Variations to records as documented
Some of the early records have been unearthed in other sleeve designs to those as documented in the discography. Of these, Gef Lucena stated that some records were only given non-generic sleeve designs if there was demand over and above the first short-run pressing so it is likely that a few more records exist in generic sleeve design than are shown in the book and this page. Some also appeared in the same sleeve design, only with typographical elements altered on subsequent pressing runs. In both instances, these are being documented below, as and when copies come to light (which isn't often). At least one LP, SDL 112, (and possibly two 7" records - SD 119 and 33SD 140) also underwent sleeve makeovers when Plastic Dog took over design duties in either late 1970 or early 1971 (no-one remembers quite when). Again, two early LPs still on catalogue (SDL 117 and SDL 132) underwent a refresh when Bob Doling undertook a 'rebranding' exercise in around 1980.
Saydisc label releases
SDL 112 - Cylinder Jazz (first sleeve design, 1965)
Shortly after publication, a copy appeared in a Bristol charity shop in the first generic sleeve design (as per the Bristol Folks LP), with 37/11 price tag on rear. This is on the same light blue label design as the version shown in the discography and has a 26d Mecolico stamp that shows that music copyright was paid - this then is one of the first run of 99 copies pressed (the sleeve design as shown in the discography then is that from a subsequent repressing).
Interestingly, the original copy included an insert (above) stating that Pianola Jazz Rolls was to be issued in winter 1966 (issued as Pianola Jazz, SDL 117) and that Mechanical Jazz was at the stage of "release pending sufficient material". This last item could represent the otherwise unidentified SDL 122, of which Gef Lucena could only say "Possibly titled Jazz Piano". Of course, it may never have seen the light of day in the mooted form - or at all by the look of things - which was to include all sorts of sound sources and not just pianola rolls.
SDL 112 - Cylinder Jazz (early 1970s redesign)
The sleeve was given an update in, most likely, late 1970 or early 1971, now on the current label design, though orange in this case. The timeframe is a best guess based on the first known orange label design appearing on I'll Dance Till De Sun Breaks Through (SDL 210), which was issued (probably) in late 1970 (with an outside chance of early 1971). This is the point at which Plastic Dog Graphics (Terry Brace and Rodney Matthews) took on graphic design duties and took the opportunity to spruce up the sleeve designs of some of those records still on catalogue.
1 August 2019 update: I've just discovered that copies in this updated sleeve design exist with both "Plastic Dog Graphics" and "Skyline Studios" credits on the rear of the sleeve. The former changed its name to the latter in 1975.
Shortly after publication, a copy appeared in a Bristol charity shop in the first generic sleeve design (as per the Bristol Folks LP), with 37/11 price tag on rear. This is on the same light blue label design as the version shown in the discography and has a 26d Mecolico stamp that shows that music copyright was paid - this then is one of the first run of 99 copies pressed (the sleeve design as shown in the discography then is that from a subsequent repressing).
Interestingly, the original copy included an insert (above) stating that Pianola Jazz Rolls was to be issued in winter 1966 (issued as Pianola Jazz, SDL 117) and that Mechanical Jazz was at the stage of "release pending sufficient material". This last item could represent the otherwise unidentified SDL 122, of which Gef Lucena could only say "Possibly titled Jazz Piano". Of course, it may never have seen the light of day in the mooted form - or at all by the look of things - which was to include all sorts of sound sources and not just pianola rolls.
SDL 112 - Cylinder Jazz (early 1970s redesign)
The sleeve was given an update in, most likely, late 1970 or early 1971, now on the current label design, though orange in this case. The timeframe is a best guess based on the first known orange label design appearing on I'll Dance Till De Sun Breaks Through (SDL 210), which was issued (probably) in late 1970 (with an outside chance of early 1971). This is the point at which Plastic Dog Graphics (Terry Brace and Rodney Matthews) took on graphic design duties and took the opportunity to spruce up the sleeve designs of some of those records still on catalogue.
1 August 2019 update: I've just discovered that copies in this updated sleeve design exist with both "Plastic Dog Graphics" and "Skyline Studios" credits on the rear of the sleeve. The former changed its name to the latter in 1975.
SDL 117 - Pianola Jazz (1967)
Not documented in the discography (probably because I only have a test pressing) was that the first pressing run was on the green generic label design with 1/8d Mecolico stamp that shows that music copyright was paid. Label image courtesy of Alistair Banfield via 45cat.com.
SDL 117 - Pianola Jazz (early 1980s redesign)
Somewhere between the printing of the 1981 and 1982 catalogues, Bob Doling gave the LP sleeve a rejig to fit with the new branding that he had designed for the company.
