Ruminations on Trane and Dizzy
There’s a new auction from the Jazz Record Center on eBay. I like to watch their auctions, not just because of their sterling reputation as sellers, but also because I often learn something new, or at least recall something I’ve forgotten. For example, John Coltrane, Coltrane Jazz, Atlantic 1354. I have a hard time keeping track of the Atlantic original pressings once they stopped with the black labels, and this is a nice reminder that the original pressing of this record has the red and purple labels. This is the mono pressing, which is always nice to have, although in the case of this record, I typically prefer the stereo pressing. In any case, this one is in M- condition for the record and the cover and has a start price of $75 with no bidders, so far. I’m getting some new equipment this week. I’m thinking about the first record to play and this would be on the list if I had a stereo copy, but I don’t so I’m taking if off the list. Right now I’m thinking perhaps Way Out West or Sonny Rollins Plus Four or perhaps Blue Train.
This one I find really interesting:
Unissued Dizzy Gillespie on four acetates. This is apparently an unissued and undocumented recording of a concert by Dizzy’s big band at Cornell University, dated from November 5, 1948 — as well as five tracks from an earlier concert at Cornell. It seems kind of amazing that an undocumented concert would somehow become available more than 65 years after it took place. You would think that someone would perhaps buy this and make it generally available to the public? It would be good to digitize it, since acetates have a limited lifespan and can only be played a certain number of times before the sound quality deteriorates. Actually, as I write this, it seems Jazz Collector would be an appropriate forum for stuff like this. I’ll think about it and keep an eye on the price of the recordings. As you know, I not only don’t make any money doing Jazz Collector, but it actually costs me a bunch hosting the Web site and paying a Web expert to keep the site running and maintaining/upgrading it. Do you think there’d be an issue with royalties just posting the music here for free download?
I think Coltrane Jazz is as good as any of his other Atlantic albums (even Giant Steps). Luckily, because it’s not as famous, and the first pressing is not on the black labels, it is usually available for a reasonable price. Same goes for Coltrane Plays the Blues.
I guess it really depends on whether the copyright has expired for this recording. I think a few companies (e.g. Doxy) from Europe are exploiting the expiration of copyrights on sound recordings in order to reissue records on vinyl. It will be best to consult a copyright attorney.
It might also be a fun project to publish the recording on vinyl or through iTunes. Maybe a crowd-funded kickstarter project?
My guess is the Bob Sunenblick from Uptown Records will be high bidder and will then make the music available as he has with other historic recordings. Unfortunately, he no longer issues vinyl.
i always thought that the term of copyright in a sound recording is limited to 50 years from the date of recording, at least in the UK and for i know, in holland, but the copyright on a composition is 75 years or 90 years in the usa.
USA normaly has a longer period.
i regualary buy these compilation cd’s, they are so cheap, there can’t be any copyright on i would say..
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8593140&style=music&cart=1557598044
also all the albums miles davis made in the 40,50 and beginning of sixties, you can buy for 25 dollars in a box. (legaly in a store:-) , and it isn’t columbia or prestige that makes this box
Over here in Europe even “Love Me Do” by The Beatles has entered the Public Domain (really, google it), so releasing these Gillespie recordings on our side of the pond should be no problem.
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Now, I have a modest but professional home studio where I digitize everything from tape, to shellac, to vinyl (and even acetates on glass discs once, a private recording of a wedding from 1953) and I’d be more than happy to digitize these 8 sides. However, Fred has put the starting bid on $250, which means that I’m out.
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I truly hope that someone with the heart in the right place will buy them and have them digitized professionally for posterity and to share them with us. And to whoever buys them: I can digitize them for you. My email: manmatty[at]gmail[dot]com
Would enjoy hearing about your new equipment went it is in place.
The equipment is in place, Terry. I already use my setup weekly to save old recordings. I’d do the same with the Gillespie acetates, if only I could afford them. As said: the starting bid of $250 is a bit too steep for me.
My equipment is also in place. I’m not an audiophile, but I wanted to get a better sound and found someone I trusted in Manhattan. I upgraded my Lynn Sondek turntable with a Dynavector moving coil cartridge and phono stage, a well as a Rega tone arm. I replaced my B+W Shelf Speakers with a pair of used Wilson Sophia floor-standing speakers. It plays through an integrated Macintosh solid state amp. I am very pleased with the sound. One of my first records on the new system was Dexter Gordon, Doing Allright, which sounded pretty amazing.
Wow Al, nice system! I’m glad you’re playing those gems from the collections you bought on something that does them justice.
The question of course is, Al: can you record the audio from the records you play? ‘Cause I can record directly to my hard drive, whether it’s from vinyl, shellac, tape, or any other source 😉
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If only I had the dough to purchase the Gillespie acetates – ’cause then I’d digitize them in a heartbeat.
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