Miles, Morgan, Monk and More

Today we will view some random jazz vinyl from my eBay watch list, starting with Miles Davis, Volume 2, Blue Note 5022. This is an original 10-inch Lexington Avenue pressing. The record and cover are both listed in VG+ condition. Bidding starts at around $100 and so far there is no auction action. The auction closes in about three days. This record caught my eye, even though I already own it, because it is such an awesome cover and because I recently view a collection loaded with 10-inch records. At this point I have passed on purchasing the collection because the seller has it over-priced, but I am hoping he comes back to me when he realizes I made a fair offer. Will keep you posted.

Here’s a 12-inch Lexington Avenue Blue Note: Lee Morgan, Indeed!, Blue Note 1538. The record is listed in VG+ condition and the cover is VG+ with the bottom seam completely split. It’s good that the seller included that detail, so you can be the judge. The VG+ grading is always in the eye of the beholder, IMHO. Based on the pictures, if the only flaw is the bottom seam split, I’d be comfortable with VG+ as a buyer. The bidding on this one is in the $300 range with more than four days left on the auction.

Here’s a nice one: Thelonious Monk, Brilliant Corners, Riverside 226. This is an original white label pressing, which you don’t see very often. The record is listed as VG++ with clean sound, and the cover is also graded as VG++. The bidding is in the $430 range and the auction closes later today. I recently picked up a nice blue label copy of Brilliant Corners as an upgrade from my previous copy, which had the blue labels but was clearly a third or fourth pressing. When I brought the new record home, I played it and was instantly reminded why it is a classic. Like many of you, I’m sure, I need to go back more frequently to the great records in my collection and play them more frequently. As I said recently here, I feel like I’ve forgotten more than I remember.

From the same seller comes Tadd Dameron, Fontainebleau, Prestige 7037. This is an original yellow label pressing with the New York address. The record and cover are both listed in VG++ condition. Bidding is in the $130 range. This is one I haven’t listened to in probably 30 years, but I will more likely listen to Mating Call if I go to Dameron, because that is a fantastic record with some really great early Coltrane. I’m sure Fontainebleau is great as well, right?