US
May 1958- Label and catalog number
- Atlantic 1281
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
- Runout / matrix
11517 AT ESide A runout, variant 1
11518B AT ESide B runout, variant 1
11517 AT DSide A runout, variant 2
11518B AT DSide B runout, variant 2
Vinyl pressings
LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith
by LaVern Baker · 1958
23 pressings11 countriesRhythm & BluesJazzBlues
LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. 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 LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith
4 pressings came out in 1958, the album's first year, in 3 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
November 1958- Label and catalog number
- Atlantic SD 1281
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
UK
1958- Label and catalog number
- London Records LTZ-K15139
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
Australia
1958- Label and catalog number
- London Records HAA 7514
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 23 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Australia | London Records HAA 7514First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | UK | London Records LTZ-K15139First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | US | Atlantic 1281First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | US | Atlantic SD 1281First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
1960s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | France | Atlantic 332012LP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Spain | Belter 12.057LP | LP |
| 1966 | US | Atlantic 1281LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Italy | Atlantic ATL-LP 09038 / Atlantic 1281LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
1970s8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Japan | Atlantic P-6073A / Atlantic SD 1281LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | Canada | Atlantic SD 1281LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Atlantic ATL 50 241 / Atlantic ATL 50241LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 241LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 241LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | Italy | Atlantic ATL 50 241LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | Spain | Atlantic HATS 421-224LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Argentina | Atlantic 50-16.014LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
1980s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | US | Atlantic 90980-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
2010s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Del Ray Records DR10006LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2018 | Germany | Atlantic SD 1281 / Speakers Corner Records Atlantic SD 1281LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2018 | Europe | Atlantic 1281 / Atlantic SD 1281LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Atlantic SD 1281LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Atlantic ATL-LP 09038 / Atlantic 1281LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 1281LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Gimme A Pigfoot3:08
- A2Baby Doll3:37
- A3On Revival Day3:14
- A4Money Blues2:52
- A5I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle3:56
- A6Backwater Blues4:39
- B1Empty Bed Blues4:52
- B2There'll Be A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight2:42
- B3Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out3:56
- B4After You've Gone3:09
- B5Young Woman's Blues2:51
- B6Preaching The Blues2:50
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith are there?
23 vinyl pressings of LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1958 and 2018.
When was LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in US, UK, Australia. One of them is Atlantic 1281, released May 1958.
How do I tell if my copy of LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1281, SD 1281, LTZ-K15139, HAA 7514) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 11517 AT E and 11518B AT E. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith 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.