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Ray CharlesThe Best Of Ray Charles

Vinyl pressings

The Best Of Ray Charles

by Ray Charles · 1973

12 pressings5 countriesJazzFunk / SoulBlues

The Best Of Ray Charles was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 Best Of Ray Charles

3 pressings came out in 1973, 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

1973
Label and catalog number
Scepter Records CTN 18015
Format
LP, Compilation
Runout / matrix

CTN-10815 A PS-7052A 1A (... under1A) sfA Side

CTN-10815 B PS-7052-B 1A (... under1A) sfB Side

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 12 vinyl pressings

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

1970s7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1973AustraliaScepter Records CTN -8015First yearLP, Compilation, StereoLP, Compilation, Stereo
1973JapanScepter Records ULS-1826-SFirst yearLP, Compilation, Promo · PromoLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo
1973USScepter Records CTN 18015First yearLP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1974SpainGramusic GM 323 / Gramusic GM-323LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1974SpainGramusic GM-323LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1974SpainGramusic GM-323LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1974SpainGramusic GM-323LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1980s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1981UnknownPhoenix 10 PHX 341LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
1983USUpFront Records UPF-170LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
Year unknown3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?MexicoAriola ML-5055 / UpFront Records ML-5055LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
?SpainGramusic GM-323LP, CompilationLP, Compilation
?USUpFront Records UPF-170LP, CompilationLP, Compilation

Tracklist

  1. A1I'm Wonderin' And Wonderin'3:14
  2. A2I'm Giving Up3:02
  3. A3I Found My Baby There3:22
  4. A4Talkin 'Bout You3:05
  5. A5Sitting On Top Of The World2:19
  6. B1Going Down Slow2:45
  7. B2By Myself2:48
  8. B3Snowfall2:49
  9. B4All Night Long3:05
  10. B5Guitar Blues2:29

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Best Of Ray Charles are there?

12 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Ray Charles are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1973 and 1983.

When was The Best Of Ray Charles first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Australia, Japan. One of them is Scepter Records CTN 18015.

How do I tell if my copy of The Best Of Ray Charles is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CTN 18015, CTN -8015, ULS-1826-S) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CTN-10815 A PS-7052A 1A (... under1A) sf and CTN-10815 B PS-7052-B 1A (... under1A) sf. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Best Of Ray Charles 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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