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Variations by Andrew Lloyd Webber, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Variations

by Andrew Lloyd Webber · 1978

29 pressings17 countriesModern ClassicalSymphonic RockRockClassical

Variations was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of Variations

23 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 17 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.

UK

1978
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCF 2824MCA Records 0C 062-60 397
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

MCF 2824 A-1U MO A PORKY PRIME CUT 3Stamped/etched, side A, variant 1

MCF 2824 B-2U AA 3Stamped, side B, variant 1

MCF 2824 A-2U A PORKY PRIME CUTStamped/etched, side A, variant 2

MCF 2824 B-2UStamped, side B, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

1978
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA-2332MCA Records MCA-40866
Format
LP, Album, Stereo, 7", Stereo
Runout / matrix

MCA-1414 W14LP A-Side (Variant 1)

MCA-1415 W13LP B-Side (Variant 1)

MCA-1414 W8LP A-Side (Variant 2)

MCA-1415 W11LP B-Side (Variant 2)

Full details of this pressing

US

1978
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA 3042
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

MCA∙1414-MCR13 MCR Src M̶C̶A̶∙̶1̶4̶1̶4̶ ◈-P-◈Runout side A

MCA-1415-MCR16 MCR Sre ◈-P-◈Runout side B

MCA1414Label side A

MCA1415Label side B

Full details of this pressing

US

1978
Label and catalog number
MCA Records MCA-3042MCA Records MCA-1414
Format
LP, 7"
Runout / matrix

MCA-1414 W10A-Side

MCA-1415 W13B-Side

MCA 1414 W8A-Side

MCA 1415 W12B-Side

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 29 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s23 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1978AustraliaMCA Records MCA 2332First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978BrazilMCA Records 2322 207First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978CanadaMCA Records MCA-3042 / MCA Records MCA-40866BFirst yearLP, 7", 45 RPMLP, 7", 45 RPM
1978CanadaMCA Records MCA-3044 / MCA Records MCA-40907CFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo, 7", 45 RPM, StereoLP, Album, Stereo, 7", 45 RPM, Stereo
1978FranceMCA Records MCA 414 031First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978GermanyMCA Records 0062.104 / MCA Records MCA 2332First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978IrelandMCA Records MCF 2824First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978IsraelMCA Records MCF 2824First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978ItalyMCA Records MCA 4027First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1978JapanMCA Records VIC-2143First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978JapanMCA Records VIC-2143First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1978NetherlandsMCA Records 5C 062.60397First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978NetherlandsMCA Records 5C 062.60397First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1978New ZealandMCA Records MCA 2332First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1978NorwayMCA Records MCA 2332First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
All 23 pressings from the 1970s
1980s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1986UKMCA Records MCL 1816 / MCA Records MCA 2332LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
Year unknown5 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?CanadaMCA Records MCA-3042LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?UKMCA Records MCF 2824 / MCA Records MCA 2332LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?UKMCA Records MCL 1816 / MCA Records MCA 2332LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?UKMCA Records MCF 2824 / MCA Records MCA 2332LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?UKMCA Records MCF 2824 / MCA Records MCA 2332LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo

Tracklist

  1. A1Introduction
  2. A2Theme (Paganini Caprice In A Minor No. 24) And Variations 1-4
  3. A3Variations 5 And 6
  4. A4Variation 7
  5. A5Variation 8
  6. A6Variation 9
  7. A7Variation 10
  8. A8Variations 11-15 (Including The Tributes)
  9. B1Variation 16
  10. B2Variations 14-15 Varied
  11. B3Variation 17
  12. B4Variation 18
  13. B5Variations 19, 20 And 6 Varied
  14. B6Variations 21 And 22
  15. B7Variation 23

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Variations are there?

29 vinyl pressings of Variations are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1978 and 1986.

When was Variations first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is MCA Records MCF 2824.

How do I tell if my copy of Variations is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCF 2824, MCA-2332, MCA 3042, MCA-3042) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCF 2824 A-1U MO A PORKY PRIME CUT 3 and MCF 2824 B-2U AA 3. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Variations on vinyl worth?

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.

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