Vinyl pressings
by Ray Charles · 1961
The Genius Sings The Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 5 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.
A11803-B AT 6 [Block-shaped S] WSide A runout, variant 1
A11804-A [Sailor's cap] AT 2 [Block-shaped S] WSide B runout, variant 1
A11803-B 5 AT 5 [Block-shaped S] 1WSide A runout, variant 2
A11804-A [Sailor's cap] AT 1 [Block-shaped S] WSide B runout, variant 2
11803Side A label
11804Side B label
AT 27 W A11803-ASide 1
AT 27 W A11804-ASide 2
AML 2072 1BRunout, side A
AML 2073 1BRunout, side B
AML.2072Label, side A
AML.2073Label, side B
AML-2072-1BSide A
AML-2073-1BSide B
A11803-A AT [block-shaped "S"] CA WSide A runout, etched/stamped
A11804-A [sailor's cap] AT [block-shaped "S"] W CASide B runout, etched/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Australia | London Records LTZ-K 15238 / London American Recordings LTZ-K 15238First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Canada | Atlantic 8052 / Atlantic AT.8052First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | New Zealand | London Records HAM-K 6197 / London Records HAM-K.6197First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | London Records LTZ-K 15238 / London American Recordings LTZ-K 15238First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Atlantic 8052First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Atlantic 8052LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1961 | US | Atlantic 8052First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1961 | US | Atlantic 8052First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | France | Atlantic 332045LP | LP |
| 1962 | France | Atlantic 332045LP | LP |
| 1962 | France | Atlantic 332045LP | LP |
| 1962 | US | Atlantic 8052LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Atlantic 8052LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Atlantic 8052LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Italy | Atlantic ATL-LP 09023 / Atlantic ATL LP 09023LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Italy | Atlantic SD 8052LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | South Africa | Atlantic 1054LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-337LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono, Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono, Limited, Numbered |
| 2012 | Spain | WaxTime 771777LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2019 | USA & Europe | Atlantic 8052 / Atlantic 0081227944469LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Unknown | DOL 88939705018LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | Italy | Atlantic SD 8052 / Atlantic 8025LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2022 | Spain | Atlantic SD 8052LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2022 | Spain | Atlantic SD 8052 / Atlantic 8052LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2024 | Europe | DOL DOL1070HZLP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | US | Atlantic 8052 / Analogue Productions APA 047-4512", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono, Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono, Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Atlantic LPAT-5011 / Fermata Produções LPAT-5011LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Europe | DOL DOL1070HBLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Italy | Atlantic 8052LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Italy | Atlantic 8052, ATL-LP 09023LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Japan | Atlantic JET - 7055 / ATL - 7013LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | London Records LTZK.15238LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 8052LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
35 vinyl pressings of The Genius Sings The Blues are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1961 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic 8052, released September 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 8052, LTZ-K 15238, HAM-K 6197) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A11803-B AT 6 [Block-shaped S] W and A11804-A [Sailor's cap] AT 2 [Block-shaped S] W. 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.
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