US
1960- Label and catalog number
- Arhoolie Records F1002
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
103-F 1002 SIDE1 B-24773Matrix, Side A
104-F 1002 SIDE2 B-24774Matrix, Side B
Big Joe WilliamsTough Times
Vinyl pressings
Tough Times
by Big Joe Williams · 1960
17 pressings5 countriesBlues
Tough Times was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. 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 Tough Times
2 pressings came out in 1960, 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
1960- Label and catalog number
- Arhoolie Records F1002
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
ARHOOLIE F1002-A NEW-M103 SSL RWSide A runout
ARHOOLIE F-1002-B NEW-M-104Side B runout
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 17 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | US | Arhoolie Records F1002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1960 | US | Arhoolie Records F1002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1960 | US | Arhoolie Records F1002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1961 | UK | Fontana 688 800 ZLLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Netherlands | Fontana 688 800 ZLLP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
1970s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | France | Arhoolie Records AR 19026LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown11 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Arhoolie Records P-3051(M) / Trio Records P-3051(M)LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Japan | Arhoolie Records PA-3051 (M) / Trio Records PA-3051 (M)LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F1002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F1002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F1002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F 1002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F1002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F1002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F1002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F1002LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | Arhoolie Records F1002LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Sloppy Drunk Blues
- A2Yo Yo Blues (A Levee Camp Moan)
- A3President Roosevelt
- A4Forty-Four Blues
- A5Greystone Blues
- A6I Want My Crown
- B1Mean Stepfather
- B2Brother James
- B3Shake Your Boogie
- B4Vitamin A Blues
- B5She Left Me A Mule To Ride
- B6So Glad
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Tough Times are there?
17 vinyl pressings of Tough Times are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1960 and 1972.
When was Tough Times first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US. One of them is Arhoolie Records F1002.
How do I tell if my copy of Tough Times is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F1002) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 103-F 1002 SIDE1 B-24773 and 104-F 1002 SIDE2 B-24774. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Tough Times 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.
