Guys and Dolls and Jazz Vinyl
Feb 14, 2012 Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Price Guide, Verve
Sorry I haven’t posted for a few days, but, judging by the comments, you guys seemed to do pretty well without me. In any case, I return with some items I’ve been watching on eBay, starting with some jazz vinyl that seems to indicate the clear split in the market between the super-collectibles, i.e., original Blue Notes et al, and the many other records that were collectible at one time but seem to have lost some of their market/cachet. Starting with Eddie Costa, Guys and Dolls Like Vibes, Coral 57230. This was an original pressing, in VG++ condition for the record and probably about VG+ for the cover. We’ve covered this in the past for the Jazz Collector Price Guide and it has sold for as much as $136. The seller did not do himself any favors by failing to mention in his listing that the pianist on this date was Bill Evans. It’s also a terrific record. There was one bidder who got this record for $30. From the same seller was Johnny Hodges and Duke Ellington, Back to Back, Verve 8317. This was an original pressing with the trumpeter label in M- condition for the vinyl and probably the same for the cover. Again, there was one bidder and a price of $30. Is there so little interest in Hodges and Ellington these days? One more, also Guys and Dolls by the Manhattan Jazz All-Stars, Columbia 8223. This was an original stereo pressing inVG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It is also a nice album, was somewhat collectible at one time, and features Zoot Sims, Phil Woods, Dave McKenna and others. This one didn’t get a single bid at $20.
Tags: Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Eddie Costa, Guys and Dolls, Jazz Vinyl, Johnny Hodges
A Couple for The $1,000 Bin, And one for the $66 Bin
Jan 17, 2012 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Norgran
There were a bunch of interesting jazz vinyl auctions that closed last night, to wit: Red Rodney, Signal S 1206. This looked like an original pressing in perhaps VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover? The seller uses a wide variety of grades that don’t necessarily correspond to the grading language we typically use, so it’s up for interpretation. Hopefully the buyer will be pleased. This one sold for a whopping $1,825.55.
Her’s one for the $2,000 bin: Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. This was an original pressing that looked to be in M- or VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $2,111. There was another copy of this record that we mentioned the other day, Blue Note 1590, that was in just VG- condition for the record and cover. We wondered about the eventual price for a record that may not be all that playable. The price was $237.65
How the market has changed through the years: Johnny Hodges, Castle Rock, Norgran 1048. This was an original yellow label pressing. It was in VG+ condition for both the record and the vinyl. It sold for $66. When I started collecting jazz, there seemed to be much more interest from collectors in the original Norgrans. A different era, I guess — but also an opportunity to pick up some of these very nice records at reasonable prices.
Tags: Jazz Vinyl, Johnny Hodges, Lee Morgan, Red Rodney, Signal Records
Jazz Vinyl Price Update: No Blue Notes, But Nice LPs
Dec 30, 2010 Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran, RCA
I’m spending some time this weekend updating the Jazz Collector Price Guide after a brief hiatus and, in going through the updates, I’ll be putting in a few records that are a bit more obscure, either by artist or label, than the normal batch of Blue Notes and Prestiges. Here are a few worth pondering:
Don Sleet, All Members, Jazzland 45. This was an original orange label mono pressing. The record looked to be VG++ and the cover was listed as VG. The price was $94.
Mike Cuozzo with the Costa-Burke Trio, Jubilee 1027. This was an original pressing and the value is certainly aided by the presence of Eddie Costa. It was only in VG condition for the record and the cover and still sold for $108.50.
Bill Perkins, Just Friends, Pacific Jazz 401. This was an original pressing sold by the Jazz Record Center. It was in excellent condition — the words “immaculate” and “exceptional” were used in the description. It also benefitted from the presence of strong sidemen, in this case Art Pepper and Richie Kamuca. The price was $330.55.
