Vinyl pressings
by Barry Manilow · 1981
The Old Songs 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.
18 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
ARIST 443 A-1 Made in Germany JA TAPE ONE 020Stamped/etched runout, side A
ARIST 443 B-1 Made in Germany JA TAPE ONE 020Stamped/etched runout, side B
ARIST 443 ALabel side A
ARIST 443 BLabel side B
AASO-633-SA F4 MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A, Etched, Stamped
ASO-633-SB P5 MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B, Etched, Stamped
AS0-633 SA F1 TII MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP TRunout A var 1
AS0-633 SB F1 TI MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP TRunout B var 1
T1 AS0-633SA F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP TRunout A var 2
T AS0-633 SB F1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL TII KPRunout B var 2
ASO-633-SA F1 P ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟA runout
ASO-633-SB F5 P ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟB runout
AS 0633-SAA labels
AS 0633-SBB labels
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 | Australia | Arista K-8478First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Arista 103 774First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Arista ASO 0633First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Arista ARIST 443First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Arista ARIST 443First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 8205First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | South Africa | Arista AAJ 1126First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0633First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0633First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0633First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0633First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0633First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0633First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | Arista AS 0633First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Arista 7RS-31First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of The Old Songs are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in France, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is Arista ARIST 443.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARIST 443, AS 0633, 7RS-31, K-8478) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARIST 443 A-1 Made in Germany JA TAPE ONE 020 and ARIST 443 B-1 Made in Germany JA TAPE ONE 020. 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.
