Vinyl pressings
by Luther Allison · 1976
Night Life 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.
8 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 6 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.
G6-974-S1 2547-S 03A #13Runout side 1, Variant 1
G6-974S1 2548-S 03A #13Runout side 2, Variant 1
G6-974-S1 2547-S 03B #12Runout side 1, Variant 2
G6-974-S1 2548-S 03B #12Runout side 2, Variant 2
G6-974-S1 2657-S-03A 1 HRunout, side A
G6-084-S1 2548-S-03B HRunout, side B
2547-SLabel, side A
2548-SLabel, side B
G-974V1-S1 (P) AMDSide A runout etched
G-974V1-S2 (P) AMDSide B runout etched
G6 974S1A S 〄BSide A Stamp
G6 974S1B SSide B Stamp
G6-974S1-ASide A Label
G6-974S1-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Motown G 974-V1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Israel | Gordy G6-974S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM ST 60129First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Motown VIP-6312First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Tamla Motown VIP-6312First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 062-97690First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Gordy G6-974S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Gordy G6-974S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Argentina | Tamla Motown SUP-769LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1979 | France | Motown 2C068-97.690LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Motown 2C068-97.690LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Gordy G6-974S1LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Night Life are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Canada, Israel, Italy and more. One of them is Gordy G6-974S1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G6-974S1, G 974-V1, TSM ST 60129, VIP-6312) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G6-974-S1 2547-S 03A #13 and G6-974S1 2548-S 03A #13. 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.
