We’re Back, But Hardly Missed
Oh my God, I go away for a few days with limited access to the Internet and look what has happened. You all have taken over the site. Actually, it’s quite thrilling. I do need to catch up and spend a little time reading all of the comments — 103 and counting — which as a whole probably represent one of the most complete guides to collecting Blue Notes anywhere. Quite recently I have given a lot of thought to doing the Jazz Collector Guide to Blue Note (and Prestige, Norgran, Verve, etc.), but my time has been limited. Now it seems to be happening organically. It will be an interesting process to figure out how to gather and summarize and address all of this information so that it is more easily searchable and perhaps more readable, although it is quite fun going through the comments one by one. Thank you all and keep it up. I’ll be back with my usual posts more regularly, assuming you are all still interested.
I could do the same for Riverside,if you are interested.
I can speak for myself (but I think everybody would agree), but I am definitely interested in your regular posts. For a long time I was just reading here, but I always loved it, when new posts were there.
As they say in The Netherlands, Al: “If the cat is out of the house, the mice dance on the table!” 😉
Al, you have been missed! I totally agree with Kartasis. The psoting and listing is great. But I also love the new stories by Al!
To Michael: A Riverside List would be fantastic! Anybody able to do a Prestige list? I am a relatively newcomer to the Jazz Scene and my knowledge is not yet sound enough to start with it….
One furter question regarding New Jazz labels: I stumbled over 2 Art Farmer albums at a secondhand shop, Farmer’s Market + In Casablanca, each with a dark blue textured label. I assume they are from the seventies – am I right? The condition was as new and they were only about 20 USD for both so I took them. Though for sure later pressings, sound seems nice and music is great!!!!
@GW: “Farmer’s Market” was one of the first NJLP’s, so the original label should be the classic New Jazz purple label with DG.
But while I was checking I found almost no indication of 8203 with a DG. Somehow there were some Prestige/Bergenfield issues as well, so maybe this was a transitional record?
But if it has the blue Trident-label, it is clearly a 2nd pressing.
The later 8289 Art Farmer should be having the New Jazz purple label as well, to be considered an original, but not a DG, as I learned here 😉
But 20$ is a great find!
Thanks Kartarsis! I know that both Farmers LPs should be with purple New Jazz labels as first pressings. Yes, both have the blue Trident-Label. Do you have any ides when these labels occured? From the Coverstyle and Vinyl I assume early seventies but I could not find any “labelology” in the net.
Farmer’s market is one of the first New Jazz records (8203). So it must have the usual Prestige Yellow and Black fireworks DG label with Bergenfield adress. “Roots” and a Mal Waldron (Mal 3, i think) record are in the same case. Purple label was issued later
http://www.popsike.com/Farmers-MarketAFarmer-Prestige8203BergenfieldRVG/120267925527.html
Thanks Michael! I checked popsike – and yes there are copies of Farmers Market with the classic Yellow and Black fireworks DG label with Bergenfield adress. So my copy is at least a third pressing. In Casablanca was issued later (1963?) so the purple label was the first, blue trident maybe second. But my question remains: When hat Prestige established the blue trident labels?
I’m sorry, my Prestige-collection is really small. I would say you’re right, GW. Around ’69, if I should name a year.
@Michel: Thanks for this insight!
the blue trident label was launched by Don Schlitten somewhere mid 1964. The last yellow/black label was around # 7320.
Farmers’ Market is a New Jazz original, which came with three labels, the first being indeed the yellow/black fireworks DG, NJ.
Casablanca is a re-issue of a Prestige album, I believe 7017.
To Rudolf: Many thanks! I hoped that you will answer my question as I have the impression, that you are the absolute Prestige – Specialist.
My Casablanca is Purple Label, Non-DG, “VAN GELDER” stamper. It is indeed a repress of 7017 as Rudolph said. Great music, my copy is in terrible condition but I’m looking for a beautiful 7017 to upgrade. One of these days.
Yes, Casablanca is 7017 reissue. A fine album.
I wanted to start the Prestige and hopefully we can get some clarification on the exceptions.
100-214(10-inch)
100-117(sketchy about 117)
All should be DG, Blue Label, and the 754 10th Avenue New York NY address.
118-214
All should be DG, Blue Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address.
7000-7140
All should be DG, Yellow and Black Fireworks Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address.
