Bewitched, Bothered and Befuddled
Time again to clear out some items from the Jazz Collector eBay watch list, whatever that is. Let’s start with Cliff Jordan, Cliff Craft, Blue Note 1582. This is an original pressing that was listed in Good condition for the record and Fair for the cover. The seller suggested that the buyer clean the record “multiple times” before judging the condition. OK. Also, I should mention that the seller’s rating on eBay is 97.7%. When I originally spotted this record, the start price was $1,000 and I was curious to see if it would sell. It didn’t. So the seller relisted it for $500 and it did sell. I don’t have an original copy of Cliff Craft in my collection, but I wouldn’t be interested in one of G/F condition, especially if I had to pay $500 for it. Very happy with my clean United Artists pressing, which I bought for $10 from Red Carraro sometime in the previous century.
Here’s another relister: Lou Donaldson, Lou Takes off, Blue Note 1591. This looks to be an original pressing in VG condition for the record and probably VG+ for the cover. When I first spotted this record the start price was $399 and I was pretty sure it would sell. But it didn’t, and is now back on eBay at $229.
Whilst we’re on records that didn’t sell, there is this: Jim Chapin Ensemble Featuring Phil Woods, Prestige 213. This is an original yellow label 10-inch pressing. The record is listed as EX and the cover is VG. This was up for auction at $150 and there were no bidders. It is now on eBay as a buy-it-now with a price of $224. For those of you who don’t know, Jim Chapin was a drummer and was also the father of Harry Chapin. I knew this because they were Long Islanders and my friend Danny used to do club dates with Jim Chapin. There’s a good documentary about Harry Chapin on Amazon Prime Video, if anyone is interested. I, myself, am a sucker for almost any well done music doc.
Finally, we will let CeeDee weigh in with a couple of his typically barbed, relevant and fully missives. Here’s one note I got from him:
“Check out World’s Experience Orchestra – The Beginning of a New Birth LP – Rare Spiritual on eBay.” In case you don’t want to click the link, this was an original pressing from that Carolina Soul auction. It was in VG- for the record and VG- for the condition. It sold for $2,405. Back to CeeDee: “Not only Sun Ra. This must be a hell of an LP to get that kind of bread (in that condition). Call me a cynic but . . . HELL, NOOO! Is that what happens when states legalize marijuana. Buyer frenzy, all doped up on weed!! Say it ain’t so (Mary) Jane . . .”
Here’s the other note:
“Check out MIKE SELESIA: Flavor US OG ’76 Free Jazz OG Private Vinyl LP Hear on eBay!” The record was VG+, the cover was VG and the final price was $1,005. Back to CeeDee: “Once more once: WTF???? Who? What? And . . . Why? Befuddled I am.”
Anyone else befuddled out there, for this or any other reason?
the Worlds’ Experience Orchestra album is really good and really rare. $2400 for a VG- copy is crazy, though. There’s a high quality and legitimate reissue of both Worlds’ LPs via NowAgain.
Mike Selesia is not “free jazz” in any way. It’s a private press jazz funk record that some people covet (not me), but to call it free jazz is dubious. Can’t imagine paying a collectible price for it, but…
Different strokes for different folks. I mean why do people pay thousands of dollars for certain “northern soul” 45s?
I’m with Clifford re: the World Experience Orchestra. Great music but I’m super content with the Now Again reissue.
As for paying $500 for a beat copy of that Clifford Jordan..well there’s always that fine line between condition and price. Just how bad is the vinyl and is the price in line with that condition?
I have bought a few records from the seller, who is not very experienced, as you might imagine. He claims to be clearing his father’s estate. Most of the interesting records in decent condition are gone, and he’s putting out what’s left in bundles of records in rough shape. And, then there’s the Clifford. He’s aware of the condition. But he’s also aware there’s not one copy for sale in the US on Discogs to be found.
My take is that the seller is approachable. If you want bragging rights and a placeholder copy, make him an offer.
Seriously, I have no connection to the seller; and am entirely indifferent otherwise.
As for me, I’m waiting for 3 records from him, and for a beat up copy of Criss’s “Go Man” that I probably paid too much for. So, don’t look for commonsense advice from me. 😉
i have the feeling that a couple years ago, we would discuss high ebay listings… but they where mostly M- or VG++
At the moment it is more of the VG’s and G+
great album though
Well, the Clifford is no longer listed; so, maybe a reader bought it?
Hello all
Have not been here in a while. Working away late night on the computer and was going through my records for a break and pulled out a handful of Bill Evans later workings. So listening to “Affinity” with Toots Thielemans, has not heard this for a long time but to me a beauty , maybe not to everyones taste but I think Bill shines on this. Electric Keyboards nice. You know , when it comes to Bill Evans , there is not very much he did that was not Gold.