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The Blues by John Lee Hooker, album cover

Vinyl pressings

The Blues

by John Lee Hooker · 1960

25 pressings5 countriesCountry BluesBlues

The Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. 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 Blues

1 pressing came out in 1960, 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

1960
Label and catalog number
Crown Records CLP 5157Crown Records 5157
Format
LP, Compilation, Mono · Full Color High Fidelity
Runout / matrix

CLP-5157-1 △2237Side A Runout Etched

CLP-5157-2 △2238Side B Runout Etched

CLP 5157-1Side A Label Matrix

CLP 5157-2Side B Label Matrix

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 25 vinyl pressings

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

1960s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1960USCrown Records CLP 5157 / Crown Records 5157First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
1963USCrown Records CLP 5157 / Crown Records 5157LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
1970s7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1970JapanGlobe SJET-8323LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1970USUnited Records US 7725 / United/Superior US 7725LP, Compilation, Reissue, StereoLP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo
1971USKent KST 559LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
1971USKent KST 559LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1974FranceSuper Star 67302LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
1974USUnited US-7769LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
1977JapanGlobe VIP-5005M / Crown Records VIP-5005MLP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono
2010s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2010EuropeDoxy DOY638LPLP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
2014EuropeDol DOL1446LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
Year unknown14 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?FranceAmerica Records 30 AM 6078 / America Records 6078LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
?FranceAmerica Records 30 AM 6078 / America Records 6078LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
?FranceAmerica Records 30 AM 6078 / America Records 6078LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
?FranceAmerica Records 30 AM 6078 / America Records 6078LP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
?GermanyBellaphon BJS 4021LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
?USUnited US 7725LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
?USCrown Records CLP 5157LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
?USUnited/Superior UM 725LP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
?USCrown Records CLP 5157 / Crown Records 5157LP, Compilation, Mono · MonoLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono
?USUnited US-7769LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
?USUnited Records US 7725LP, Compilation, Reissue, StereoLP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo
?USCrown Records CLP 5157 / Crown Records 5157LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
?USUnited US 7725LP, Compilation, ReissueLP, Compilation, Reissue
?USUnited Records US 7725-2 / United/Superior US 7725-2LP, Album, Compilation, StereoLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo

Tracklist

  1. A1Boogie Chillen
  2. A2I'm In The Mood
  3. A3Crawling King Snake
  4. A4Queen Bee
  5. A5Hobo Blues
  6. A6Weeping Willow
  7. B1Cold Chills
  8. B2Hoogie Boogie
  9. B3Whistling And Moaning
  10. B4Sally Mae
  11. B5House Rent Boogie
  12. B6Anybody Seen My Baby

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Blues are there?

25 vinyl pressings of The Blues are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1960 and 2014.

When was The Blues first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US. One of them is Crown Records CLP 5157.

How do I tell if my copy of The Blues is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CLP 5157) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CLP-5157-1 △2237 and CLP-5157-2 △2238. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is 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.

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