The 1982 catalogue shows the original cassette design along with the new LP sleeve design. Cassettes had also been updated by the time the 1984 catalogue was issued.
Unlike most other updates on this page, this was not an unknown at time of publication, but details were omitted because of space restrictions, although, as it turned out, that page got rejigged at the eleventh hour and there would have been enough room to document the redesign - at which point it slipped my mind, what with a billion other things that needed doing at the last minute prior to sending the final draft to the printers.
Not documented in the discography (probably because I only have a test pressing) was that the first pressing run was on the green generic label design with 1/8d Mecolico stamp that shows that music copyright was paid. Label image courtesy of Alistair Banfield via 45cat.com.
SDL 117 - Pianola Jazz (early 1980s redesign)
Somewhere between the printing of the 1981 and 1982 catalogues, Bob Doling gave the LP sleeve a rejig to fit with the new branding that he had designed for the company.
The 1982 catalogue shows the original cassette design along with the new LP sleeve design. Cassettes had also been updated by the time the 1984 catalogue was issued.
Unlike most other updates on this page, this was not an unknown at time of publication, but details were omitted because of space restrictions, although, as it turned out, that page got rejigged at the eleventh hour and there would have been enough room to document the redesign - at which point it slipped my mind, what with a billion other things that needed doing at the last minute prior to sending the final draft to the printers.
SDL 121 - Music Of The Streets
Recently (January 2023) found another copy with a label variation. My own copy is an Orlake pressing on purple/silver label (probably dating it at some point around 1971), whilst the copy recently viewed, also an Orlake pressing, is on the same overall design, only in yellow/silver, this in an inner sleeve manufactured February 1970, which dates that pressing run. Both of these copies included the Roneo insert. Curiously, the side 2 matrix misses of the "L" from "SDL" - only just noticed! Still searching for a first pressing!
Recently (January 2023) found another copy with a label variation. My own copy is an Orlake pressing on purple/silver label (probably dating it at some point around 1971), whilst the copy recently viewed, also an Orlake pressing, is on the same overall design, only in yellow/silver, this in an inner sleeve manufactured February 1970, which dates that pressing run. Both of these copies included the Roneo insert. Curiously, the side 2 matrix misses of the "L" from "SDL" - only just noticed! Still searching for a first pressing!
SDL 132 - Pianola Ragtime (1967)
A copy has been discovered in earlier, generic sleeve design, which represents one of the first pressing run of 99 copies. Labels were the generic red design. The rear sleeve layout is the same as for later, bespoke sleeve copies, though with printing credit for "Young, Humphrys & Lodge Ltd., Bristol 2", rather than the later E. J. Day Group credit.
SDL 132 - Pianola Ragtime (1967?)
The first pressing run in updated, bespoke sleeve was probably either 1967 or 1968, based on the fact that a yellowed copy has turned up, which means that Saydisc was still using Trym Display Services in Westbury-on-Trym for sleeve printing, prior to moving to West Brothers and E. J. Day. The laminate has reacted over the years with the fixative.
SDL 132 - Pianola Ragtime (early 1980s redesign)
As per SDL 117, somewhere between the printing of the 1981 and 1982 catalogues, Bob Doling gave the LP sleeve a rejig to fit with Saydisc's new branding.
Again, the 1982 catalogue shows the original cassette design along with the new LP sleeve design and cassettes had also been updated by the time the 1984 catalogue was issued.
Unlike most other updates on this page, this was not an unknown at time of publication, but details were omitted because of space restrictions.
A copy has been discovered in earlier, generic sleeve design, which represents one of the first pressing run of 99 copies. Labels were the generic red design. The rear sleeve layout is the same as for later, bespoke sleeve copies, though with printing credit for "Young, Humphrys & Lodge Ltd., Bristol 2", rather than the later E. J. Day Group credit.
SDL 132 - Pianola Ragtime (1967?)
The first pressing run in updated, bespoke sleeve was probably either 1967 or 1968, based on the fact that a yellowed copy has turned up, which means that Saydisc was still using Trym Display Services in Westbury-on-Trym for sleeve printing, prior to moving to West Brothers and E. J. Day. The laminate has reacted over the years with the fixative.
SDL 132 - Pianola Ragtime (early 1980s redesign)
As per SDL 117, somewhere between the printing of the 1981 and 1982 catalogues, Bob Doling gave the LP sleeve a rejig to fit with Saydisc's new branding.
