Vinyl pressings
by Barbara Mandrell · 1981
Live was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MCA-2687 WS-4 denny/WOODLAND ⧈-G-⧈Side A Runout, variant 1
MCA-2688 WS-3 denny/WOODLAND ⧈-G-⧈IIIISide B Runout, variant 1
MCA-2687 WS-1 denny/WOODLAND ⧈-G-⧈ 5Side A Runout, variant 2
MCA-2688 WS-1 denny/WOODLAND wish you were here ⧈-G-⧈ 9Side B Runout, variant 2
MCA-2687 WS-3 denny/WOODLAND ◈-P-◈Runout side A, variant 1
MCA-2688 WS-3 denny/WOODLAND ◈-P-◈Runout side B, variant 1
MCA-2687 WS-4 denny/WOODLAND ◈-P-◈Runout side A, variant 2
MCA-2688 WS-3 V V denny/WOODLAND ◈-P-◈Runout side B, variant 2
MCA-2687 WS-4 denny/WOODLAND ⧈-G-⧈ 1Runout side A
MCA-2688 WS-3 V V denny/WOODLAND ⧈-G-⧈ 1 1Runout side B
MCA-2687 WS-3 denny/WOODLAND ◈-P-◈Runout side A
MCA-2688 WS-3 denny/WOODLAND ◈-P-◈Runout side B
MCA2687Label side A
MCA2688Label side B
MCA-5243 A MCA-2687 WS-1 denny/WOODLAND ⧈-G-⧈ 4Runout side A
MCA-5243 B MCA-2688 WS-1 denny/WOODLAND ⧈-G-⧈ 4 WISH YOU WERE HERERunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5243LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Mexico | MCA Records LA-413First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA-5243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | MCA Records MCF-3124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5243First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5243LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5243 / MCA Records MCA 5243LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5243First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5243First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5243First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | MCA Records ML 4733LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Live are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Mexico and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5243.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5243, MCF-3124, LA-413) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-2687 WS-4 denny/WOODLAND ⧈-G-⧈ and MCA-2688 WS-3 denny/WOODLAND ⧈-G-⧈IIII. 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.
