Vinyl pressings
by Smokie · 1977
Bright Lights And Back Alleys 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.
25 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 20 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.
SRAK 530 A-1Stamped runout, Side A, Variant 1
SRAK 530 B-1Stamped runout, Side B, Variant 1
SRAK 530 A-1 00 2Stamped runout, Side A, Variant 2
SRAK 530 B-1 CD 3Stamped runout, Side B, Variant 2
RS-1-3029-AS CS WHITNEY Aside 1, etched
RS-1-3029-BS CSI Aside 2, etched
RS - 1 - 3029 - AS - CP - 3Side 1
RS - 1 - 3029 - BS CPSide 2
RS-1-3029-AS-CP-3-Xside 1, runout, etched
RS-1-3029-BS CPside 2, runout, etched
SRAK-530ASide A runout, etched
SRAK-53BSide B runout, etched
SRAK-530 SRAK-530ASide A, label
SRAK-530 SRAK-530BSide B, label
SRAK530
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 | Australia | RAK SRAK-530 / RAK SRAK.530First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | RAK SRAK 530First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | RAK 31C 064 99584First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | RSO RS-1-3029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | RAK 1C 064-99 584 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-99 584First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | RAK 2C 068-99.584First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | RAK F 666 487First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | RAK 1C 064-99 584 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-99 584First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | RAK 1C 064-99 584 / RAK 1 C 064-99 584First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Greece | Columbia 14C 062-99584First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | India | Columbia EIX.5027First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Ireland | RAK SRAK 530First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Israel | RAK SRAK 530First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | RAK ERS-80973First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | RAK ERS-80973First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Bulgaria | Балкантон BEMI 001530LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | Axis AX-701250 / Axis AX.701250LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11007LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Sony Music MOVLP2653 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP2653LP, Album, Etched, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Etched, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11007LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11007LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Ariola 211 028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Malaysia | Rainbow Music SHM 1054LP, Album | LP, Album |
44 vinyl pressings of Bright Lights And Back Alleys are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1977 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is RAK SRAK 530, released October 7, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRAK 530, RS-1-3029, SRAK-530, 31C 064 99584) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRAK 530 A-1 and SRAK 530 B-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.