Again, the 1982 catalogue shows the original cassette design along with the new LP sleeve design and cassettes had also been updated by the time the 1984 catalogue was issued.
Unlike most other updates on this page, this was not an unknown at time of publication, but details were omitted because of space restrictions.
33SD140 - Lauri Say and the Island Folk: Songs for Singing Islanders (1968)
This is now known to exist in two more sleeve designs to those shown in the discography and further pressings with differences in type face and label colours have since come to light; see further details at 45cat.com. The probable reason for the differences in text is because new typesetting was set up for each new pressing run - see an example on page 77 of the discography where two different pressings of Blues Like Showers of Rain have different fonts and layout.
Known variations:
This is now known to exist in two more sleeve designs to those shown in the discography and further pressings with differences in type face and label colours have since come to light; see further details at 45cat.com. The probable reason for the differences in text is because new typesetting was set up for each new pressing run - see an example on page 77 of the discography where two different pressings of Blues Like Showers of Rain have different fonts and layout.
Known variations:
- Generic 'top hat' sleeve, small '33 rpm' text on sticker, red label (Frenchay address), solid centre.
- Generic 'top hat' sleeve, sticker text type unknown, light blue label (Frenchay address), solid centre.
- Generic 'top hat' sleeve with large '33 rpm' text on sticker, light green label (Badminton address), solid centre.
- Generic 'top hat' sleeve with 3mm 'thumb groove' cut-out on rear next to opening and large '33 rpm' text on sticker, orange label (Badminton address), solid centre. There is also known to be a white label test pressing in this specific sleeve design (i.e. large text on sticker and thumb groove).
- Generic 'top hat' sleeve with small '33 rpm' text on sticker, orange label (Badminton address), die-cut centre.
- Text only sleeve with 'Saydisc Specialised Recordings' text, light green label (Badminton address), solid centre.
- Text only sleeve with 'Saydisc' text, orange/silver oval logo label design, solid centre.
- IoW picture sleeve (as per discography), orange/silver oval logo label design, solid centre - copies exist with slight variations in colours on sleeve and also with differences in printing offset but life could be a bit too short to try to make any sense of this other than state that minor differences are probably down to slight differences at the printers on individual printing runs.
SDR - 146 - Blues Piano (1968)
An earlier version to that shown in the discography has turned up on the second Matchbox label design (cream with LP credits - first design was cream with generic credits) in generic, flipback sleeve. The version as shown in the discography is on the third (blue/silver) label design and has a non-flipback sleeve printed by E.J. Day. The original version does not include a printing credit, otherwise rear sleeve is of the same layout and design as the later version. The title of the original is "Blues Piano" and it is subtitled "The various roles of the Piano in Early Blues" on both front and rear sleeve, whilst the later issue (probably from 1969) has added "Vol. 1" to the original title and has dropped the subtitle from the front of the sleeve, though it remains on the rear. The matrix, same as the white label and later version, reads "SDM 146" instead of "SDR 146".
An earlier version to that shown in the discography has turned up on the second Matchbox label design (cream with LP credits - first design was cream with generic credits) in generic, flipback sleeve. The version as shown in the discography is on the third (blue/silver) label design and has a non-flipback sleeve printed by E.J. Day. The original version does not include a printing credit, otherwise rear sleeve is of the same layout and design as the later version. The title of the original is "Blues Piano" and it is subtitled "The various roles of the Piano in Early Blues" on both front and rear sleeve, whilst the later issue (probably from 1969) has added "Vol. 1" to the original title and has dropped the subtitle from the front of the sleeve, though it remains on the rear. The matrix, same as the white label and later version, reads "SDM 146" instead of "SDR 146".
SDL 181 - Mechanical Opera
The secret life of Saydisc test pressings has been discovered. These did not count toward the 99 copy pressing run limit, after which Purchase Tax had to be paid, so it makes sense to find a use for them that maximises potential income from the normal pressing run.
What we have is a white label test pressing that was pressed into service as a promotional copy for BBC impresario, Ned Sherrin. The plain white sleeve had a Saydisc label attached with a typewritten message. The personal touch! This also, usefully, states a release date of March/April 1970.
It saves wasting a stock copy on promotional purposes and lose the potential of income via sale of that copy. Presumably, this only worked where there were no identified pressing faults with the test pressing. It may also explain why there are so many Saydisc test pressings on the collectors market.
The secret life of Saydisc test pressings has been discovered. These did not count toward the 99 copy pressing run limit, after which Purchase Tax had to be paid, so it makes sense to find a use for them that maximises potential income from the normal pressing run.
