Vinyl pressings
by Rick Springfield · 1985
Tao was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 24 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.
DM B-2374 A-2 / 85S IRunout side A, variant 1
DM B-2374 B-1 / 85S IRunout side B, variant 1
DM B-2374 A-1 / 85S I IIRunout side A, variant 2
DM B-2374 B-4 / 85S I IIRunout side B, variant 2
AJL1-5370-A-1S GF WHO'S THERE INDEED LITTLE NIGEL A2I 1-2 SLM ∆9327Side A runout etched, exc. A2 stamped, Variant 1
AJL1-5370-B-1S SLM ∆9327-X 1-2 TWISTING THE NIGHT AWAY TZ'U KSide B runout etched, exc. A2 stamped, Variant 1
AJL1-5370-A-1S GF WHO'S THERE INDEED LITTLE NIGEL A2I 1-2 SLM ∆9327Side A runout etched, exc. A2 stamped, Variant 2
AJL1-5370-B-1S [Artisan drum logo] SLM ∆9327-X 1-TWISTING THE NIGHT AWAY TZ'U KSide B runout etched, exc. Artisan logo stamped, Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | RCA tlp - 60165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA APL1 5370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA APL1 5370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.4202First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | RCA Victor AJL1 5370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Ecuador | RCA 923-1050First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Ecuador | RCA 923-1050First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | RCA PL 85370 / RCA PL85370First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | RCA 36 052-9 / Sonocord 36 052-9First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | RCA 42 673-4LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Germany | RCA NL 90521LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 20335LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Israel | RCA AJL1-5370 / RCA Victor AJL1-5370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PL 85370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PL 85370First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Germany | Yellow Label SPV 260941 LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
36 vinyl pressings of Tao are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1985 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, US, Colombia, Greece and more. One of them is RCA PL 85370.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PL 85370, AJL1-5370, 05(0131)02082, RCLP 20335) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM B-2374 A-2 / 85S I and DM B-2374 B-1 / 85S I. 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.
