Shades Of . . . . .
Well, as you can see, the long and painful (for you) wait has finally ended. Somehow, in the middle of a pandemic, I have been able to procure an original copy of the infamous Shades of Redd, by Freddie Redd, Blue Note 4045. It was no simple twist of fate, but a result of the constant hocking by me on Jazz Collector and a very generous and thoughtful reader who perhaps took pity on me, or perhaps was just sick of my whining, or, simply, was happy to parlay his own two copies of Shades of Redd into one really good copy of Shades of Redd and another vaunted Blue Note gem to satisfy a need from his own want list. Let me tell the story that led to the pictures accompanying this article, taken in my lovely home in The Berkshires by The Lovely Mrs. JC.
A couple of weeks ago, if you recall, I wrote a post titled More Adventures, More Obsessions. In that post, I extended the adventure story about the 10-inch records I had recently bought and, as a kicker, wrote yet another obsessive lament about Shades of Redd, wherein Clifford had sent me a link to a beautiful, mint copy from Academy Records. By the time I went to view the Academy copy, however, it had already been gobbled up by a smart collector because, as I noted at the time, the price was, IMHO, more than fair and probably well under the current market value, considering the condition of the record and, of course, the fact that it is one of the most highly sought Blue Notes and, again, IMHO, one of the very best of the Blue Notes.
Anyway, I thought nothing of it and then went about my business, which is actually picking up these days because a couple of my clients are in cybersecurity and are anxious to get articles out there about the COVID-19 pandemic. I was in the midst of one of these articles when this note came into my mailbox from a sender whom I instantly identified as one of our loyal Jazz Collector people. The note said:
“Hi Al. Just reading your page this morning and noticed the post about Shades of Redd. I happen to be the individual who bought the review copy from Academy which means I now have a spare (see attached pictures). It’s been professionally clean by “Perfect Vinyl Forever” on 6/19/18, however it still grades as VG due to numerous clicks on the first track of both sides. Other than that it plays really nice (VG+). I know we’ve discussed it before, but if you’re interested in trading there is a lot of stuff I’m looking for.”
This was followed by a link to 796 pages, each with 25 records. I went through many pages, but it was a bit too much to absorb, so I sent a note backing asking my correspondent to perhaps narrow the list down. When the much shorter list came back, I could see that there were items that I had in duplicate and could thus spare. Our faithful reader, whose name I will withhold for now, but whom I invite to share his end of the story in either a comment or a separate post, was extremely generous, and sent me a link to listen to his spare copy of Shades of Redd, having warned me of the “numerous clicks.”
Frankly, I never listened. Hey, it’s Shades of Redd, it’s original, if it has a few clicks, I could deal with that, easily. When I started collecting used jazz records, back 50 years ago (really?????), I was almost disappointed if a record didn’t have clicks. It was just what you expected and, over the years, I got used to it and never minded it unless it really got in the way of my enjoyment of the record and/or the record presented so poorly that I would be afraid to put it on my turntable. I don’t have any records like that anymore, I am happy to say, having weeded them out and typically replaced them with cleaner copies.
Anyway, a few clicks weren’t going to scare me away from Shades of Redd after all this time, particularly if I could make a trade for a duplicate. There was a catch, however: I am in The Berkshires and my duplicates in my studio apartment in New York City. And I have no intention of returning to New York for any reason until I get the all-clear from health authorities, and even then I’m sure I will wait a good while to really make sure the city is safe, or at least safer. So, even if we were to come up with a deal, it would likely be months before I would see Shades of Redd. But that was fine. I’ve already waited 50 years.
After a few simple back-and-forth emails we came up with a deal. I have a nice mint, West 63rd Street pressing of Sonny Clark, Sonny’s Crib, Blue Note 1576, sitting in my New York apartment as a duplicate (lucky me). This was another record I had sought for many, many years, particularly because of the presence of John Coltrane. Then, incredibly, in quick succession, I found two copies in beautiful condition: First in the Irving Kalus Collection and then in the Bruce M. West collection in Baltimore. These copy in New York doesn’t have have the New York 23 address, but it is in sweet condition and plays beautifully, and it has all of the other key markings of an original Blue Note from that era.
