Would You Pay $5,000 For This Record?
As promised, here is the original DownBeat review of Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1568, perhaps the most valuable and treasured of all the Jazz Collector collectibles. This is from Oct. 30, 1958 and the reviewer is John A. Tynan:
“Hank Mobley — Blue Note 1568: Might Moe and Joe; Falling in Love With Love; Bags Groove; Double Exposure; News.
“Personnel: Mobley, tenor; Curtis Porter, alto, tenor; Bill Hardman, trumpet; Sonny Clark, piano; Paul Chambers, bass; Art Taylor, drums
“Rating — Three and a half stars
“One of the nicer things about Al Lion and associates at Blue Note is that they don’t hesitate to present new talent they consider worthwhile. On this set is presented 29-year-0old Philadelphia saxman Curtis Porter, who is equal to the company. Although it is Mobley’s date, the leader allows generous space for the wailing of his fellow reedman, which makes for a high degree of hard blowing.
“Porter’s alto and tenor work is more intensely staccato than Mobley’s. He skips through his solos with light-footed adroitness, delicately sparring with the changes. And he always swings hard. Trumpeter Hardman remains a wishful spokesman for the late Clifford Brown. Though he blows with controlled ferocity and biting tone, he lacks the sense of construction and taste so necessary to major status. Clark, Chambers and Taylor combine in churning rhythm section, with Sonny’s frequent solos gems of taste and swing. His rippling tough and original, melodic constructions contribute much to the album’s rating.
“Of the three originals here, Porter wrote two (Joe and News); Exposure is Mobley’s. None is outstanding compositionally, but News offers an attractively melodic theme. Mobley’s tenor is big, bustling, hard and virile — but still a considerable cut below the level established and sustained by Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. When he speaks, though, it is with authority. The good moments are many in this set, and quite a few of them come from the horns of newcomer Porter. Let’s hear more from him.”
There is is. What do you think?
for me this is a positive review which incites to buy the record. Whether the stars are 3 1/2 or four is a detail really.
To me it is very interesting that Curtis Porter (aka Shafi Hadi) stands in the foreground and gets most of the credit of this review. I agree with Rudolf: it’s a positive review.
Unfortunately Downbeats wish to Curtis Porter: “let’s hear more of him) was obviously not granted. Does anyone know any records from Porter/Hadi apart from his appearances with Mingus?
I think that’s a reasonable, accurate review.
It’s a faithful review. I’ve always loved Porter on this session. There is something special about these side, and the cover is off the scale. $5,000? Yes if I had a spare $5000. I will have to stick with my King Japanese reissue (sounds incredible) BTW check this out…with 6 whole days to go!! could be a record for 1568, record location United Kingdom.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271465587801?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
…and NO New York 23 on label!
and the later inner with the sleeve pictures, which is a bad sales approach, though honest.
I agree that this is a positive review, but I would have to remind Rudolf (being one of the older members of this group) that many in those days did indeed buy (or not) based on the number of stars – I know for a fact of so-called jazz lovers who bought only 4 star or higher albums.
Earl: I was one of them (see my comment under “Cool Struttin'” regarding “Reunion”).
This reviewer clearly thinks more highly of Sonny Clark then the fella that reviewed “Cool Struttin” in the last post, but it always amazes me how often Mobley was negatively compared to Trane and Rollins back in the day. Luckily history has shown how the 3 players each brought their own set of talents to the table.
As far as the high prices that 1568 still brings in, I feel that it is a total hold-over from the days before eBay. It used to be so rare and such a holy grail, people want to keep it at that status even though nice vintage copies seem to show up on eBay all the time.
First print of Hank Mobley was about 500 or so copies, right ?
I think its unbelievable how many copies that appeared on ebay those last 3 years since I’m following the ebay results via the jazzcollector…
$5’000 for this record, you must be kidding me. I have two copies of this record, an original found at Housing Works in NYC and one 200g reissue. I knew it was rare but I never thought it was that expensive. you made my day guys, thanks !
greg…where have you been?
That Mobley is now over 6 G’s, and 5 days to go – and no NY23!
Sheesh!
“good” condition.. which probably means “fair”..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151285625247?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
shaking my head over here.
Agreed Andy, I’d love a copy of this record but I’ve figured out ill have to get lucky. I’ve decided to set my sights on a later plastylite pressing and hopefully I can get a playable copy for a decent price that way. Ridiculous.
This is getting out of hand –
$465 for a record (I don’t care how rare( which gets his own lowest rating for vinyl condition) – what on earth could anyone want that for? I know about space fillers, but you could save yourself $400+ and fill this space with a copy of “How Much is that Doggie in the Window,” and enjoy the music more
Earl –
I have a spare “How Much is that Doggie in the Window,” Mint- To you Earl…say $200?
I don’t understand why people wouldn’t use a reissue as a place holder. Between Classic Records, Music Matters, King, Toshiba, Analogue Productions, etc. I’m at the point where I either get a nice playable copy (at least VG+) or I get a reissue.
The LP and cover condition is driving the bidding war here. I suppose this is still considered a 1st pressing, though not the earliest first pressing based on the NYC labels. Is it a transitional first pressing from a label standpoint?
This 1588 looks like a first pressing to me, am I missing something?
I’m gobsmacked at a 1568 topping $6K. That’s just absurd.
Interesting accusations from friends at London Jazz Collector!!
http://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/sale-of-the-century-mobley-1568-mint-ending-may-4-2014/
Thoughts?
I noticed that but was thinking it was a bidding war between two nutjobs.
These guys selling the Mobley in question seem to have a constant supply of Blue Notes , week in week out.
The auction ended at $6410.22. Not sure if the seller actually sold it based on the London Jazz Collector’s assertion (2***b was the winner).
Yeah… that’s super f’ed up.
I would expect that it would go as a second-chance offer to the next bidder, who may or may not buy it. Seems like a waste of time and money to do what this seller has done.
Well either way Popsike will list it as selling price ;.(
They have got another one heading that way,Curtis Fuller/ Hank Mobley. The Opener. Two days left £745.00 (GBP)