Vinyl pressings
by Don McLean · 1974
Homeless Brother was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 12 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.
UA-LA-315-G1 4A (Variant 1)
UA-LA 315-G2 (²)B (Variant 1)
UA-LA-315-I-I (set 3) NSP #21 [mirrored]A (Variant 2)
UA-LA 315-G2 (²) 4B (Variant 2)
T1 UALA 315 G-1-E-1 A7Side A runout
T1 UA-LA-315 G-2-F-2 A3Side B runout
T1 UA LA 315 G-1-E-1 A3Side A runout (Variant 1)
T1 UA LA 315 G-2 E-2 B1Side B runout (Variant 1)
22 UALA-315 G1- G NSPRunout side A, variant 1
22 UA-LA 315 G2 H- GRunout side B, variant 1
22 UA-LA 315 G1- H 22Runout side A, variant 2
22 UA-LA 315 G-2 H 22Runout side B, variant 2
UAG 29646 A -1Side A runout, variant 1
UAG 29646 B -1Side B runout, variant 1
1 UAG 29646 A -1 ∴Side A runout, variant 2
3 UAG 29646 B -1Side B runout, variant 2
UAG 29646-A-Side A runout, hand-etched
UAG 29646-B-Side B runout, hand-etched
UAG 29646 ASide A label
UAG 29646 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Axis AX-260399LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | United Artists Records 1C 064-96080 / The Rainbow Collection 1C 064-96080LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | United Artists Records 1C 064-96080 / The Rainbow Collection 1C 064-96080LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | South Africa | United Artists Records UAS 7084 E / The Rainbow Collection UAS 7084 ELP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Liberty LN-10211LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
23 vinyl pressings of Homeless Brother are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is United Artists Records UA-LA315-G.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UA-LA315-G, UAG 29646, L 35282, UAG 29.646) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UA-LA-315-G1 4 and UA-LA 315-G2 (²). 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.
