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The following is a list of all known issues, variations and support materials for the U.S. release of Ringo Starr's new Vertical Man album, as well as some non-U.S. releases. Numbers given for quantities are estimates based on information from industry and collecting sources. Due in part to the intense advertising and promotional campaign, there are plenty of variations for collectors to gather, the most ever for a Ringo album.
"Life is life... this was just a record" -Ringo |
| Compact Discs | |||
| Click to enlarge | Number | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
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(no #) | Vertical Man | Advance CDR (900 pressed, includes version of Drift Away with Steven Tyler who was later replaced by Tom Petty on the final release...) |
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(no #) | The Album Network Presents Vertical Man | World Premier broadcast CD (hosted by Los Angeles DJ Jim Ladd, for one-time broadcast June 10-14th, 1998. Contained 9 songs- I Was Walkin, Love Me Do, Drift Away, Puppet, Mindfield, King of Broken Hearts, One, Vertical Man and La De Da. No cover, sent to radio stations in jewel case with program log and cue sheet.) |
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MECP-419 | La De Da | Promo 2-track single (includes La De Da album version plus 4:14 radio edit, approx. 2-3000 pressed) |
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MECP-443 | King of Broken Hearts | Promo 2-track single (includes King of Broken Hearts 4:15 radio edit plus 4:44 album version) |
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MECP-424 | Bonus Music | Promo 3-track single (Approx. 9000 pressed, issued through Best Buy stores free with purchase of standard CD. Each of the 285 stores received 30 copies. The non-album tracks are Mr. Doubleitup, Sometimes and Good News. The bonus CD was shrinkwrapped together with the album CD and included a special sticker stating this Best Buy exclusive) |
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MECD-169 | June 1998 Sales Sampler | Promotional 2-CD sales sampler (features a total of 20 tracks. Track 1 of Disc 1 features the CD/Cassette version of La De Da. Disc is issued in a thin 2 CD "Brilliant Box" (Mercury's patented name for this packaging style). Disc one is MECD 169-1, Disc two is MECD 169-2. Sticker on jewel box top lid only features the number without either suffixes. Disc labels and sticker feature the print "For Promotional Use Only Not For Sale". Released shortly after the CD/Cassette...) |
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314 558 598-2 | Vertical Man | Promotional copy (same as commercial issue but with gold-embossed promo identification on cover) |
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314 558 400-2 5 | Vertical Man | Stock issue, digipak (100,000 pressed, tri-fold die-cut cover with slip-out booklet. A sticker on the front designates it as a "Limited Edition Deluxe Package". The inside of the tri-fold features a 15" x 5-1/2" photo of Ringo.) |
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314 558 598-2 9 | Vertical Man | Stock issue, jewel case (standard commercial release, 60,000 pressed) |
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314 558 598-2 9 (Costco # 8400-20) |
Vertical Man | Stock issue, long box (Costco warehouse club, generic with a die-cut front to view the CD jewel case and a 'dot matrix' computer title print at the top) |
| Other releases | |||
| Click to enlarge | Number | Title | Description |
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MELP 195 | La De Da | 45rpm (promotional only w/picture sleeve, 9000 pressed, includes La De Da (Radio edit) b/w Everyday. Labels and picture sleeves are marked "Promotional Not For Sale".) |
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314 558 400-4 9 | Vertical Man | Advance cassette issue (includes version of Drift Away with Steven Tyler who was later replaced by Tom Petty on the final release. Yellow insert w/title listing. Approx. 900 made) |
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314 558 400-4 9 | Vertical Man | Advance cassette issue (Tom Petty on Drift Away, yellow insert w/title listing. The packaging is identical to the Steve Tyler version above, so the tape must be played to determine which version it is. Approx. 100 made) |
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314 558 400-4 | Vertical Man | Standard commercial cassette issue (Tom Petty on Drift Away. 30,000 made) |
| Promotional materials | |||
| Postcards - 100,000 (Made to advertise free vinyl single with purchase of regular issue CD.) | |||
| Posters (double-sided) - 10,000 (#314 558 400 POS1 - sample shown signed by Ringo, obtained by Polygram employee) | |||
| Posters (special signed limited edition) - 250 | |||
| Bin Cards - 1,500 | |||
| Electronic Press Kit (video) | |||
| Buttons - (in-store for salespeople) | |||
| Non-USA Releases | |||
| Click to enlarge | Number | Title | Description |
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Mercury ME 8DCP-9037 | Catch Up | JAPAN. Radio station sampler CD. (Steven Taylor version of Drift Away. Since this was pressed just before the change to the Tom Petty version, Mercury had to add stickers to the CD and liner notes that stated "Do not play this tune!". This CD is the June 1998 issue of a monthly promotional series issued to radio stations) |
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Mercury ME PHCR-1640 | Vertical Man | JAPAN. Standard commercial issue. (Same tracks as USA issue with the addition of two bonus tracks - Mr. Doubleitup and Everyday. The Obi states that the bonus tracks are "Japan only", which is true as far as just the album goes... but both of these extra tracks were available in the USA - on the 45rpm single and the Best Buy CD) |
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Mercury 558 598-2 | Vertical Man | BRITAIN (Stock issue) |
| Mercury 566116-2 | La De Da / La De Da | BRITAIN (CD single featuring album track and radio edit versions) | |
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Mercury 664 847 613 2 | Vertical Man box | BRITAIN (Promotional CD box set, 100 made. Includes stock CD, custom plastic CD holder box, two drumsticks, custom 1-3/4" metal pin, T-shirt, and numbered certificate. The contents came in an outer cardboard box with bar code sticker) |
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Mercury RINGO 1 | Four Songs From Vertical Man | BRITAIN (Four-track CD sampler featuring La De Da, One, King of Broken Hearts and I Was Walkin'. ) |
| Mercury LC0268 | La De Da / Love Me Do | SWEDEN (CD single featuring La De Da (Radio edit) and Love Me Do. | |
