Vinyl pressings
by Chuck Mangione Quartet · 1972
Alive! was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
SRM-1-650-A-1 STERLING RL A4 T1Side A runout
SRM-1-650-B-2 STERLING RL A5 T1Side B runout
SRM-1-650-ASide A label
SRM-1-650-BSide B label
SRM-1-650-A STERLING RLSide 1 runout
SRM-1-650-B STERLING RLSide 2 runout
SRM-1-650-A 1B STERLING RL P2 S1Side A runout, etched except STERLING is stamped
SRM-1-650-B 1A STERLING RL S4 S1Side B runout, etched except STERLING is stamped. The 4 is under the first S.
SRM-1-650 A-CP6 G.K.Stamped Side 1 'MASTERDISK'
SRM-(scratched out 1-650-B) 1650 B RLStamped Side 2 'STERLING'
SRM-1-650 A-CT8 1T G.K. A3Stamped Side 1 'MASTERDISK'
SRM-1-650 B-CT7 1TStamped Side 2 'MASTERDISK'
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Mercury SRM.1.650First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Mercury SRM 1 650 / Mercury SRM-1-650First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Mercury SRM.1.650First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Mercury SRM 1 650 / Mercury SRM-1-650First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Mercury 6338 132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Mercury SRM-1-650First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Mercury SRM-1-650First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Mercury SRM-1-650 / Mercury SRM-1-650First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Mercury SRM-1-650First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Mercury SRM-1-650First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Mercury SRM-1-650First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Mercury ML-8008LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Canada | Mercury PTV-1016LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1981 | Mexico | Mercury LPR 19043LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Mercury SRM 1 650LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Mercury 824 301LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM 1 650LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-1-650LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-1-650LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Alive! are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1972 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Mercury SRM-1-650.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-1-650, 6338 132, SRM.1.650, SRM 1 650) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRM-1-650-A-1 STERLING RL A4 T1 and SRM-1-650-B-2 STERLING RL A5 T1. 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.
