Vinyl pressings
by The Sanford-Townsend Band · 1976
Smoke From A Distant Fire / Lou 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.
3 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 2 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.
WBS-8370 - UAL-0254-S-LW1- 1 ✲A-Side Runout Etching
WBS-8370 - UAL-0254-DJ-LW1- 1 ✲B-Side Runout Etching
(UAL 0254)SLabel Side A
(UAL 0254)Label Side B
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 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P 210WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P 210WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8370First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono, Stereo, Promo · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono, Stereo, Promo · Promo, Mono |
| 1977 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 83707", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 83707", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 83707", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records G-19237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 45-1581 / Hispavox 45-1581 (SN)7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 169957", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 169957", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 83707", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 83707", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 83707", Single | 7", Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Smoke From A Distant Fire / Lou are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Japan. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 8370.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 8370, P 210W) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS-8370 - UAL-0254-S-LW1- 1 ✲ and WBS-8370 - UAL-0254-DJ-LW1- 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.
