On Ebay: Lou, Lee, Overseas
Here are some items to watch on eBay:
Lou Donaldson, Wailing With Lou, Blue Note 1545. Love this record. This is an original pressing. The cover is VG- and the vinyl is somewhere between VG+ and VG++, based on the description. The current price is around $100 and it is closing today and it is quite tempting since the copy in my collection is a Japanese pressing. Somehow I have to re-convince myself that I am to be getting rid of records, not acquiring them. Speaking of which . . . I did well yesterday. I stopped in at my favorite local store, Infinity Records on Long Island, and he had there a copy of Elmo Hope Quintet, Blue Note 5044. This is a 10-inch LP featuring Frank Foster. I had this at one point and, regrettably, sold it for about $400. My copy was in excellent condition. The one in the store yesterday was VG for the record and maybe VG- for the cover. The price was
$100, which was fair, and I decided to pass. I viewed this as an accomplishment, a sign of personal growth. Of course, it also leaves me more money to bid on this Lou Donaldson LP.
This seller has some nice items worth perusing, including: Lee Morgan, Indeed, Blue Note 1538. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The record is listed as VG+ and the cover is VG. It does look nice and the price is a little over $400 and there are several days to go.
Here’s another copy of Tommy Flanagan Overseas, Prestige 7134. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG+ condition for both the record and the vinyl. The current price is about $400 and there are a few hours to go so perhaps this one will sell for less than $1,000? I wouldn’t count on it.
Here’s another sealed record dilemma: Joe Harriott, Southern Horizons, Jazzland 37. This is a mono pressing and it would presume to be original, but until you open it you can never tell for sure. This one is already at $225. A copy in M- condition last week sold for about $190.
anytime you don’t buy from Infinity you are making the correct decision! why anyone would buy from astore that reserves its best stuff for EBAY and expects store customers to pay up for reissues and scratched junk is beyond me.
Thanks for your great website and column…
Here are two questions for the wizard:
1. Like a lot of “baby boomers” I have hundreds of Blue Note records that are not 1st pressings. These are the ones with solid blue colored labels. Most of mine are VG+ to M-. What pressings are these likely to be (2nd or 3rd generation?)
2. Can you offer advice on a price range for these LPs on Ebay? I’m thinking of all the “biggies” (Morgan, Blakey, Byrd, Hubbard, et al.
Thanks for your reply.
Hi, Marty. I find that the solid blue Blue Notes generally sell in the $20 range or so, depending on the artist and whether they are reprocessed stereo. Some of them may sell for a little more these days, just because people are looking for Blue Note vinyl of all stripes. I’m finding that the blue and white label Liberties are getting more money than before, but the solid blue labels are not in such high demand. These are even later than 2nd or 3rd generation in many cases.
I’m also a recent convert to building a Blue Note collection in this day and age, when deep pockets in Japan and US wipe us off the map.
First, what not to buy: unattributed contemporary reissues. A lot around of cd-to-vinyl transfers which are thin brittle and horrible, and are 1960 facsimile labels and covers (laminated – ha ha) Always described as “mint” (made yesterday)
If you can’t get or afford NYC original pressing, the Jap reissues are marvelous. King by way the best, EMI Toshiba a decade later but all made for the audiophile fanatic collector. Any needle-skates will come from a 2g-weighted arm, not a 50’s radiogram weighted 8gm with a chipped stylus that cuts ice-skates through the groove.
Next best the ’66 – 70+ Liberty reissues. Most are crackers, especially thos with “VAN GELDER” engraved in the lead out.
The Blue Label United Artists pressings from late 70’s are often pretty fine – very listenable and cheap.White B and Black B
Then oh dear, EMI, the 80’s. The first non-DMM’s from Pathe Marconi 1982-4 are actually quite good. Then its all “DMM” down hill: EMI France 1984-6, then Capitol Manhatten US 1986 -ish. They are awful, really unlistenable. Bright, thin, horrible. Do not buy at any price, they will destroy your taste in this wonderful music. I would dig up the EMI executive responsible for DMM and have their relatives them repay their salary.
A few good notes – “Classic” series – great. Blue Note Reissue series – great. Modern 45rpm x2 LP sets.very expensive, but possibly worth it.
Good hunting!