US
November 16, 1951- Label and catalog number
- Columbia GL 503
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Mono
- Runout / matrix
XLP 7746 1cSide A runout
XLP 7747 1aSide B runout
Vinyl pressings
The Bessie Smith Story - Volume 1
by Bessie Smith · 1951
24 pressings7 countriesJazzBlues
The Bessie Smith Story - Volume 1 was first pressed on vinyl in 1951. 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 The Bessie Smith Story - Volume 1
2 pressings came out in 1951, the album's first year. 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
1951- Label and catalog number
- Columbia G 4-5
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Compilation, Mono
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 24 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | US | Columbia G 4-5First year7", 45 RPM, Compilation, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1951 | US | Columbia GL 503First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1953 | Netherlands | Philips B 07002 LLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1953 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4807LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | UK | Philips BBL 7019LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1955 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4807LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Italy | Philips B 07002 LLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 855LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 855LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 855LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
1960s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | US | Columbia CL 855LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Italy | CBS 62377LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | CBS BPG 62377LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Columbia CL 855LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Columbia CL 855LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Italy | CBS 62377LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue |
1970s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Columbia CL 855LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono |
Year unknown7 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Columbia 80.074LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Argentina | Columbia 8077LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | Columbia GL 503LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Columbia CL 855LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Norway | Philips B 07002 LLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia CL 855LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia ML 4807LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
Tracklist
- A1St. Louis Blues
- A2I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle
- A3You've Been A Good Ole Wagon
- A4Sobbin' Hearted Blues
- A5Reckless Blues
- A6J.C. Holmes Blues
- B1Careless Love Blues
- B2Cold In Hand Blues
- B3Nashville Woman's Blues
- B4Jailhouse Blues
- B5Ticket Agent Ease Your Window Down
- B6Down Hearted Blues
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Bessie Smith Story - Volume 1 are there?
24 vinyl pressings of The Bessie Smith Story - Volume 1 are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1951 and 1970.
When was The Bessie Smith Story - Volume 1 first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1951, in US. One of them is Columbia GL 503, released November 16, 1951.
How do I tell if my copy of The Bessie Smith Story - Volume 1 is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GL 503, G 4-5) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XLP 7746 1c and XLP 7747 1a. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Bessie Smith Story - Volume 1 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.