This was to be the deal, but, of course, the copy I wanted to trade is in New York and I am in Massachusetts. But, again with great generosity, came this reply: “I don’t mind you sending the Sonny album later. I have no reason to keep the Shades when you could be enjoying it now.”
Three days later, I trudged on over to the local post office, wearing gloves and a makeshift bandana mask around my face and, standing six feet away from the teller’s window, with no one else in the building, the local postmaster handed me a well-packed record box that contained the long-anticipated, much-appreciated copy of Shades of Redd that was finally in my hands.
That night, I put it on the turntable and had a big shit-eating grin on my face as the first tune, Thespian, came on. If there were clicks and surface noise, I didn’t notice. To me, the sound was perfect, the cover was in beautiful condition, the music, as always, outstanding. I swept through Side One, marveling at the cohesion of the unit, and the great, inspired solos by Jackie McLean and Tina Brooks, in particular. I have always loved Jackie and this has to be one of his best records. And Tina Brooks is a constant revelation, clearly having absorbed a lot of Coltrane already, but also making the sound his own.
At one point, The Lovely Mrs. JC strolled into the room, during the ballad on Side Two, Just a Ballad for My Baby. “Oh my God,” she said, “That is really beautiful. What record is that?”
I replied: “That, my dear, is Shades of Redd.”
The wait is over! Congrats!
Happy for you!
I’m glad it went to a good home Al. I have nothing else to add other than that I love those shelves!
Enjoy!
That must be one sturdy stereo component shelf you be standing on. And a well balanced non vibrationally influenced turntable.
Nice when things work out, isn’t it? Congrats!
Congratulations on tour find.Happy Easter
Giovanni
wellcome home Shades of Redd, it’s a good home.
I’m sure there won’t be another such long-waited record for a long time.
When I came in possess of THE record I had been searching for decades (as yours), I felt so satisfied that no other record succeeded in arousing enthusiasm in me for many years.
I have slept better for a long time since.
Is Jazz record collecting only a rich man’s hobby ?
i’m an adjunct math teacher, Art, so no. money just makes it easier.
Congrats, Al! The grail feeling is a great one.
Art, I still buy cheaper records all the time. And with the USPS a mess right now, it will be a while before I add anything significant to my collection.
this is the Perfect Post Al!! it’s not the record ( that is a great record… it is.. ), but the whole idea,… the story… all the times you have been talking and posting about this record,… but above all: the picture!! not only do i finally see “AL”, but also a glimps of a collectioners home (haha) ,… but the smile Al, … the smile… ofcourse, in life other things are more of the essence ,… but we need some distraction sometimes from the difficulty of … i will play my liberty 70’s pressing of the album ( haha ) tonight and have the same smile… stay healthy everyone, thanks Al.
I do love the story. I love the photo even more. Given your wait and search, I would think that you would be holding the lp w/gloves and a mask, too! We all love when good things happen to good people, Al. Glad your grail arrived.
Another great story and at just the right time. Best wishes to stay safe in the mountains.
Congrats. It is a very wonderful thing that can bring such a bright smile in such a dark time.
Love the room, love the shelves, love the turntable (LINN?), love the Armstrong and Bird records we can see, love the ladder, love the photos, love the display pieces!!!
Congrats, I only have the Japanese reprint, but with Freddie Redd writing on back:Thank you for liking my music, Freddie Redd, 3-3-92. Wanted to post photo, but dont know how to
Congrats! It’s good to see humanity in these crazy times we are all in and that these treasures are going to the folks that really appreciate them!
Enjoy!
Bill — the room IS awesome, the turntable is Linn, can’t believe you caught those Armstrong and Bird covers.
Dottorjazz — I agree with you, and I will probably write a post about it in the near future.
Art — I am blessed to have had some career success, but for most of my life money was stretched thin and the hobby was always the most fun hunting for bargains and enjoying the process. Of course, in the best of those times, there was no eBay and there were dozens of record stores within a reasonable radius for me. I’d sneak out of work at least once or twice a week at lunch time, and check out a different store each time, looking for anything new and interesting that would come in.