What we have is a white label test pressing that was pressed into service as a promotional copy for BBC impresario, Ned Sherrin. The plain white sleeve had a Saydisc label attached with a typewritten message. The personal touch! This also, usefully, states a release date of March/April 1970.
It saves wasting a stock copy on promotional purposes and lose the potential of income via sale of that copy. Presumably, this only worked where there were no identified pressing faults with the test pressing. It may also explain why there are so many Saydisc test pressings on the collectors market.
SD SAM 209 - Piston Polka (c. 1973)
This was a reissued version of SDL 209 with updated sleeve design and an altered catalogue number that fitted in with current distributor, Transatlantic's, budget label sequences (i.e. the inclusion of 'SAM') - a price of 99p was printed directly onto the sleeve as per The Golden Age of Mechanical Music sampler. The rear of the sleeve is fairly heavily redesigned, though with the same textual and graphical elements, if in different places. The original had black and white images and black text; text and images are purple on front and rear of the reissue sleeve.
This was a reissued version of SDL 209 with updated sleeve design and an altered catalogue number that fitted in with current distributor, Transatlantic's, budget label sequences (i.e. the inclusion of 'SAM') - a price of 99p was printed directly onto the sleeve as per The Golden Age of Mechanical Music sampler. The rear of the sleeve is fairly heavily redesigned, though with the same textual and graphical elements, if in different places. The original had black and white images and black text; text and images are purple on front and rear of the reissue sleeve.
SDL 211 - The Ringing of the Bells (c. 1978?)
There was much confusion about this LP until very recently, when I began research proper into Saydisc's bell records (the light bulb moment was somewhere around August or September 2023). The version in the book was assumed to be a contract pressing for the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers because it was on a CCCBT-branded label design.
It was also long-suspected that there was a full Saydisc issue as well, which appeared to be confirmed when a copy on Saydisc branded labels appeared on eBay in a reworked sleeve design (as per image here). The rear of the sleeve has the various elements relocated, though otherwise (apart from now missing a printing credit) the text is unchanged.
This has proved to be almost completely wrong!
The Saydisc-branded version in the sleeve shown here turns out to be one of the first 250 contract pressings from 1970. Of course, in those days, all contract pressings for organisations rather than other labels were Saydisc-branded - which is good advertising.
The version included in the book turns out to be a hybrid in that it was repressed specifically for the CCCBR in May 1975, now with CCCBR-branded labels, as was now common with Saydisc contract pressings, but Saydisc's then label manager later decided to also make the record a Saydisc catalogue item, this advised in July 1977 (in the August edition of The New Records, published mid-July).
Still, let's return to the original 1970 edition.
The copy viewed included three inserts, though only one of those was originally issued with the LP, this a request from Norman Chaddock on behalf of the CCCBR for feedback on why the record had been bought. The other inserts were Mr. Chaddock's 'A Tutor's Handbook Part Two: Elementary Change Ringing' and the CCCBR pamphlet no. 9, 'Towards Better Striking', by Roger Smith and Malcolm Tyler.
An advert of catalogue items from a 1978 LP (the inner sleeve is dated as leaving the pressing plant July 1978) shows the new sleeve design. What is currently unknown is whether the sleeve update was done for all the copies, including those supplied to the CCCBR, or whether it was only used on Saydisc sold copies to differentiate.
There was much confusion about this LP until very recently, when I began research proper into Saydisc's bell records (the light bulb moment was somewhere around August or September 2023). The version in the book was assumed to be a contract pressing for the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers because it was on a CCCBT-branded label design.
It was also long-suspected that there was a full Saydisc issue as well, which appeared to be confirmed when a copy on Saydisc branded labels appeared on eBay in a reworked sleeve design (as per image here). The rear of the sleeve has the various elements relocated, though otherwise (apart from now missing a printing credit) the text is unchanged.
This has proved to be almost completely wrong!
The Saydisc-branded version in the sleeve shown here turns out to be one of the first 250 contract pressings from 1970. Of course, in those days, all contract pressings for organisations rather than other labels were Saydisc-branded - which is good advertising.
The version included in the book turns out to be a hybrid in that it was repressed specifically for the CCCBR in May 1975, now with CCCBR-branded labels, as was now common with Saydisc contract pressings, but Saydisc's then label manager later decided to also make the record a Saydisc catalogue item, this advised in July 1977 (in the August edition of The New Records, published mid-July).
Still, let's return to the original 1970 edition.
