Random Thoughts, Random Rare Jazz Vinyl
Here’s some random rare jazz vinyl from the stuff we are watching on eBay, starting with Charlie Parker Sextet, Dial 207. This is an original 10-inch pressing listed in VG condition for the record and VG++ for the cover. There are nearly six days left on the auction and the bidding is in the $200 range. One reason I’m watching this is because, after all these years of collecting jazz (we are now somehow approaching 50), and even the years that my father collected before me, I still don’t have any of the original Bird 10-inch Dials. It’s certainly not for lack of scouring for them, but I haven’t been inclined to pay top dollar and the only time I’ve ever seen them in nice condition would have required me to pay top dollar. This one included because, to me, at more than $200 in VG condition, this has already exceeded my personal comfort level. So, the search continues.
Bill Evans, Portrait in Jazz, Riverside 315. This looks to be an original blue label, deep groove pressing, although some of the pictures really look like a black label to me, which must be an optical illusion because the seller is an eBay regular and would be much more circumspect that to be deceptive. The thing I noticed about this record, and most of you have probably noted this before, is that the composition “Blue in Green” is credited as Davis-Evans. If you look at Kind of Blue, there is no mention of Evans as a co-writer, even though, it obviously sounds much more like an Evans composition than a Davis one. In any case, this copy looks to be in VG++ condition for the record and the cover. The start price is about $200 and it was just listed, so the bidding hasn’t yet begun.
This seller has some nice records on eBay now, including Elmo Hope Trio, Blue Note 5029. This is an original 10-inch LP with the Lexington Avenue address. The record is listed in M- condition and the cover is VG+. The start price is $450 and so far there are no bidders with more than three days left on the auction. From the same seller is another one off of my want list: Cliff Jordan, Blue Note 1565. This is an original pressing with the West 63rd New York 23 labels. The record and cover both look to be in VG++ condition. This one has a start price of $650 and there are no bids yet.
Seems to me that it would be hard to find a Parker Dial better than VG if the seller is being accurate as there is just constant background noise on those things (as well as most 10″ albums). I have a couple new old stock 10″ albums and I still wouldn’t rate them higher than VG+
The Bill Evans Trio on Riverside is not an original. Third press w/o DG, inc on label and large black lettering RM / RS on back
what Michel said, and also has the RM catalog number on the label instead of RLP
yeah, wtf with that Evans being listed as a first. The seller did try to photograph the labels in such a way as to make them seem DG but they certainly aren’t!
I’m assuming that Bird’s early records saw first issue on 78s. Does that mean these Dial 10-inchers are considered reissues? (My collecting is mostly 60s LPs, so apologies if this is a simplistic question.)
I suppose that’s true, although it would be the first vinyl pressing (assuming Dial used shellac — not sure). The seller, afro-blue-cats, is about as trustworthy a grader as I’ve ever encountered, so I’m sure the record is fine. He has that “Illinois Jacquet Collates” 10″ as well, which is one of the cooler looking Jacquets I’ve seen…
The Bill Evans is an obvious fraud. The fat lettering, RM on the labels. I have never seen this. An ultimate pressing just before Riverside’s bankruptcy?
Fraud? Wha? I flipped a copy with the exact same labels just this week and I can assure you it was quite genuine. There’s entry for it right here on Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/Bill-Evans-Trio-Portrait-In-Jazz/release/3831267
I think Rudolf means that it is fraudulent to list as an original when it is a mid-1960s pressing.
Clifford said it correctly. I am seconding Michel.
Regarding new old stock: as long as there are no scratches or other post-production injuries, it can be graded NM, regardless of how it sounds on your turntable.
Paul, uh no. Goldmine NM “If played, it will do so with no surface noise.”
That Charlie Parker on Dial had a final sales price of $1,075. Holy Cow, I always thought those sold in the $500-$800 range but I guess I’m wrong, looks like I’m only adding those releases to my collection if I find them at a yard sale.