For Lady (and Everyone Else)
Time to get back to eBay, starting with Webster Young, For Lady, Prestige 7106. This is an original New York yellow label pressing listed in Ex condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. I’ve always had a soft spot for this record because it was one of the first yellow label Prestige originals I ever owned and because it was, and is, quite a lovely record. It was, I presume, also my introduction to Webster Young and Paul Quinichette, two very fine, very underrated players, IMHO. Writing this post, I just talked myself into putting this on the turntable next time I have time to listen mindfully. The bidding for this one closes in more than for days from this writing, with a top bid now of about $245.
The same seller has this nice 10-inch Blue Note that is getting quite a lot of attention: Jazztime Paris Volume 1, Gigi Gryce and his Big Band Featuring Clifford Brown, Blue Note 5049. This is a Lexington Avenue pressing listed in Ex condition for the record and the cover. The bidding is already more than $925 with four days left on the auction. I just looked over at Popsike and the previous top price for this record was $265, so I don’t know what is going on with this particular copy. The original recording was issued on Vogue, so while this is an original Blue Note, it is not the first release of the music. I was doing some research and this great post from Jazz Collector, January 2009 came up: The Blue Note Story. If you read the article, also take some time to look at the comments: Our long-time reader Rudolf offers some great research on these Blue Notes and French Vogue records from the era.
This record has been sitting in my queue for a few weeks and I want to clear it out: Thelonious Monk, Brilliant Corners, Riverside 12-226. This is a blue label third pressing. When I bought a copy last year I valued it at between $100 and $200 in VG+ condition, and I’ve been checking other copies to see if I overvalued it, which I probably did, based on current market. If you look at Popsike, white label original pressings of Brilliant Corners often sell for several hundred dollars, with a high of $1,251. Blue labels, not so much. This one had a start price of $110 in M- condition for the record and Ex for the cover. It was a third pressing and didn’t sell at all. And now it is out of my queue. Mission accomplished
Speaking of Monk, there is this: Thelonious Monk Quintet, Prestige 7053. This is an original New York yellow label with the first cover, which is a photo. The second cover was the one designed by Andy Warhol and my bet is that the second cover is the one more valued by collectors. Let’s take a look . . . click to Popsike . . . and . . . indeed, the Warhol cover is, by far, the one that collectors seem to prefer, with one aberrant copy actually selling for $2,350 in 2009. The top price for the photo cover was $665. I’ll take either cover, and definitely the entire record, which is a classic. This one is graded in Ex condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. There is less than a day left on the auction, the start price is about $300 and so far there are no bidders.
The Webster looks nice, from a strong reliable seller. This used to be one of the top 3 most valuable Prestige titles, along with Overseas and Saxophone Collossus.
I also have a beautiful 3rd press of Thelonious Monk – Brilliant Corners – Riverside 12-226 . I am quite happy with it. No problems there. That LP if indeed in grade ,should have gone for the $100. Surprising somewhat , but the market is the market.
Had not played this LP for quite some time and threw it on. Brilliant Corners Indeed !
Love “Pannonica”
Dear Sirs,
We share your astonishment at the current Gigi Gryce 10″. A battle of epic proportions is unfolding between an American and an Englishman.
Kindest regards, Vinyl-House
Dear Sirs,
We share your astonishment at the current bid on the Gigi Gryce 10″. At present an epic battle is unfolding between an American and an Englishman.
Kindest regards, The Vinyl-House Team
The covers of the original 10″ Vogue issues featured pictures of Gigi and Clifford by Léon Kaba. Blue Note commissioned the sleeve design to their recording artist, baritone player Gil Mellé. Gil’s designs are very special and add extra value to the Blue Note issues. Btw,
Vinylhouse auctions an impressive list of Mellé albums on Blue Note, all of his 10″ issues, but one, and the gorgeous BLP 1517, which for me is one of the top Blue Notes ever.
Re: the Gryce 10″ – to quote Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston (or Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock) “It Takes Two”.
It’s amazing the seller of the Prestige 7053 sells anything at all. Badly cropped and blurry photos don’t make me want to bid at all, let alone top dollar. In today’s world of ubiquitous cell phone cameras, there’s just no excuse.
Agree with Terryfromflorida. Looks unappealing.
Maybe it is an older person. I remember this seller’s ID from the late 90s when I was active buying on ebay. Unfortunately, can’t recall whether I knew him as a seller or a competitor bidder.
Really a precious record that of Webster Young, full of magic and sadness like Billie Holiday
the Rob Base/DJ E-Z Rock tune is a classic. Video shot in a record store, so hey!
Speaking of Rudolf, last night I was listening to sides and puttering around the internet, researching what became of certain obscure sidemen, etc. when a search result came up from Jazz Collector that was a guest post Rudolf did back in 2012, where he recounted his 1969 visit to the legendary Prestige warehouse at 203 S Washington Ave in Bergenfield, NJ. (https://jazzcollector.com/features/guest-column-treasure-hunt-prestige/)
So that led me to do a search I’ve done several times of the years to Google Street View 203 S Washington. There’s no exact result for 203, but 205 S Washington is a very old (and small) warehouse. Cities sometimes re-assign addresses over the years, so that building could have been 203 at one point, or perhaps it once housed two business at 203 and 205. or it could be that 203 was next door (now a vacant lot). But never having seen the building, it’s anyone’s guess. Except maybe… does Rudolf remember enough of his trip 50 years ago to verify if this here is the spot: https://rb.gy/5wqe29
…So how many of us dashed right over to Youtube just to watch the Rob Base/DJ E-Z Rock’s “It Takes Two” video Clifford referenced ? (Be honest, you all know you did !!! heh heh 😉
Japhy, interesting link with google street view. It looks much smaller and tiny. More constructions all around. The 205 building could very well be the former Prestige seat.
I have a picture somewhere (but where exactly?), taken in front of the building. There is an album cover with Basie band members, photographed in front of Prestige, 203 So. Washington. PrLp 7147 Basie Reunion.
Rudolf, I think we’d all love to see that photo if you’re ever obliged to dig it up! The building currently at 205 doesn’t match up with the Basie photo, so 203 is probably where the parking lot is now between 205 and 197 (the dental practice). Time marches on!
Japhy, you raised my interest! I’ll try to find it and will share.