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Curious record side labeling

Do any of the jazz gurus on here know why some double-set records have this curious side labeling where record 1 has sides A and D, and record 2 sides B and C? It does not make much sense to me, and I wonder what purpose it serves other than to confuse the listener. I noticed this with a couple of Coltrane records from the '60s, recently with "The Other Village Vanguard Tapes."
actusreus
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
That side selection is for LP playback on a stacked record changer.

You stack both LPs on the changer.

You play side A on the first LP, then the changer drops the other Lp to play side B next.

Then you flip both LPs over, and play sides C and D.

Record changers are no longer made for LPs.
hodu
317 posts
 
It wasn't only with jazz. I've got a copy of "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" with the same arrangement, and I remember having some other rock and roll double albums back in the day that had sides 1 and 4 on one disc and 2 and 3 on the other. Don't recall the last time I saw a record changer, though.
-- Howard
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,227 posts
 
I did not know this. We should try to learn something new everyday. Well, I did today. Thanks guys!
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
Thanks guys. I suppose it makes more sense now, but I'm still surprised that record companies would label sides with LP changers in mind, rather than what made more sense for standard turntables, which surely outnumbered changers by a wide margin.
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