Vinyl pressings
by Tony Christie · 1971
(Is This The Way) To Amarillo 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.
24 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 13 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.
7-LN-1539-2KStamped in run-out area A-side
7-LN-1540-2KStamped in run-out area B-side
7-LN 1539Label matrix, A-side
7-LN 1540Label matrix, B-side
7-LN-1539-2KStamped in run-out area A-side
7-LN-1540-2KStamped in run-out area B-side
MCS 5391Label A & B-side [Int. No.]
7-LN 1539Label matrix, A-side
7-LN-1539-2KStamped in run-out area A-side
7-LN-1540-2KStamped in run-out area B-side
7-LN 1539Label matrix, A-side
7-LN 1540Label matrix, B-side
MCA-1259-A-3
MCA-1259-B-3
MCS 5391 - 1Runout (Etched) Side A
MCS 5391 - 2Runout (Etched) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Unknown | MCA Records PD.9785 / MCA Records MCS 5391First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 1259First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Austria | MCA Records MCS 5391 / MCA Records 7-LN 1539First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Austria | MCA Records MCS 5391First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Kapp Records K-2161First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | France | MCA Records CED 110006 LFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | MCA Records MCS 5391First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | MCA Records MCS 5391First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | MCA Records MCS 5391First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | MCA Records MCS 5391First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | MCA Records MCS 5391First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Ireland | MCA Records MKS (I) 5073First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Italy | MCA Records MCS 5391First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Italy | MCA Records MCJB 5391First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Italy | MCA Records MCS 5391First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Lebanon | MCA Records MCS 5391 / MCA Records MKS 50737", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Netherlands | MCA Records MCS 53917", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MKS 50737", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
49 vinyl pressings of (Is This The Way) To Amarillo are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1971 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Ireland, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is MCA Records MKS 5073, released October 15, 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MKS 5073, PD.9785, MKS(I)5073, MCA 1259) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-LN-1539-2K and 7-LN-1540-2K. 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.
