Vinyl pressings
by Ramsey Lewis · 1977
Tequila Mockingbird 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.
15 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 10 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.
(Stamped) o AL 35018-1B (Etched) 1 T AA Side Variant
(Stamped) BL 35018-1B (Etched) √ T o CB Side Variant
AL 35018-1AA Side
BL 35018-1DB Side
P AL 35018-1A P 10Side A runout
P BL 35018-1ASide B runout
(Stamped) AL 35018-1B (Etched) S2 A6A Side Variant (S2 A6 etched)
(Stamped) BL 35018-1B (Etched) S1 A3B Side Variant (S1 A3 etched)
(Stamped) AL 35018-1C (Etched) S 2 A 6Side A runout, variant 3
(Stamped) BL 35018-1C (Etched) S 2 7Side B runout, variant 3
AL-35018-1A-2G:Side A runout
BL-35018-1A-2GSide B runout
AL 35018Side A label
BL 35018Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Discos CBS 19.868First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Argentina | Discos CBS 19.868First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Australia | CBS SBP237099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | CBS 82370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 846First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 846First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Mexico | Epic LNS-17210First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | CBS 82370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CBS SBP237099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 82370 / CBS 82370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Columbia JC 35018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia JC 35018 / Columbia 35018First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia JC 35018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Columbia JC 35018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia PC 35018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Tequila Mockingbird are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia JC 35018.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 35018, S CBS 82370, PC 35018, 19.868) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (Stamped) o AL 35018-1B (Etched) 1 T A and (Stamped) BL 35018-1B (Etched) √ T o C. 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.
