Vinyl pressings
by Buddy Guy · 1972
Play The Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 8 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.
ST-C-722543 A AT/GP PRSide A runout etched
ST-C-722544-C AT/GP PRSide B runout etched
ST-C-722543 PRLabel side A
ST-C-722544 PRLabel side B
ST-C-722543 AAA AT/GPSide A runout etched
ST-C-722544-CCC AT/GPSide B runout etched
ST-C-722543 RILabel side A
ST-C-722544 RILabel side B
ST-C-722543A AV AT/GP MR (in circle) Δ17073 PRSide A runout etched, except stamped MR
ST-C-722544-CCV-RE AT/GP MR (in circle) Δ17073-X PRSide B runout etched, except stamped MR
ST-C-722543 MOLabel side A
ST-C-722544 MOLabel side B
K 40240-A1 4 Ʌ RAYSSide A runout
K 40240-B1 2 ɅSide B runout
K 40240 ASide A label
K 40240 BSide B label
MX 168883 SD 33-364 1A side, stamped
MX 168884 SD 33-364 2B side, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Atlantic SD 33-364First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Atco Records SD 33364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | Atco Records 40 240First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Atco Records 40 240 / Atco Records 40240First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 40 240First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Atlantic P-8266AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Atlantic SD 7216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Atlantic K40240First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Atco Records SD 33-364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Atco Records SD 33-364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Atco Records SD 33-364First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Atlantic 40 240LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | UK | Atlantic K 40240 / Atlantic SD 33-364LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Atlantic P-4711ALP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | ATCO Records MOVLP2013 / Atlantic MOVLP2013LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Germany | Atco Records SD 33-364 / Speakers Corner Records Atco SD 33-314LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2020 | US | Friday Music FRM-38364LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | Germany | Speakers Corner Records SD 33-364 / ATCO Records SD 33-364LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2020 | US | Friday Music FRM-38364LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Spain | ATCO Records SD 33-364LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-364 / ATCO Records SD 33364LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Atlantic 40 240LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Atlantic 40 240LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 40 240 BLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 40 240LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Greece | Atlantic 40240LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Atlantic 40240LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
27 vinyl pressings of Play The Blues are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1972 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atco Records SD 33-364.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 33-364, K40240, SD 33364, 40 240) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-C-722543 A AT/GP PR and ST-C-722544-C AT/GP PR. 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.