Tags: Bill Perkins, Bobby Jaspar, Don Sleet, Eddie Costa, Jazzland Records, Johnny Hodges, Jubilee Records, Mike Cuozzo, Pacific Jazz Records, Rene Thomas
Catching Up: Norgran, Clef, Verve
Mar 2, 2010 Clef, Norgran, Verve
Playing some more catchup on the Jazz Collector Price Guide:
This one sold for quite a tidy sum a few weeks back, particularly for a Verve: Ben Webster Soulville, Verve 8274. This was an original pressing in M- condition. This one has a David Stone Martin cover. I’d normally expect this to sell for maybe $100 in this condition. This one sold for $463.99. Here’s a nice Norgran: Lester Young, Jazz Giants ’56, Norgran 1056. This was a original yellow label pressing with the heavy vinyl. The record was in M- condition and the cover was VG++. The price was $105.15. And another nice Norgran:
Tags: Ben Webster, Flip Phillips, Johnny Hodges, Lester Young
Nice Norgrans at High (But Not Blue Note) Prices
Jun 2, 2009 Album Covers, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran
We’ve been watching a few records on the Norgran label on eBay and we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the continued strong market. Here are a couple of the records we’ve been watching:
Johnny Hodges, Dance Bash, Norgran 1024. This was an original pressing in M- condition, both record and cover. It has a beautiful cover illustration by David Stone Martin. The price was $274. This is one of those Norgrans that, instead of the trumpeter logo, has the logo of the couple dancing, also designed by David Stone Martin. I’ll post a copy in a later posting. I still owe Rudolf a post on the David Stone Martin book, which I will also get to later.
Stan Getz, Interpretations Volume 3, Norgran 1029. This was also an original pressing (with the trumpeter logo) and also has a cover designed by David Stone Martin. This copy was in M- condition, both record and cover, and sold for $274.
Then there was this item from Ben Webster:
Tags: Ben Webster, David Stone Martin, Johnny Hodges, Stan Getz
Price Updates: Thad, Clifford, Bird, Evans
Mar 1, 2009 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Clef, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran, Price Guide, Riverside
Here are a few more for the Price Guide:
Chet Baker and Art Pepper, Playboys, World Pacific 1234. This was an original pressing. The record was M- and the cover was VG++. The price was $318.
The Magnificent Thad Jones, Blue Note 1527. This was a Lexington Avenue pressing in VG++ condition, record and cover. Price: $565.
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers at the Bohemia Volume 2, Blue Note 1508. This was also a Lexington Avenue pressing in VG++ condition. Price: $162.50
Tommy Flanagan, The Cats, New Jazz 8217. This was an original purple label pressing
Tags: Art Blakey, Art Pepper, Barney Wilen, Bill Evans, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker, Clef Records, Clifford Brown, Emarcy Records, Guide Du Jazz, Hank Mobley, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Johnny Hodges, Lou Donaldson, New Jazz Records, Thad Jones, Tommy Flanagan, Toshiko Akiyoshi, World Pacific Records
For the Price Guide: Blakey, Jackie, Jug & More
Feb 23, 2009 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran, Prestige, Price Guide, Verve
Here are a few recent items we’ll be adding to the Jazz Collector Price Guide:
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers at the Cafe Bohemia, Volume 1, Blue Note 1507. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing in VG++ condition, both record and cover. The price was $202.50. Also, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers at the Cafe Bohemia, Volume 2, Blue Note 1508. This was also an original Lexington Avenue pressing. This one was in M- condition, both record and cover. It sold for $416.
John Coltrane and Hank Mobley, Two Tenors, Prestige 7043. This is a second pressing
Tags: Argo Records, Art Blakey, Gene Ammons, Hank Mobley, Jackie McLean, Jazz Collector Price Guide, John Coltrane, Johnny Hodges, Yusef Lateef
Price Updates: Blue Train, Bud, Miles and More
Feb 20, 2009 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran, Prestige, Price Guide
Here are some items we’ll be adding to the Jazz Collector Price Guide over the weekend. If you haven’t checked out the Price Guide lately, it’s time to come back. We’ve added a new feature, where you can browse all of the records on one screen and sort it either by artist, label or price. It’s a lot of fun just to go through the lists and compare and contrast. It’s also very helpful when buying or selling items on eBay. Anyway, speaking of eBay, here are some recent sales:
John Coltrane, Blue Train, Blue Note 1577. This was an original pressing in M- condition. The price was $710.
