Vinyl pressings
by Dobie Gray · 1973
Drift Away / City Stars was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 13 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.
7-L16250•W2 ◈-P-◈ IIIIIIIA Side runout, etched / except '◈-P-◈' stamped
7-L16242-W2 ◈-P-◈ IIIIB Side runout, etched / except '◈-P-◈' stamped
(7-L16,250)Side A label
(7-L16,242)◆Side B label
7-L16250-W1 回-G-回Runout side A
7-L16242-W1 回-G-回Runout side B
7-L 16,250Label side A
7-L 16,242✤Label side B
7-L 16,250A-Side Label
7-L 16,242B-Side Label
7-L16250-W1A side deadwax - scribed
7-L16242-W1B side deadwax - scribed
7-L16250-W2 ◈-P-◈A Side Runout, variant 1
7-L16242-W2 ◈-P-◈B Side Runout, variant 1
7-L16250-W2 ◈-P-◈ IIIIIA Side Runout, variant 2
7-L16242-W2 ◈-P-◈ IB Side Runout, variant 2
7-L16300-W2 ◈-P-◈Stereo side runout
L-16300-W2 ◈-P-◈Mono side runout
7-L16,300Stereo side label
L16,300Mono side label
7-L16,300Stereo Side Label
L16,300Mono Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-1323First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-1323First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Brazil | MCA Records MCACS 900.035First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Decca 33057First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-60160First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MCS 6531First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MCS 6531First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Greece | MCA Records 5530First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Italy | MCA Records MCS 6531First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Italy | MCA Records MCS 6531First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | MCA Records MC/S 6531First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | New Zealand | MCA Records MC/S 6531First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | South Africa | MCA Records PD.9876First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Spain | MCA Records SN-20.747First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | MCA Records MU 1184First year7" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records MCA 11547" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-601607", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 32.026 / MCA Records 32 0267", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-601607", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-601607", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Collectables COL-900117", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-601607", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-601607", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-601607", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
42 vinyl pressings of Drift Away / City Stars are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1973 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is Decca 33057.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 33057, MU 1184, 5C 006-95140, MCA-1323) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-L16250•W2 ◈-P-◈ IIIIIII and 7-L16242-W2 ◈-P-◈ 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.
