eBaying With Blue Train and a Rerun of Moose the Mooche
I mentioned that my watch list runneth over and, as it happens, some of the auctions I was watching have runneth over as well. Let’s see what happened, starting with John Coltrane, Blue Train, Blue Note 1577. This was an original deep groove pressing, with side one bearing the New York 23 logo. The seller was Funkyousounds and the neglected to mention the labels. But they were clear to see for anyone looking at the pictures. The record was listed in VG++ condition and the cover was VG+. The final price was $5,100. I’ve never thought to ask this before, but have you ever wondered why they called the record Blue Train as opposed to Blue Trane?
Speaking of Coltrane on Blue Note, Funkyousounds also had a copy of Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576. This one had the New York 23 label on side one, but not on side two. I guess that makes it “less” of an original? The record was listed in M-/VG++ condition with a slight warp. The cover was VG+. The final price was $1,542.79. For comparison, a copy of Sonny’s Crib with New York 23 on both labels has sold for as much as $3,500, according to Popsike.
Jackie McLean, New Soil, Blue Note 84013. This was a deep-groove stereo pressing listed in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. The final price was $510. I suppose I noticed it because it is pretty early in the Blue Note catalogue for an original stereo, assuming it is original.
Finally, we have Tommy Flanagan, The Cats, New Jazz 8217. Another with Coltrane as a sideman. This was an original deep-groove purple label listed in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $1,204. I can’t look at the cover of The Cats without thinking about the alternative cover that our friend Maarten Kools created for my dog Moose the Mooche. I still crack up each time I see it. Thanks again, Maarten.
I also have wondered many times why it has become Blue Train. I have no clue.
The Cats on New Jazz. This copy has got the first sleeve with the 3.98 price. I have my doubts on the colour of the label. The picture is not clear, but the dark violet hints at a later pressing. Anyway, the deal is done. It is not our problem.
Happy (belated) New Year all ! I am glad to see Al is back in the eBay game once again! (It was getting a bit quiet up in here)
Based on some preliminary research, the album is titled Blue Train instead of Blue Trane for a couple of reasons. The most common explanation is that it was a play on words. “Train” could refer to the imagery of a train, symbolizing motion, rhythm, and a journey, all of which fit with the energy and vibe of Coltrane’s music at the time. (Not to mention the fact that the title track “Blue Train”, and the third track “Locomotion” support this theme)
Coltrane had a deep spiritual connection to the concept of movement, and trains can symbolize that continuous flow, almost like the continuous improvisation he was exploring in his music. Additionally, the name “Blue Train” was also likely intended to evoke the mood of the music, blending the blues (a core element of jazz) with the sense of a journey, something that resonates with the themes of transformation and progression that were important in Coltrane’s music.
It could also be seen as a subtle reference to the “train” metaphor in jazz, where many players talk about the rhythm and phrasing of music as something similar to the rhythmic chug of a train, constantly moving forward.
So, while Blue Trane would have made sense as well, the “train” in the title likely carried a layered significance to Coltrane’s own journey, both musically and personally.
.I will continue to dig, but feel free to add to the narrative, as I suspect there is more to this story.