Vinyl Sadness and Stuff
Once again relying on our friend CeeDee to keep me apprised of jazz vinyl happenings on eBay while my work prevents me from being as active as I would like. The first one is a record I’ve never heard of by an artist that is not familiar to me: Bjarne Rostvold Trio, Tricrotism, RCA Victor 9955. This was an original mono German pressing sold by vinyl-house-uk.The record was listed in EX+ condition and the cover was EX. The final price was $503. Is this a bass, drum, trumpet trio, as it seems on the cover? I’m trying to think of other records with this personnel and I’m coming up empty. There surely must be more out there, but I can’t think of them.
This one came with this note: “Really, folks? Anyone who needs to throw money away can get my contact info through Jazz Collector!” Lee Morgan, Live at the Lighthouse, Blue Note BST 89906. This was a sealed LP and sold for $274. The seller was funkyousounds. I am sorry to share the news with any of you who hasn’t seen it, but the founder of funkyousounds, Jason Koenig recently passed away. I don’t know any details but for those of you who knew Jason, I’m sure you can send an email to funkyousounds. Sounds devastating, such a young, energetic man and, based on my limited interactions with him, very kind and genuine. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
This was another one from vinyl-house-uk: Sonny Stitt and Paul Gonsalves, Salt and Pepper, Impulse A-52. This was an original mono pressing with the orange label and the Van Gelder in the deadwax. The final price was $422. Part of CeeDee’s note: “I had it a long time back. Didn’t move me. Traded it in for who knows . . . Didn’t expect it to sell for anything like this. Yow.” By way of comparison, here is a much less expensive Impulse: Chico Hamilton, Man From Two Worlds, Impulse A-59. This was also an original mono orange label pressing, featuring both Charles Lloyd and Gabor Szabo. Very interesting lineup. And the record and cover were both in M- condition. The final price was about $50. We’ll give CeeDee the final word: “Was this LP worth nearly 10 times of the cost of the Chic Chico? Not to me!”
Ted Curson has a great LP on Interplay called “The Trio”, released in 1979, that is a trumpet-bass-drums lineup. Absolutely first rate stuff.
I think the price for “Man From Two Worlds” is actually pretty crazy. As much as I love the JRC, they are not known for bargains, and even they only had $30 on a pristine copy last time I was there. The Stitt/Gonsalves price is, of course, totally absurd. I suppose two buyers REALLY wanted that.
The Lighthouse price isn’t too insane, in my opinion. It is a $125 buy or so these days, and this copy was sealed and from funkyou, who are one of the top price-getters on the ol’ ‘Bay.
Speaking of funkyou, of course, I had heard about Jason and while I did not know him, it is tragic that a guy with such dedication and passion should pass away so young. He built a first class business that I was always happy to patronize. My best wishes for his family and friends.
I was very tempted by that Rostvold and it’s certainly an album I’ve been aware of — his Switch LP on Odeon with Kenny Drew and Ray Pitts (in addition to Botchinsky and NHOP) is gorgeous. Kinda regret not bidding as $500 is a super fair price.
In addition to the Curson trio I can think of Manfred Schoof’s New Jazz Trio, a number of Bill Dixon groups (he often favored two basses but sometimes reduced the concept to a single bass + drums), Wadada Leo Smith’s trio with Peter Kowald and Günter Sommer, and the Paul Smoker Trio. In more recent times, there’s drummer Whit Dickey’s trio with Kirk Knuffke and Michael Bisio (playing this Sunday in Kingston — email me for details!) and HNH, the trio of drummer Joe Hertenstein, bassist Pascal Niggenkemper, and trumpeter Thomas Heberer. I’m sure there are more I’m forgetting.
Re: funkyou, yes, a very unfortunate loss. Jason Koenig seemed like a nice guy.
By the way, I always thought that Salt & Pepper was like a $10-$20 record — had it at one point, wasn’t very into it, and let it go for peanuts!
Are there any great alternatives to ebay, for rare jazz records in collectible condition? It seems like ebay is well past its prime in this area, and I am wondering if buyers and sellers have found other venues. Have brick and mortar dealers been making inroads in the jazz record market? Instagram? Discogs? Other online auction sites or straight sales sites?
Paul, your best bet is a record show and i mean a real record show, not the local ones where the dealers are just trying to sale to sale their second hand junk, or crap they picked up cheap and hoping someone will buy it for twice the price ,but something like the Austin record convention, this weekend in Austin ,Texas , is a great show, Calif. has great record shows also
Discogs and IG, sure. I’d just be prepared to drill the feedback and make sure items are returnable if not in the condition stated.
We are lucky enough to have a “brick and mortar” shop here in town. It is a small business, but the guy (his name is Chuck) is always getting rare jazz records and selling them for far less than I would pay through EBAY. If you’re ever in Portland (Or), check out DIG records.
Those are great tips, thank you. I get the feeling that sellers are migrating to Instagram but I have no personal experience with it. Occasionally I see nice records being shown off on Instagram, and the posters acknowledge having bought them from Instagram sellers. Regarding DIG records, it’s interesting that he would sell direct for less, rather than sell them on ebay. Not too long ago, many of the best records purchased by brick and mortar dealers were promptly sent to ebay.
