Vinyl pressings
by Otis Spann · 1967
The Blues Is Where It's At 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.
8 pressings came out in 1967, 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.
A̷B̷C̷S̷5̷8̷6̷A̷ Bell Sound BLS-6003-A LWSide A Stamped/Etched
A̷B̷C̷S̷5̷8̷6̷B̷ Bell Sound BLS-6003-B A̷B̷C̷-̷S̷-̷5̷8̷6̷-̷B̷ LWSide B Stamped/Etched
A̷B̷C̷S̷5̷8̷6̷A̷ Bell Sound BLS-6003-A A̷B̷C̷-̷S̷-̷5̷8̷6̷-̷A̷ LWVariant 1 Side A
A̷B̷C̷S̷5̷8̷6̷B̷ Bell Sound BLS-6003-B A̷B̷C̷-̷S̷-̷5̷8̷6̷-̷B̷ LWVariant 1 Side B
BL 6003 A ABC-586-ASide A Runout, Etched
ABC586A BellSoundSide A Runout, Stamped
LW BL 6003 B ABC-586-BSide B Runout, Etched
ABC586B BellSoundSide B Runout, Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Canada | Sparton BLS 6003 / Bluesway BLS 6003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Canada | Sparton BL-6003 / ABC Records BL-6003First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | New Zealand | Stateside SSLM 6042First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | UK | Bluesway CSD. 3609First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1967 | UK | His Master's Voice CLP 3609First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | UK | His Master's Voice CSD 3609First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Bluesway BLS-6003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Bluesway BL-6003 / ABC Records BL-6003LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Bluesway BL-6003First yearLP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono |
| 1967 | US | Bluesway BLS-6003LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1968 | France | Stateside CSSX 240.759 DLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Japan | Probe IPR-8191LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Probe IPR-8191LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | France | Bluesway 204927 / MCA Records 204927LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Charly R&B CRB 1062LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Charly R&B CRB 1062LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Germany | Crosscut Records CCR 1016LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin 0760 063 / AMIGA 8 56 566LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Bluesway BLS 6003LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Bluesway BLS-6003LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of The Blues Is Where It's At are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1967 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Bluesway BLS-6003.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLS-6003, BL-6003, CSD. 3609, CLP 3609) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A̷B̷C̷S̷5̷8̷6̷A̷ Bell Sound BLS-6003-A LW and A̷B̷C̷S̷5̷8̷6̷B̷ Bell Sound BLS-6003-B A̷B̷C̷-̷S̷-̷5̷8̷6̷-̷B̷ LW. 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.