The Amazing Bud Powell, Blue Note 5003. This was an original 10-inch LP in M- condition, both record and cover. The price was $380.
Miles Davis, Miles, Prestige 7014. This was an original New York pressing. The record
Tags: Bethlehem Records, Bud Powell, Charlie Mariano, Eric Dolphy, Fats Navarro, George Wallington, Hal McKusich, Jazz Collector Price Guide, John Coltrane, Johnny Hodges, Miles Davis, New Jazz Records, Progressive Records, Sonny Rollins
Today on eBay, Feb. 2, 2009
Feb 2, 2009 10-Inch LPs, Album Covers, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran, Prestige, RCA
Here are some of the items we at Jazz Collector are watching on eBay today:
The previously mentioned Euclid Records has a few nice items up today, including Charlie Mariano Sextet, Fantasy 3-10. This is a 10-inch LP in M- condition. The current price is $76.
Here’s another one for the $1,000 record bin, or perhaps even the $2,000 bin: Thelonious Monk, Prestige 7053. This is the one with the cover design by Andy Warhol. The record is only in VG condition and the cover is VG+, yet the price is already at $1,775. The same seller has another Warhol cover: Artie Shaw, Both Feet in the Groove, RCA 1201. This is an original pressing and it looks to be in at least VG+ condition. The current price is $71.
Finally, here’s a pretty Norgran currently in the $50 price range: Johnny Hodges, Ellingtonia ’56, Norgran 1055. This one is in what looks like VG++/VG+ condition.
Tags: Andy Warhol, Artie Shaw, Charlie Mariano, Euclid Records, Fantasy Records, Johnny Hodges, Thelonious Monk
Something to Complain About?
Oct 24, 2008 Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Verve
Here’s a pet peeve of ours at Jazz Collector. Look at this eBay listing: Johnny Hodges, Duke’s In Bed, Verve 8203. Now anyone can see that this is not an original pressing — which would have the trumpeter logo — but is a later MGM pressing. Yet the dealer states with dogmatic certainty: “This is the absolute 1957 original pressing.” And, for emphasis, he states it in all capital letters. What bothers us is that the dealer either doesn’t know what he’s talking about, so he shouldn’t put it out there, or he’s deliberately misleading potential customers, who, really, should know better before bidding. This record is now at $31, which is not ridiculous, but is generally more than an MGM pressing would sell for. Anyway, we’ll put it out there and see if we can get some responses: What are some of the things that bother you these days? And we’ll make one other point: If you have any questions about whether something is an original pressing, come to Jazzcollector.com. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll try to find someone who does.
Tags: Johnny Hodges
Goodbye, Elvin Jones
May 19, 2004 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Clef, Impulse, Jazz Memoirs, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
I was poring through eBay this morning, preparing today’s update, when my wife came into my office. “Did you see The Times?” she asked. “There’s an article that Coltrane’s drummer died.”
It’s not surprising that The Times would refer to Elvin Jones as “Coltrane’s drummer.” That’s the way many of us came to find his music, on those great Atlantic and Impulse LPs of the early and mid 1960s. Jones’s contributions to Trane’s seminal quartet did more to influence the music than anything he might have accomplished before or since. Jones, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison – they all must have known at the time that Trane was taking them on explorations that were redefining the music.
I turned to my record collection and searched for my favorite Elvin moments from that era. Two albums caught my eye: Africa/Brass, Impulse 6, about which, ironically, I wrote last week; and Coltrane Live at Birdland, Impulse 50. The live LP, particularly the track “Afro-Blue,” exemplifies the way in which Jones drove the quartet to places no other drummer of the era could have taken them. Here’s an excerpt from the original liner notes to this 1963 LP, courtesy of LeRoi Jones:
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Bob Brookmeyer, Bud Powell, Elvin Jones, Gil Melle, John Coltrane, Johnny Hodges, Kenny Dorham, Louis Smith, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis
