US
1967- Label and catalog number
- Bluesway BLS-6012
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
BLS-6012-A LW dh BLS-6012-A...Runout side A
BLS-6012-B LW dh BLS-6012-B...Runout side B
Vinyl pressings
Urban Blues
by John Lee Hooker · 1967
21 pressings8 countriesElectric BluesBlues
Urban Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. 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 Urban Blues
3 pressings came out in 1967, 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
1967- Label and catalog number
- Bluesway BL-6012
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo, Mono
- Runout / matrix
BL-6012-ASide 1
BL-6012-BSide 2
Canada
1967- Label and catalog number
- Bluesway BLS-6012Bluesway BL/S-6012
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
BLS 6012-AA side etched runout, A side label
BLS 6012-BB side etched runout, B side label
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.
1960s11 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Canada | Bluesway BLS-6012 / Bluesway BL/S-6012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Bluesway BLS-6012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Bluesway BL-6012First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | France | Stateside CSSX 240.795LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Philips 843 532 BYLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Philips 843 532 BYLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1968 | Japan | ABC Records SR 230LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Stateside SSLM 10246LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Bluesway BLS-6012 / Bluesway BL/S-6012LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Stateside SSL 10246LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Stateside SL 10246LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
1970s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | France | Stateside 2C 062 - 90.828LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1970 | France | Stateside CSSX 240.795LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1970 | US | Bluesway BLS-6012LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Bluesway BLS-6012 / Bluesway BL/S-6012LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1972 | Australia | World Record Club S/5211 / World Record Club S-5211LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
1980s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | France | Bluesway 204929 / MCA Records 204 929LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Bluesway 204929 / MCA Records 204 929LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | UK | BGO Records BGOLP122LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Stateside SOSL 10246LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Bluesway BLS-6012LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Cry Before I Go2:38
- A2Boom Boom Boom2:45
- A3Backbiters & Syndicaters2:50
- A4Mr Lucky2:52
- A5My Own Blues2:32
- A6I Can't Stand To Leave You2:30
- B1Think Twice Before You Go2:03
- B2I'm Standing In Line2:17
- B3Hot Spring Water Pt. 12:29
- B4Hot Spring Water Pt. 22:00
- B5The Motor City Is Burning2:45
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Urban Blues are there?
21 vinyl pressings of Urban Blues are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1967 and 1991.
When was Urban Blues first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, Canada. One of them is Bluesway BLS-6012.
How do I tell if my copy of Urban Blues is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLS-6012, BL-6012) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BLS-6012-A LW dh BLS-6012-A... and BLS-6012-B LW dh BLS-6012-B.... Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Urban 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.
