Vinyl pressings
by Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee · 1972
Back To New Orleans was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
F 24708-A I H̶Runout Side A, etched [except I & H̶ are stamped]
F 24708-B I H̶Runout Side B, etched [except I & H̶ are stamped]
F 24708-C-1 - I Λ 1Runout Side C, etched [except - I Λ 1 are stamped]
F 24708-D-1 - I Λ 1Runout Side D, etched [except - I Λ 1 are stamped]
F 24708A 4 ︵..︵ 1 Λ IRunout Side A
F 24708-B-2-AI RIRunout Side B
F 24708-C-2 ︵..︵ 1 ΛI ASFRunout Side C
F 24708-D-1 - I : ΛIRunout Side D
4 SMX 42217 2Arunout Side 1
6 SMX 42218 2Arunout Side 2
6 SMX 42219 2Arunout Side 3
7 SMX 42220 2Arunout Side 4
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Fantasy L 45353, L 45354 / Fantasy FYL431, FYL432First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | France | Fantasy 6027First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Fantasy 24708 / Fantasy F 24708First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Fantasy 24708 / Fantasy F-24708First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Fantasy 24708 / Fantasy F 24708First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Fantasy 24708LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Fantasy 24708 / Fantasy F-24708LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Fantasy 24708LP, Reissue, LP, Reissue, All Media, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Reissue, LP, Reissue, All Media, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Fantasy 24708LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Fantasy 24708LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Fantasy 24708 / Fantasy F-24708LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Fantasy 24708LP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
12 vinyl pressings of Back To New Orleans are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Australia, France. One of them is Fantasy 24708.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 24708, L 45353, L 45354, 6027) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F 24708-A I H̶ and F 24708-B I H̶. 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.
