Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1979
The Thom Bell Sessions '77 was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, 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.
XPRES 1312 A//2▽E UT [Utopia lyre symbol]Side A runout, stamped/etched variant 1
XPRES 1312 B//2▽E UT [Utopia lyre symbol]Side B runout, stamped/etched variant 1
XPRES 1312A B̶ // 1 ▽ E UT 11 3 [Utopia lyre symbol]Side A runout, stamped/etched variant 2
XPRES 1312 B // 2 ▽ E UT 12 1 [Utopia lyre symbol]Side B runout, stamped/etched variant 2
MCA1812Side One Label
MCA1813Side Two Label
MCA 1812 W13 2A runout, etched
MCA 1813 W13 2B runout, etched
MCA 1812A label
MCA 1813B label
MCA 1812 W15 PRCW-1 MCA-13921 SIDE ASide A, etched
MCA 1813 W15 PRCW-1 MCA-13921 SIDE BSide B, etched
MCA1812Label Side A
MCA1813Label Side B
MCA 1812 W8 ⧈-G-⧈Side A, runout
MCA 1813 W7 ⧈-G-⧈Side B, runout
MCA 1812Side A, label
MCA 18123Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company 9198229First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-13921First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-13921First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | France | The Rocket Record Company 9198 229First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 9198 229First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Greece | The Rocket Record Company 9198 229First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1979 | Israel | The Rocket Record Company XPRES 1312First year12", Single, Special Edition | 12", Single, Special Edition |
| 1979 | Italy | The Rocket Record Company 9198 229First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | The Rocket Record Company 9198 229First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | South Africa | The Rocket Record Company XPD 1734First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1979 | Taiwan | Pop MH-750012", Maxi-Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Maxi-Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1979 | UK | The Rocket Record Company XPRES 13-12 / The Rocket Record Company XPRES 1312First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | The Rocket Record Company XPRES 13-12 / The Rocket Record Company XPRES 1312First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-13921First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-13921First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 060254761451312", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of The Thom Bell Sessions '77 are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1979 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company XPRES 13-12.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XPRES 13-12, MCA-13921, 9198229, 9198 229) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XPRES 1312 A//2▽E UT [Utopia lyre symbol] and XPRES 1312 B//2▽E UT [Utopia lyre symbol]. 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.
