Vinyl pressings
by Hot Chocolate · 1973
Brother Louie 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.
22 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 15 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.
YRAK 149 A-3 KTRunout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
YRAK 149 B-1 KTRunout, B-side, stamped, variant 1
YRAK 149 A-3 GT KT 1Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
RAK 149 B-1 L KT 1Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 2
YRAK 149 ARunout, A-side, stamped
YRAK 149 BRunout, B-side, stamped
YRAK 149ALabel Matrix, A-side
YRAK 149BLabel Matrix, B-side
BA-ZS-7 4515-3 STERLING Pa-side runout
ZS7 4515-4-AB 2 Pb-side runout
ZS7 4515-3a-side label
ZS7 4515-4b-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 | RAK RAK-10242First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Brazil | Odeon S7l-3364First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Denmark | RAK RAK 149First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Columbia 1 C 006-94 366 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-94 366First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Greece | Columbia SCMG 529First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Ireland | RAK RAK 149First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | RAK RAK 149First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Mexico | Capitol Records EPEM-10707First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Mexico | EMI Capitol De Mexico, S.A. De C.V. 7430 / Capitol Records 7430First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Columbia 5C 006-94366 / Columbia 5C 006-94 366First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | RAK RAK.149First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Spain | Odeon 1 J 006-94.366First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | RAK RAK 149First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | RAK ZS7 4515First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1973 | Canada | Columbia ZS7 4515 / RAK ZS7 4515First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | RAK ERR-201827", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Nigeria | his master's voice JON 2077", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Turkey | 1 Numara A.K. 387", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Brother Louie are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1973 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is RAK RAK 149, released March 23, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 149, ZS7 4515, 2C 006-94.366, RAK-10242) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YRAK 149 A-3 KT and YRAK 149 B-1 KT. 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.
