Catching Up on Some High-End Blue Note Vinyl
Time to follow up on some of the jazz vinyl auctions we’ve been watching on eBay, starting with Duke Jordan, Flight to Jordan, Blue Note 4046. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing offered by the Jazz Record Center. It looked to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. When we spotted this there were four days left in the auction and the bidding was at $1,600. The final price was $2,753. Still a market for the high-end stuff from reputable sellers, right? From the same auction there was Sheila Jordan, Portrait of Sheila, Blue Note 9002. This was an original New York USA pressing that looked to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The final price was $306. Keeping up with the Jordans, I guess.
More from the same auction: The Magnificent Thad Jones, Blue Note 1527. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing that looked to be in M- condition for the record and probably VG++ for the cover. The final price was $2,555, with 11 bidders and 17 bids. Those Lexington Avenue labels with the scripted lettering still give me chills. And another: Joe Henderson, Inner Urge, Blue Note 4189. This was an original New York USA pressing that looked to be in M- condition for both the record and cover, with the cover protected by the original shrink wrap. Thirteen bidders, 29 bids and a final price of $1,028.91.
Condition still counts (sometimes): Sonny Clark Trio, Blue Note 1579. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing that had a start price of $2,000. The condition was “solid VG” for the vinyl, with some tics on the playback. The cover was VG++. The record did not sell this time around. I’m sure it will be back, if it is not back already.
Finally, Sabu, Palo Congo, Blue Note 1561, sold for $698. Jazz or not jazz, that seems to be the question. Either way, it’s a cool Blue Note cover, and a cool New York 23 label.
The Duke Jordan lp i one i would love to have, but i knew it would get a high bid,therefore, i did not attempt to bid, as JRC always get top $$$$ for his records.
I would also like to own a copy of the Sonny Clark BN 1579, But i would never pay $2k for a VG record.
Sabu ,Blue Note 1561 is not a jazz record to me, all the songs sound the same, i have never owned this record, but have heard it, one record you don’t see often, would be interested to know what was so special of them that they got signed to Blue Note records, i see that this is their only recording with not just Blue Note, but anywhere.
Aloha Mark H, I’d love to have an original Sonny Clark 1500’s as well. Tough when only so many copies exist. I grabbed a rough, vg/vg- original of a Hank Mobley for 130.00 I think, cleaned it well and have been satisfied with it. But wouldn’t have paid crazy money for it. I do have Clark as a sideman on other 1500’s like Bennie Green. And thankfully Blue Note Japan released some of his unreleased material in the later 70’s early 80’s. But like you I hope one day to have just one. Good luck hunting! Mahalo