Vinyl pressings
by Diana Ross · 1978
Ease On Down The Road / Poppy Girls 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.
19 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 11 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.
MC-7706-SS2 STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
MC-7707-SS2 STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching
Variant 1 (MC-7706-SS1 STERLING)A-Side Runout Etching
Variant 1 (MC-7707-SS2 STERLING)B-Side Runout Etching
MCA 1669-AMI ◈-P-◈ 1Runout side A
MCA 1669-AMI ◈-P-◈ 1Runout side B
MCA 1669Label side A
MCA 1669Label side B
MC-7706-991Side A
MC-7706-992Side B
12MCA 396 A-1 L 1Runout side A
12MCA 396 B-1 T 1Runout side B
12 MCA 396ALabel side A, in parentheses
12 MCA 396BLabel side B, in parentheses
MCA 396 A - 1 GH 1Side A runout
MCA 396 B - 1 GH 1Side B runout
MCA 396ASide A label
MCA 396BSide B label
MCA 396 A-1 R 1
MCA 396 B-1 GD
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 1620First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 1620First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Belgium | MCA Records 4C006-61861First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Motown MCA-40947 / MCA Records MCA-40947First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Ecuador | MCA Records 45-33508First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | WEA Filipacchi Music PRO 1040First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | France | Not On Label PRO 270AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, White Label |
| 1978 | Ireland | MCA Records MCA 396First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-1355 / Motown VIM-1355First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-1355First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | MCA Records 5C 006-61861 / Motown 5C 006-61861First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Spain | MCA Records 68 32 168First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | MCA Records 12 MCA 396 / Motown 12 MCA 396First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1978 | UK | MCA Records MCA 396First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | MCA Records MCA 396 / Motown MCA 396First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 25 9591-7 / Motown 25 9591-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1984 | Spain | MCA Records 259591-77", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | MCA Records 25 9591-7 / Motown 25 9591-77", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1984 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 89812", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| 1984 | UK | MCA Records MCA 898 / Motown MCA 8987", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 259 591-7 / Motown 259 591-77", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | MCA Records 25 9591-7 / Motown 25 9591-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
29 vinyl pressings of Ease On Down The Road / Poppy Girls are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1978 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-40947.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-40947, L33-1801, MCA-40947 (MC7706), 12 MCA 396) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC-7706-SS2 STERLING and MC-7707-SS2 STERLING. 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.