BTW, sorry to have changed the topic.
I’ve had decent luck finding stuff on Discogs, but I’m still figuring out Instagram. It’s a great place to interact with other collectors, but in my experience collectible, non-grail records posted for sale sell almost immediately. For higher-end stuff, it seems dealers — even if on IG — still prefer to post items on eBay, although they may be open to off-eBay offers if the records are “buy-it-now.”
One big strike against IG is that it’s not easily searchable. We’ve gotten so used to searching for exact albums and pressings on Discogs and eBay that it seems unlikely IG will completely take their place.
I’ll come to the defense of Salt & Pepper. It’s a record that has taken me quite a few spins to fully appreciate. Agreed that it sounds mundane at first. But there is a very tight connection rhythmically in the band, and the drumming and piano are fantastic. On the title track Hank Jones keeps things interesting and inventive through the whole thing, and Gonsalves’ phrasing and accents are out of this world. Needs repeated listens. Stardust (last track) is beautiful and Lord of the Flies theme is short and refreshing. Good record that I’m happy to have. $400 though? hell no!
Instagram: I just joined them. My account is FiftiesJazz. I am trying to figure out to what extent it can enhance my sales. I have seen people selling through this medium, but there is no way for potential buyers to filter out availabilities.
For the moment I started by just showing my Blue Note collection, one item each day. Have just arrived at BLP 1530.
Rudolf- the first thing you should do is make a eBay link to your eBay page, that way people can see your previous sales as well as your past feedback, most of us on here know who you are, but other on Instagram do not, the collectors on Instagram will contact you if you have a record they want t a fair price -trust me
Nice record, Tricrotism. These three musicians: Rostvold on drums, Botschinsky on trumpet and NHØP on bass; Together with Bent Axen on piano and Niels Husum on tenor saxophone, they formed the group Jazz Quintet 60. They have two excellent albums: Presenting Jazz Quintet 60 on Fontana label, and Jazz Quintet 60 on Metronome. The originals are very very expensives, but luckily there are Japanese reissues. Elegant and novel danish jazz in the hardbop age.
Rudolf, I’m not sure you need any help with you sales 😉 but I’m game if you want to start selling directly through Instagram!
I have Jazz Quintet 60 on Metronome. I’ve searched for the Fontana for many years, and it is without question one the rarest desirable jazz records.
Hi Paul. I think you will also have or seek the Bjarne Rodtvold Jazz Journey on HIT records. And also the Bent Axen Let’s Keep The Message on Debut. As well as the 1967 Bent Jaedig Danish Jazzman also in Debut. Wonderful european jazz
I have those nice Japanese reissues of the jazz quintet 60 albums as well as the Rostvold on Hit. Also have a few Bent Jaedig Sawano reissues too. Great stuff! Missed out on a local copy of that Rostvold trio for only $20! A friend beat me to it. Do have an original “switch”.
those Debuts are very, very nice records.
Hi Joaquim, I agree those Rostvold and the Jaedig titles are every bit as tough to find. Other than those three records, George Arvanitas- Soul Jazz, and Rene Urtreger on Versailles, I’ve been able to complete my Eurojazz wants list over a 25 year period of collecting jazz records. I’ve had opportunities to purchase them, but I was limited by finances, and I’m no longer adding to my collection these days.
Paul. My favorite European jazz record is Swinging Macedonia, from the great Dusko Goykovich on Philips german label from 1967.
Thanks Mark. I will mention my Ebay link in my profile. At the moment I’m just working on getting a sizeable following. My daily Blue Note exhibition has arrived at BLP 1536.
GST: thank for your message.
Bjarne Rostvold was an active drum,er during three decades producing a number of outstanding albums in addition to the rare ones from the 60es. There is Spotlight from 1981 with Tim Hagans,tr, Jan zum Vorde sax, Thomas Clausen p, and Mads Vinding b, Metronome records. Then Late Night Ceremony from 1986, with Jørgen Emborg p, Jan zum Vorde sax, Lars Togeby tr, and Klavs Hovman b, on Stumt records. Both are well recorded and excellent
Stunt records, the most prolific danish recording company today, along with Steeple Chase, the latter more international, Stunt concentratimg during four decades on Danish artists
So much great jazz from Europe in the 60’s, most of it virtually unknown in the US except to collectors.
Sad to hear about funkyousounds founder Jason Koenig’s passing recently. I’ve bought a number of LP’s from his eBay store over the years, and most recently one at the end of June that was still sealed. Upon arrival, I opened it to find that it had an unplayable storage warp. He took it back, full refund no further explanation needed… Just a straight shooter all the way. Certainly a tragic loss to the community. Deepest sympathies to his family. Does anyone have any insights into what happened there ?
Presenting Jazz Quintet 60 on Fontana label, and Jazz Quintet 60 on Metronome. The originals are very very expensive: ..but what would they be worth on an auction today, in a say Mint or VG++ condition