US
March 15, 1961- Label and catalog number
- Chess LP 1454Chess LP-1454
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
CH 10653 P.P. SheldonA-side runout etching
CH 10654 P.P. SheldonB-side runout etching
U-10653A-side label
U-10654B-side label
Vinyl pressings
Plays & Sings The Blues
by John Lee Hooker · 1961
34 pressings9 countriesCountry BluesDelta BluesBlues
Plays & Sings The Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. 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 Plays & Sings The Blues
4 pressings came out in 1961, 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
March 15, 1961- Label and catalog number
- Chess LP-1454
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
1-10653 △ 3217Side A etched
И-10654 △ 3217-XSide B etched
U-10653Side A label
U-10654Side B label
US
March 15, 1961- Label and catalog number
- Chess LP 1454Chess LP-1454
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
CH 10653 P.P. SheldonRunout side A
CH 10654 P.P. SheldonRunout side B
U-10653Label side A
U-10654Label side B
US
1961- Label and catalog number
- Chess LP-1454
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo, Mono
- Runout / matrix
Sheldon CH- 10653 P-P.Runout, Side A etched, 'Sheldon' stamped
CH- 10654 P-P. SheldonRunout, Side B etched, 'Sheldon' stamped
U-10653Label, Side A
U-10654Label, Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 34 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s11 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | US | Chess LP-1454First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1961 | US | Chess LP 1454 / Chess LP-1454First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Chess LP-1454First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1961 | US | Chess LP 1454 / Chess LP-1454First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Netherlands | Chess International PAR 099 / Chess LP 1454LP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | France | Barclay 84098 / Barclay 84098 SLP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Chess CRL 4500Album, LP | Album, LP |
| 1966 | US | Chess LPS-1454LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Chess International MAR 3163LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Chess International PAR 099LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Sweden | Sonet GP-9932 / Grand Prix GP-9932LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
1980s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Sweden | SOS Recording SOSLP105LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | Chess CH-9199 / MCA Records CH-9199LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | Chess CH-9199 / MCA Records CH-9199LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | Chess CH-9199LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Brazil | MCA Records 670.4023 / MCA Records 767329199-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Italy | Chess GCH 8019 / Green Line Records GCH 8019LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
1990s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Chess CH-919LP | LP |
| 1992 | Brazil | MCA Records 170.8044LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Italy | Universe UV 138LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2010s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | Doxy DOY675 LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2012 | US | Chess LP 1454 / Chess LP-1454LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| 2013 | Europe | DOL DOL1454LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | Europe | Not Now Music NOTLP136LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2015 | Europe | Dolchess DOL1454HLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2020s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | WaxTime 772281LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2022 | Spain | Chess CRL 4500LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2022 | Europe | Not Now Music NOTLP309LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Spain | Chess CRL 4500LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Chess International PAR 099LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Chess International PAR 099LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Chess LP-1454LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Chess LP 1454 / Chess LP-1454LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Chess LP-1454LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
Tracklist
- A1The Journey3:37
- A2I Don't Want Your Money2:58
- A3Hey Baby3:22
- A4Mad Man Blues2:39
- A5Bluebird2:55
- A6Worried Life Blues3:00
- B1Apologize2:57
- B2Lonely Boy Boogie3:16
- B3Please Don't Go2:26
- B4Dreamin' Blues3:02
- B5Hey Boogie2:59
- B6Just Me And My Telephone3:14
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Plays & Sings The Blues are there?
34 vinyl pressings of Plays & Sings The Blues are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1961 and 2024.
When was Plays & Sings The Blues first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US. One of them is Chess LP 1454, released March 15, 1961.
How do I tell if my copy of Plays & Sings The Blues is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LP 1454, LP-1454) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CH 10653 P.P. Sheldon and CH 10654 P.P. Sheldon. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Plays & Sings The Blues 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.
