Vinyl pressings
by Esther Phillips · 1973
Black-Eyed Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 3 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.
RVG 98774 ARunout side A, variant 1
RVG 98774 B VAN GELDERRunout side B, variant 1
RVG S̶Q̶ 98774 A-2Runout side A, variant 2
RVG S̶Q̶ 98774 B-4 VAN GELDERRunout side B, variant 2
RVG-SQ-98774-A-2 . ③ 4Side A
RVG-SQ-98774B-2. ② VAN GELDERSide B
RVG SQ•98774•A-2 • ② X OSide A runout
RVG SQ•98774B-2 O VAN GELDERSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Kudu KU 14First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Kudu KU 14 / Kudu KU-14First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Kudu SR-3352First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Kudu KU-14First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Kudu KUL 11LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Kudu KU-14LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Kudu KU-14LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Kudu GP 3054LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Kudu LAX-3260LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Kudu KU-14LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | US | Kudu KU-14LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
11 vinyl pressings of Black-Eyed Blues are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1973 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada, Japan. One of them is Kudu KU-14.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KU-14, KU 14, SR-3352) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RVG 98774 A and RVG 98774 B VAN GELDER. 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.
