This week’s theme: Dexter Gordon studio recordings 1950s (and The Resurgence). Featured artists include Dexter Gordon, Stan Levey, Conte Candoli, Frank Rosolino, Leroy Vinnegar, Lou Levy, Kenny Drew, Lawrence Marble, Carl Perkins, Chuck Thompson, Jimmy Robinson, Dolo Coker, Martin Banks, Richard Boone, Charles Green.

Actually, just noticed that the direct link to play from here is now fixed, so here it is:

Whilst we’re look at records that are in the under $100 range there is Stan Levey, This Time the Drums on Me, Bethlehem 37. This looks to be an original red label pressing listed in VG+ for the record and VG for the cover. The seller is not very effusive with this description and at one point describes it in mint condition, which it clearly is not. The start price is $80. For those in the know, this record features some very lovely playing by Dexter Gordon.

This next one caught my eye because I’ve been watching a bunch of auctions closing today by the seller carolinasoul. This next one being Tommy Flanagan, The Cats, New Jazz 8217. This is an OJC pressing in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. The bidding is at $56 and the auction will probably be closed by the time most of you read this. I was never a  huge fan of the OJC pressings, but I bought them in the day to fill in gaps in my collection. They always felt kind of flimsy to me, but I never had much complaints about the sound quality. Hey, you get the original music, the original liner notes, the original cover. What can be bad?

1. Charlie Rouse and Paul Quinichette, The Chase is On, Bethlehem 6021

2. Dexter Gordon, Daddy Plays the Horn, Bethlehem 36

3. Stan Levey, This Time The Drum’s on Me, Bethlehem 37

4. Stan Levey, Grand Stan, Bethlehem 71

5. Zoot Sims, Down Home, Bethlehem 6051

I’m sure I’m missing some great records on this list, particularly the Waldron record, but if I don’t own it I haven’t spent enough time with it to put it on my list. So I will leave it to you all to fill in the blanks.

As for all of other great records on eBay now, they will have to wait for the next post.

Someone got a nice record at a nice price with this one: Stan Levey, Grand Stan, Bethlehem 71. I’d have thought this would be more collectible, what with the presence of Sonny Clark as well as Richie Kamuca. This copy was in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover.  It sold for $43.

Here’s a nice, original, New York yellow-label Prestige that also didn’t command top dollar: Gene Ammons, All Star Sessions, Prestige 7050. This one was in VG++ condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $76.01.

This one, on the other hand, had no problem fetching top dollar: Johnny Griffin, A Blowing Session, Blue Note 1559. This was an original pressing and it looked to be in M- condition, although the terminology used by the seller was different. Some people clearly agreed that it was M-: This one sold for $1,252.

bottom of the picture all the way to the right. Recognize the record? I did. I recognized it as this: This Time the Drum’s On Me by Stan Levey, Bethlehem 37. I also recognized that this record features some really, really rare Dexter Gordon from the mid-1950s. The price of the box of 25 records was $15. Shipping was about $15, so the total was $30. Was it worth the risk? I thought so. Here’s why: An original pressing of This Time The Drum’s on Me has sold for more than $125 on the Jazz Collector Price Guide. Plus, my copy could have used an upgraded cover. This risk was that the record in this box was not an original, or was in poor condition. I took a shot. The box arrived yesterday. The Stan Levey record? It is an original. I have it on the turntable now. It sounds great, at least a VG+, perhaps better. And the cover is at least VG++, a definite improvement over the one in my collection. A good investment for $30? I think so. And the bonus is there was also a nice Ruby Braff United Artists LP featuring Barry Galbraith and Bob Brookmeyer that will either end up on eBay or on a shelf somewhere in my collection. So I am quite pleased with myself as I listen to Dexter wailing on Tune Up while I watch the snow continue to pour from the sky on yet another cold blustery day in New York.

Red Mitchell, Bethlehem 38. This was an original red label pressing, deep groove. It was in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $190.93.

Lee Konitz with Marne Marsh, Atlantic 1217. This was an original black-label mono pressing. It looks to be generously graded at VG++. It sold for $149.99.

Here’s one that would support the theory of a developing two-tier market:

Stan Levey Quintet, Mode 101. This was an original pressing. The record was VG and the cover was VG+. The price was just $15.55. I know this was not in mint condition, but $15 for this LP seems quite low.

Here’s another one that seems quite low: Max Bennett Plays, Bethlehem 50. This one is in VG+ condition for both the record and cover. It sold for $26.05. It features Charlie Mariano, Frank Rosolino and several other top West Coast jazzmen.

This one also seems effected by condition, so the price was actually probably fair: Kenny Clarke, Klook’s Clique, Savoy 12065. This was an original pressing. The record was VG+ and the cover was VG. The price was $77.55.