Contract pressings
In 1966, Saydisc began contract pressing records for various music related organisations and groups. These were excluded from Saydisc's general catalogue and were instead marketed by the organisation or group in question. In late 1967, this extended to contract pressing records for small, DIY, pop-up record labels.
This, however, caused confusion because Saydisc, until early 1971, when it set up a specific catalogue sequence for contract pressings ("CP"), assigned all the records it contract pressed internal "SD" sequence catalogue numbers. Even more confusing is that most of these records, the DIY labels and most Roots label records aside, included Saydisc labels.
The listing below excludes the Roots label LPs because Saydisc treated these as its own Matchbox label releases, rather than as contract pressings. It also excludes records contract pressed for the Sunflower, Highway 51, Kokomo and JASS labels because these are documented elsewhere on this site or in Blues from the Avon Delta: the Matchbox Blues Story. It also excludes CP sequence records and cassettes because, where known, these are documented in the original discography.
This, however, caused confusion because Saydisc, until early 1971, when it set up a specific catalogue sequence for contract pressings ("CP"), assigned all the records it contract pressed internal "SD" sequence catalogue numbers. Even more confusing is that most of these records, the DIY labels and most Roots label records aside, included Saydisc labels.
The listing below excludes the Roots label LPs because Saydisc treated these as its own Matchbox label releases, rather than as contract pressings. It also excludes records contract pressed for the Sunflower, Highway 51, Kokomo and JASS labels because these are documented elsewhere on this site or in Blues from the Avon Delta: the Matchbox Blues Story. It also excludes CP sequence records and cassettes because, where known, these are documented in the original discography.
Contract pressings within the "SD" sequence
Technically speaking, the various EPs by Bristol's folk and blues set - Fred Wedlock, Anderson Jones Jackson, Ian Anderson & Elliot Jackson, Graham Kilsby, Dave & Tim, Siobhan Lyons, and (honorary Bristolian because he played here so often) Mike Cooper, were similarly marketed by the artists, though what with all appearing at the same clubs as Gef Lucena's own duo, the Crofters, it is likely that Gef was also involved in marketing and sales. The Crofters own EPs were on catalogue long enough to be advertised in general catalogues.
Further information is also required on various of the later barbershop, local singing group and male voice choir LPs. The presumption is that those on the SD sequence would have been given a general release, whilst those not would have been numbered within the CP sequence. It never does to assume, however, so I will be asking various questions at some point. What would be useful would be for a crop of general Saydisc catalogues from 1975 to 1979 to become available.
All below are LPs unless stated.
Further information is also required on various of the later barbershop, local singing group and male voice choir LPs. The presumption is that those on the SD sequence would have been given a general release, whilst those not would have been numbered within the CP sequence. It never does to assume, however, so I will be asking various questions at some point. What would be useful would be for a crop of general Saydisc catalogues from 1975 to 1979 to become available.
All below are LPs unless stated.
SD 114 (prob. 1966)
This was probably a contract press for a local or non-local folk group, as per SD 115 below.
This was probably a contract press for a local or non-local folk group, as per SD 115 below.
SD 115 - The Folk'sles: Chicken on a Raft (prob. 1966)
This 7" EP was a contract pressing for the Birmingham-based group, which marketed the records at their home folk club, which ran Friday evenings at the Birmingham Arms, on the corner of Bradford St. and Moat Row.
This 7" EP was a contract pressing for the Birmingham-based group, which marketed the records at their home folk club, which ran Friday evenings at the Birmingham Arms, on the corner of Bradford St. and Moat Row.
SDL 123 - St. Mary Redcliffe School Choir: Three 20th Century Cantatas (1966)
This was organised by Peter Fowler, who was a music teacher at St. Mary Redcliffe and Temple School. Marketed by the school.
This was organised by Peter Fowler, who was a music teacher at St. Mary Redcliffe and Temple School. Marketed by the school.
Either SDL-128 or SDL-130 - Bristol Youth Choir (late 1967 or very early 1968)
This was most likely another LP organised by Peter Fowler. During this period he was (surprise, surprise) working extramurally with the Bristol Youth Choir. Marketed by the choir. There is a choice of catalogue number because there are two gaps in the sequence and two LPs to fill them, but it is unknown which was assigned to which. There are less than 50 copies of this LP, so it is unlikely that one will ever turn up to view the matrix number (the other contender, annoyingly, was pressed with a one-off matrix that tells no tales).
