Vinyl pressings
by John Lodge · 1977
Natural Avenue was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 10 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.
XZAL-15025.P-IW URunout groove side A [6°°] variant 1
XZAL-15026.P-IW URunout groove side B [6°°] variant 1
XZAL-15025.P-1W G 2B J̶L̶-̶1̶-̶2̶W̶Side A runout variant 2
XZAL-15026.P-1W BC 1 J̶L̶-̶2̶-̶1̶W̶Side B runout variant 2
J̶L̶.̶1̶-̶2̶W̶ XZAL-15025.P-1W 1 D 1Runout side A
J̶L̶.̶2̶-̶1̶W̶ XZAL-15026.P-IW K 1 1Runout side B
†XZAL 15025†Label side A
XZAL 15026Label side B
XZAL15025.BRunout Groove Side 1 [6°°]
XZAL-15025.P-1WRunout side A
J̶L̶.̶2̶-̶1̶W̶ XZAL-15026.P-2WRunout side B
XZAL-15025.P-1WRunout Side A - Variant 2
XZAL-15026.P-1WRunout Side B - Variant 2
XZAL-15025.P-IW CN 1Runout Side 1
XZAL-15026.P-IW U K 2 BRunout Side 2
XZAL 15025Side A label
XZAL 15026Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Decca TXS 120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | Decca TXS 120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | London Records PS 683 / London Records PS. 683First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Nova 6.22971 AO / Decca 6.22971 AOFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Greece | Decca TXS 120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | London Records GP-1077First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Japan | London Records GP-1077First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Portugal | Decca PTXSR 120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Decca TXS 3061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Decca TXS 3061First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | Decca TXS 120First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Decca TXS 120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Decca ML 4091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Decca TXS 120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Decca TXS 120LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | UK | Threshold JL2000LP, Reissue, Special Edition | LP, Reissue, Special Edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UK | Esoteric Recordings ECLECLP 2437LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, 12", Single | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, 12", Single |
| 2014 | UK | Esoteric Recordings ECLECLP2437LP, White Label, 12", White Label | LP, White Label, 12", White Label |
25 vinyl pressings of Natural Avenue are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1977 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Decca TXS 120.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TXS 120, ML 4091, PS 683, 6.22971 AO) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZAL-15025.P-IW U and XZAL-15026.P-IW U. 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.
