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.
11 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
STXM-0214-2 SM-01003 L.NIXSide A runout
STXM-0215-2 SM-01004 L.NIXSide B runout
SM-01003-PLSide A label
SM-01004-PLSide B label
STXM-0214-4 SM-01003 (MR) L.NIX △88905Runout A
STXM-0215-4 SM-01004 (MR) L.NIX △88905-XRunout B
SM-01003Label A
SM-01004Label B
STXM-0214-8 SM-01003 L.NIX SON S-2799Side A Etched
STXM-0215-8 SM-01004 L.NIX SON S-2800Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Stax STA-0135First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Stax STA-0135First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Stax STA-0135First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Stax STA-0135First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Stax STX-1035First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Stax STA-0135First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | US | Stax STA-0135First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Stax STA-0135First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Stax STA-0135First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Stax STA-0135First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Stax STA-0135First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Stax STX-10357", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1977 | US | Stax STX-10357", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Stax STX-10357", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of I'll Play The Blues For You are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1972 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Canada. One of them is Stax STA-0135, released June 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STA-0135, STX-1035) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STXM-0214-2 SM-01003 L.NIX and STXM-0215-2 SM-01004 L.NIX. 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.
