Vinyl pressings
by The Fifth Dimension · 1971
Light Sings / Viva! (Viva Tirado) was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 8 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.
(drum with 2 drumsticks)Runout side A, variant 1
(drum with 2 drumsticks)Runout side B, variant 1
9950-1-1-11 [Artisan logo] P.R.Runout side A, variant 2
9951-1-1-11 [Artisan logo] P.R.Runout side B, variant 2
[Artisan logo] p 9950 T 2Runout side A
[Artisan logo] p 9951Runout side B
9950Label side A
9951Label side B
(drum with 2 drumsticks) 9950 △84726Run-out area side A [machine-stamped + hand-etched] variation 1
(drum with 2 drumsticks) 9951 △84726-XRun-out area side B [machine-stamped + hand-etched] variation 1
[Artisan(logo)] 9950 ① [MR(circled)] △84726Runout side A, etched [stamped] variation 2
9951 [Artisan(logo)] ① [MR(circled)] △84726-XRunout side B, etched [stamped] variation 2
(drum with 2 drumsticks) 9950Run-out area side A [machine-stamped + hand-etched]
(drum with 2 drumsticks) 9951Run-out area side B [machine-stamped + hand-etched]
9950Label side A
9951Label side B
T 9950-1 (Artisan Logo) TIIIIRunout, A Side
T 9951-1 (Artisan Logo) TIIIIRunout, B side
9950Label, A side
9951Label, B side
[artisan logo] p 9950A-Side Runout Etching
[artisan logo] p 9951B-Side Runout Etching
9950A-Side Label
9951B-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Argentina | Parlophone 1417First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Australia | Bell Records BLL-9517First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Australia | Bell Records BLL-9517First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Brazil | Odeon 7BT-54First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Bell Records 999First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Germany | Bell Records 999First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Bell Records BL 272First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Nicaragua | Odeon 01-0571First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Portugal | Stateside 8E 006-92 593 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | US | Bell Records 999First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | Bell Records 999First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Bell Records 999First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | Bell Records B-999First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Bell Records 999First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | Bell Records 999First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Bell Records BELL 999X7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Japan | Bell Records BELL-880567", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | Philippines | Stateside SS-9787", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Portugal | Stateside 8E 006-92 5937", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
21 vinyl pressings of Light Sings / Viva! (Viva Tirado) are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Australia, Brazil, Germany and more. One of them is Bell Records 999, released May 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 999, B-999, BLL-9517, 7BT-54) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (drum with 2 drumsticks) and (drum with 2 drumsticks). 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.
