Text discography 1977

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1977

Less Than Zero single
Elvis Costello

Less Than Zero (3:15)
Radio Sweetheart (single mix) (2:33)

[1977-03-25; 7"; Stiff BUY 11 (UK, originally in laminated ps)]
[1977-__-__; 7"; Stiff/Island 17845 AT (Germany, ps)]
[1977-__-__; 7"; Stiff 2C006-98.925 (France, ps)]
Produced by Nick Lowe.
"LTZ" has a slightly different mix to the LP version.
Etched in the runoff for side A is "Elvis is King on This Side Too" & "A Porky Prime Cut". Side B contains "Elvis is King".

A Bunch Of Stiff Records
various artists

Less Than Zero (organ mix) (3:04) - EC & The Shamrocks (aka Clover)

[1977-04-__; LP; Stiff SEEZ 2 (UK)]
[1979-05-01; LP; Stiff/Victor VIP-6651 (Japan)]
Although the actual title of this record is as above, it was more commonly known as A Bunch Of Stiffs.
This track is a slightly different mix than either the version on My Aim Is True or the single (BUY 11). Like the single it doesn't have the theremin-like organ in the chorus which is on the _MAIT_ version, but where the single has those fuzz-toned/distorted chords in the chorus, this version has them softened & buried in the mix. Also, you can hardly hear the guitar fill during the fade-out.

Alison single
Elvis Costello

Alison (2:00)
Welcome To The Working Week (1:20)

[1977-05-27; 7"; Stiff BUY 14 (UK, ps)]
[1978-__-__; 7"; Stiff (Italy, white label promo)]
Produced by Nick Lowe.
Etched in the runoff for side A is "Elvis Joins the FBI" & "Just Good Friends Rock". Side B contains "Elvis is King".
Alison is over 3 minutes and not 2:00 as stated on the label.
Record Collector mentions that a few copies had the A-side pressed on white vinyl while the B-side was still black!

(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes single
Elvis Costello

(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes (2:30)
Mystery Dance (1:35)

[1977-07-07; 7"; Stiff BUY 15 (UK, no ps)]
[1977-__-__; 7"; Stiff (France, ps)]
[1977-__-__; 7"; Stiff SRS 510.040 (Holland, ps)]
[1977 __ __; 7"; Stiff SRS 510 040 (Spain, ps)]
[1977 __ __; 7"; Stiff BUY 101 (New Zealand WLP, no ps)]
Dutch ps same as French ps.
Etched in the runoff for side A is "Help us Hype Elvis" & "A Porky Prime Cut". Side B contains "Larger Than Life More Fun Than People - Elvis".

(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes single
Elvis Costello / Max Wall

(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - EC
Dream Tobacco - Max Wall

[1977-07-__; 7"; Stiff BUY 15 (UK)]
This was a mispressing of the normal 'Red Shoes' single (-A05).

My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
Side 1:

Welcome To The Working Week (1:24)
Miracle Man (3:33)
No Dancing (2:43)
Blame It On Cain (2:53)
Alison (3:26)
Sneaky Feelings (2:10)
Watching The Detectives - not on UK, Belgian & Portuguese versions

Side 2:

(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes (2:51)
Less Than Zero (3:15)
Mystery Dance (1:39)
Pay It Back (2:35)
I'm Not Angry (3:02)
Waiting For The End Of The World (3:23)

