Vinyl pressings
by Albert King · 1977
Albert Live was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
CYL2-2205A ̷1̷S̷ 1S JANOS 1 A 1 6Side A runout, etched ["1 A 1" is stamped]
CYL2-2205B ̷2̷S̷ 1S JANOS 1 A 1 BSide B runout, etched ["1 A 1" is stamped]
CYL2-2205C ̷3̷S̷ 1S JANOS 1 A 2 BSide C runout, etched ["1 A 2" is stamped]
CYL2-2205D ̷4̷S̷ 1S JANOS 1 A 1 6Side D runout, etched ["1 A 1" is stamped]
CYL2-2205-A TXDKA side runout, etched
CYL2-2205 B TXDB side runout, etched
CYL2-2205-C TXDC side runout, etched
CYL2-2205-D TXDKD side runout, etched
RCA-9127-ASide 1 label
RCA-9127-BSide 2 label
RCA-9128-ASide 3 label
RCA-9128-BSide 4 label
RCA-9127-ASide 1 label
RCA-9127-BSide 2 label
RCA-9128-ASide 3 label
RCA-9128-BSide 4 label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Utopia CYL2-2205First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Utopia CYL2-2205 / Utopia RCA-9127-28First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Utopia CYL2-2205 / Utopia RCA-9127-28First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Utopia CYL2-2205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Victor VIP-9547-8LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Japan | Victor VIP-9547-8LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Tomato TOM-2-7005LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Tomato TOM-2-7005LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Tomato TOM-2-7005LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | UK | Charly R&B CDX 35LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1989 | Germany | Tomato 2696261LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Culture Factory TOM-2-7005LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Albert Live are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1977 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Canada, Japan. One of them is Utopia CYL2-2205.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CYL2-2205) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CYL2-2205A ̷1̷S̷ 1S JANOS 1 A 1 6 and CYL2-2205B ̷2̷S̷ 1S JANOS 1 A 1 B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
