Vinyl pressings
by Lou Rawls · 1974
The Best Of Lou Rawls was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 4 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.
SKAO 1 2948 W1 #1 ORunout, Side A etched, 'O' stamped
SKAO 2 2948 X2 #2 ORunout, Side B etched, 'O' stamped
SKAO1-2948Label, Side A
SKAO2-2948Label, Side B
SKAO-1-8 2948 A1Run-out area A-side [etched]
SKAO-2-82948B-3Run-out area B-side [etched]
SKAO-1-8-2948Label A-side
SKAO-2-8-2948Label B-side
SM-1-2948 G7A side etched runout
SM-2-2948 G8B side etched runout
MASTERED BY CAPITOLA side & B side stamped runouts
◎A side & B side stamped runouts, the Capitol Records "target" logo
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | Capitol Records SM-2948First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 038-80062LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1974 | Portugal | Capitol Records 8E 072 80062First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | South Africa | Number One Records N 9536First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | US | Capitol Records SKAO-2948 / Starline SKAO-2948First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | US | Capitol Records SKAO-8-2948 / Starline SKAO-8-2948First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Netherlands | Music For Pleasure 1 A 022-158383LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | Capitol Records SN-16096LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | Capitol Records SN-16096LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ST 2948LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ST 21180LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SKAO-2948LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records 1 A 028-80062LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 054.80062LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST 2948LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2948 / Starline SKAO 2948LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SM-2948LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
17 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Lou Rawls are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1974 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Canada, Portugal, South Africa. One of them is Capitol Records SKAO-2948.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SKAO-2948, SKAO-8-2948, SM-2948, 8E 072 80062) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SKAO 1 2948 W1 #1 O and SKAO 2 2948 X2 #2 O. 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.