7140-7258
All should be DG, Yellow and Black Fireworks Label, and the 203 South Washington Ave., Bergenfield, N.J
7259 – 7320
Not DG, Yellow and Black Fireworks Label, and the 203 South Washington Ave., Bergenfield, N.J
7321 – ??
Not DG, Blue Trident Label, and the 203 South Washington Ave., Bergenfield, N.J
Please let me know of all the corrections and exceptions as I’m not sure of the ones on the border.
Also, I don’t know when they stopped using Kakubuchi. Also, I’ve seen auctions on the 10″ that talk about the plastilyte “P” ear thingy.
10 inch also red label (fireworks)
10 inch:flat edge
12 inch:last new york:7141;first bergenfield:7142
as rudolf noted before there are two different yellows in labels and no lettering on spine in the beginning.
could be useful to have different guides for different labels in order to find what needed easily
Here are my amendments. I did a bit more research this afternoon. Thanks Doctor Jazz. And keep em coming.
100-214(10-inch)
100-117(sketchy about 117)
All should be DG, Blue Label, and the 754 10th Avenue New York NY address. Flat Edge
118-214
All should be DG, Blue Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address. Flat Edge
161 DG, Red and Silver Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address. Flat Edge
162-168
All should be DG, Blue Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address. Flat Edge
169-197
All should be DG, Red and Silver Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address. Flat Edge
198-214
All should be DG, Yellow and Black Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address. Flat Edge
7000-7141
All should be DG, Yellow and Black Fireworks Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address.
7142-7258
All should be DG, Yellow and Black Fireworks Label, and the 203 South Washington Ave., Bergenfield, N.J
7259 – 7320
Not DG, Yellow and Black Fireworks Label, and the 203 South Washington Ave., Bergenfield, N.J
7321 – ??
Not DG, Blue Trident Label, and the 203 South Washington Ave., Bergenfield, N.J
The latest copy I have without writing on the spine is 7101 Herbie Mann/Bobby Jaspar – Flute Souffle. After that all of mine have spine labels. I have 7004 with a spine label but all other markings of a first pressing so it’s possible that some have it and some don’t.
Al, your posts are definitely missed and appreciated! I do love the feedback items, but I missed your posts as well. Also a BN guide would be great with pictures of the labels. To this day the variations continue to confuse me in spite of the excellent commentary on your site. I actually have a fair number of Prestige records, and I think I have that about 50% figured out. Anyhow, welcome back! P.S.: if you ever do a BN guide, I have quite a few BN 45’s I can send you pictures of.
“Al, your posts are definitely missed and appreciated! I do love the feedback items, but I missed your posts as well” : Hear,hear!!
OK, I’ve done more research on the spine issue from a post Rudolph a year or so ago hear. I’m still trying to find any info on the different yellows in the labels(I’ve seen a lighter, dull yellow and a sharper yellow but I can’t find any rhyme or reason to them). Rudolph said it was the first 30-35 in the 7000 series have the sharper yellow.
100-214(10-inch)
100-117(sketchy about 117)
All should be DG, Blue Label, and the 754 10th Avenue New York NY address. Flat Edge
118-214
All should be DG, Blue Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address. Flat Edge
161 DG, Red and Silver Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address. Flat Edge
162-168
All should be DG, Blue Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address. Flat Edge
169-197
All should be DG, Red and Silver Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address. Flat Edge
198-214
All should be DG, Yellow and Black Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address. Flat Edge
7000-7057, 7060, 7061, 7063
DG, Yellow and Black Fireworks Label, No Spine Writing, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address.
7058-7059, 7062
DG, Yellow and Black Fireworks Label, Spine Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address.
7064-7141
DG, Yellow and Black Fireworks Label, Spine Label, and the 446 W. 50TH ST. New York NY address.
7142-7258
All should be DG, Yellow and Black Fireworks Label, Label on Spine, and the 203 South Washington Ave., Bergenfield, N.J
7259 – 7320
Not DG, Yellow and Black Fireworks Label, and the 203 South Washington Ave., Bergenfield, N.J
7321 – ??
Not DG, Blue Trident Label, and the 203 South Washington Ave., Bergenfield, N.J
Mike: you did a very fine job. I saw somewhere in the comments that somebody had a 7004 with spine text. This version exists, the colour of the sleeve is slightly brighter and it is not kakubuchi. The labels are more ochre instead of the lemon yellow of the first labels. These first labels have a constant yellow colour and the letters are more angular than the later letter type, which is rounder.
Until what number do Prestige First Pressings have a flat edge? I mean starting with 7000, ending with …..? I appreciate all your help, as always…