Vinyl pressings
by Leon Russell · 1976
Best Of Leon was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 11 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.
SRL 52004-AMatrix Side A
SRL 52004-BMatrix Side B
T1 SRL-52004 A5 F MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout Side A
T1 SRL-52004 B2 F MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout Side B
S 1 SRL-52004 A5 F A6 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout A
2S SRL-52004 B5 F A3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout B
SRL 52004-ALabel A
SRL 52004-BLabel B
SRL-52004-A ② KSide A etched, variant 1
SRL-52004-B ② KSide B etched, variant 1
SRL-52004 A7 F K MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A etched (exc. MASTERED BY CAPITOL), variant 2
SRL-52004-B ② KSide B etched, variant 2
SRL 52004-AMatrix Side A
SRL 52004-BMatrix Side B
P SRL-52004 A5 F KP MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout Side A
P SRL-52004 B4 F KP MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout Side B
SRL-52004 A4F XT MASTERED BY CAPITOL 4 KP
T1 SRL-52004 B2 F MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP
P SRL-52004 A3 F MASTERED BY CAPITOL C 2 KPRunout A
P SRL-52004 B3 F MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout B
SRL 52004-ALabel A
SRL 52004-BLabel B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | Philips 6369 132First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | Shelter Records L 36016 / Shelter Records L-36,016First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Australia | Shelter Records L 36016 / Shelter Records L-36,016First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Brazil | Philips 6369132First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Shelter Records SRL-52004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | Shelter Records 9309-52004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Guatemala | Philips SRL 52004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Japan | Shelter Records RJ-7240First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Shelter Records 27326 XOTFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Norway | Shelter Records 6317 906First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Philippines | Shelter Records SH 2335First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | UK | Shelter Records ISA 5013First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Shelter Records SRL 52004First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Shelter Records SRL 52004 / Shelter Records SRL-52004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Shelter Records SRL 52004First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37118LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37118LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37118LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1981 | Italy | Oxford OX/3193LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1986 | Japan | Rackyo Records 28AP 3178LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Japan | Rackyo Records 28AP 3178LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Shelter Records SR 52004 / MCA Records SR 52004LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Shelter Records SRL 52004LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Coral MCA-37118LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
32 vinyl pressings of Best Of Leon are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1976 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Shelter Records SRL 52004, released October 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRL 52004, MCA - 37118, ISA 5013, 6369 132) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRL 52004-A and SRL 52004-B. 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.