[1977-07-22; LP; Stiff SEEZ 3 (UK)]
[1977-__-__; MC; Stiff ZSEEZ 3 (UK)]
[1977-__-__; LP; Stiff SEEZ 3 (Finland, orange label)]
[1977-__-__; LP; Stiff SEEZ 3 (Norway/Sweden, label contains "King stereo" & "The worlds most flexible record label")]
[1977-__-__; LP; Stiff COU/B/SEEZ03 (Belgium, blue vinyl)]
[1977-__-__; LP; Stiff SEEZ3 (France, cover has “New Wave” sticker)]
[1977-__-__; LP; DuReCo/Stiff SRL 910.010/SEEZ3 (Holland, sleeve has white front & yellow back. Does not include "Watching The Detectives")
[1977-__-__; LP; Stiff TXS 3115 (Spain, also as white label promo)]
[1977-__-__; LP; Stiff 1056 (Israel, pink label. Title printed in Hebrew)]
[1977-__-__; LP; Stiff L-36872 (Australia, cover says 'features "Watching The Detectives", with this track added to the end of side 2. Manufactured & distributed by EMI-Australia)]
[____-__-__; MC; Stiff C 36872 (Australia)]
[1978-__-__; LP; Stiff SEEZ.3 (Australia, cover says 'features "Watching The Detectives", with this track added to the end of side 2. Manufactured & distributed by EMI-Australia)]
[____-__-__; MC; Stiff TC-SEEZ.3 (Australia)]
[____-__-__; LP; Festival Records L 36872 (Australia, with "Watching The Detectives" at the end of side 2)]
[____-__-__; LP; Stiff STLP 1006 (Italy, green tint photo, yellow back)]
[____-__-__; LP; Stiff SEEZ 3-NP (Portugal, green tint photo & back)]
[1978-03-__; LP; Columbia JC 35037 (US. Promo copies were also issued with with "For promotion only / ownership is reserved by CBS / Sale is unlawful" stamped in gold on the back of the cover and a track listing pasted on the front)
[1978-__-__; LP; Columbia PC 35037 (Canada)]
[____-__-__; LP; Columbia (US promo, stickered, yellow tint photo & back)]
[1978-03-__; MC; Columbia JCT 35037 (US)]
[1978 03 __; MC; Columbia PCT 35331 (Canada)]
[1978-11-25; LP; Stiff 6001/Victor VIP-6581 (Japan, insert /w lyrics. Also as white label promo)]
[____-__-__; LP; Stiff WIP-6581 (Japan)
[1982-__-__; LP; Discos Victoria VLP-27/22LO460 (Spain, this release was given the title _Viva England_ and included "Watching The Detectives")]
[1984-__-__; MC; Stiff STK 71006 (Italy, does not contain "WTD")]
[1984-__-__; LP; Columbia PC 35037 (US/Canada)]
[1986-07-__; LP; Demon IMP FIEND 13 (UK)]
[1986-07-__; MC; Demon IMP FIEND CASS 13 (UK)]
[1986-07-__; CD; Demon IMP FIEND CD13 (UK)]
[1986-__-__; CD; Columbia CK 35037 (USA)]
[____-__-__; 8T; Columbia (USA)]
[____-__-__; LP; Liberation Records LIB 5100 (Australia)]
[____-__-__; MC; Liberation Records TCLIB 5100 (Australia)]
[1988-09-05; LP; HMV C88 1-12 (UK, special limited edition (1500) box in the 'HMV Classic Collection' series, with 12 page booklet. The box contains the Demon IMP FIEND 13 LP]
[1988-09-05; CD; HMV C88 2-12 (UK, special limited edition (1500) box in the 'HMV Classic Collection' series, with 12 page booklet. The box contains the Demon IMP FIEND CD13 CD]
[2003-09-27; CD; Victor VICP-62501 (Japan, Mini LP Card Sleeve original LP artwork)]
[2004-05-21; CD; Victor VICP-62701/2 (Japan, 2CD (Remastered + Bonus Disc)]
[2006-06-16; CD; Victor VICP-63491 (Japan, Mini LP Card Sleeve original LP artwork: K2HD 24bit/96KHz Remaster)]
[2007-09-05; CD; Hip-O UICY-90625 (Japan, Budget reissue, Super Nice Price 1470 Yen )]
[2008-06-04; CD; Hip-O UICY-93535/6 (Japan, EXPANDED DELUXE EDITION SHM 2CD (Remastered + Demo's & Outtakes + Live Disc / Mini LP Card Sleeve)]
[2009-03-04; CD; Hip-O UICY-60087 (Japan, Budget reissue, My Generation / My Music )]
[2011-05-25; CD; Hip-O UIGY-9065 (Japan, SHM-SACD DSD Remastered, Paper Sleeve Mini LP )]
[2011-11-09; CD; Hip-O UICY-20210 (Japan, SHM CD "Back To The Rock Years 1973-1977" Reissue)]
[2014-11-26; CD; Hip-O UIGY-9628 (Japan, SHM-SACD Single Layer / Remastered / Jewel Case )]
[2017-05-__; CD; Hip-O UICY-78317 (Japan, "Rock 50" Sgt. Pepper's 50th commemoration release series)]
Produced by Nick Lowe. Uncredited backing by Clover.
The track times on the LP are totally wrong.
Early LP covers had a black & white photo on the front, and many different coloured backs. Later issues had a green tint on the front picture and a green back. The Demon issue originally had a yellow tint on the photo and a yellow back, and the reissue has a green tint photo. The early covers also have different manufacturer credits on the back cover and label: "Made & manufactured by Press & Post" & "Distributed by Island Records". There are thought to be at least 11 different cover variations.
The first few UK copies came with a poster and a form asking the buyer to send in the address of a friend, who would then receive a free copy. The form read:

"HELP US HYPE ELVIS
In these John Denver days, people in Framptonland are loathe to shell out on new artists. As you've bought this record we assume that you groove to the Elvis GB sound. As you know there are only two Elvis. On is fat and famous, one is small and languishes in obscurity. Stiff Records, ever keen to meet the record buying public demands, have hatched a plot that allows you to become a potent factor in El's future.
Here's how are See-Elvis-Go-Gold-Stiff-Go-Broke scheme works. You pay the postage. We send the album. And all you have to do is write no more than 25 words why you like the English Elvis and send this sheet (together with postage stamps to the value of 23p) to: Stiff Records, 32 Alexander Street, London W2.
We will then send a free album to the person of your choice who you think can do the most for Elvis. This offer is limited to the UK only. We are only giving away 1000 albums (Jeesus - only 1000!) so write off today and grab a small stake in shaping El's destiny.
His meal ticket, your El Dorado.
This offer does not apply to Island Records executives, groupies, liggers, Elvis Costello and employees of Stiff."

