Buffett on Vinyl

jaybee5 · Post by **jaybee5** » July 24, 2007 1:21 pm

I recently started buying Buffett albums on vinyl. Obviously "Down to Earth" is the most difficult LP to find. I have seen a few on ebay now and then, and I know that, as the story goes, only 246 to 300 or so were sold. I would assume some were also given away as promos, radio stations likely got a few etc. So, does anyone know if there is only a 1st edition of "Down to Earth?" I dont even know if thats the right terminology. Were later versions printed after Buffett became more famous. Basically I want to know I am buying one of the originals. How can I tell? Thanks.

surfpirate · Post by **surfpirate** » July 24, 2007 2:24 pm

I've always had the same question. Many years ago (way, way pre-eBay), I was able to obtain a vinyl copy from a record dealer that handled rare vinyl, but I didn't know what questions to ask to verify whether or not what I had found was a legit original 1st pressing of the vinyl.

The copy that I have is a "cut-out", i.e. a small triangle is cut off from the right hand corner of the album cover to indicate that it was once sold in a discount bin.

The back album cover has the following on it:

The vinyl album itself (which is in great condition and plays well the few times I've dared play it), has the following on the label:

Any record experts out there? Is this a first pressing or not? Thanks!

..... surfpirate

The Lost Manatee · Post by **The Lost Manatee** » July 24, 2007 2:46 pm

While I can't tell you with absolute certainty that it is a 1st pressing I'm fairly certain that it is given that so few were ever pressed, let alone sold. I've talked to a number of dealers of rare vinyl and none have heard of a 2nd pressing nor have they heard of anyone doing an illegal pressing and pirating the art work and selling them. Having said that it is possible for some pirate outfit to do it if the LPs become too valuable. Of course they can't afford to flood the market or it will cause a collapse as people realize what is going on.

jaybee5 · Post by **jaybee5** » July 24, 2007 3:38 pm

Thank you both very much for the reply. I guess a rare album should only be played every once in a while....thats too bad. I would love to hear all of those great songs in rich, warm, analog sound as much as possible. Thanks again.

The Lost Manatee · Post by **The Lost Manatee** » July 25, 2007 1:56 pm

Buy a USB turntable, play it once, while you record it to your hard drive and listen to your heart's content. I know it won't be the same as listening to the vinyl but it will be close.

urlcenter · Post by **urlcenter** » July 26, 2007 12:51 pm

the two Barnaby albums were pressed in two forms retail and promo versions . The retail versions have the blue label shown in the photo's above while the promo versions have a white label. Also note that Down to Earth was reissued in 1981 by a company called Excelsior Records, under the title Jimmy Buffett

Westway001 · Post by **Westway001** » July 26, 2007 1:27 pm

My copies of Down To Earth have a picture of Jimmy on the back (not as above) and a blue label....

The above pic refers to a liner photo - my liner is plain white.

Dave

surfpirate · Post by **surfpirate** » July 26, 2007 4:05 pm

Westway001 wrote:My copies of Down To Earth have a picture of Jimmy on the back (not as above) and a blue label....

The above pic refers to a liner photo - my liner is plain white.

Dave

I don't understand your comments. The album I purchased years ago has the blue label on the vinyl itself as pictured in my first post. Both "side 1" and "side 2" are the blue label. The protective sheet around the vinyl itself was white with no photos or writing. There were no liner notes or photos inside the album cover, only the information and photos printed on the album cover itself on the front and back.

Westway001 · Post by **Westway001** » July 26, 2007 4:20 pm

Ok sorry, obviously a misunderstanding.

I thought your original reference to "the back album cover has the following on it" meant that it was a photo of the back cover - you had in fact copied the right hand typesets.

To my knowledge there was only one pressing run - the LP I'm looking at is number 93, serial Z30093. I have another framed on the wall but haven't checked that one. My girlfriend has a copy too; JJ, what's your serial number?

Dave

surfpirate · Post by **surfpirate** » July 26, 2007 6:46 pm

Westway001 wrote:....... the LP I'm looking at is number 93, serial Z30093. I have another framed on the wall but haven't checked that one. My girlfriend has a copy too; JJ, what's your serial number?

Dave

I don't think that is a serial number, since my copy also has the number Z 30093 (see the image posted). Your girlfriend's copy probably is the same too.

..... surfpirate

Ambition At Bay · Post by **Ambition At Bay** » July 26, 2007 6:48 pm

urlcenter wrote:the two Barnaby albums were pressed in two forms retail and promo versions . The retail versions have the blue label shown in the photo's above while the promo versions have a white label. Also note that Down to Earth was reissued in 1981 by a company called Excelsior Records, under the title Jimmy Buffett

That sounded familiar, I have that one, forgot all about it

dnw · Post by **dnw** » July 26, 2007 7:00 pm

Mine has the same number - Z 30093

urlcenter · Post by **urlcenter** » July 26, 2007 9:13 pm

Z 30093 is Barnaby Records catalog number for Down To Earth, BR 6014 is the catalog number for High Cumberland Jubilee and 2 BR-6019 is the catalog number for before the salt. The were also four 45's released featuring songs found on Down to Earth, each of these has a catalog number starting with the letter Z.

The catalog number appears on all copies of an album.

jaybee5 · Post by **jaybee5** » July 27, 2007 10:09 am

I went to a rare vinyl dealer's website yesterday, and he had sold a copy of "Down to Earth" which stated it was a "Canadian pressing" No joke. I have no idea what that means. Again, I am new to the rare vinyl game. The site had sold about 6 copies of Down to Earth. The price range was $120 to $450.

Captain Tony · Post by **Captain Tony** » July 27, 2007 11:20 am

I once bought Down to Earth on ebay for about $100 + post total $120 or there abouts, anyway there was no one at home when the postman attempted to deliver it, so he took it back to the post office as they do, but for some reason he did'nt leave a card so i did not know it was waiting for me at the post office, 3 weeks pass and they return to sender. The seller gave me a full refund but i really wanted that album because i'm only that and Coconut Telegraph missing to make the full set.......Anybody got a spare DTE they would like to sell?

OddityVinyl · Post by **OddityVinyl** » January 21, 2008 11:23 am

You can find one on ebay right now!! Check out Oddity_Vinyl or just search "JIMMY BUFFETT Down To Earth Barnaby Z30093"

MKats31 · Post by **MKats31** » January 21, 2008 11:50 am

ohhhhh

CaptainP · Post by **CaptainP** » January 21, 2008 7:26 pm

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=37196

This thread will help you find some info

spartan1979 · Post by **spartan1979** » January 28, 2008 10:12 am

OddityVinyl wrote:You can find one on ebay right now!! Check out Oddity_Vinyl or just search "JIMMY BUFFETT Down To Earth Barnaby Z30093"

SO, did anybody here end up buying this?

surfpirate · Post by **surfpirate** » January 28, 2008 11:16 am

It sold for $139.74 + $4.25 S&H.

The seller rated the copy as follows:

The Cover is a solid VG++; The edges are all Solid No Splits, only a hint of Ring Wear on the back only, No Writing, No Graffiti.

The Vinyl is also a solid VG++; just a few very light Spindle Marks (2 on one side 1 on the other), No Deep surface marks or Scratching and No Warping.

~~~~ surfpirate