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The Best by Leo Kottke, album cover

Vinyl pressings

The Best

by Leo Kottke · 1977

27 pressings10 countriesFolk RockAcousticRockFolk

The Best 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.

How to spot a first pressing of The Best

4 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 2 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.

France

1977
Label and catalog number
Capitol Records 2 C 150-85061/2
Format
LP, Compilation · Gatefold
Runout / matrix

85061 A 21B M6 315749 1 Pelle´Side 1 (A)

85061 B 21B M6 315750 1 Pelle´Side 2 (B)

85062 A 21 M6 315613 1 Pelle´Side 1 (C)

85061 B 21 M6 315614 1 Pelle´Side 2 (D)

Full details of this pressing

France

1977
Label and catalog number
Capitol Records 2 S 150-85 061/2
Format
LP, Compilation · Gatefold
Runout / matrix

85061 A 21B M6 315749 1 Pellé´Side 1 (A)

85061 B 21B 1 M6 315750 1 Pelle´Side 2 (B)

85062 A 21 M6 315613 1 PelléSide 1 (C)

85061 B 21 2 M6 31 561 4 1 PelléSide 2 (D)

Full details of this pressing

France

1977
Label and catalog number
Capitol Records 2 S 150-85 061/2
Format
LP, Compilation · Gatefold
Runout / matrix

85061 A 21B M6 315749 1 Pellé´Side 1 (A)

85061 B 21B 1 M6 315750 1 Pelle´Side 2 (B)

85062 A 21 M6 315613 1 PelléSide 1 (C)

85061 B 21 2 M6 31 561 4 1 PelléSide 2 (D)

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 27 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s17 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1977FranceCapitol Records 2 C 150-85061/2First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1977FranceCapitol Records 2 S 150-85 061/2First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1977FranceCapitol Records 2 S 150-85 061/2First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1977NetherlandsCapitol Records 5C 138-85061/2First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1977NetherlandsEMI-Bovema Holland 5C13885061/2LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing
1978AustraliaCapitol Records STSP.11867 / Capitol Records STSP-11867LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1978GermanyCapitol Records 134 EVC 85 061/62LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
1978ItalyCapitol Records 3C 154-85061/62LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
1978South AfricaCapitol Records SWBC(W) 11867 / Capitol Records SWBC (W) 11867LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1978UKCapitol Records E-STSP 21 / Capitol Records 0C 156◦85770/1LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1978USCapitol Records SWBC-11867LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1978USCapitol Records SWBC-11867LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1978USCapitol Records SWBC-11867LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1978USCapitol Records SWBC 11867LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1978USCapitol Records SWBC 11867LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club editionLP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition
All 17 pressings from the 1970s
1980s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1982GermanyCapitol Records 134 EVC 85 061/62LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1984PortugalCapitol Records 1850613LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
Year unknown8 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?AustraliaCapitol Records STSP.11867 / Capitol Records STSP-11867-1LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
?AustraliaCapitol Records STSP.11867 / Capitol Records STSP-11867LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
?CanadaCapitol Records SWBC 11867LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
?FranceMusic For Pleasure 1850621LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
?FranceMusic For Pleasure 1850611LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
?GermanyCapitol Records 134 EVC 85 061/62LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
?GermanyCapitol Records 134 EVC 85 061/62LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
?PortugalCapitol Records 8E 166 85770/71LP, CompilationLP, Compilation

Tracklist

  1. A1Machine #23:00
  2. A2Cripple Cheek1:56
  3. A3Bourrée1:26
  4. A4When Shrimps Learn To Whistle3:28
  5. A5Bill Cheatham1:45
  6. A6The Song Of The Swamp3:00
  7. A7Last Steam Engine Train3:00
  8. B1Bean Time2:32
  9. B2The Spanish Entomologist2:24
  10. B3Short Stories3:01
  11. B4Hole In The Day2:50
  12. B5Mona Roy1:48
  13. B6Venezuela, There You Go3:08
  14. B7Monkey Lust1:49
  15. C1Busted Bicycle2:39
  16. C2June Bug2:20
  17. C3Eggtooth5:12
  18. C4Stealing2:37
  19. C5Living In The Country1:35
  20. C6Medley: Crow River Waltz; Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring; Jack Fig7:32
  21. D1Standing In My Shoes3:06
  22. D2Bumblebee3:39
  23. D3Eight Miles High3:33
  24. D4Tilt Billings And The Student Prince4:56
  25. D5Pamela Brown4:03
  26. D6Standing On The Outside2:29
  27. D7Power Failure2:20

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Best are there?

27 vinyl pressings of The Best are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1977 and 1984.

When was The Best first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1977, in France, Netherlands. One of them is Capitol Records 2 C 150-85061/2.

How do I tell if my copy of The Best is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2 C 150-85061/2, 2 S 150-85 061/2, 5C 138-85061/2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 85061 A 21B M6 315749 1 Pelle´ and 85061 B 21B M6 315750 1 Pelle´. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Best on vinyl worth?

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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