According to Goldmine Record Collector, in 1984 Columbia Records reissued, in the U.S. & Canada, all of studio albums to that time (MAIT, TYM, AF, GH, T, AB, IB, & PTC) with the prefix "PC" instead of the original "JC" or "FC", but the same 5-digit number as before.
Reached #14 in UK charts, & #32 in the US.
US: Went gold (500,000 copies) in 1981 and platinum (1 million) in 1991.
UK: Went silver (60,000 copies) (date unknown).

Jem Imports Sampler No. 4
various artists

I'm Not Angry - EC

[1977-08-__; LP; JEM PROMO-4 (US promo)]
This is the very first US release of an EC track.

Alison single
Elvis Costello

Alison (US version)
Alison (US version mono)

[1977-__-__; 7"; Columbia 3-10641 (US promo)]
Note that the catalog number is the same as for A09.
The US version of "Alison" has added synth-strings, chorus and echo.

Alison single
Elvis Costello

Alison (US version) (3:07) - EC
Miracle Man (live) (3:55) - EC+A

[1977-__-__; 7"; Columbia 3-10641 (USA)]
[1977-__-__; 7"; Columbia/CBS (Canada)]
Note that the catalog number is the same as for A08. "MM" recorded live at The Nashville Rooms, London, 1977-08-07.

Hits Greatest Stiffs
various artists

Radio Sweetheart (single mix) (2:32) - EC

[1977-09-28; LP; Stiff FIST1]
[1977-__-__; LP; Stiff/Barclay 940565 (France, gatefold sleeve with adverts for other artists)]
[1977-__-__; LP; Stiff SEEZ-5 (Australia, made by EMI Australia)]
[1979-__-__; LP; Stiff/Victor VIP-6660 (Japan)]


Watching The Detectives single
Elvis Costello

Watching The Detectives (3:43) - EC
Blame It On Cain (live) (2:52) - EC+A
Mystery Dance (live) (2:01) - EC+A

[1977-10-14; 7"; Stiff BUY 20 (UK, grey stiff label, ps)]
[1977-10-__; 7"; Columbia 3-10696 (US, a promo version also exists with a 'DJ stamp')]
[1977-__-__; 7"; Stiff COU/B/BUY 20 (Belgium, yellow vinyl, ps)]
[1977-__-__; 7"; Teldec AC 6.12193/Stiff BUY 20 (Germany)]
[1977-__-__; 7"; Stiff 640120 (France, ps)]
[7_-__-__; 7"; Stiff SRS 510042 (Holland)]
[7_-__-__; 7"; Stiff _______ (Spain, ps)]
[7_-__-__; 7"; Stiff BUY 20 (Sweden, ps)]
[1978-01-23; 7"; Stiff Buy 11633 (Australian promo)]
"BIOC" & "MD" recorded live at The Nashville Rooms, London, 1977-08-07, & produced by Nick Lowe.
Etched in the runoff for side A is "I Think You Know What I Mean", while side B contains "Little Triggers But Big Tears".
This single appeared in at least 3 different sleeves: a colour picture cover, a plain Stiff sleeve and the rarer 'telephone directory' cover, which consisted of the entries for the name 'Stiff' out of the London phone book with the Stiff Records number highlighted.
The Spanish disc has a red & white label in lieu of black & white.
The Swedish ps has vertical white bars on each side of the reverse.
Some copies have the "Watching The Detectives (edit)" version on the A-side. These can only be identified by the duration of the track and the runoff matrix numbers:

A-side: "BUY 20 A-DJ-1U" (stamped) + "tone controlled" (etched).
B-side: "BUY 20 B-1U" (stamped) + "LITTLE TRIGGERS BUT BIG TEARS" (etched)

Record Collector (#49) reports that some promo copies of this single apparently had different takes of the live songs on the B-side.
Reached #15 in UK charts.

Watching The Detectives single
Elvis Costello

Watching The Detectives (mono) (3:42)
Watching The Detectives (3:42)

[1977-__-__; 7"; Columbia 3-10696 (US, DJ promo)]


Watching The Detectives single
Elvis Costello

Watching The Detectives

[1977-__-__; 7"; Stiff BUY 20 (UK, 1-sided test pressing)]


Watching The Detectives single
Elvis Costello

Watching The Detectives
Watching The Detectives (edit)

[1977-10-__; 7"; Stiff BUY 20DJ (UK promo)]
Etched in the runoff for side A is "tone controlled".

Watching The Detectives single
Elvis Costello

Watching The Detectives (3:42)
Alison (US version) (3:07)

[1977-__-__; 7"; Columbia 3-10705 (USA)]


Mystery Dance single
Elvis Costello

Mystery Dance (2:00)
Pay It Back (2:00)

[1977-__-__; 7"; Stiff cou-b/640-131 (Belgium, ps)]
[1977-__-__; 7"; Stiff 640-131 (France, different ps)]
A limited number of the Belgian single were on orange/yellow vinyl.
The French single has black print on white ps (inverse of Belgian version), and states “extrait du LP 840556".
The times above are as stated on the record - don't believe it!

4 Track Sampler From My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello

Watching The Detectives (edit)
Alison
(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
Less Than Zero

[1977-__-__; 12"; EC-1 (Australian promo)]