Skip to content
VinylLens
Empty Bed Blues by Bessie Smith, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Empty Bed Blues

by Bessie Smith · 1971

19 pressings8 countriesVocalJazzBlues

Empty Bed Blues 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.

How to spot a first pressing of Empty Bed Blues

8 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 7 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.

US

1971
Label and catalog number
Columbia G 30450
Format
LP, Compilation, Mono · Pitman pressing, Gatefold
Runout / matrix

o P AL 30451-1B ᴘ 4 ᗄSide A runout, stamped, variant 1

o P AL 30452-1A ᴘ 2 ASide B runout, stamped, variant 1

o P BL 30452-1A ᴘ A 3Side C runout, stamped, variant 1

o P BL 30451-1A ᴘ 1 3 ᗄSide D runout, stamped, variant 1

Full details of this pressing

UK

1971
Label and catalog number
CBS 66273
Format
LP, Compilation, Mono · Gatefold
Runout / matrix

64287 A1 66273 A1Side A, stamped

64287 B1 66273 B1Side B, stamped

66273 C1 64287 A1Side C, stamped

66273 D1 64287 B1Side D, stamped

Full details of this pressing

UK

1971
Label and catalog number
CBS 66273
Format
LP, Compilation, Mono · Gatefold
Runout / matrix

64287 A 66273-A2side A, stamped

66273 B1 64287 B1Side B, stamped

66273 C1 64288 A1side C, stamped

64273 D1 66288 B1side D, stamped

Full details of this pressing

Europe

1971
Label and catalog number
CBS 66273CBS M 66273
Format
LP, Compilation, Mono
Runout / matrix

m 66 273-1Side A runout

m 66273-2Side B runout

m 66273-C [Signature]Side C runout

m 66273-D [Signature]Side D runout

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 19 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s8 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1971AustraliaAvan-Guard B2VL 072First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
1971CanadaColumbia G 30450First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
1971EuropeCBS 66273 / CBS M 66273First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
1971ItalyCBS 66273 / CBS 64288First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1971JapanCBS/Sony SOPB 55031~2First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, MonoLP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono
1971UKCBS 66273First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
1971UKCBS 66273First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
1971USColumbia G 30450First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
Year unknown11 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?AustraliaCBS 2BP 220072 / CBS BP-233928LP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
?BrazilCBS 225136/7LP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
?CanadaColumbia G 30450 / Columbia C 30451LP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
?UKCBS 66273 / CBS M6 6273LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono
?UKCBS 66273LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono
?UKCBS 66273 / CBS M 64287LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono
?USColumbia CG 30450LP, Album, CompilationLP, Album, Compilation
?USColumbia CG 30450LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono
?USColumbia G 30450 / Columbia C 40451LP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono
?USColumbia CG 30450 / Columbia G 30450LP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
?USColumbia CG 30450LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono

Tracklist

  1. A1Sorrowful Blues3:16
  2. A2Pinchbacks - Take 'Em Away3:13
  3. A3Rocking Chair Blues3:12
  4. A4Ticket Agent, Ease Your Window Down3:19
  5. A5Boweavil Blues2:51
  6. A6Hateful Blues3:06
  7. A7Frankie Blues3:28
  8. A8Moonshine Blues3:14
  9. B1Lou'siana Low Down Blues3:23
  10. B2Mountain Top Blues3:11
  11. B3Work House Blues3:19
  12. B4House Rent Blues3:05
  13. B5Salt Water Blues3:26
  14. B6Rainy Weather Blues3:34
  15. B7Weeping Willow Blues3:07
  16. B8The Bye Bye Blues3:15
  17. C1I Used To Be Your Sweet Mama2:48
  18. C2I'd Rather Be Dead And Buried In My Grave2:54
  19. C3Standin' In The Rain Blues2:52
  20. C4It Won't Be You2:46
  21. C5Spider Man Blues3:21
  22. C6Empty Bed Blues (Parts 1 & 2)6:19
  23. C7Put It Right Here (Or Keep It Out There)2:57
  24. D1Yes Indeed He Do!3:13
  25. D2Devil's Gonna Get You3:09
  26. D3You Ought To Be Ashamed3:05
  27. D4Washwoman's Blues3:07
  28. D5Slow And Easy Man2:55
  29. D6Poor Man's Blues3:24
  30. D7Please Help Me Get Him Off My Mind2:55
  31. D8Me And My Gin2:50

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Empty Bed Blues are there?

19 vinyl pressings of Empty Bed Blues are listed here, from 8 countries.

When was Empty Bed Blues first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia G 30450.

How do I tell if my copy of Empty Bed Blues is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G 30450, 66273, B2VL 072, SOPB 55031~2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o P AL 30451-1B ᴘ 4 ᗄ and o P AL 30452-1A ᴘ 2 A. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Empty Bed Blues on vinyl worth?

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.

More Bessie Smith on vinyl

VinylLens app

What is your copy of Empty Bed Blues worth?

Point your phone at the label. VinylLens finds the exact pressing in seconds and shows its value for every condition, from Mint to Poor, so you know what your record is really worth.

Scan your records free