Vinyl pressings
by Bill Black's Combo · 1960
Blue Tango / Willie 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.
9 pressings came out in 1960, 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.
FD 2096 1G Bell SoundA side deadwax etched, var. 1
FD 2098 1F Bell SoundB side deadwax etched, var. 1
45-2096A side label
45-2098B side label
HI 2098-1I Bell SoundRunout side A
HI 2096 1F Bell SoundRunout side B
45-2096Label A
45-2098Label B
45-HT 2096 1J [MR logo] Bell Sound △37204Runout side A
45-HT 2098 - 1K Bell Sound [MR logo] △37205Runout side B
HI 2096 1B Bell SoundA side runout
HI 2098 1A Bell SoundB side runout
45-2096A side label
45-2098B side label
MSCL.4907Label A
MSCL.4908Label B
MSCL.4907Label A
MSCL.4908Label N
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Canada | Hi Records HI. 2027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Denmark | London Records 45-HLU 9267First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | Greece | London Records 45-GL 7010First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | London American Recordings 45-HLU 9267First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | London American Recordings 45-HLU 9267First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | US | Hi Records 2027 / Hi Records 45-2027First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1960 | US | Hi Records 2027First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1960 | US | Hi Records 2027First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | Hi Records 2027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Australia | London Records HL-17357", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Belgium | London Records 9-5.2147", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1961 | Germany | London Records DL 20 3787", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1961 | Italy | London Records 45-HL 92677", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | London Records HLU 92677", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | India | London Records 45-HLU 92677", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Netherlands | London Records FL19737", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Blue Tango / Willie are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1960 and 1961.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, UK, Canada, Denmark and more. One of them is Hi Records 2027.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2027, 45-HLU 9267, HI. 2027, 45-GL 7010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FD 2096 1G Bell Sound and FD 2098 1F Bell Sound. 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.
