Vinyl pressings
by Jethro Tull · 1971
Life Is A Long Song was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
WPT-6106 WIPX-1127-1USide A runout
WPT-6106 WIPX-1128-1USide B runout
wip.1127Side A label bracketed and inverted
wip.1128Side B label bracketed and inverted
WPT-6106 WIPX-1127-1U [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] O 1Variant 1, side A runout
WPT-6106 WIPX-1128-1U [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] O 1Variant 1, side B runout
WPT-6106 WIPX-1127-1U [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] R 1Variant 1, side A runout
WPT-6106 WIPX-1128-1U [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] R 1Variant 2, side B runout
WPT-6106 WIPX-1127-1U [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] GR 1Side A runout
WPT-6106 WIPX-1128-1U [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] O 1Side B runout
WIP 6106 ASide A label
WIP 6106 BSide B label
WPT-6106 WIPX-1127-1U [Artisan logo]Side A runout variant 1
WPT-6106 WIPX-1128-1U [Artisan logo]Side B runout variant 1
WPT-6106 WIPX-1127-1U [Artisan logo] RP 1Side A runout variant 2
WPT-6106 WIPX-1128-1U [Artisan logo] AM 1Side B runout variant 2
WIPX-1127-1U OL 1 WIT-6106 [With drum & drumsticks logo]A-side - etched variant 1
WIPX 1128 - 2U T KT 1 PECKOB-side - stamped/etched, variant 1
WIT-6106 WIPX-1127-1U [With drum & drumsticks logo] AC 1A-side - etched variant 2
WIT-6106 WIPX-1128-1U [With drum & drumsticks logo] TR 1B-side - etched variant 2
WPT-6106 WIPX-1127-1U [Artisan Sound Recorders logo]Variant 1 Side A runout etched
WPT-6106 WIPX-1128-1U [Artisan Sound Recorders logo]Variant 1 Side B runout etched
wip.1127Side A label inverted
wip.1128Side B label inverted
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Germany | Island Records 11 014 AT / Island Records 11014 ATFirst year7", EP, 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", EP, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1971 | Ireland | Island Records Ltd. WIP 6106First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1971 | Ireland | Island Records WIP 61067", 45 RPM, EP, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Repress |
| 1971 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26106First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Island Records 11014 AT / Chrysalis 11014 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1971 | Norway | Sonet T-7863First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Spain | Island Records 11.014-A / Chrysalis 11.014-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1971 | Spain | Chrysalis nFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1971 | Sweden | Sonet T-7863First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | UK | Chrysalis WIP 6106First year7", EP | 7", EP |
| 1971 | UK | Chrysalis WIP 6106First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1971 | UK | Chrysalis WIP 6106First year7", EP | 7", EP |
| 1971 | UK | Chrysalis WIP 6106First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1971 | UK | Chrysalis WIP 6106First year7", EP | 7", EP |
| 1971 | UK | Chrysalis WIP 6106First year7", EP | 7", EP |
17 vinyl pressings of Life Is A Long Song are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Germany, Ireland, Italy and more. One of them is Chrysalis WIP 6106, released September 17, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WIP 6106, 11 014 AT, WIP 26106, 11014 AT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WPT-6106 WIPX-1127-1U and WPT-6106 WIPX-1128-1U. 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.