This was most likely another LP organised by Peter Fowler. During this period he was (surprise, surprise) working extramurally with the Bristol Youth Choir. Marketed by the choir. There is a choice of catalogue number because there are two gaps in the sequence and two LPs to fill them, but it is unknown which was assigned to which. There are less than 50 copies of this LP, so it is unlikely that one will ever turn up to view the matrix number (the other contender, annoyingly, was pressed with a one-off matrix that tells no tales).
SDL 131 - St. Mary Redcliffe & Temple School Choir: 1967 Recital (1967 or 1968)
This was another recording organised by Peter Fowler. Marketed by the school.
This was another recording organised by Peter Fowler. Marketed by the school.
SDL 133 - The St. Mary Players: The World Premiere Production of Bonanza 1912 (1967)
Presumably marketed by the Players.
Presumably marketed by the Players.
33SD 140 - Lauri Say & the Island Folk: Songs for Singing Islanders (1968)
This must have sold a silly number of copies over the years and has been spotted in at least four distinct sleeve designs. Everyone of a certain age on the Isle of Wight must have a copy!
This must have sold a silly number of copies over the years and has been spotted in at least four distinct sleeve designs. Everyone of a certain age on the Isle of Wight must have a copy!
Prob. SD 148 - The Orchestra and Girls’ Choir of Park Senior High School, Swindon (1968)
Probably a 7" EP, marketed by the school.
Probably a 7" EP, marketed by the school.
Prob. SD 150 - Merrywood Grammar School (1968)
Probably a 7" EP, marketed by the school. The exact ensemble name and whether the record was bestowed a title are unknown because no copy has yet come to light.
Probably a 7" EP, marketed by the school. The exact ensemble name and whether the record was bestowed a title are unknown because no copy has yet come to light.
SD 155 - John Newman & Pete Keeley: ....Impromptu Concerts in Pubs, on Beaches, and in Bus Shelters.... (1968)
7" EP, marketed (probably mostly on the Isle of Wight) by the duo, who were associates of Lauri Say, hence this particular piece of business heading to South Gloucestershire.
7" EP, marketed (probably mostly on the Isle of Wight) by the duo, who were associates of Lauri Say, hence this particular piece of business heading to South Gloucestershire.
33SD 177 - Clifton "Father" Willis 1873-1969 (1969)
This was presumably a contract pressing, probably marketed by Clifton College, because it does not appear either in various 1969 nor the January 1970 Saydisc general catalogues.
This was presumably a contract pressing, probably marketed by Clifton College, because it does not appear either in various 1969 nor the January 1970 Saydisc general catalogues.
SDL 211 - Rhythm of the Bells (1970)
This LP, originally a 99 copy pressing run, is the odd-one-out because the labels and sleeve both credit "The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers" with no mention of Saydisc. However, it was given a subsequent full release (c. 1978) in an updated sleeve design and now on the Saydisc label.
It looks likely that some of this subsequent pressings were still marketed by the CCCBR because a copy has recently (i.e. 2021) come to light with insert from the Council asking why the record was bought, e.g. for pleasure, instruction, etc.
The LP was a long time in gestation, having been originally mooted in 1968, though at what point "Messrs. Saydisc" became involved is unknown The following is from The Ringing World, June 13, 1969 (p. 462):
This LP, originally a 99 copy pressing run, is the odd-one-out because the labels and sleeve both credit "The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers" with no mention of Saydisc. However, it was given a subsequent full release (c. 1978) in an updated sleeve design and now on the Saydisc label.
It looks likely that some of this subsequent pressings were still marketed by the CCCBR because a copy has recently (i.e. 2021) come to light with insert from the Council asking why the record was bought, e.g. for pleasure, instruction, etc.
The LP was a long time in gestation, having been originally mooted in 1968, though at what point "Messrs. Saydisc" became involved is unknown The following is from The Ringing World, June 13, 1969 (p. 462):
GRAMOPHONE RECORD ILLUSTRATING GOOD STRIKING
Messrs. Saydisc have undertaken to produce this for us from our own master tape. A draft has been prepared of-
(1) The instructional notes to be printed on the back of the record sleeve.
