Jazz Vinyl Today: A Bevy of Blue Notes
Lots of Blue Notes on today’s watch list, starting with: Cliff Jordan, Cliff Craft, Blue Note 1582. This was an original pressing that was listed in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $1,370. We’ve seen this one sell for more than $1,300 in the Jazz Collector Price Guide, but this is quite a hefty price nonetheless.
Kenny Drew Undercurrent, Blue Note 4059. This one had the West 63rd Street address and, from the looks of the pictures, it had deep grooves on both sides, certainly on Side 2. That would make it original either way, no? This was described as being in VG condition, and the cover certainly looked no better than VG. It sold for $427.
Gigi Gryce/Clifford Brown Sextet, Blue Note 5048. This was an original 10-inch LP that was defined as being in “very fine” condition, which, the seller implies, is actually M- condition. The pictures certainly looked very fine indeed, if not M-. It sold for $372. 10.
If it’s a Blue Note, and it’s one of the coveted artists, the record or cover does not have to be in great condition to fetch a high price. Case in point:
Kenny Dorham, Round Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia, Blue Note 1524. This one was described as being in VG- condition for the record, with seam wear and a partial seam split on the cover. It sold for $271.03.
That Clifford Jordan: “no plastic sleeve or inner paper sleeve.” As Public Enemy once opined, “Can’t Truss’ It.” I often wonder how closely the buyers ostensibly paying these high prices actually read the descriptions…
About 4059: after reading Fred Cohen’s comment as quoted in Dottore’s Blue Note Illustrated, I can only say that the original 4059 has either no deep groove or the deep groove on side 2 only.
The same copy of 1524 sold for $1,137 last month graded at vg++/m-. This time it was relisted at vg- and I figured I would take a gamble at 266 but did not win. Kind of glad though, how could you misgrade a vg- close to near mint?
Re Clifford Jordon Cliff Craft lp, a musician friend gave me his records some years back and this was in there. Not mint or near that of course, well played, but what a fantastic record.
cliff jordan is GREAT. I like his Cliff Jordan BN 1565 also a lot, especially “not guilty”
His later work with Art Farmer is also verry good (Phd., something to live for, great albums from the eighties)
I discovered Clifford Jordan way back with John Jenkins and Bobby Timmons on the New Jazz LP with the nice cover art of Esmond Edwards. His is a laid-back round sound which easily appeals to Rollins fans (which I am). But he’s got something going which is typically Cliffordian and which places him in the league of talented players bound to stay just under the top league (Rollins, Trane, Getz, Konitz, Bird).
My favorite Clifford Jordan? “Glass Bead Games” on Strata-East…
My favorite Clifford Jordan is These Are My Roots – Plays Leadbelly, on Atlantic, an overlooked masterpiece.
I haven’t heard much from Cliff Jordan post 1970, but I understand he had plenty of interesting albums out. I’ve been meaning to check some out, anyone suggest a good place to start? I have Mal Waldron’s “What it is” and Andrew Hill’s “Shades”, both of which I enjoy.
clifford jordan…
great albums: with art farmer: PHD and Blame it on my Youth
and this video is GENIUS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTRrE6nGeRQ&feature=related
Listening now to BN 4059, Kenny Drew Undercurrent…this is just a fabulous session. Joining Kenny is Hank Mobley, Freddie Hubbard, Sam Jones and Louis Hayes. Can’t believe it took me this long to find this great session….
In keeping with Al’s post, will put on Cliff Jordan BN 1582 next…
thanks Maarten for this fantastic link to Mingus and Dolphy. Cliff was seen, but rarely heard, in a rather tertiary role, like the trumpeter. Who was it, Johnny Coles?
Maarten’s clip is part of an entire video (two hours long!!) of Mingus live in Europe. It can be viewed HERE, an absolute must watch! We see Eric Dolphy, Clifford Jordan, Jaki Byard, Danny Richmond and of course Charles Mingus. Enjoy, folks 😉
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that “Little” Johnny Coles is also in the line-up!!
GREATSKY Matty!!
Mattyman: this is worth more than a statue. Apparently recorded in Belgium, this is a milestone in modern music, never to be equalled.
Indeed, I watched it a while ago and remembered it when I saw the clip that Maarten linked to. This video, especially the last bit, seems to contain unedited material, ’cause we can actually see and hear how Mingus calls the shots, tells who solos when; stuff that I guess for broadcast or something would be edited out. I sometimes open the video and press play at work. Not to watch, but just to have their great music playing in the background. Saw that part where Mingus’ bass slides from under his hands? Great footage! 😉