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The Best Of John Lee Hooker by John Lee Hooker, album cover

Vinyl pressings

The Best Of John Lee Hooker

by John Lee Hooker · 1962

21 pressings6 countriesElectric BluesChicago BluesBlues

The Best Of John Lee Hooker was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. 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 The Best Of John Lee Hooker

5 pressings came out in 1962, the album's first year, in 2 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.

US

1962
Label and catalog number
Vee Jay Records SR1049Vee Jay Records VJLP 1049
Format
LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo
Runout / matrix

62-2492 AudioMatrix 7/6/62 J AA-Side Runout Etching

62-2493 AudioMatrix 7/6/62 J AB-Side Runout Etching

62-2492A-Side Label

62-2493B-Side Label

Full details of this pressing

US

1962
Label and catalog number
Vee Jay Records SR1049Vee Jay Records VJLP 1049
Format
LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo
Runout / matrix

62-2492 AudioMatrix 7/27/62 J AA-side runout etching ["AudioMatrix" is stamped]

62-2493 AudioMatrix 7/27/62 J AB-side runout etching ["AudioMatrix" is stamped]

62-2492A-side label

62-2493B-side label

Full details of this pressing

Canada

1962
Label and catalog number
Vee Jay Records VJLP 1049Vee Jay Records LP1049
Format
LP, Compilation, Mono
Runout / matrix

62-2492 AudioMatrix J ASide A runout

62-2493 AudioMatrix J ASide B runout

62-2492Side A label

62-2493Side B label

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 21 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1960s9 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1962CanadaVee Jay Records VJLP 1049 (C)First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
1962CanadaVee Jay Records VJLP 1049 / Vee Jay Records LP1049First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
1962USVee Jay Records VJLP 1049First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
1962USVee Jay Records SR1049 / Vee Jay Records VJLP 1049First yearLP, Album, Compilation, StereoLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo
1962USVee Jay Records SR1049 / Vee Jay Records VJLP 1049First yearLP, Album, Compilation, StereoLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo
1964USVee Jay Records SR 1049 / Vee Jay Records VJLP 1049LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo
1969UKJoy Records JOYS 156LP, Stereo, CompilationLP, Stereo, Compilation
1969USBuddah Records BDS 4002LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
1969USBuddah Records BDS 4002LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
1970s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1974USVee Jay Records VJS 1049 / Vee Jay Records SR1049LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo
1980s5 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1986USVee Jay Records SR 1049 / Vee Jay Records VJLP 1049LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo
1986USVee Jay Records VJLP 1049LP, Album, Compilation, StereoLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo
1986USVee Jay Records VJLP 1049LP, Album, Compilation, StereoLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo
1987JapanVee Jay Records 20YB-2053LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · PromoLP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo
1987JapanVee Jay Records 20YB-2053LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono
2000s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2004ItalyGet Back GET7524LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
Year unknown5 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?FranceVee Jay Records VJS 1049LP, Compilation, Reissue, StereoLP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo
?USBuddah Records BDS 4002LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
?USVee Jay Records SR1049 / Vee Jay Records VJLP 1049LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo
?USVee Jay Records VJLP 1049 / Vee Jay Records SR 1049LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo
?USBuddah Records BDS 4002LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo

Tracklist

  1. A1Dimples2:08
  2. A2Boogie Chillun2:29
  3. A3Little Wheel2:33
  4. A4Crawlin' King Snake2:34
  5. A5No Shoes2:24
  6. A6Tupelo3:20
  7. B1Drug Store Woman2:43
  8. B2Boom Boom2:33
  9. B3Hobo Blues2:50
  10. B4I'm In The Mood2:39
  11. B5Whiskey And Wimmen2:43
  12. B6Dusty Road2:11

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Best Of John Lee Hooker are there?

21 vinyl pressings of The Best Of John Lee Hooker are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1962 and 2004.

When was The Best Of John Lee Hooker first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, Canada. One of them is Vee Jay Records VJLP 1049.

How do I tell if my copy of The Best Of John Lee Hooker is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VJLP 1049, SR1049, VJLP 1049 (C)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Best Of John Lee Hooker 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.

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