Vinyl pressings
by The Paul Desmond Quartet · 1976
Live was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 9 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.
A+M SP 851-Tl A (T)Side A runout variant 1
A+M SP 852-T2 C TlSide B runout variant 1
A+M SP 853-Tl B4 TlSide C runout variant 1
AM SP 854 T5 A TlSide D runout variant 1
AM SP 851-RCA 2 (pig's head caricature)(trumpet stamp)Disc 1, A-side runout, etched
AM SP 852 RCA 1 (pig's head caricature)(trumpet stamp)Disc 2, B-side runout, etched
AM SP 853 - RCA 2 (pig's head caricature)(trumpet stamp)Disc 2, C-side runout, etched
AM SP 854 - RCA 2 (pig's head caricature)(trumpet stamp)Disc 1, D-side runout, etched
AM SP 851- RCA 2 (pig's head caricature)(trumpet stamp)Disc 1, A-side runout, etched
AM SP 852 RCA 1 (pig's head caricature)(trumpet stamp)Disc 1, B-side runout, etched
AM SP 853- RCA 2 (pig's head caricature)(trumpet stamp)Disc 2, C-side runout, etched
AM SP 854- RCA 2 (pig's head caricature)(trumpet stamp)Disc 2, D-side runout, etched
A+M SP 851-Tl A (T)Disc 1, A-side runout, etched
A+M SP 852-T2 C TlDisc 2, B-side runout, etched
A+M SP 853-Tl B4 TlDisc 2, C-side runout, etched
AM SP 854 T5 A TlDisc 1, D-side runout, etched
SMX51013 .2ADisc 1, A-side runout, etched
SMX51014 .2ADisc 1, D-side runout, etched
SMX51015 .2ADisc 2, B-side runout, etched
SMX51016 .2ADisc 2, C-side runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Horizon L 45725/6 / A&M Records SP-850First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | Horizon L 45725/6 / A&M Records SP-850LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | Brazil | Horizon XHOL 39010/11 / Horizon SP-850First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Horizon SP-850 / A&M Records SP-850First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Horizon Horizon 10 / A&M Records SP-850First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | Europe | Horizon AMLJD 850 / Horizon HORIZON 10First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Horizon 875074/75 / A&M Records 875074/75First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Horizon GSW-3021~22 / A&M Records GSW-3021~22First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | Horizon Horizon 10 / A&M Records 27617-XDFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK & US | Horizon Horizon 10 / Horizon AMLJD 850First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Horizon Horizon 10 / A&M Records SP-850First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Horizon Horizon 10 / A&M Records SP-850First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | A&M Records SP-850First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Horizon Horizon 10 / A&M Records SP-850First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Horizon Horizon 10 / A&M Records SP-850First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Horizon SP-9850 / A&M Records SP-90850LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Horizon SP-850 / A&M Records SP-9850LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Horizon Horizon 10 / A&M Records SP-850LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Live are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Horizon Horizon 10.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Horizon 10, SP-850, L 45725/6, XHOL 39010/11) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M SP 851-Tl A (T) and A+M SP 852-T2 C Tl. 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.
