Vinyl pressings
by Lou Rawls · 1977
Unmistakably Lou 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.
24 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 14 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.
P.I.R. AL - 34488 - 2ASide A runout, variant 1
P.I.R. BL - 34488 - 2ASide B runout, variant 1
P.I.R. AL-34488-2A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS I F PSide A runout, variant 2
P.I.R. BL-34488-2A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS I 3 PSide B runout, variant 2
1S P.I.R. AL - 34488 - 2H MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS D1Side A runout, variant 1
S1 P.I.R. BL - 34488 - 2H MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS B3Side B runout, variant 1
2S P.I.R. AL-34488-2G MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NSSide A runout, variant 2
S1 P.I.R. BL-34488-2G MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. NS ASide B runout, variant 2
o T1 P.I.R. AL - 34488 - 2E MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NS 0Runout side A
T1 P.I.R. BL - 34488 - 2E MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA NSRunout side B
AL 34488Label side A
BL 34488Label side B
PIR S 81873 A1.Runout, side A
S PIR 81873 B-1Runout, side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Philadelphia International Records PL 3014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | Epic 144214First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia PZ 34488 / Philadelphia International Records PZ 34488First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia PZ 34488First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Chile | CBS 15173First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Chile | CBS 15173First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Ecuador | CBS 331-0159First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | Philadelphia International Records PIR 81873First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | Philadelphia International Records PIR 81873First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Philadelphia International Records 25AP 567(PH)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Philadelphia International Records 25AP 567PHFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Mexico | Epic LNS-17160First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Philadelphia International Records PL 3014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Peru | CBS Columbia S.E. 8407 / CBS Columbia SE-8407First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Philippines | CBS/Sony APP-1107-P / CBS/Sony PZ 34488First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Philadelphia International Records Z 34488LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
28 vinyl pressings of Unmistakably Lou are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records PZ 34488.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PZ 34488, PIR 34488, S PIR 81873, PL 3014) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P.I.R. AL - 34488 - 2A and P.I.R. BL - 34488 - 2A. 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.
