On the Menu: Classic Blue Notes and Prestiges

We’ll start today with a few from the Prestige label, opening with Zoot Sims Quartets, Prestige 7026. This is an original New York pressing that looks to be in about VG+ condition for the record and similar for the cover. It’s not a record that we’ve written about much. We don’t see it on eBay that often and it doesn’t typically command high collectible prices, compared to other original pressings from the era. This one has a start price of $200 and so far there are no bids, with the auction closing in two days. I happen to own a copy of this record, but haven’t listened to it in like 30 years. Maybe I’ll try it later. Zoot is always worth a listen, IMHO.

This is another one that has been sitting on my shelf but hasn’t made its way to my turntable in quite a while: Gene Ammons, Hi Fi Jam Session, Prestige 7060. This is an original New York yellow label pressing that looks to be in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ condition for the cover. This one also has a starting price of around $200 and no bidders.

This Prestige actually has some action on it: Mal Waldron Quintet, Mal 1, Prestige 7090. This is an original New York yellow label pressing. The record looks to be in VG++ condition and the cover VG-, with a lot of tape residue and writing. The cover would certainly dampen my enthusiasm for the record, and it is one of the few early Prestiges that I don’t own. The bidding is in the $150 range and the auction closes in two days.

I also have a few Blue Notes on my watch list and, as you would expect, they are seeing quite a bit more action and interest than the Prestiges. Dexter Gordon, A Swingin’ Affair, Blue Note 84133. This is an original Stereo pressing of this excellent record and it is listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. The bidding is already past $300, with the auction closing in about a day.

Kenny Drew, Undercurrent, Blue Note 4059. This is an original West 63rd pressing with the one-sided deep groove. The record looks to be in abut VG++ condition and the cover M-. The bidding is approaching $700 with four days left and I would fully expect to see this record end up in in the $1,000 bin, if not the $2,000 bin.

Hank Mobley, Roll Call, Blue Note 4058. This looks to be an original pressing with the West 63rd Street address. The record is listed in VG+ condition and the cover is listed as “G at best.” The back cover is really beat, so it’s probably for someone looking to have an original copy on the shelf, or someone with a good cover and a beat record. In any case, there are already five bidders interested in this record and the price is in the $160 range.