Today’s Blues: Blue Mitchell, and Blue Notes

Blue Mitchell copyCatching up on my jazz vinyl watch list on eBay. Here are some of the items I missed, starting with Blue Mitchell, Blue’s Moods, Riverside 336. This was an original pressing with the blue labels, reels and microphone logo, etc. The record was listed in M- condition and the cover was VG+. The final price was $540. I know that this record has always been prized among collectors and has gone for pretty high prices, as seen here — higher than most of the Riverside catalogue, except for perhaps Waltz for Debby and maybe one or two others. What I’ve never understood is “WHY?” I know it’s a nice record, but what is it about this particular record that has driven up its value over the years?

This is a Blue Note that’s also seemed to rise in value compared to other records released around the same time:

Dexter Gordon, One Flight Up, Blue Note 4176. This looked to be an original pressing with he New York USA address, ears and Van Gelder. It was listed in M- condition for the record and the cover (same seller as the Blue Mitchell record) and wound up selling for $392.87.

This Blue Note also got a nice price (for the seller, at least): Duke Jordan, Flight to Jordan, Blue Note 4046. This was an original pressing with the West 63rd Street address and deep grooves on both sides. It was listed in M- condition for the record and VG++ for the cover and wound up selling for $1,247.22.

 

 

 

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6 comments

  • I think Blue’s Moods is highly regarded because :

    1- The session is so fine, with excellent drumming by Roy Brooks and fantastic version of “I’ll close my eyes” among other highlights.

    2 – Its’s quartet session, a rare setting for Blue Mitchell

    3 – It’s Blue Mitchell, and this guy is an incredible trumpeter, an advanced funky player, a subtle innovator.

    4 – This one was in NM condition, the cover seems to have not much ring wear, and it is partcularily hard to get fine condition Riverside…

  • One Flight Up is sought after because of the incredible “Tanya” on side one.

    I had a VG+ original autographed by Dexter. I sold it long ago. (No comment. Thank you).

  • So at long last it seems to me that finely it is about the music ! We collect sound not labels, it is about our ear first of all and then and only then it is about the RVG ear in the dead wax.

  • That Blue Mitchell session is wonderful, though I can’t say I’d fork over the necessary funds to own an original these days.

  • Also, that cover doesn’t appear NM to me. Closer to VG+ or VG++.

  • The remainder of the group is also very high level, BENNY GOLSON on tenor sax playing as magnificient as ever, CEDAR WALTON on piano in one theme “Studio B” also a great pianist, ART BLAKEY on drums one of the three better usual drummers, the well-known SAM JONES and PAUL CHAMBERS on bass distributing the session and of course the excellent form in which this distinctive trumpeter BLUE MITCHELL is found.

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