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LeadbellyThe Midnight Special

Vinyl pressings

The Midnight Special

by Leadbelly · 1964

15 pressings7 countriesCountry BluesFolkBluesFolk

The Midnight Special was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. 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 Midnight Special

7 pressings came out in 1964, 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

1964
Label and catalog number
RCA Victor LPV-505
Format
LP · Indianapolis Pressing
Runout / matrix

RPRM - 3891 - - 1 S I A1Side A, Stamped

RPRM - 3892 - - 2 S A1 ISide B, Stamped

Full details of this pressing

Germany

1964
Label and catalog number
RCA Victor LPM-505
Format
LP, Compilation
Runout / matrix

LP-RPRM-3891-X Manufactured in Germany S-I-H HSide A, stamped/ etched

LP-RPRM-3892-X U B Manufactured in Germany S-I-H HSide B stamped/ etched

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 15 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1960s11 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1964CanadaRCA Victor LPV-505First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1964GermanyRCA Victor LPM-505First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1964New ZealandRCA Victor LPV-505First yearLPLP
1964New ZealandRCA Victor LPV-505First yearLPLP
1964USRCA Victor LPV-505First yearLPLP
1964USRCA Victor LPV-505First yearLPLP
1964USRCA Victor LPV-505First yearLPLP
1965JapanVictor VRA-5003LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1969AustraliaRCA Victor LPV 505LP, Mono, Repress · MonoLP, Mono, Repress · Mono
1969FranceRCA Victor LPV 505LP, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Reissue, Mono · Mono
1969USRCA Victor LPV-505LP, ReissueLP, Reissue
1980s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980AustraliaWorld Record Club R-08011LP, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club editionLP, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition
Year unknown3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?AustraliaRCA Victor LPV-505LP, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Reissue, Mono · Mono
?AustraliaRCA LPV-505LP, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Reissue, Mono · Mono
?AustraliaRCA Victor LPV-505LP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono

Tracklist

  1. A1Easy Rider
  2. A2Good Morning Blues
  3. A3Pick A Bale Of Cotton
  4. A4Sail On, Little Girl
  5. A5New York City
  6. A6Rock Island Line
  7. A7Roberta
  8. A8Gray Goose
  9. B1The Midnight Special
  10. B2Alberta
  11. B3You Can't Lose-a Me
  12. B4T.B. Blues
  13. B5Red Cross Store Blues
  14. B6Whoa Back Buck
  15. B7Don't You Love Your Daddy No More?
  16. B8I'm On My Last Go-round

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Midnight Special are there?

15 vinyl pressings of The Midnight Special are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1964 and 1980.

When was The Midnight Special first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, Canada, Germany, New Zealand. One of them is RCA Victor LPV-505, released August 1964.

How do I tell if my copy of The Midnight Special is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPV-505, LPM-505) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Midnight Special 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.

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