Btw according to Wikepidia Freddie Redd is still alive at 91 and living in Harlem
Congrats Al, at last! Must have been a great feeling to finally put it on the turntable and enjoy it. Nice to see you in your listening space. Looks great!
One could not think of a better Easter present. I am really delighted to witness your happiness in your intimate habitat.
Congrats!
Great story and love the picture of a happy man (and impressive collection)!
I have a question, How are UK vinyl pressings? What is the quality?
I found an RCA victor UK pressing from 1965 I’m considering to buy.
Hi, I have a question, How are UK vinyl pressings? What is the quality?
I found a RCA victor UK pressing from 1965 I’m considering to buy.
Congratulations Al!
Sure is a nice feeling that I am familiar with. It also can be followed by some emptiness I’ve noticed…..and a sense of completion. On to the next LP I guess (and hope). Maybe that AdLib title?
Regarding Art’s question I guess that you have to be crazy or rich to collect the big games OG’s. Crazy in the sense that you put to much of your disposable income on records i.e neglect other things in life. If you are rich – fine you are set.
If you are content as a collector with reissues and japanese pressing you do not have to be rich at all. I know many collectors that has very nice collections musically and sound quality wise but steer away from original pressings because they cost too much. Nothing wrong with that.
Congrats to you Al but I think the other guy has a much bigger smile on his face! A mint Sonnys Crib even without the NY23 would command at least $1500-2000 if not more on eBay. A slightly off “shades of Redd” would not crack the 4 figure mark imo. Just my thought….I guess with trades I generally subscribe to Robert Crumb’s theory on them.
Which is . . . ?
I always went by Harvey Pekar’s comment on taking lps or money in a trade whenever possible.
From the cover of ‘American Splendor Music Comics #1.’
“I’ll take the lps. Money’s still in print. The records aren’t.”
http://matsgus.com/discaholic_corner/?p=2048
Robert does not mince words here and his opinion is perhaps a bit more vicious then mine but there it is!
Condition usually commands a premium – witness that mono “juju” still in the shrink which cracked $1000 recently on eBay.
So if your “sonnys crib” is truly pristine then…
Anyway please enjoy your score and I don’t want to take away from it! Part of me just remembers getting old psychedelic/rock paper catalogs in the pre-internet days and so often many of them had “wants lists” of all high value items and the “for trade” lists were all more common inexpensive stuff so maybe that helped form my apprehension about trades!
My copy of “shades of redd” has an ugly looking (and feelable scratche) on one side but miraculously plays through with next to no audible tics and the cover is quite clean. Because of that nasty scratch I got it for $350 many years ago.
Dottorjazz, wich was THE Record for you ?
Congratulations Al. I listened to my copy of Shades of Redd yesterday. Put a big smile on my face too.
Late to the party, but congrats, Al. Shades of Redd was never at the top of my priority list, I simply wasn’t as familiar with the record. When I checked it out on Spotify, I liked it a lot but it still didn’t move to the top. In January, I was offered a minty first pressing for a very fair price, so I snagged it then. And when I first played it, and listened to it in all it’s room-filling mono glory, I was an immediate convert. What an amazing session, so very well recorded and that bright red sleeve is really poppin’, what a thing of beauty this is. Bottom line, I understand your passion for this album, I share it, and I am happy that you found a copy for what seems like a fair trade to me.
Well done Al, it’s been some search, i’ve followed it for the last decade.
enjoy sir
Al,
Congrats on the excellent snag. There is nothing like checking the box on a title you’ve been chasing for some time (well, within reason anyway). I’ll have to consider looking for this title. It just hasn’t risen to the top of my list yet.
I guess it needs to replace BN1598, as I doubt I’ll every find a copy without taking our a credit line on my home. 🙂
But I did finally very recently add a 1st press Saxophone Colossus to the stash!
Congrats Al, and those shelves look great!
…Congrats Al ! (So now what do you get the Jazz Collector who has “everything” next birthday / Christmas ?)