Comments on: Back in the Vinyl Saddle Again

By: Andy B

Andy B — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 15:42:36 +0000

Cool Struttin’ is an amazing record. I can’t understand, though, how anyone could pay $2000 for this album when Music Matters Ltd. re-issued this, remastered from the original tapes in stereo on 180 gram. I have no ties to Music Matters, just really love the reissues they have been putting out.

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 04:35:37 +0000

Also, it’s quite amazing that Cohen’s book seems to be right on the money time and time again, and that it appears to be 100% accurate. I can’t begin to imagine how many of these records he’s come into contact with to have this much information as accurate as it is.

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 04:33:29 +0000

Caroline, fantastic job with your research! I have never heard of this particular case before, and I would have missed it…good job dotting all your i’s and crossing all your t’s.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 03:37:38 +0000

Rich/Mike/others: When I emailed the seller, they were already clearly aware of the variances of early Blue Note framed vs. unframed LP jackets and ‘first original’ vs. just ‘original’ definitions. The seller clearly stated to me that this LP jacket is definitely not a framed front. They also do not say in their eBay advert that it is a ‘first original’ – only that it is an ‘original mono’ pressing. So I think the seller has been crystal clear, both in the nomenclature of their eBay ad and their email to me regarding precisely what this LP jacket is, and is not. But everyone is right – the tape just **ruins** it – Rich, I meant to type that I would have purchased it if it had been a true ‘first original’ as notated by Cohen – and there was no stupid tape. So sad. 🙁

By: Jim R

Jim R — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 03:18:40 +0000

@Rich – I agree that it’s highly likely that the vinyl would be indistinguishable between the frame cover and the first non frame jacket that was probably supplied only a few months later. Ah…the nuances of Blue Note collecting :-).

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 03:07:57 +0000

Caroline: You would have *purchased* the album? Them’s fightin’ words! You’re that sure you would have had the high bid? We’re not worthy…

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 03:05:55 +0000

Sorry about that: I meant that while 1530 was originally released in February 1957, the first non-frame jackets appear to have been released in May of that year.

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 03:03:05 +0000

Mike: I think the idea is that the ‘frame’ only applies to the front of the jacket. All the LPs from this era appear to have the same type of ‘frame’ you see on the back of the Hipp album in that photo.

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 02:58:57 +0000

How about that, Jim. I’m doing some research now and it appears that the earliest pressings without framed jackets, were released in February 1957, three months after 1530 was released. I’m gonna guess that the records contained within either a framed or non-framed copy of 1530 are indistinguishable. For all we know, there was a second pressing of the album three months after it was originally released. You first pressing fundamentalists, be my guests and go nuts with that stuff! 😉 Makes no difference to me.

By: Jim R

Jim R — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 01:48:39 +0000

For what it’s worth, I’ve seen a flat edge Lexington press of 1530 with a non frame jacket that clearly had the safety notch at the center of the top seam. The address on the back of the jacket was also the Lexington address. Certainly the frame jacket is the earlier of the two.