US
1970- Label and catalog number
- Columbia CG 33Columbia GP 33
- Format
- LP, Compilation · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
XLP153015-1D PSide A runout
XLP153017-1D PSide B runout
XLP153018-1E PSide C runout
XLP153016-1E PSide D runout
Vinyl pressings
The World's Greatest Blues Singer
by Bessie Smith · 1970
25 pressings9 countriesVocalJazzBlues
The World's Greatest Blues Singer was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. 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 World's Greatest Blues Singer
11 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 5 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
1970- Label and catalog number
- Columbia GP 33
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Mono · Terre Haute Press
- Runout / matrix
XLP153015-1A TRunout side A
XLP153016-1A TRunout side B
XLP153017-1A TRunout side C
XLP153018-1A TRunout side D
US
1970- Label and catalog number
- Columbia GP 33Columbia CV 1040
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Mono · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
o XLP153015-1A ᴘ B 3Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
o XLP153016-1A ᴘ A 6Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
o XLP153017-1A ᴘ C 6Runout side C, stamped, variant 1
o XLP153018-1A ᴘ A 1Runout side D, stamped, variant 1
US
1970- Label and catalog number
- Columbia GP 33
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Mono · Santa Maria pressing
- Runout / matrix
o XLP153015-1C S B2Runout side A, stamped, except S B2, etched
o XLP153017-1C S A5Runout side B, stamped, except S A5, etched
o XLP153018-1C S A2Runout side C, stamped, except S A2
o XLP153016-1C S A2Runout side D, stamped, except S A2, etched
US
1970- Label and catalog number
- Columbia GP 33
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Mono
- Runout / matrix
o XLP153015-1C I BRunout side A
o XLP153016-1DRunout side B
o XLP153017-1C I SX ARunout side C
o XLP153018-1C I SX BRunout side D
UK
1970- Label and catalog number
- CBS 66258
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Mono · Gatefold
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 25 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s12 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | CBS 2BP-220058First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Europe | CBS 66258First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Europe | CBS 66258 / CBS CBS 66258First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Italy | CBS 66258First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | UK | CBS 66258First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | UK | CBS 66258First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | US | Columbia CG 33 / Columbia GP 33First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | US | Columbia GP 33First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | US | Columbia GP 33 / Columbia CV 1040First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | US | Columbia GP 33First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | US | Columbia GP 33First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPB 55024~25LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
Year unknown13 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Avan-Guard B2VL 058LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Brazil | Discos CBS 225132/3LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | Columbia GP 33LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Columbia GP 33LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Columbia GP 33LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Israel | CBS 66285LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | CBS 66258 / CBS M 66258LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | CBS 66258LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | CBS 66258LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | CBS 66258LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia GP 33LP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia GP 33, CG 33LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia CG 33 / Columbia GP 33LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
Tracklist
- A1Down Hearted Blues3:23
- A2Gulf Coast Blues3:03
- A3Aggravatin' Papa3:15
- A4Beale Street Mama3:33
- A5Baby Won't You Please Come Home2:54
- A6Oh Daddy (You Won't Have No Mama At All)3:02
- A7Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do3:23
- A8Keeps On A-Rainin' (Papa, He Can't Make No Time)3:03
- B1Mama's Got The Blues2:55
- B2Outside Of That3:27
- B3Bleeding Hearted Blues3:05
- B4Lady Luck Blues3:06
- B5Yodeling Blues3:10
- B6Midnight Blues3:15
- B7If You Don't, I Know Who Will3:33
- B8Nobody In Town Can Bake A Sweet Jelly Roll Like Mine3:28
- C1See If I'll Care3:22
- C2Baby Have Pity On Me3:17
- C3On Revival Day (A Rhythmic Spiritual)2:55
- C4Moan, You Mourners3:10
- C5Hustlin' Dan3:30
- C6Black Mountain Blues3:07
- C7In The House Blues3:00
- C8Long Old Road3:26
- D1Blue Blue3:10
- D2Shipwreck Blues3:19
- D3Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl2:46
- D4Safety Mama3:22
- D5Do Your Duty3:24
- D6Gimme A Pigfoot3:37
- D7Take Me For A Buggy Ride2:35
- D8Down In The Dumps3:09
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The World's Greatest Blues Singer are there?
25 vinyl pressings of The World's Greatest Blues Singer are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1970 and 1971.
When was The World's Greatest Blues Singer first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Columbia CG 33.
How do I tell if my copy of The World's Greatest Blues Singer is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CG 33, GP 33, 66258, 2BP-220058) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XLP153015-1D P and XLP153017-1D P. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The World's Greatest Blues Singer 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.
