Vinyl pressings
by Lou Rawls · 1980
Shades Of Blue was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 7 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.
AL-36774-1A F/W TCRunout Side A - Etched Variable 1
P.I.R. BL-36774-IJ F/W NSRunout Side B - Etched Variable 1
P.I.R. AL-36774-IG F/W NSRunout Side A - Etched Variable 2
P.I.R. BL-36774-IH F/W NSRunout Side B - Etched Variable 2
SPIR-84572-A2 <Runout, Side A
SPIR-84572-B1 <Runout, Side B
S PIR 84572 ACenter label, side A
S PIR 84572 BCenter label, side B
AL-36774-1A-2HZ: DM-1A side runout, etched
BL-36774-1A-2HZ: DM -1B side runout, etched
AL-36774-1A USPH F/W TC 01-84572-2A-1 ASide A runout
P.I.R. BL-36774-IJ 01-84572-2B-1 F/W NS USPH ASide B runout
PIR 84572-1Side A label
PIR 84572-2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Europe | Philadelphia International Records PIR 84572First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Mexico | Epic LNS-17336First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4110First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 84572 / Philadelphia International Records PIR 84572First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Philadelphia International Records JZ 36774First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Philadelphia International Records JZ 36774First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Venezuela | Philadelphia International Records P-30.016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Philadelphia International Records JZ 36774LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Canada | Philadelphia International Records JZ 36774First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Philadelphia International Records PIR 84572LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Philadelphia International Records JZ 36774LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Shades Of Blue are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records JZ 36774.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JZ 36774, S PIR 84572, PIR 84572, LNS-17336) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-36774-1A F/W TC and P.I.R. BL-36774-IJ F/W NS. 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.
