STRAWBS BY CHOICE - VERSIONS
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Vinyl
CD
Not released on CDAs far as is known, the album was not released in the US (there is an entry on Discogs, but it is clearly a UK copy) or Canada, and it has never been released on CD.
UK VINYL
UK test pressing
Test pressing (UK): AMLH 68259 (A&M, 1974). Spotted online. Test pressing with handwritten text on white label.
Labels
UK release
Vinyl album (UK): AMLH 68259 (A&M, 1974). Gatefold sleeve, outside features melting strawberry image (along with bemused stuffed rabbit). Inside spread has photographs of various band line-ups, with joining and leaving dates. Sleeve notes by Sounds journo (and longtime Strawbs supporter) Jerry Gilbert. Released with silver A&M label.
Front and back of sleeve
Inner spread
Labels
EUROPE VINYL
German release
Vinyl album (Germany): 88 249 ET (A&M, 1974). Same as UK release except back cover has German cat no at top left, Ariola/German printing info at bottom.
Labels
ASIA PACIFIC VINYL
Australian release
Vinyl album: L32,598 (A&M, 1974). Same gatefold sleeve as UK release, except with Festival cat no at top right of back cover and Festival details at the foot of the back cover. Inside is identical. Silver A&M label. Spotted online - a copy with a "sample record - not for sale" sticker on the label, so presumably no separate promo release.
New Zealand release
Vinyl album: L32,598 (A&M, 1974). Same gatefold sleeve as UK release, except with Festival cat no at top right of back cover and Festival details at the foot of the back cover. Inside is identical. Silver A&M label. Spotted online - a copy with a "sample record - not for sale" sticker on the label, so presumably no separate promo release.
South African release
The South African release has silver labels. The front, inner spread are identical to the UK release. The back cover is a much lighter colour, as though it was left out in the South African sun {grin}. Same catalogue number as UK, but revised details at the foot of the back cover.
Back cover
Labels
CASSETTE AND 8-TRACK
UK cassette
cassette: CAM 68259 (A&M, UK, 1975). . White paper labels on cassette body, same running order as vinyl album
Cassette cover
Cassette
UK 8-track release
8-track: YAM 68259 (A&M, 1974). Comes in a standard A&M standard black card box, with the same label running over the front back and closed end of the box as is applied to the cartridge itself. . Back has generic information. Running order slightly different to album ("the Actor" comes after "Lay Down") - a good thing too as the album is supposed to be a retrospective of Strawbs musical development.
Outer front and back
Front, back and head
Running order
Programme 1
The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
Another Day
Forever
Programme 2
Song Of A Sad Little Girl
The Shepherd's Song
Programme 3
Benedictus
Here It Comes
Lay Down
Programme 4
The Actor
Lay A Little Light On Me
South Africa cassette release
cassette: ZCAM 68259 (A&M, South Africa, 1974?). Pretty plain packaging. Running order follows vinyl release.
Cassette cover
Cassette
