In Search of Barney Kessel Clef EP
Yesterday we answered some questions from readers. Today we have a question we would like to throw out to the community and see if anyone else has the answer. We’re starting to get a little action on the forums, so if you have questions like these please put them there and we can start building a clearinghouse of information for collectors.
On to today’s question, from Pete aka “Bongo Pete the Drummer”:
“Hello. I have for years owned a 45-RPM EP on Clef Records called Introducing Barney Kessel and have never found any info on it. I also own the 10-inch LP Barney Kessel Volume 1 on Contemporary, which mentions in the liner notes that it is Barney’s first album – but that’s what it says on the back of the Clef 45. I know Barney just passed away on the 6th of this month. Do you know anything about this Clef EP? I picked it up about 30 years ago when I was 14 years old for $1 or $2. It is in pretty nice shape. I have played it two times in 30 years, as I have it on tape.”
Can anybody out there help Pete?
eBaying
Here are some of the interesting items that sold the past couple of days on eBay:
Zoot Sims at Ronnie Scotts, Fontana 5176, in M- condition. Price: $660. The dealer described this as one of the rarest jazz LPs from the U.K. We’ve never seen it before and the price certainly justifies that description.
Two Jackie McLean Blue Note LPs also went for high prices yesterday:
Jackie’s Bag, Blue Note 4051, in M- condition. Price: $675
New Soil, Blue Note 4013 in M- condition. Price: $325
Quotebook
“To me, reaching people is the most important thing. Otherwise, you just lock yourself in a room and play for yourself – that’s all. But if you’re going to work in a club and people are paying money to see and hear you, you should try to establish some kind of contact with them. What I try to do when playing in a club is to present different things, so that no matter who comes in, there’ll be something for everybody, rather than just playing one kind of thing and telling people: ‘If you don’t like it you can split!'” — Chet Baker from the liner notes to the album Baby Breeze, Limelight LM 82003, issued in 1964
Dan, if you’re watching today, Happy Birthday. See you all tomorrow with a newsletter. — Al