Get Happy with Freddie Redd and Jazz Collector
You would think that someone collecting jazz records for more than 50 years, as I have, and who had been obsessed with finding a clean copy of Shades of Redd, as I have, would have known about the following record, as I have not (until now): Get Happy With Freddie Redd Trio With Guests, Nixa Jazz Today Series, NJL.19. Not only have I been unfamiliar with this title, I am also unfamiliar with the label. So, excuse me for a moment, while I look at the record and do a search. A quick perusal tells me this is a Metronome Recording, Made in England and, as described on the label, is an “unauthorized public performance.” The trio is Freddie Redd, Tommy Potter and Joe Harris and the guests are Rolf Ericson and Benny Bailey. Based on the liner notes I would place the record in the late 1950s, maybe 1958 or 1959? Now to Popsike, Google and beyond.
Popsike: In 2007 a mint copy of Get Happy With Freddie Redd Trio With Guests sold for $1,260. That seems to be the highest price ever for the record, so welcome to the $1,000 bin. There have been five other copies that sold for $500 or more. I didn’t go beyond that, but it is clear that this is a rare record and in demand among collectors.
Wikipedia: Nixa records was founded in 1950 and was the second label in Britain, behind Decca, to release LP records. The label was sold to Pye Records in 1953 and, what do you know, I’m also not familiar with Pye Records. Another search, and Pye was originally a manufacturer of televisions and radios and got into the record business in 1953m when it acquired Nixa.
General search/Discogs: Looks like I should have been aware of Nixa Records, and perhaps I was at one time, memories being what they are after you’ve been collecting jazz records for more than 50 years. They did have quite a number of jazz and blues releases, more than 150, with artists such as Joe Harriott, Chris Barber, Don Rendell, Cleo Laine, Annie Ross and Lars Gullin, plus skiffle, including Lonnie Donegan, and British issues of American blues and folk, such as Big Bill Broonzy and Josh White. I bet the Beatles were listening to some Nixa Records as youths in Liverpool, yes?
It looks like the record was released in the UK in 1958 based on a session recorded in Stockholm in September 1956.
So that’s my lesson to myself for today.
Oh, yes, the copy that is for sale now is listed in EX+ condition for the record and the cover, which we translate into M-, and the bidding is in the $460 range with more than four days left on the auction.
I started in the 70s and I refuse to be shocked. Of course, it always takes two to tango. It’s not the winner who sets the price, it’s the #2.
I collect since the mid 90’s. When NM records were near mint 🙂
I seem to be getting old. To spent so much money on a vinyl record is immoral to me. As is modern day capitalism…… call it economics. But it is not how economics work Gregory – it is how capitalism works. Just one direction in economics for the rich.
I collect since the mid fifties when records were sold new.
I started in late 80’s when you had 3 choices for jazz records. your local music store, Goldmine magazine auctions, or a record shows. i hate to say this but the Japanese are the ones responsible for the high prices, they set the blueprint with them coming over here and buying all the first pressing records,for big money, i seen it at the record shows, and they would establish a relationship with the dealers and record shop owners if they got nice condition first pressings to contact them first, the internet today makes it easy in the fact they don’t have to travel , which to me explains why there is not a lot of first pressing jazz at the records shows today
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313629846113?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D233205%26meid%3De4e03a6882d4413589e1b22d38dbd658%26pid%3D100889%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D313629846450%26itm%3D313629846113%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2332490.c100889.m5204
A late Bill Evans issue at incredible price..
$524. Gohoos81 with another market moving victory. Congrats!
Matt, nice quote from Billy Madison, You’re not a very original guy, are you? Relying on Adam Sandler for your insults LOL
Dutch, wtf are you even attempting to opine on? If you are going to attempt to use sarcasm and an insult in the same thought, there….needs…to…..be…..THOUGHT to it, AND there needs to be a THOUGHT in it.
Dude, you can’t be intellectually bankrupt on both fronts. I’ll give you partial credit if you can pick just one!
Gohoosier81. You are cool.
The JRC Jack Wilson sale was for a rare pressing of the title: Liberty Mono, with promo sticker in NM condition. Supposedly one of less than 20 titles so issued by Liberty. I agree that the price was astoundingly high. In fact the price was more than 10x the previous high price for this title. I wonder if the buyer actually paid ?