Newk, Gigi And Some Rarely Seen Blue Notes
Here are some of the records we’re watching now on eBay, although nothing as exciting or expensive as the ones in our last two posts: Sonny Rollins, Tenor Madness, Prestige 7047. This looks to be an original New York yellow label pressing. Condition is not clear from the seller’s description, but if I were bidding I would be thinking VG+ for the record and the cover. The auction closes in four days and there is a start price of $150, but so far there are no bidders. This one also has zero bids so far: Gigi Gryce and the Jazz Lab Quintet, Riverside 229. This is an original white label pressing that looks to be in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. The start price is $250 and there are more than four days left on the auction. I’m guessing both of these records sell.
Here are a few Blue Notes you rarely see — in fact, I don’t recall ever seeing them on eBay, and I’ve looked at eBay a lot through the years, although Popsike tells me they’ve been there, I just missed them.
John Hardee, Tenor Sax, Blue Note 101. This is a 78-box with three records, and the seller describes it as Blue Note’s first multiple-record album. True? Unfortunately, the condition of the records leaves a lot to be desired (is that a new grade?), although the cover and packaging are quite cool and quite rare. Start price is around $100 and there are no bidders, yet.
Various Artists, Best From the West, Volume 1, Blue Note 5059. This is an original 10-inch Lexington Avenue pressing listed in VG+ condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. Start price is $100 and there are no bids, but it just came on to eBay and the auction doesn’t close for seven more days. If you like that one, you’ll probably like this one too: Various Artists, Best From the West, Volume 2, Blue Note 5060. This one is in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. Start price is also $100. Very tempting, but I’m guessing these will sell for quite a bit more than that start price, right?
Is the Gigi supposed to be flat edge in first pressing?
I have that jazz lab quintet. didn’t realize $250 was a good price for it. i guess i got lucky. or prices are quintupling in the last year. sheesh!
I picked up a copy of Jazz Lab a few years ago for $20. Good record. Not worth $250……but if it sells…..
The Hardee is very rare, and by very rare I don’t mean in the eBay hype sense. The music was reissued by Mosaic (when Mosaic was still in Los Angeles) along with some Quebec (also originally in an album and also very rare) on set #107 that covered small-group-swing material from the 40’s. I believe only one Hardee track ever made it to LP, and then only on a Blue Note 10″ called Mellow the Mood. A few other (five, i think) tracks were re-released on box sets in Japan and Germany in the 80s. Hardee kind of sounds like Arnett Cobb or Illinois Jacquet in tone. I believe he played with some big names as an always sideman, and spent most of his career with either Cab Calloway or Tiny Grimes. Very cool stuff. I don’t recall the West Coast material being all that good, but my memory could be off.
There were 5 total 78rpm box sets released, and I’m currently missing #104. There’s the Hardee box set #101, Ike Quebec #102, which has the same cover layout as Hardee, Art Hodes Hot Five #103, Art Hodes Hot Seven #104, and Sydney Bechet #105. The first hodes and the bechet were both reissued on 10″ with the same cover design, and I’m not sure if #104 was reissued or not.
Chris — thanks for the info. I have two of them, the Quebec and the Bechet. I’ll be on the lookout for the other three.
I think volume 2 of “Best from the West” is the better of the two volumes. Both were produced by Leonard Feather. Mellow the Mood is the first lp produced in the new
“5000” series. I have both “Mellow the Mood” and “Best from the West volume 2” in M-/M-condition. I have Mosaic sets 101, 105, 106, 107, and 108, also M-/M-, plus many others.
where’s my posting?