Vinyl pressings
by John Lee Hooker · 1964
Is He The World's Greatest Blues Singer? was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1964, 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.
64-6881 MR ARP ∆ 7590Etched Runout Side A
64-6882 MR ARP ∆ 7590 XEtched Runout Side B
64-6881Label Side A
64-6882Label Side B
64-6881 △7590Runout, Side A, Etched
64-6882 △7590XRunout, Side B, Etched
(MR)Runout, Both Sides, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | US | Vee Jay Records VJ-8502 / Vee Jay Records VJLP-8502First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Vee Jay Records VJSLP-8502First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1964 | US | Vee Jay Records VJ-8502 / Vee Jay Records VJLP-8501First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1964 | US | Vee Jay Records VJ-8502 / Vee Jay Records VJLP-8502First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Vee Jay Records VJ-8502 / Vee Jay Records VJLP 8502First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Vee Jay Records VJ-8502 / Vee Jay Records VJLP 8502First yearLP, Compilation, Misprint, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Misprint, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Exodus Records EX-325LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | RCA Camden CAS-7174 / Vee Jay Records CAS-7174LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Vee Jay Records VJ-8502 / Vee Jay International VJLP-8502LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Vee Jay Records VJS-8502 / Vee Jay Records VJSLP-8502LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Exodus Records EX-325LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Vee Jay Records VJSLP-8502LP, Compilation, Misprint | LP, Compilation, Misprint |
| ? | US | Vee Jay Records VJ-8502 / Vee Jay Records VJLP-8502LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Vee Jay Records VJ-8502 / Vee Jay Records VJLP-8502LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Exodus Records EX-325LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Is He The World's Greatest Blues Singer? are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1964 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US. One of them is Vee Jay Records VJ-8502.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VJ-8502, VJSLP-8502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 64-6881 MR ARP ∆ 7590 and 64-6882 MR ARP ∆ 7590 X. 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.
