Lionheart - Japan First Issue Pressing

This is easily my second favourite Japanese LP release. It has a pretty unique Obi-Strip which features full colour on the front and back. In fact, I believe this is the only Obi-Strip for any of Kate's Japanese LP releases to feature full colour artwork on both sides like this.

In many cases, the Obi-Strip has more value than the actual record itself - so never buy a Japanese album if the Obi-Strip is missing or badly damaged. As you can see mine does have minimal damage to it, so the value will be affected by that.

The packaging on this release is very interesting. In other countries where Lionheart was released as a gatefold, the Japanese release was issued in a single standard record jacket. What makes it even more interesting is that the printed lyrics and album photos are printed onto an inner record sleeve instead.

Unfortunately I could not get this to scan well and it was a complete mess trying to piece it back together - so I kept my original photos for this instead.

There's also an additional insert that comes with this and features some kind of a write up and the album's lyrics all in Japanese characters.

The record labels are fairly identical to the UK ones at the time. The only real differences are the catalogue number and the distribution information printed in red along the perimeter.

Lionheart - Canada First Issue Pressing

The Canadian release is pretty identical to the UK release, with only some slight differences. The lettering on the front of the album jacket is embossed just like the UK original.

The back of the album jacket is also pretty identical to the UK release. The only real differences here are the catalogue number in the upper right-hand corner, and the Harvest logo along the bottom and the Canadian manufacturing information. Kate's name and album title are also embossed on the back.

Like the UK release, the Canadian version is also a gatefold. It doesn't differ on the inside in any way. I also decided to chop it into two sections so everything would show better.

The record labels do differ significantly on the Canadian release.

Lionheart - Greece LP

Made in Greece, this gatefold sleeve is similar to the UK release, but with a few differences. The album jacket feels flimsy in comparison, the lettering on the front and back is not embossed - but printed flat as part of the sleeve. The catalogue number on the back also differs.

I've cut the inside into two separate sections to make them easier to see. The inside is fairly identical to the UK gatefold, but with the exception of the distribution information for Greece.

The record labels are identical to the UK ones, except for the different catalogue number and where it was made.

Lionheart - UK First Issue Pressing

The original UK release has embossed lettering on the front cover in a sort of brassy gold colour, which easily rubs off. I've used my horrible copy to scan these photos, so hopefully you can see how some of it has rubbed off the letters. Reissue copies, such as the Fame release, has lettering printed into the artwork (no embossing), and is more of a solid yellow colour.

The catalogue number is located in the upper right-hand corner on the back of the record jacket. I know this scanned badly, so apologies. Reissues will typically have a different catalogue number or an added barcode.

The album is a gatefold release with photos and song lyrics inside. Later pressings, such as the Fame release will have the lyrics reprinted in black. I've also chopped this into two sections so that it will blow up larger.

The inner sleeve on the original release is a sort of peach colour. It also has the catalogue number printed in the upper right-hand corner. I only scanned this corner section so that it would show better.

The original record labels have large EMI logos on both sides, whereas a reissue like the Fame release will have large Fame logos on each side.

Also check the run off dead vinyl of the record. Only original releases have the inscription "Hope You Like It!" scratched into it.