Back At Our Post, Watching, Lamenting and Celebrating Jazz Vinyl
I don’t know what to say about my extended gap(s) between posts, so I will just apologize and hope to do better. I have somewhat of an excuse for the latest gap, sort of, in that part of that time has been in pursuit of a small record collection that has resulted in success, sort of, in that I am in possession of the records. Whether I want to be is another story, and what I will do with the records is also another story, and, sorry to do this to you, but I am not in a position to tell any of the stories yet, because we are still in progress. But all the stories bill be told in time, when they are complete. In the meantime, let’s get back to basic business, i.e,. looking at records on eBay.
Here’s a nice 10-inch Blue Note that caught my eye: Introducing the Kenny Drew Trio, Blue Note 5023. This is an original 10-inch Lexington Avenue pressing, in what looks to be M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. The bidding is at $250 with more than three days left on the auction. The record is from the Jazz Record Center, so, naturally, I clicked over to their other listings, and these are some of the items I saw:
Paul Gonsalves Quartet. Boom-Jackie-Boom-Chick, Vocalion LAE 587. This is listed as an original deep-groove British issue and it is listed in M- condition and probably VG++ for the cover. This must be quite the rarity because the start price is $1,000. So far there are no bidders.
Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This is described as a second “P” pressing, with the West 63rd Street labels on both sides. If I remember my Blue Note lessons, the original of this record as the New York 23 label on one side? Yes? No? This one looks to be in M- condition to me, based on the description, though some might quibble and go to VG++. Either way, it looks to play clean. Cover is also in that M-/VG++ continuum. The start price is $500 and so far there are no bidders.
The Gonsalves on Vocalion is probably not so rare as commonly assumed. But music-wise it is an absolute topper. Many so called holy grails fetch as much, or more, but are not of the same intense quality. I never heard and felt a European rhythm section swing that much.
If i recall correctly the Gonsalves was pressed out of contract and only about 500 were made, hence the rarity. I don’t recall where I read that, but I believe it was on the back of my reissue. I agreee with Rudolf: “absolute topper.”
I have it on good authority that the small collection just acquired, (albeit somewhat reluctantly somehow?!??) is MAGNIFICENT, diverse, well-considered, lovingly kept for the most part, and well-missed!
It couldn’t have gotten into more capable hands, and Ornette, my mother, and myself avidly look forward to where it will land into the future!
Lucky to count you among friends, Al !
David J: this is precious information, thank you. My vague recollection is that I saw the record quite often in the specialized London record shops. But then again, how many of those shops were in business at the time? Ten at the maximum I would guess.
With Vocalion being a UK label, it’d make sense a fair bit of copies of the Gonsalves would have made their way to London, even if only 500 were pressed … Personally I’ve only seen it in person once at a record fair, with a pretty hefty price tag. Haven’t actually heard it though, will have to remedy that.
As for the JRC’s Sonny’s Crib, it has INC and R both sides, hard to say what that makes it, third maybe? There’s a New York 23 both sides which is generally held to be the first, I myself have a 47 West without the 23 and without INC and R … but I’ve also seen INC and R one side only, and New York 23 one side only. All I know is that one with New York labels has never surfaced (though 47 West without ear does exist).
This prompted me to look at my copy of Sonnys Crib and it has NEw York 23 on both sides . Also ear and RVG, no INC or R. So verdict? First pressing.
A little background ..this is one of numerous Deep groove Blue Notes and other primo jazz I bought from a fellow who had moved back to town for a few months to sell off his late brothers massive collection of LPs, 45s, TV guides and other things. Bought at least 200 or more records from him over a period of threeor four weeks. It’s a blur now but I’m trying to write a story to submit here. It was pretty amazing….