Vinyl pressings
by The Louvin Brothers · 1956
Tragic Songs Of Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1956. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1956, the album's first year, in 3 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.
T1-769-D2Side A runout, var. 1
T2-769-D3Side B runout, var. 1
T1-769-D6 'Anvil / Lathe' symbol -Side A runout, var. 2
T2-769-D3 'Anvil / Lathe' symbol -Side B runout, var. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Canada | Capitol Records T-769First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Canada | Capitol Records T-769First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | New Zealand | Capitol Records T769First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Capitol Records T769 / Capitol Records T-769First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | US | Capitol Records T-769LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Capitol Records T769 / Capitol Records T-769LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | US | Capitol Records T-769LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Canada | Capitol Records T769 / Capitol Records T-769LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Canada | Capitol Records T769 / Capitol Records T-769LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Special Projects L-8147 / Capitol Special Markets L-8147LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | US | Rounder Records Special Series 12 / Capitol Special Markets L-8147LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Light In The Attic LITA 070LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records DT 769 / Capitol Records DT-769LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Japan | Capitol Records ECR-8177LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Japan | Capitol Records J-T 769LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | South Africa | Capitol Records T 769LP | LP |
| ? | UK | Stetson HAT 3043LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Capitol Records DT 769 / Capitol Records DT-769LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Golden Country LP-2201LP, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited |
19 vinyl pressings of Tragic Songs Of Life are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1956 and 2011.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Capitol Records T769, released November 1956.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T769, T-769) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1-769-D2 and T2-769-D3. 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.