(2) The list of examples of good striking recorded on the disc, together with a brief note on each. This will be printed on the front of the sleeve with a suitable illustration to make an attractive cover.
Ninety-nine 12in. long play records will be produced; the cost of these, including labels and sleeves, will be just under the £100 allocated by the Council in 1968. The selling price of one record will be around 25/-.
As the recordings are being made from outside the towers, progress has been hindered by the adverse weather of recent months. Mr. Clive Smith is, however, pressing on with the task of completing the recordings.
25/- (£1.25) was a bargain price for an LP in 1969, with the average price for an LP being around 37/6.
UPDATE: Lots of information to come on this LP in my upcoming bell record discography!
UPDATE: Lots of information to come on this LP in my upcoming bell record discography!
SDL 212 - The Limonaire Fair Organ
This was a contract pressing for R. Finbow and was marketed by the Mechanical Music Museum at Stowmarket, Suffolk.
This was a contract pressing for R. Finbow and was marketed by the Mechanical Music Museum at Stowmarket, Suffolk.
33SD 214 - Bells and Chimes of Inveraray (1970)
This 7" LP was marketed by The Friends of the Inveraray Bells, which added a leaflet to at least some of the Saydisc-pressed version of the record (the church and bell information leaflet was not printed until 1971, so was probably only included with the last few Saydisc copies remaining at that point). Once sold out, this was repressed on the newly set-up Fynedisc label (33FD 2) using the original Saydisc metalwork.
This 7" LP was marketed by The Friends of the Inveraray Bells, which added a leaflet to at least some of the Saydisc-pressed version of the record (the church and bell information leaflet was not printed until 1971, so was probably only included with the last few Saydisc copies remaining at that point). Once sold out, this was repressed on the newly set-up Fynedisc label (33FD 2) using the original Saydisc metalwork.
SDL 277 - Bells of the Norwich Diocese (1977)
This late, it was rare for a contract pressing to be assigned an SD catalogue number. It is likely that this was originally planned as a catalogue item and all the admin, put in train. When the tapes arrived, however, it was considered that the overall quality was not good enough for general release, hence being contract pressed only to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Norwich Diocesan Association of Ringers.
This late, it was rare for a contract pressing to be assigned an SD catalogue number. It is likely that this was originally planned as a catalogue item and all the admin, put in train. When the tapes arrived, however, it was considered that the overall quality was not good enough for general release, hence being contract pressed only to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Norwich Diocesan Association of Ringers.
Amon Ra label contract pressing
CD-SAR 1001 - Richard Burnett's Musical Tour (1994)
This was sold exclusively at Richard Burnett's Finchcocks Museum and was a compilation of material otherwise available on other Amon Ra CDs.
This was sold exclusively at Richard Burnett's Finchcocks Museum and was a compilation of material otherwise available on other Amon Ra CDs.
Other contract pressings
LYN 3248/LYN 3249 - Ribena: Sounds of the Sea (7" flexi., prob. 1975)
This was a 7" flexidisc with 8-page booklet given away a promotional device by Ribena. It is only by looking at the small print that it can be seen that the record was produced by Saydisc, which also, presumably, organised manufacture via Lyntone. The catalogue numbers (one per side) are within Lyntone's normal sequence and judging by adjacent releases, this dates it as most likely being from 1975.
This was a 7" flexidisc with 8-page booklet given away a promotional device by Ribena. It is only by looking at the small print that it can be seen that the record was produced by Saydisc, which also, presumably, organised manufacture via Lyntone. The catalogue numbers (one per side) are within Lyntone's normal sequence and judging by adjacent releases, this dates it as most likely being from 1975.
BUP 1 - Evening Post Carol Concert (1983)
This includes the BBC Radio Bristol logo on he label. Saydisc is credited only as manufacturer. This was presumably advertised in the Bristol Evening Post and sold via the then fairly new Evening Post HQ in Temple Way.
This includes the BBC Radio Bristol logo on he label. Saydisc is credited only as manufacturer. This was presumably advertised in the Bristol Evening Post and sold via the then fairly new Evening Post HQ in Temple Way.
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