Vinyl pressings
by Ray Charles · 1973
Live was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ST-A-73279313BB-1 AT1/GPscratched in runout side A
ST-A-7327941-B AT/GPscratched in runout side B
ST-A7327951-BB-1-11AT1/GPscratched in runout side C
ST-A-732796BBB-1scratched in runout side D
ST-A-732793-C [Sign] MP (PR)scratched in runout side A
ST-A-732794 XB ATI MP PRscratched in runout side B
ST-A732795 xB ATI MP PRscratched in runout side C
ST-A-732796-C [Sign] MP (PR)scratched in runout side D
ST-A-732793B AT GP (PR)Label A
ST-A-732794 xB AT / GP PRLabel B
ST-A732795 xB AT / GP PRLabel C
ST-A-732796-B (PR)Label D
ST-A-732793BBB-1-11AT40 PR DRunout side A
ST-A-7327941XBBB- AT/GP PRC +1Runout side B
ST-A732795XBBB-1 11AT/GP PR D +1Runout side C
ST-A-732796BBB-1 PR D +1Runout side D
ST-A-73279313BB-1 AT1/GPscratched in runout side A
ST-A-7327941-B AT/GPscratched in runout side B
ST-A7327951-BB-1-11AT1/GPscratched in runout side C
ST-A-732796BBB-1scratched in runout side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Atlantic SD-2-503First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Brazil | Atlantic 3-02-404-022-BFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Brazil | ATCO Records ATLP-041 / ATCO Records ATLP-042First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | Atlantic 2SA503First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | Atlantic 2SA-503First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 60 049 / Atlantic SD 2-503First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | Spain | Atlantic 500-21/22 SFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic SD 2-503First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic SD 2-503First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic SD 2-503First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic SD 2-503First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | Venezuela | Atlantic 50.032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Italy | Atlantic W 60049LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1977 | Brazil | Atlantic 20.018LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Brazil | Atlantic 611.7018 / Atlantic 20.150/151LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Atlantic 2SA-503 / Atlantic SD 2-503LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Atlantic K 60049LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 2-503LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 2-503LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 2-503LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
20 vinyl pressings of Live are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 2-503.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 2-503, SD-2-503, 3-02-404-022-B, ATLP-041) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-73279313BB-1 AT1/GP and ST-A-7327941-B AT/GP. 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.
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