Vinyl pressings
by John Lee Hooker · 1969
The Real Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1969, 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.
TR 2089 A Pete HelffrichRunout A side
TR 2089 B Pete HelffrichRunout B side
TR 2089-ALabel A side
TR 2089-BLabel B side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | US | Tradition Everest 2089 / Tradition Everest TR 2089First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Astor GGS-1251LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Tradition Everest 2089 / Tradition Everest STR 2089LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Bellaphon BJS 4037LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Spain | Acción AC - 40.015LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | Spain | Phonic PHL. 5509 / Phonic PHL-5.509LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | Gramusic GM-901LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Tradition Everest 2089 / Tradition Everest TR 2089LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Australia | Brylen Records BN 4401LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Apolo Records J&B-6020-LPLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1982 | US | Tradition Everest 2089 / Tradition Everest TR 2089LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Italy | Get Back Get 7521LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Gamma GA 8901 / Gamma 8901LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | Indigo Ind 9612LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
14 vinyl pressings of The Real Blues are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1969 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US. One of them is Tradition Everest 2089, released October 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2089) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TR 2089 A Pete Helffrich and TR 2089 B Pete Helffrich. 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.
