Comments on: Condition Counts — Doesn’t It?

By: Seth

Seth — Mon, 19 May 2014 22:06:04 +0000

After going through the novice’s initiation of being ripped off by sellers who leave out or obscure information, I finally started to snag real “Blue Notes” that I could afford. One in particular is also an excellent pressing. It’s a superb record, with all the superior sonic qualities I’ve read about. The first thing I noticed was the thickness of the vinyl. A “Liberty” is thin in comparison. When I played the record, the instruments sounded as clear as glass. The drums and cymbals were not lost in the background. Everything seemed forward, like one would hear at a live session. It is, indeed, a monumental accomplishment in sound engineering.

But I want to add the most important point. I was just lucky. Perhaps 10% of my “Blue Notes” sound this good. It’s like a crap shoot. Many have groove damage by being played on those portable record players. Some were pressed at the end of a run, which I’ve read, greatly diminishes the sound quality. There’s no way to tell. I can’t even play the mono Lexington Ave. records because I don’t have a mono cartridge. But I probably couldn’t afford one anyway. As compensation though, I was able to experience live performances of some of the masters.

Perhaps people here are familiar Jack Kerouac’s “On The Road.” For me, the best part of the book is when the protagonist makes a special trip to “Birdland” to see Charlie Parker. It becomes a life changing experience. This is the way I feel about the few live concerts I was able to see at “The Village Vanguard,” and “Sweet Basil.” I was too young, by just a couple of years, to see Charles Tolliver’s weekly sessions at “Slugs,” in the early 70s. Man, that would have been a blast.

By: brian o'blivion

brian o'blivion — Sat, 17 May 2014 02:23:41 +0000

http://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/record-labels-guide/labelography-2/ljc-guide-to-1st-pressings/

exactly what i was looking for. thank you Mike…

By: Joe L

Joe L — Fri, 16 May 2014 23:42:54 +0000

Earl – I completely agree. Although, I must admit I do so very much enjoy seeing the ear!

By: Earl

Earl — Fri, 16 May 2014 22:48:13 +0000

I wonder if we’re not getting to the point that we previously arrived at concerning late and one-sided BN DG’s – my conclusion from that earlier discussion was that a time came when the pressers that created the DG were being phased out; and in that restricted era, pressings with one DG or no DG (and even 2 DG’s)were probably being pressed at about the same time, so that assignment of “first” is either difficult or impossible – similarly, with the “P” or ear, there was a time when those vinyl blanks were being phased out: and it is likely a mistake to assign the “first pressing” label to one or the other.

It will never, however, be possible to convince the buyer that the ear or the DG is not a sign of priority or at least something of value. I will continue to feel that my LP’s from those transitional eras that do or do not possess the valued ear or DG, despite having all other attributes, are genuine originals, for whatever that’s worth.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 16 May 2014 14:41:13 +0000

This should be able to help you with a guide to Blue Note first pressings

http://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/record-labels-guide/labelography-2/ljc-guide-to-1st-pressings/

By: Earl

Earl — Fri, 16 May 2014 13:08:38 +0000

brian o’
any serious BN collector needs Fred Cohen’s book “Blue Note Records,” which answers your plastylite (ear) question and pretty much all others

By: Dean

Dean — Fri, 16 May 2014 07:53:14 +0000

Having worked for years in the reissue world I’ve had a lot of experience with recorded music catalogues and the reasons why things were released and why they weren’t.
It’s is rarely possible to explain exactly why a specific session was not released, but there are plenty of general reasons.
A session might not be deemed commercial at the time, too similar or too different from that which was previously recorded. 20 years down the line this becomes irrelevant, but to a record company juggling day to day resources they will released what works best for the business.
For instance ‘Search For The New Land’ was recorded after ‘Sidewinder, but was shelved after ‘Sidewinder’s success so that another album with a soul jazz opener ‘Rumproller’ could be released first.
Another reason – and I think Michael Cuscunna wrote about this in a Grant Green sleeve note – is that Alfred Lion would record certain artists far more than he could possibly release. Sometimes this was because he wanted to capture as much of their music as possible – Andrew Hill – or as a favour to the artist so that they could be advanced some more money – Green I think fell into this category.
I guess we’re lucky that Blue Note managed to do both.

By: brian o'blivion

brian o'blivion — Fri, 16 May 2014 02:03:08 +0000

hi, i’m new here-please forgive my ignorance but does anyone know where i could find the definitive list of which BN releases have the “ear” on the first pressing and which do not? i know they all are supposed to have it up until and including “complete communion” but what are the exceptions? “free form” as noted above, is obviously one of them..thank you all in advance for your help…

By: Rudolf

Rudolf — Thu, 15 May 2014 21:11:02 +0000

there are more examples: Savoy in 1960 recorded a wonderful sextet session by Curtis Fuller with Lee Morgan, Yusef Lateef, McCoy Tyner, Milt Hinton and Roy Haynes.
(Images – MG-12164).
Savoy waited 15 years before issuing it.
My guess: they had already three Curtis Fuller 1959 sessions issued in the early sixties and they went through a period of introducing and pushing the “New Thing”. So wonderful music may simply be forgotten because of other priorities.

By: ADAMSKI

ADAMSKI — Thu, 15 May 2014 15:47:44 +0000

I doubt we will ever know why those many great sessions were shelved.
My personal fave is Grant Green’s ‘Matador’, why oh why was that not put out at the time?
BTW the Music Matters issue on 45rpm of that title is simply amazing. They really did amazing job.
Pretty Pricey but well worth it.