Vinyl pressings
by James Last · 1979
Last The Whole Night Long 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.
10 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 8 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.
2437 696 S1 320 X 1ASide A, stamped
2437 696 S2 320 A ASide B, stamped
2437 697 S1 320 K ASide C, stamped
2437 697 S2 320 G A 1Side D, stamped
2437684 A//3▽E420 1 2 1 RCRunout, side A
2437684 B//2▽E420 1 1 RCRunout, side B
2437685 A//1▽E420 1 2 3 RCRunout, side C
2437685 B//8▽E420 1 2Runout, side D
2437 696 S 1 3 20 2 24Side A, stamped
2437 696 S 2 3 20 2 24Side B, stamped
2437 697 S 1 3 20 2 24Side C, stamped
2437 697 S 2 3 20 2 24Side D, stamped
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 | Austria | Polydor 2664 236First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1979 | Bolivia | Polydor POL-33073 / Polydor POL - 33073First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2664 236First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1979 | Ireland | Polydor PTD 001 / Polydor 2630 096First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Polydor 2630 096First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Polydor 2630096First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Polydor 2360096First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2630 096First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | South Africa | Polydor 2664 236First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor PTD 001 / Polydor 2437 684LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor PTD 001 / Polydor 2630 096First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
11 vinyl pressings of Last The Whole Night Long are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, UK, Austria, Bolivia and more. One of them is Polydor 2664 236.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2664 236, PTD 001, POL-33073, 2630 096) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2437 696 S1 320 X 1A and 2437 696 S2 320 A A. 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.
