog, it is long out of print.  Merry Christmas was issued in the U.S. under catalog number PCD1-5301, and the disc was pressed in Japan by Denon.  In Europe, Merry Christmas was released under catalog number PD85301, and the disc was pressed in West Germany at the Polygram and PDO (Philips-DuPont Optical) plants.  The U.S. version was in print for only a very short time and is extremely rare.  It draws considerable attention from collectors in online auctions.  The European issue stayed in print longer, and while more common than its U.S. counterpart, is still quite rare.

Shown below are scans of the two versions of Merry Christmas along with the cover and back insert.  Happy Holidays!

The U.S. issue of Elvis Presley Merry Christmas (RCA catalog number PCD1-5301). This disc was pressed in Japan by Denon for release in the U.S. in 1984 and is very rare, as it went out of print quickly.

The European issue of Elvis Presley Merry Christmas (RCA catalog number PD85301). This disc was pressed in West Germany for release in Europe. This particular copy has “MADE IN W. GERMANY BY PDO” stamped on the play side in the hub area.

The cover for the U.S. issue of Elvis Presley Merry Christmas (RCA catalog number PCD1-5301). The cover for the European issue is very similar.

The back insert for the U.S. issue of Elvis Presley Merry Christmas (RCA catalog number PCD1-5301). The back insert for the European issue is very similar.

Among my latest acquisitions is a very rare Japanese Target CD pressing of Led Zeppelin “IV”.  Shown below, this disc bears the original European catalog number of 250 008.  The disc was pressed at the CBS/Sony plant, as evidenced by “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring.  The matrix code is “DIDZ-10058 31A3″.

Based on the catalog number, this disc is believed to be an early European issue.  The red coating with “aluminum” text and aluminum target squares was only used on a handful of Target CDs.  In my experience, this is one of the rarest Target CDs.

The vast majority of early Japanese pressings of CBS/Sony titles for the U.S. market have ”MADE IN JAPAN” or “MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN” stamped along the perimeter at the end of a copyright statement.  Certain discs, however, have a “MADE IN JAPAN” sticker affixed beneath the CD format logo at 3 o’clock.

It is not clear to me why the stickers were used rather than the conventional stamp along the perimeter, but in my experience, these stickered discs are very rare.  Shown below are two Japan-for-U.S. issues of Bruce Springsteen Born to Run (CBS, catalog number CK 33795).  The first copy has the “MADE IN JAPAN” sticker at 3 o’clock.  The matrix code is “35DP-21-1 1A1″ in a crude font.  This crude matrix code font is indicative of a very early Japanese CBS/Sony pressing.  The disc also has “MANUFACTURED BY CBS/SONY RECORDS INC.” stamped on the clear plastic ring.

The second copy of Born to Run has the conventional “MADE IN JAPAN” stamp along the perimeter.  This disc has the same matrix code as the stickered version, but it has “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring.

I also have stickered versions of REO Speedwagon Hi Infidelity (Epic, catalog number EK 36844), Boz Scaggs Silk Degrees (CBS, catalog number CK 33920), and Toto Toto IV (CBS, catalog number CK 37728).  Each title also exists as a Japanese CBS/Sony pressing with “MADE IN JAPAN” stamped along the perimeter.

The first Japanese CD issue of The Police Synchronicity was released under catalog number 38XB-2.  There are two pressings that differ in several ways.  Importantly, the first pressing mimics the original LP release in that it has just 10 tracks rather than the typical 11.  “Murder by Numbers” does not appear on this disc.  Shown below are pictures of the discs, front covers, and back inserts that highlight differences between these two pressings.

The first pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2.  This disc has 10 tracks and lacks “Murder by Numbers”.  This label design with the partial black coating was used by A&M in Japan on only a few early pressings.  The disc was pressed at the CBS/Sony plant in Japan.  It has “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring, and the matix code is “38XB-2 11A1″.

The second pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2. This disc has 11 tracks and has “Murder by Numbers” as the last track. The label design is very similar to the one used for the original U.S. issue. In fact, this disc bears the original U.S. catalog number of CD 3735 beneath the A&M logo. The disc was pressed at the CBS/Sony plant in Japan. It has “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring, and the matix code is “38XB-2 31A8 +++++”.

The front cover for the first pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2.  The booklet opens from the right.  Thus, the cover artwork is presented in an unconventional vertical orientation.  Also note the shadow effect on “THE POLICE” and “SYNCHRONICITY” on the right side.  Lyrics and other text are printed in both English and Japanese inside the booklet.  There is no separate Japanese lyric sheet.

The front cover for the second pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2. The booklet opens from the right. Thus, the cover artwork is presented in the conventional horizontal orientation. Note that there is no shadow effect on “THE POLICE” and “SYNCHRONICITY” at the top. This booklet is identical to one used for an early Japanese pressing issued in the U.S. All text inside this booklet is printed in English, but a separate Japanese lyric sheet is included.

The back insert for the first pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2.  The picture is oriented such that the spines are on the left and right sides.  Thus, like the front cover above, the artwork appears in the unconventional vertical orientation.  Once again, note the shadow effect on “THE POLICE” and “SYNCHRONICITY” on the right side.  The gray strip on the right looks like the back of an OBI strip, but it is actually a printed portion of the back insert.

The back insert for the second pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2.  The picture is oriented such that the spines are on the left and right sides.  Thus, like the front cover for the second pressing above, the artwork appears in the conventional horizontal orientation.  Note that there is no shadow effect on “THE POLICE” and “SYNCHRONICITY” at the top.  The gray strip on the right is an OBI strip of sorts.  It is a separate piece of paper from the back insert.  Thus, it covers a portion of the back insert and also covers one spine.  Notice that part of “SYNCHRONICITY” is covered by this OBI strip.

Here is another disc that I had been searching for for a very long time.  It is the original Japanese CBS/Sony pressing of Jethro Tull Aqualung for the U.S. market.  This pressing is very rare in my experience, as I have only come across three copies.  The disc has “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring, and the matrix code is “DIDX-68 11″.