A New One (to Me), and An Old One With a $5,000 Tag
It is always a great pleasure, and often a great surprise, to come upon an album that is completely new to us. After all, we’ve been collecting jazz for more than 45 years, so you’d think there would be no surprises left. Well here’s one: Joe Pass, Better Days, Gwyn Records 1001. This is a stereo pressing from 1971 and I had never seen it, never heard of it and never heard of Gwyn Records. Fortunately, there is Google, and this post from Carol Kaye, the great Los Angeles-based studio bassist who was part of the group of musicians that came to be known as The Wrecking Crew. Apparently it was Kaye herself who conceived of the album and produced it. I’ve never seen it or hear of it, although, to be fair, I am not a collector of Joe Pass records on any level. This one is listed in Ex+ condition for the record and Ex for the cover. The price is in the range of $275 with about a day and a half left on the auction as of this writing.
There’s always a lot of debate around here on the value of having reserve prices versus just starting an auction with your lowest acceptable price, or some reasonable facsimile. So here’s one that caught my eye:
Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1568. This is a sort of first press or not, depending upon your point of view. It has the West 63rd Street address, but no New York 23 on the one side. To me, it’s still a first press, but to others it’s not. Regardless, I’d love to own either version. This one is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. Here’s one of the things that caught my eye: The start price is $5,000. We’ll see what happens. So far there are no bidders with nearly five days left on the auction.
i know this record! i am a huge joe pass fan, and this is not one of my favorites, but i have heard it.
I’ve been thinking of albums like the Mobley as a variants of a first pressing. So although it may be a first it still wouldn’t command the same dollars as the rarer New York 23 variant.
Also your post reminds me that i still need to watch “The Wrecking Crew” doc I have on my DVR. 🙂
A quick review of the Mobley shows it is not Mint. Probably not NM either. The cover has some obvious edge wear and staining on the back slick. The vinyl is described as playing with background noise and as having some marks on it. Doubt this one will get that price. Unless of course, it was Bob D’s listing…..
Agreed Terry, jacket doesn’t look NM to me and with “background noise” I doubt someone drops 5 large on it, but you never know.
That Mobley cover (and description) looks a fair stretch away from NM to me, maybe an optimistic VG+.
Was thinking of bidding on “Dorothy Ashby Hip Harp with Frank Wess” Prestige Deep Groove Original, was shocked to see it go for $550 +. Seller “littlelam”. Great record not for me at anywhere near that price. I started to buy original Prestige records a few years back when I came to terms with the fact I could not afford the Blue Notes. Where to go from here…….Impulse!? I’m in Canada so $550 is around $720 to me. Ouch!
On that Mobley lp, the seller does something I don’t like. He has cropped the image of the front of the jacket so close that it cuts off the right side. If there’s some fraying or wear on that side, I’d like to see it. (or if it’s in perfect shape, that would be worth seeing too). For the asking price of $5000, I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
The Pass isn’t worth the money: it’s terrible. That said, I have a rare Japan CD of the lp if anyone wants it. Make me an offer.
Haha I really like the title and cover art work of that Joe Pass album. It’s too funny…
The Joe Pass is a popular item among sample diggers and has been for some time, hence the price. It usually runs between 50-100 in stores that know it has some loopable samples on it.
It’s a shame the LP is missing the best song “The Preacher”
For 5 Gs, that Mobley 1568 better be the NY23 variant in mint unplayed condition, coming with provenance to include an 8 x 10 photo of Mobley holding the LP, and with his signature on the photo of course.
I’m with you Mac! But your comment made me realize i don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture of any of these guys holding their LPs. That would actually be pretty cool!
He’s not holding a record but I always liked this one of Miles outside the Prestige office:
https://londonjazzcollector.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/miles-davis-prestige-records.jpg
For $5000 I’d want the complete package, you know, one with the original inner sleeve, not a 60’s inner sleeve like the one posted. It makes me wonder if the seller knows how to properly grade a record.
$338 for Blossom Dearie’s self titled on Verve?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/182145913698?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I just posted a Hank Mobley for my friend that I mentioned a few weeks back. I wish I had the $$$ to keep it myself…may be if he had a layaway plan!