US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Arista AL8-8193
- Format
- LP, Compilation · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
AL8 8193 SA2Runout side A
AL8 8193 SB1Runout side B
Vinyl pressings
The Best Of The Alan Parsons Project
by The Alan Parsons Project · 1983
98 pressings30 countriesPop RockProg RockSynth-popArt Rock
The Best Of The Alan Parsons Project was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Best Of The Alan Parsons Project
23 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 15 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.
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Arista AL8-8193
- Format
- LP, Compilation · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
A3 :·· AL8 8193SA 2 *Runout, side A, stamped – *) unintelligible character, smudged out by hand
STERLING A5 :·· AL 8 8193 SB RCA 1̶3 *Runout, side B, stamped – "AL 8 8193 SB RCA 13" hand etched, *) unintelligible character, smudged out by hand
AL 8-8193 SALabel, side A, in brackets
AL 8-8193 SBLabel, side B, in brackets
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Arista AL8-8193
- Format
- LP, Compilation · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
STERLINGRunout Both Sides, Stamped
AL 8-8193-SAMatrix Side A
AL8 8153 SA ES-1 EMWRunout Side A, Etched
AL 8-8193-SAMatrix Side B
Australia
November 1983- Label and catalog number
- Arista RML 52035
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
4 SMX61659 P2A 3Side A runout hand etched
5 SMX61660 P2B 3Side B runout hand etched
SMX-61659Side A label
SMX-61660Side B label
Colombia
1983- Label and catalog number
- Ariola 18(0931)00271
- Format
- LP, Compilation
Europe
1983- Label and catalog number
- Arista 205 909Arista APP 1
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
A-B-I DMM 205909 A-1 IV Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 1
A-B-I DMM 205909 B-3 Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 1
A-B-I DMM 205909 A - 2 Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
A-B-I DMM-205909 B– 3 II Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 98 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s89 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | Arista SUP 80.249LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1983 | Argentina | Arista SUP 80.249LP, Compilation, Promo, Remastered · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Remastered · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL8-8193LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL8-8193LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Remastered · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Remastered · Club edition |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL8-8193 / Arista AL 8 8193LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL8-8193 / Arista AL 8 8193LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL 8 8193 / Arista AL8-8193LP, Compilation, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL8-8193 / Arista AL 8 8193LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Colombia | Ariola 18(0931)00271First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 205 909 / Arista APP 1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Arista 28 536-1LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Germany | Arista 205 909 / Arista APP 1LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Greece | Arista 818000/1 / Arista AL818000/1LP, Compilation, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1983 | Guatemala | Arista AL 8-8193First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1983 | Guatemala | Arista AL 8-8193First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
1990s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | USSR | Мелодия С60 24733 006LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1991 | South Korea | Arista BAPL 1001LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
Year unknown7 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Ленинградская Студия Грамзаписи С60 24733 00612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Arista AL8-8193LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Arista AL8-8193LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| ? | Europe | Arista 205 909 / Arista APP 1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Arista VG 60021LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK & Europe | Arista 205 909 APP1 / Arista 205 909LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| ? | UK & Europe | Arista 205 909 / Arista APP 1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You3:20
- A2Eye In The Sky4:33
- A3Games People Play4:17
- A4Time5:05
- A5Pyramania2:45
- A6You Don't Believe4:27
- B1Lucifer3:45
- B2Psychobabble4:50
- B3Damned If I Do4:49
- B4Don't Let It Show4:18
- B5Can't Take It With You5:06
- B6Old And Wise4:52
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Best Of The Alan Parsons Project are there?
98 vinyl pressings of The Best Of The Alan Parsons Project are listed here, from 30 countries, released between 1983 and 1991.
When was The Best Of The Alan Parsons Project first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Colombia, Europe and more. One of them is Arista AL8-8193.
How do I tell if my copy of The Best Of The Alan Parsons Project is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL8-8193, RML 52035, 18(0931)00271, 205 909) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL8 8193 SA2 and AL8 8193 SB1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Best Of The Alan Parsons Project on vinyl worth?
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.
