Vinyl pressings
by Albert King · 1972
I'll Play The Blues For You was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 4 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.
STXS-0296-5 SS-0419 L. Nix "The Fox" K-5571 SONSide A runout
STXS-0297-6 SS-0420 L. Nix "The Fox" K-5572 SONSide B runout
SS-0419Side A Label
SS-0420Side B Label
STXS-0296-4 SS-0419 LNIX "THE FOX" ARPSide 1 Etched
STXS-0297-4 SS-0420 LNIX "THE FOX" ARPSide 2 Etched
SS-0419Label Side 1
SS-0420Label Side 2
STXS-0296-2 SS-0419 L. NIX (MR) "THE FOX" △17278(1)Side A runout
STXS-0297-1 SS-0420 L. NIX (MR) "THE FOX" △17278-X (1)Side B runout
SS-0419Side A label
SS-0420Side B label
STXS-0296-2 SS-0419 L. Nix "The Fox" SONSide A
STXS-0297-1 SS-0420 L. Nix "The Fox" K-5572 SONSide B
SS-0419Side A Label
SS-0420Side B Label
STXS-0296-2 SS-0419 (MR) L. Nix "The Fox" △17278 (I)Side A
STXS-0297-1 SS-0420 (MR) L. Nix "The Fox" △17278-X (I)Side B
SS-0419Side A Label
SS-0420Side B Label
ARP STXS-0296-4 SS-0419 L.NIX "THE FOX"
ARP STXS-0297-4 SS-0420 L.NIX "THE FOX"
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | France | Stax 2325 089First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Stax 2325 089First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Stax 2325 089First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | UK | Stax 2325-089First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Stax 2325 089 / Stax 2325-089First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Stax STS-3009First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Stax STS-3009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Stax STS-3009First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Stax STS-3009First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Stax STS-3009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Stax STS-3009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Stax STS-3009First yearLP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Stax MPS-8513LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Stax MPS-8513LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | Stax HBS-8002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | South Korea | Yeh Eum Records YFJL-644 / Stax STAX-8513LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1996 | US | Analogue Productions APR 3015 / StaxLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| 1996 | US | Analogue Productions APR 3015LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Stax MPS-8513LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Stax CR00275LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 2026 | Worldwide | Stax CR00979 / Craft Recordings CR00979LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Stax 26 12 004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Fantasy MPS-8513LP | LP |
| ? | US | Stax STS-3009LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
24 vinyl pressings of I'll Play The Blues For You are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1972 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, France, Germany. One of them is Stax STS-3009.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STS-3009, 2325-089, 2325 089) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STXS-0296-5 SS-0419 L. Nix "The Fox" K-5571 SON and STXS-0297-6 SS-0420 L. Nix "The Fox" K-5572 SON. 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.
