Vinyl pressings
by Jerry Butler · 1968
The Soul Goes On was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 6 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.
SR 61171-A- M3 MRRunout A, variant 1
SR 61171-B- M2 MRRunout B, variant 1
SR 61171-A- M4 MRRunout A, variant 2
SR 61171-B- M3 MRRunout B, variant 2
SR 61171-A-M2 RI MRRunout Side A
SR 61171-B-M1 MR N ARunout Side B
AA 134 076 1Y 1 ℗ 1968 670Runout, Side A
AA 134 076 2Y 1 ℗ 1968 670Runout, Side B
134 076 1YCenter Label, Side A
134 076 2YCenter Label, Side B
SR 61171-A- M5Runout Side A, Stamped
SR 61171-B- M2Runout Side B, Stamped
SR-61171-A-2Runout Side A, Etched
SR-61171-B-3Runout Side B, Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | Mercury SR 61171 / Mercury SR. 61171First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Japan | Mercury SMX-7079 / Blue Rock SMX-7079First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Mercury 134 076 MCYFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | UK | Mercury 20144 SMCL / Mercury 134 076 MCYFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | Mercury SR 61171 / Mercury SR-61171First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Mercury SR 61171 / Mercury SR-61171First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Mercury SR 61171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | South Africa | Mercury SR 9006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Mercury SR 61171LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Mercury SR 61171LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Mercury SR 61171 / Mercury SR-61171LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of The Soul Goes On are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, South Africa, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury SR 61171.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SR 61171, 20144 SMCL, SR 9006, SMX-7079) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SR 61171-A- M3 MR and SR 61171-B- M2 MR. 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.
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