Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Winter · 1969
About 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.
4 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
º JLS 9-3008 A-1C 1 T A1A Side Stamped exc T etch
º JLS 9-3008B -1C 1 T A1B Side Stamped exc T etch
JLS 9 3008 AA Side Label
JLS 9 3008 BB Side Label
JLS 9-3008 A-1E I S A6Side A Runout
JLS 9-3008B -1F I S B7Side B Runout
JLS 9 3008 ASide A Label
JLS 9 3008 BSide B Label
o JLS 9-3008 A-1A P A3Side A Runout
o JLS 9-3008B - 1A P A3Side B Runout
JLS 9 3008 ASide A Label
JLS 9 3008 BSide B Label
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 | New Zealand | Janus Records JLS 3008First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | US | Janus Records JLS 3008 / Janus Records JLS-3008First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | US | Janus Records JLS 3008 / Janus Records JLS-3008First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | US | Janus Records JLS 3008 / Janus Records JLS-3008First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Janus Records JLS-3008LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | France | Stateside 2 C 062.92035 / Stateside 2C 062 - 92.035LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Italy | Ricordi International SLIR-JA 22.054LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | Janus Records YS-2384-JNLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Janus Records JALP 072LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Germany | Bellaphon BLPS 19031 / Janus Records BLPS 19031LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Janus Records JLS-3008 / Janus Records JLS 3008LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Bellaphon BLPS 19031 / Janus Records BLPS 19031LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Bellaphon BI 15136LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | GRT VIP-6348 / GRT GRT-6001LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1976 | Japan | GRT VIP-6348LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Janus Records JLS 3008LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Spain | Puzzle MPL-106LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Netherlands | Universe Productions SP 9LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | UK | Showcase SHLP 132LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | UK | Showcase SHLP 132LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Spain | PDI C-30.1381LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Europe | Success 2158LPLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Europe | Replay RPLP7038LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Janus Records JLS 3008 RLP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Janus Records JLS 3008LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Netherlands | Janus Records 5C 038-61700 / Janus Records 5N 038-61700LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Janus Records 5C 038-61700LP, Compilation, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Netherlands | Janus Records 5C 038-61700 / Janus Records 1A 038-61700LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
28 vinyl pressings of About Blues are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1969 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, New Zealand. One of them is Janus Records JLS 3008.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JLS 3008) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, º JLS 9-3008 A-1C 1 T A1 and º JLS 9-3008B -1C 1 T A1. 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.