The copy viewed included three inserts, though only one of those was originally issued with the LP, this a request from Norman Chaddock on behalf of the CCCBR for feedback on why the record had been bought. The other inserts were Mr. Chaddock's 'A Tutor's Handbook Part Two: Elementary Change Ringing' and the CCCBR pamphlet no. 9, 'Towards Better Striking', by Roger Smith and Malcolm Tyler.
An advert of catalogue items from a 1978 LP (the inner sleeve is dated as leaving the pressing plant July 1978) shows the new sleeve design. What is currently unknown is whether the sleeve update was done for all the copies, including those supplied to the CCCBR, or whether it was only used on Saydisc sold copies to differentiate.
33SD245 - Sounds of Bristol (1973)
It has been stated on 45cat.com that copies exist with a typo on sleeve stating that it plays at 33½ rpm - yes, thirty-three and a half. Meanwhile, trivia: this was first mooted as a possible release on an advertising insert from 1968, this along with Sounds of Bath, which never did see the light of day, even in truncated form (see the insert for SDL 112 above).
It has been stated on 45cat.com that copies exist with a typo on sleeve stating that it plays at 33½ rpm - yes, thirty-three and a half. Meanwhile, trivia: this was first mooted as a possible release on an advertising insert from 1968, this along with Sounds of Bath, which never did see the light of day, even in truncated form (see the insert for SDL 112 above).
SDL 251 - White on Black (1974)
The LP, if bought from the band at a gig, often included one or more insert, the two here being fairly common. One exhorts the benefits of joining the White on Black Club (what a shame that they didn't make the stated follow-up LP) and the other is a (here slightly skewiff) membership form. Some copies also crop up with various bits and pieces slipped in the sleeve by fan club members, such as the 1974 gig programme and the odd promotional photo. Meanwhile, the photo cropped up in an online search a while back and could probably do with a few more views, so here it is.
The LP, if bought from the band at a gig, often included one or more insert, the two here being fairly common. One exhorts the benefits of joining the White on Black Club (what a shame that they didn't make the stated follow-up LP) and the other is a (here slightly skewiff) membership form. Some copies also crop up with various bits and pieces slipped in the sleeve by fan club members, such as the 1974 gig programme and the odd promotional photo. Meanwhile, the photo cropped up in an online search a while back and could probably do with a few more views, so here it is.
SDL 289 - Handbells In Harmony (1978)
Not really a Saydisc variation, but a mislabelled test pressing on another label - and what a difference in styles between label and actual record! I received the following email from a record dealer on 24 May 2020.
Not really a Saydisc variation, but a mislabelled test pressing on another label - and what a difference in styles between label and actual record! I received the following email from a record dealer on 24 May 2020.
"I...have one very odd record on the Saydisc label. Although it's not really a Saydisc release at all. [The LP is] labelled as "Handbells In Harmony" (Saydisc, SDL 289) [but] the actual record is a pressing of "So Far" by...Faust.
"The story behind this was an old school friend...did some work experience for Recommended Records...back in the summer of 1980. [In around 2005, when] he was moving away...he found two LP's at the bottom of his wardrobe that he'd forgotten about [and gave them] to me as a farewell gift.
"Apparently [his first job] at Recommended was to place all the re-issues of the first two Faust records (RR1 & 2) in the sleeves and during the process he came across these two 'anomalies'. The first Faust LP even more bizarrely labelled as "Living Strings Play Music For Romance" (RCA, RD-27188 dated 1960!) and the aforementioned "Handbells In Harmony".
"He asked what they were and was told, "Oh sorry, they are the Test Pressings. Don't put them in any of the sleeves." So he stashed them away for himself!"
Amon Ra update
CD-SAR 33 - Lisa Beznosiuk & Nigel North - Concord of Sweet Sounds
The image included in the discography matches all copies viewed both 'live' and online but this design here is included in the Autumn 1987 Compact Disc catalogue (Saydisc's first CD catalogue) and this design is used as late as 1993, appearing in that year's full catalogue (and possibly later ones).
An image of this version has now been found in a Polish online CD retailer but the betting is that if bought it will be the updated design version that arrives.
The image included in the discography matches all copies viewed both 'live' and online but this design here is included in the Autumn 1987 Compact Disc catalogue (Saydisc's first CD catalogue) and this design is used as late as 1993, appearing in that year's full catalogue (and possibly later ones).
An image of this version has now been found in a Polish online CD retailer but the betting is that if bought it will be the updated design version that arrives.
© 2009 - 2023, M. C. Jones, trading as Bristol Folk Publications. The Record Press, Diogenes Academic Press and Burnham Priory are imprints of Bristol Folk Publications.