Comments on: Ups and Downs on eBay

By: Yury

Yury — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 06:45:22 +0000

Clef – Norgran – Verve was the number one jazz record company in the 50s as Victor was the number one classical record company in 1900-1970.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 01:38:07 +0000

The Clefs, Norgrans, and early Verves contain fantastic music, and clean first pressings sound fantastic as well. The recording quality was consistently high for these sessions, with a warmth and glow that makes Lexington era Blue Notes sound harsh and thin. The David Stone Martin illustrated jackets from the mid 50’s were tasteful, entertaining, and fit the music perfectly. Johnny Hodges, Lester Young, Ben Webster, Sweets Edison, Tal Farlow, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Billie Holiday, Anita O’Day, to name just a few, the list goes on and on…

The emphasis on Blue Note is unfortunate. Blue Note was/is a couple of drops in the bucket. Crowd mentality.

By: DARYL PARKS

DARYL PARKS — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 23:45:22 +0000

The ideas of the “50 year rule” seems to connect with my recent pondering of vinyl values. Watching Gripsweat on a daily basis in recent months, the rise of “modern soul” and “unknown rap” against the backdrop of Northern Soul (NS) is curious. It seems, me thinks, that NS’s peak is transitioning into peak prices being paid for modern soul, obscure funk, and obscure rap. Hmm… in this small sample, it appears the 50 year rule may be useful for predicting what is to come. Hold on to your disco records! They will soon top Blue Notes!

By: Abrasive_Beautiful

Abrasive_Beautiful — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 20:47:31 +0000

Personally, I don’t think the popularity of modern jazz LPs is going to wane any time soon. I’m 26, and when I started collecting I felt I was definitely in a niche, but the amount of people interested in jazz (as well as vinyl in general) has grown like crazy. And among younger people than myself.

The decline of verve (pre-1960), norgran, and clef might seem like a model for other labels to decline as well, but in my opinion, the vinyl mastering and pressing quality of those originals is just not comparable overall to the stuff from Blue Note, Prestige, Contemporary, etc. It makes the music sound more dated, un-dynamic, and less vital than it is.

I don’t collect those labels as originals, because I see the audiophile and Japanese pressings as cheaper and better alternatives, as well as much less hassle to buy than to try to find in clean shape. The old jackets also dry out and split if you look at em the wrong way.

While we’re on the subject, I put on my Classic Records pressing of Duke Ellington/Johnny Hodges “Side By Side” and the audio is sharp and dynamic, vinyl silent. Sounds like it could have been recorded yesterday.

By: gregory the fish

gregory the fish — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 16:26:58 +0000

But the circles of collectible blues 78s and Beatles rarities are excessively small. interest in them might be vast, but a very small number of wealthy collectors are driving those markets. jazz vinyl has a much larger circles of interest, and verve, clef, norgan, and even dial are starting to see the effects of age.

By: Robert Morris

Robert Morris — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 16:01:30 +0000

The Beatles continued popularity is a good Example of an Exception to the “50 year rule”. They are cross-generational. Some folks boast about being a “first generation” Beatle’s Fan. Continuing with the “Generational framework” I am probably a 3rd generation Jazz Fan (last 10 to 15 years). Pre-war Blues 78’s are also a good Example of an Exception to the “50 year rule”…and distinctive Blue-Note LP’s from the 50’s & 60’s are commanding 4 figure prices. Several threads are unraveling here i.e. The Beatles prodigious contributions to Popular music and the “Authenticity” of the early Blues. Vintage jazz albums carry interpretive & impressionistic music and arguably have the best Cover Art. Jazz LP’s speak to Art, Authenticity & Americana.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 17:33:32 +0000

I wish that rule applied to blues 78’s from the 20’s and 30’s! I’d like to add a few more Charlie Patton, Skip James, King Solomon Hill, Tommy Johnson, and Son House records to the collection.

By: RB

RB — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 03:36:31 +0000

The Beatles are now past 50 years and while boomer longevity will likely stretch that market for a few more years yet, the fortunes of Beatles collectibility will be a good test of the general applicability of the rule. However, modern jazz may be entirely an exception. Jazz has both scarcity and artistic merit going for it, and collectors are rarely nostalgia driven. The beautiful album art helps too. If the normal rules applied, prices would’ve dropped a bunch this past decade.

By: japhy

japhy — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 20:10:26 +0000

Serendipitous post! A couple nights ago I watched the Bill Evans documentary on Amazon Prime (very good), and subsequently was browsing eBay to see how things were going with Bill. Looks like they’re going well!

The Astaire set reminds me of another desirable set, “The Jazz Scene,” which has several 78 records, lots of great photos, and – best of all? – is numbered and signed by Norman Grantz. Just took a peek for this one, and a couple actually sold this month in the $500 range. Somewhat surprising, I guess. Maybe not, who knows. I’ve got a nice copy I’d be happy to sell off, but shipping 78s just makes me too nervous.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/78-RPM-Norman-Granz-THE-JAZZ-SCENE-Charlie-Parker-Bud-Powell-etc-E-/264356238415?hash=item3d8cdc144f%3Ag%3AmKsAAOSwftlc%7Ea8t&nma=true&si=zTMrAcQfhDw4%252FDkDbjvHlEowVeY%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

By: gregorythefish

gregorythefish — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 19:36:18 +0000

i think it won’t be too long before these crazy expensive blue notes dip a bit. if they don’t, it would be the very first display against the supposed 50 year rule.