Two Old Jazz Records That Are New (At Least to Me)
Time to peruse the old watchlist once again. Let’s look at two records I don’t recall seeing and were certainly never on my radar until spotting them on eBay. First is Electrifying Sounds of the Paul Jeffrey Quintet, Savoy, 12192. This is a very late issue for the Savoy label and it has a maroon label. I’m assuming the maroon is the original color at this stage of the Savoy catalogue, but I don’t know that for sure. This one had a corner clip and original shrink wrap and was listed in M- condition. The final price was $265. Further research shows that the quintet consists of Jeffrey, Jimmy Owens, George Cables, Larry Ridley and Billy Hart, recorded in August of 1968. Part of my interest is the simple fact that I am not familiar with this record, even though it was issued near the time when I first got interested in jazz and began shopping the bins for jazz records. Also, it was near the time when I started seeing jazz live regularly. Jeffrey was the tenor player with Monk and I saw him many times at the Vanguard and was always impressed with his playing and always wondered why he didn’t get more accolades and/or record dates as a leader. So, I guess, he had at least one more record date as a leader than I was aware of.
This one, also on the Savoy label, caught my eye because of the weirdness of the listing: Milt Jackson – Terry Gibbs, Savoy 15058. The seller listed it as a “78 RPM shellac record.” If you look at the picture, it is clearly not a 78 RPM shellac record and looks to be just a standard 10-inch LP with the heavy vinyl typical of a 1954 pressing, which this is. It looks to be a compilation LP with Bags on one side, Gibbs on the other. It also looks to have a Milt Jackson signature on the back, which is probably legitimate. So, somehow, the seller manages to put “shellac” in the listing, but does not put in “autographed by Milt Jackson.” The seller clearly does not have experience selling jazz records and did not say much about the condition, other than the word “good.” The starting price was $102, the buy-it-now was $204 and there were no bids. To my knowledge it was listed twice already and is back on eBay once again. Maybe three times will be a charm, now that the record has been publicized at Jazz Collector?
Paul Jeffrey has a very tasty date on Mainstream as well, which sells for about one-tenth the price that this Savoy did!
Hello Jazz Collectors,
I am new here as I have just inherited my father’s beloved Jazz Collection of +1000 vinyls from the 50s/60s/70s, including many original Blue Notes such as Hank Mobley/Sonny Clark/Lee Morgan/Freddie Hubbard. I had a few Jazz enthusiasts and people in the field inspecting it and have been told they are mostly in very good conditions or near mint. Please check out the whole collection on my Discog on this link (Under Jazzy4 profile):
https://discogs.page.link/rE3ESidAVssRjsdC7
Unfortunately I don’t have the capacity to sell every piece singularly so I’d like to sell the whole collection or the most important pieces if I receive a serious offer.
Please feel free to contact me on my email if interested – isabella.pagliarani@hotmail.it
Isa
What a strange and interesting cover on that Paul Jeffrey record! Can someone more learned than I decipher it all for me? The dog? The MOOG-like device on the music stand? Is that the Golden Gate bridge in the background?
Picked up that Paul Jeffrey Savoy over 20 years ago when it could still be had for not much. Great record with a great band behind him.
yes the cover is great!! that is.. it’s weird, interesting… and Why?? i hope it was his own dog and they had a great day!
i know people who would buy this at that price even if the vinyl wasn’t in there…
That Paul Jeffrey lp came at an end run of Savoy so to speak when Bill Dixon was getting musicians, often some who worked with him, record dates on Savoy. 12280 series. Great stuff , Ed Curran, Marzette Watts, Joseph Scianni, Vinson Hill, Marc Levin, Paul Bley, Robert Pozar, Charles Moffett, Doug Carn.
Remember picking a lot of ‘em up in cut out bins ages ago.
Meant 12180 series
The MOOG-like device is actually a MAESTRO electronic unit made by Gibson for wind players, in particular saxophonists. Similar to the VARI-TONE unit offered by Selmer. These could extend octaves of the range and by pressing a key, one could make a sax sound like a flute or bassoon, or such. They were quite interesting, I had one, however they were quirky. And through the years, hard to get parts for after manufacture was discontinued. They still can be found; it was an interesting toy. You had to use a special mouthpiece with attached cable. And one also needed an amplifier.
Funny coincidence – I just today donated an original silver gelatin print of this affable and serene musician (which Paul Jeffreys told me he loved) to Jazz Foundation of America, along with my entire 56-year collection of exhibition-quality prints. It was offered in support of their fundraising endeavors.
Another coincidence regarding Paul was that we both played on Charlie Mingus’ final album, “Cumbia and Jazz Fusion”!
Were I technically able – I’d have LOVED sharing and contributing my images to this thread – but if anyone has interest, please swim around here: http://www.creativemusicphotography.com and: facebook.com/creativemusicphotography
I used to have that Paul Jeffrey — got it sealed but it had some old water damage and I was never able to properly replace the cover. Nice date but I haven’t thought about it in years.
Interesting takes on the Jeffries lp,but I’m still left wondering..what does it SOUND like? Eddie Harris-y,Rahsaan,? Unique in its own way? BTW,that tacky cover would have kept me from checking it out further,back in the day. Now(of course),I’m a wiser consumer(insert smattering applause sounds here).
yeah, it’s a soul jazz record and the Varitone gets a little Rahsaan-y at times. I don’t really get the hype. His playing is strong but the arrangements/feel aren’t that different from peer records of the era. The Moffett he’s on is far more interesting to me.
For what it’s worth, the only Bill Dixon-produced Savoys, other than his own, are the Marzette, Marc Levin, Ed Curran, and Robert Pozar. The Bley, Valdo Williams, Joseph Scianni, and Charles Moffett albums were not brought to the label by Dixon.
Hello Isabella
In case you already haven’t sold the record collection please contact me at mathiaskr87@yahoo.com. Thanks!
Best wishes
Mathias K. Rasmussen