Vinyl pressings
by Scritti Politti · 1984
Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin) was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 14 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.
VS 65712 A-1U-1-1- 1A-side runout variant 1
VS 65712 B-1U-1-1-1B-side runout variant 1
VS 65712 A-2U-1-1A-side runout stamped variant 2
VS 65712 B-2U-1-1B-side runout stamped variant 2
VS 657 A - 5U - 1 - 1 1 2 1Runout A stamped (Variant 1)
VS 657 B - 2U - 1 - 1 1 1 0Runout B stamped (Variant 1)
VS 657 A - 5U - 1 - 1 - 1Runout A stamped (Variant 2)
VS 657 B - 1U - 1 - 1 - 1Runout B stamped (Variant 2)
VSY + 657 + A timtom cbsRunout side A, etched
VSY 657 BRunout side B, etched
0-20417-A-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-22478-SH1 △ 11424 1-1Side A etched
0-20417-B-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-22479-SH1 ∆11424-X 1-1Side B etched
7-28811-A-SSR2 SRC STERLINGSide A runout
7-28811-B-SSR1 SRC STERLINGSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 657First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin VS 657First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 91527First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88117First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88117First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 91527First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 601 164First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 106 175 / Virgin 106 175-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 80095First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | Greece | Virgin VG-2013-Z / Virgin 062-VG 2013ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Virgin VINX 43First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | Virgin 14VA-9008First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1984 | Japan | Virgin 14VA-9008First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 657-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 657First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
36 vinyl pressings of Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin) are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, France, Ireland and more. One of them is Virgin VS 657-12, released February 20, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 657-12, VS 657, VSY 657, VS 65712) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 65712 A-1U-1-1- 1 and VS 65712 B-1U-1-1-1. 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.
