US
February 1963- Label and catalog number
- Mercury SR 60724
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Richmond Pressing
- Runout / matrix
SR 60724-A M1 A |R I FFSide A runout
SR 60724-B M1 R I FFSide B runout
Josh WhiteThe Beginning
Vinyl pressings
The Beginning
by Josh White · 1963
11 pressings4 countriesCountry BluesBluesFolkWorld
The Beginning was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. 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 Beginning
10 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 4 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
1963- Label and catalog number
- Mercury MG 20724
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Mono
US
1963- Label and catalog number
- Mercury MG 20724
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Mono
- Runout / matrix
MG 20724A M1 [FF monogram] A RIRunout Side A, stamped [except FF, A & RI are etched]
MG 20724B M1 [FF monogram] A IIRunout Side B, stamped [except FF, A & II are etched]
US
1963- Label and catalog number
- Mercury SR-60724Mercury SR60724
- Format
- LP, Stereo, Promo, Compilation
US
1963- Label and catalog number
- Mercury MG-20724
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Promo, Mono
UK
1963- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 20039 MCL
- Format
- LP, Compilation, Mono
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 11 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Netherlands | Mercury MCL 125 301First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Netherlands | Mercury 125 301 MCLFirst yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Netherlands | Mercury 135 301 MCYFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1963 | New Zealand | Mercury MG 20724First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | Mercury 20039 MCLFirst yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Mercury MG 20724First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Mercury SR-60724 / Mercury SR60724First yearLP, Stereo, Promo, Compilation · Promo | LP, Stereo, Promo, Compilation · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Mercury MG 20724First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Mercury MG-20724First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Compilation, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1963 | US | Mercury SR 60724First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
1970s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Netherlands | Mercury 134 566 MFYLP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1In The Evening3:07
- A2Key To The Kingdom3:25
- A3Howlin' Wolf4:32
- A4Job: 193:19
- A5Hoe Boys Can't You Line 'Em2:36
- B1Evil Hearted Man3:35
- B2My Father Is A Husband Man2:19
- B3Blues Come From Texas4:15
- B4Sit Down Servant2:32
- B5'Lijah4:45
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Beginning are there?
11 vinyl pressings of The Beginning are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1963 and 1970.
When was The Beginning first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Netherlands, New Zealand. One of them is Mercury SR 60724, released February 1963.
How do I tell if my copy of The Beginning is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SR 60724, MG 20724, SR-60724, MG-20724) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SR 60724-A M1 A |R I FF and SR 60724-B M1 R I FF. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Beginning 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.
