Vinyl pressings
by Nils Lofgren · 1981
Night Fades Away was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 16 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.
MCA-2703- PL 4 Precision Lacquer SM ◈-P-◈Side A runout etched
MCA 2704-PL 4 ◈-P-◈ Precision Lacquer SM.Side B runout etched
(MCA2703)Side A label
(MCA2704)Side B label
MCA-2703- PL 2 Precision Lacquer SM ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA 2704-PL 4 ◈-P-◈ Precision Lacquer SM.Side B runout, variant 1
MCA 2703- PL 4 Precision Lacquer SM. ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 2
MCA 2704- PL 4 ◈-P-◈ Precision Lacquer SM.Side B runout, variant 2
MCA-2703- PL 2 Precision Lacquer SM ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout
MCA 2704-PL 2 ⧈-G-⧈ Precision Lacquer SM.Side B runout
MCA 2703Side A label
MCA 2704Side B label
BSR 5251-ASide A runout etched
BSR 5251-BSide B runout etched
MCA-2703- PL 2 Precision Lacquer SM ◈-G-◈Side A runout etched
MCA 2704-PL 4 ◈-P-◈ Precision Lacquer SM.Side B runout etched
MCA2703Side A label
MCA2704Side B label
MCF 3121 A1Side A
MCF 3121 B2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | MCA Records BSR 5251First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Backstreet Records BSR-5251First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | MCA Records 203 672First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 203 672 / MCA Records BSR-5251First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Backstreet Records VIM 6270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Backstreet Records VIM-6270First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Backstreet Records LA-422First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | MCA Records 203 672First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Backstreet Records BSR 5251 / MCA Records BSR 5251First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | Backstreet Records BSR-5251 / MCA Records MCA-5942-9First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | MCA Records BSR 5251First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Backstreet Records BSR-5251 / Backstreet Records BSR 5251First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | Backstreet Records BSR-5251LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Spain | MCA Records I - 203672First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 441-1 / Backstreet Records BSR 5251LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
28 vinyl pressings of Night Fades Away are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Backstreet Records BSR-5251, released September 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSR-5251, BSR 5251, MCF 3121, 203 672) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-2703- PL 4 Precision Lacquer SM ◈-P-◈ and MCA 2704-PL 4 ◈-P-◈ Precision Lacquer SM.. 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.
