Jazz Vinyl: Jackie-ing, Hope and McGhee
Here’s some jazz vinyl we’re watching now on eBay. Jackie is back: Jackie McLean, The New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601. This one is from a reputable seller and is listed in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. VG+ is always a risk, but this one is play-graded and sounds like it is in pretty good shape. The bidding has already topped $1,000 on its way to . . . . we’ll see. Also on eBay now is one of my favorites, Jackie McLean, Swing, Swang, Swingin’, Blue Note 4024. This looks to be an original pressing with the West 63rd address, deep grooves, RVG, ear. It is listed in M- condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. Start price is $650 and, with a day to go, there are no takers so far. For a high start price like that, I think most buyers would appreciate pictures of the labels, for what it’s worth, although I’d be OK bidding on this record if I was inclined to pay that high a price for it in any condition, which I’m not.
This one is tempting:
Howard McGhee, Volume 2, Blue Note 5024. This is an original Lexington Avenue 10-inch LP, featuring both Horace Silver and Tal Farlow, two of my all-timers. I happen to have a mint copy of this record with no cover, so the idea of getting a nice cover is very appealing. The vinyl on this one is VG+ and the cover is listed as VG+ to VG++. It is currently at about $150 with a few hours to go.
This one is tempting as well: Elmo Hope, Informal Jazz, Prestige 7043. This is the one with John Coltrane and Hank Mobley. It is an original pressing listed in VG++ to M- condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. This one is hard to find and the price isn’t that high yet — about $225 with two days to go. The problem: It has a reserve price and the reserve price has not yet been met. Is there any way of knowing what a seller’s reserve price is, other than just asking him directly?
Same old mistake…high starting bid (almost a buy it now price, in fact), and not even sharp and precise pictures. No surprise there are no takers.
yeah, but the guy has got his first bid, so the “buy it now price” idea worked and, of course, he is in for more. The same seller has W. Shorter’s JU JU at a base price of 350 usd. It may work there again.
Al: when I used reserve prices as a seller, I often got questions to reveal the required price level. My answer would be invariably to try it out by bidding. The idea is to get people tempted to make bids and go over the reserve price.
Btw, the seller of “Informal Jazz” is a reputable seller. He knows what his merchandise is worth. What I like about this album is the presence of Philly Joe. Those blowing sessions would invariably have A.T. at the drums. As good a performer as A.T. is, Philly has got just that tiny extra more to make him my favourite mid-fifties drummer.
Al: another recording session where Hank and Trane are blowing together is Four Tenors, also on Prestige. Anyone for more? I guess the number of sessions featuring these two tenors is limited.
If you don’t have PrLp 7043, here is your chance, it is an obligatory piece in each serious hard bop collection.
Hi, Rudolf. I have it, the Two Tenors version with Mobley and Trane on the cover and the New Jersey yellow label. I think I also have the next version, with Trane alone on the cover. While having all originals is an admirable goal, for now I’m OK having a nice version of the music, and I actually do like the Two Tenors cover.
Al. Right. This is a must have…anyway my bank wouldnt agree. I’m listening Polka Dots and Moonbeams right now…on Itunes !!
Coltrane Mobley and Byrd are divine on this session.
I have to weigh in with everyone else, Informal Jazz is an amazing session. I have Four Tenors but I find it doesn’t measure up to Informal Jazz. I would put this in my top 5 favorite prestige sessions easy.
By the way, i’d say that the two MObleys on Prestige are fine record, often overlooked (and even forgotten by his biograph !) regarding his Blue Note output.
Al: Two more with Coltrane and Mobley together
Johnny Griffin – Blowin’ Session Miles – Someday My Prince Will Come
bill: you made my day. A total of four albums with these giants together is not a bad harvest.
Michel: the two Mobley sessions for Prestige were recorded July 20 and 27, 1956. What a fruitful period! And Doug Watkins is impressive too, beautifully recorded by RvG. Strange omission of this biograph.
Don’t forget “Tenor Conclave” with Mobley, Trane, Cohn and Sims. Prestige 7074
hereinabove I named it “Four tenors”, after Four Altos, also on Prestige. But, of course, the real title is “Tenor Conclave”.
Wow-the seller that sold the Jackie McLean got someone to bite on the JUJU for “only” $450. That’s quite a price for a 1-shot image of the cover-so much for “the more info,the better” school. Good news for a seller(which I’m not),not such good news for a potential buyer(which I am). I guess a mono Liberty will have to suffice..if I can find one.
I think eBay can be a great place for money laundering ….