Comments on: Nice Records, No Bids (So Far)

By: Joe L

Joe L — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 04:40:55 +0000

Daryl – another point of value is that many Verve trumpeter represses of Norgran LPs were pressed with the Norgran metalwork. You can determine this by looking in the deadwax. For new Verve releases, the MGV-_____ album number is handwritten. But for Norgran represses there is often the machine-stamped Norgran MGN-____ number along with the added Verve MGV-____, also machine-stamped. For example, my copy of Stan Getz – West Coast Jazz was dirt cheap, but has the same DSM cover art as the original and was pressed with the Norgran stampers. I would obviously rather have the original Norgran (all other things being equal), but you can pull those Verve trumpeter Norgran represses from bargain bins in terrific shape for just a few dollars, and get the exact same album. Happy hunting!

By: Daryl

Daryl — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 01:56:38 +0000

Joe & Zarabeth, thanks for adding details to help me understand more the label’s (lack of) cache in the marketplace. I agree with Joe in that my ability to find Verve, Clef, and even Cadet titles with quality sound and players makes them much more accessible to the collector on the limited budget. I’ll keep looking for the Norgrans in that discount bin.

By: Joe L

Joe L — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 20:15:53 +0000

I love Norgran, but they are just not that expensive, if you are patient. I have three Lester Youngs on Norgran, and each cost me less than $15. In most record shops, they don’t have the same immediate cache as BNs, etc., so are typically priced to move (in my experience). As are Clefs and Verve DG trumpeters.

By: zarabeth47

zarabeth47 — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 18:53:40 +0000

GOSPEL TRAIN!

By: zarabeth47

zarabeth47 — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 18:52:51 +0000

Daryl: For me, outside of 2 or 4 titles, there’s just nothing I want to hear on Norgran so I don’t buy it anymore. I had the 7 inch LESTER – THE PRESIDENT a few months ago and listened to it a few times and I sold it! I know it’s historic but it’s not like a SRT -GOSPEL TRAN lp where I want to listen to it over and over!
I landed a very very nice CANNANBALL IN CHICAGO the other day for about $50.00 from a great ebay seller! : )

By: ceedee

ceedee — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 14:34:29 +0000

Al,I don’t think that JRC as a non-Paypal seller has an effect. Surely anyone with the funds to afford his items also has a credit/debit card to seal the deal. If most bidders are like me(“Meet Mr. Jazz Everyman!”),they bid as late as possible,hoping that NO ONE ELSE has seen the goodie they’ve come across.Yeah,right. When it works,you luck out and get it close to the minimum bid-when it doesn’t…
But,hey,isn’t that part of the kick that auctions provide anyway? How boring would it be to have all the money in the world and simply pull all of your wants down from some magical store shelf,price be damned?
That being said,I do think the Prez will end up with fewer bids than a lower opening price would bring. Bidding wars help bring in the big bucks,but high opening ceilings just make me sigh,roll my eyes,and look elsewhere.

By: Daryl

Daryl — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 04:49:12 +0000

I’ve immersed myself in primarily jazz record collecting for the past two years. While my actual purchases have been limited to garage sales and Impulse! online, I’ve been intentional about educating myself on the nuances of Blue Notes, Riversides, Bethlehem, and early Atlantic. Norgran? Of course I can’t bid $250 on that. The usual channels, such as Al and his jazzy minions, never discuss it, ancillary sources of jazz lp collecting are mute, and the seller tacks on $8.75 for shipping, a sure sign of imagined moral failing! Nope, the Norgrans of the world will forever be relegated to the lower price range until education regarding the label expands. Thanks, Al, for taking that first step!