Catching Up: More Warhol Madness
Time to catch up on some jazz vinyl sales on eBay:
This one made the $1,000 bin with plenty to spare: Conte Candoli, Cool Gabriels, Groove 1003. This was an original pressing and, of course, the main feature is the cover illustration by Andy Warhol. The record was VG-, the cover had splits on the top and the bottom, yet it still sold for $1,825. The Warhol market is driving these prices quite high, but this one seems to do even better than the Blue Notes in better condition. It must be harder to find? Or perhaps the Warhol collectors are more enamored with the artwork?
This one was not an original pressing, at least not in the way we think of originals as “first” pressings: Sonny Rollins Volume 1, Blue Note 1542. This one had the West 63rd Street address, plus the deep grooves and ear and all the other markings of an early pressing: But a first pressing would have had the Lexington Avenue address. This one was in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover and it sold for $334. Quick question: I know most collectors prefer Blue Notes over Prestiges in general but, musically, to me the Sonny’s on Prestige are far more preferable and inventive than the Blue Notes. How do other collectibles feel about this?
Here’s a nice black-label copy of John Coltrane, Giant Steps, Atlantic 1311. This was in M- condition for both the record and the cover, at least as described by the seller. It sold for $621.
This one did all right for a Norgran, but it came from the bobjdukic batch so it’s hard to tell if the price is indicative of real interest or if it is just how this record would be priced in the alternate universe: Lester Young, Pres and Sweets, Norgran 1043. This was an original yellow label pressing and it has the nice David Stone Martin cover. The record was M- and the cover was VG+ and it sold for $157.50. I like to think that would be around market value for this record in this condition.
Al, I’m with you about Sonny on Prestige. I think he recorded some of his best albums for them. Saxophone Collosus is my fav and generally his highest regarded but my next favorite is Plus 4. I may have to re listen to some of the others. Such great albums. Newk’s Time is my favorite of his Blue Notes.
Sonny gets quite intense with his “Village Vanguard” work. I’d prefer that one to the Prestiges, but generally I’d say that his main output happened during the Prestige years.
…In terms of Sonny, the “holy grail” for most collectors has always been Saxophone Colossus on Prestige 7079 I suspect, but I am in tune with “Katharsis” on this one. My favorite has always been Sonny Rollins A Night at the Village Vanguard on Blue Note 1581. For me, it is that creative unscripted hard-bop edge of his improvisations (Especially if you’ve heard the afternoon set on the 2-Disc remastered CD) along with Sonny’s cool late 50’s bravado that really pulls you in, making each listen a new experience in comparison to the polished studio works on either label.
Al: I am glad you raise the “Cool Gabriels”. I really don’t understand what is happening. Earlier this year I saw a copy of “Cool Gabriels” going for over $ 2000. When I found out that I have an unplayed (MINT) copy of this album in my collection, I put it on sale three weeks ago, with a reserve of $ 1499. It did not sell. The highest bid was $ 1240 from a guy in New Caledonia (France). The second highest bidder was from Belgium. He was at $ 1220.
When I saw this VG- copy at a level of about $ 700 two days before the closing, I gave a second chance offer, first to the New Caledonian, then to the Belgian, just before the closing of the VG- item. To no avail, the guys did not react. But, in the end, the VG- item sold for $ 1825.
In the meantime, another “Cool Gabriels” is now for sale. Still three days to go.
I don’t know what to do with my new “Cool Gabriels”. One would say there is a conspiracy.
The music, of course, is not exciting, but my mint copy would be ideal for framing, a lovely cover. Just bad luck??
Any ideas??
Don-lucky, I just ordered the 2-disc set. I haven’t listened to my Liberty press of 1581 in maybe 10 years. I need to reevaluate/remember it, and I want to check out the afternoon set.
As a “collectible” I have the following remarks
re S.R. on Prestige vs. Blue Note.
It is said that Sonny was glad to be finally freed from his contract with Prestige. Once free, he made records for almost everybody, Blue Note, Contemporary, Period, Riverside, Metrojazz.
For me his best on Prestige are 7038 (+4) and 7079 (Colossus). Personally I have a weak spot for 7047 (Tenor Madness). 7095 (Plays for Bird) is mostly uninspired. 7126, despite the extreme speeds, is not the tour de force to be remembered.
On Blue Note I rate two albums at a par with Prestige 7038/7079: Newk’s Time (4001) and the one with J.J. and Monk (1558).
BLP 1542 is hampered by Donald Byrd’s presence and 1581, although an exciting trio record, is beaten by Way Out West on Contemporary, maybe my all time Rollins favourite.
Conclusion: the Prestige/Blue Note match for Sonny Rollins is undecided.
Great choice Mike ! Us collectors always try to stay true to the LP format, but when they re-release these classics complete with bonus CD’s, remastered by the Rudy Van Gelder, the man himself then reorder the material as it happened with complete afternoon and evening sets… what choice do we have right ? I have an original pressing of this one as well, but I keep it behind UV rated glass in my office because Sonny signed for me. I admit, I also bought this one on CD to avoid having to pull it out of the frame to listen to all the time… I think they eventually came out with Volume 2 & 3 on Japanese LP pressings later on as well…
One thing about the CD version of Sonny’s A Night At The Village Vanguard is the way his true personality and sense of humor come across in his commentary between tracks. Especially when compared to today’s performances, where he tends to let the music speak for him and is less vocal generally. Compared to his studio recordings, this one sounds so far removed and improvisational, that one might think it is a different guy on the horn altogether ! Definitely one of the must have live Jazz recordings in my collection.
Rudolf, i’m with you with the Cool Gabriel conspiracy. I have an unplayed mint copy, that i paid 66 $ on Ebay four years ago. I really don’t understand what’s happening with this record.
Tenor Madness and Saxophone Colossus get major play at my place,with “Pauls Pal” and “Strode Rode” the tracks that always get repeated(regardless of format).As far as the RVG label being a sign of quality on CD,I’m still recovering from the lousy series of pressings released some years back that were shrill and had absolutely NO bass! Golden-eared listeners out there know the releases I’m refering to-I wonder if those pressings made some newbies wonder what all the fuss was about. For the record,though,the 2-disc set of Night At The Vanguard sounds GREAT!
“I really don’t understand what’s happening with this record.”
Seriously, it’s Warhol.. when I see $16.00 reissues of “Blue Lights” being sold on the ‘bay for $100 a pop, with Warhol’s name written bigger than Burrell’s in the description.. i understand exactly which market is being catered to.
It’s really amazing to me.
Hi Rudolf,you gotta sell it to BD to see your copy run a record price.
Yours are the most accurate descriptions on Ebay:no one can go wrong.
pearls for pigs….
Hi Dottore, thanks for your kind comments on my descriptions.
Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by BD? My understanding of BD in French does not make sense here. Ciao.
Rudolf !!! BD is obviously our friend Bob “good luck finding another sealed copy” Djukic !!!
Yeah,
and Michel is a faithful guy
There are TWO more copies of “Cool Gabriels” up on eBay and they reach for the stars as well. It’s madness, to some extent.
Michel/Dottore: yeah, rather dumb I am, occasionnally.