Vinyl pressings
by Wilko Johnson · 1980
Ice On The Motorway was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
FRESH •LP•4 B1 ✽ AI✽ TOWNHOUSERunout A-side
FRESH •LP•4 A1 ✽ BI✽ TOWNHOUSERunout B-side
FRESH •FB•4 • A1 ✽ TOWNHOUSERunout C-side
FRESH •FB•4 • B1 ✽ TOWNHOUSERunout D-side
FRESH LP4 ARunout side A
FRESH LP4 BRunout side B
FRESH LP4/1On the label
FRESH LP4/2On the label
FRESH LP4 ARunout, side A, etched
FRESH LP4 bRunout, side B, etched
67574 A¹ SNA toneRunout Side A, etched
67574 B¹ SNARunout Side B, etched
67.574/1Label Side A
67.574/2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Finland | Fresh Records FRESH LP4 / Nighthawk Records FRESH LP4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Finland | Fresh Records FRESH LP4 / Fresh Records FRESH 4First yearLP, Album, 7" | LP, Album, 7" |
| 1980 | France | Underdog 67.574First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Nighthawk Records FRESH LP 4First yearLP, Album, 7" | LP, Album, 7" |
| 1980 | UK | Fresh Records FRESH LP4 / Nighthawk Records FRESH LP4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | Rossil RISLP 14.099LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | SMS Records SP25 5306LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | SMS Records SP25 5306LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Hound Dog Records BUT 001LP, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | UK | Hound Dog Records BUT 001LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Ice On The Motorway are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1980 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Finland, France. One of them is Nighthawk Records FRESH LP 4.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FRESH LP 4, FRESH LP4, 67.574) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FRESH •LP•4 B1 ✽ AI✽ TOWNHOUSE and FRESH •LP•4 A1 ✽ BI✽ TOWNHOUSE. 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.
