Vinyl pressings
by Neil Diamond · 1967
Kentucky Woman / The Time Is Now was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1967, 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.
W-10139 AudioMatrixA-side runout etched, AudioMatrix stamped
W-10140 AudioMatrixB-side runout etched, AudioMatrix stamped
W-10139Label A
W-10140Label B
[AudioMatrix stamp] W10139 [SRC logo]A side runout etched
[AudioMatrix stamp] W10140 [SRC logo]B side runout etched
W10139A side label
W10140B side label
Audio Matrix W 10139 (MR) △68523Runout A, etched [except stamped: (MR) Audio Matrix]
Audio Matrix W 10140 (MR) △68523-XRunout B, etched [except stamped: (MR) Audio Matrix]
W-10139A-side label
W-10140B-side label
W10139Side A etched
W10139Side B etched
W10139Side A
W10140Side B
[AudioMatrix stamp] W10139 [SRC logo]A side runout etched
[AudioMatrix stamp] W10140 [SRC logo]B side runout etched
W10139A side label
W10140B side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Australia | Stateside OSS-287First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Canada | Bang Records B 551First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | France | Bang Records 670021First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1967 | France | Bang Records 670021First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | Germany | Metronome J 759First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Ireland | London Records B-551First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Japan | Stateside SR-1837First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Netherlands | stateside 1230First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | New Zealand | Stateside MSS 2193First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Sweden | Metronome J45-759First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | UK | London Records HLZ 10161 / London American Recordings HLZ 10161First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1967 | US | Bang Records B-551First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | US | Bang Records B-551First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | US | Bang Records B-551First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | US | Bang Records B-551First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Microfon 35747" | 7" |
| ? | Argentina | Microfon 35747" | 7" |
| ? | Canada | Bang Records 1011-5517", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
21 vinyl pressings of Kentucky Woman / The Time Is Now are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Bang Records B-551, released October 1967.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use B-551, HLZ 10161, OSS-287, B 551) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W-10139 AudioMatrix and W-10140 AudioMatrix. 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.
