Jazz Vinyl Countdown: Early Eric Dolphy

We were cleaning this record yesterday to put it up on eBay: The Chico Hamilton Quintet With Strings Attached, Warner Brothers 1245. It is an original pressing in pretty nice condition. It was in a pile of records to sell. It was not one I was even considering keeping, so it wasn’t even going to get a mention in the Jazz Vinyl Countdown. Then I looked at the liner notes, where it mentions a “newcomer” on reeds by the name of Eric Dolphy. I had forgotten about Dolphy getting started with Hamilton. Anyway, I decided to give this record a second chance. I put it on the turntable. Quite interesting Dolphy — he plays mostly straight, but you can absolutely hear the direction he will head towards in the next few years. So, after listening to several tracks, what’s the verdict?

Well, as interesting as the record may be, and it certainly has historic value as one of Dolphy’s first recordings, it is still going to eBay. I know it will not fetch a big price on eBay and I’d like to keep it for some historical value but, quite frankly, this is not a record that would make the cut as I look through records that I want to listen to. I’m sure, however, it will make a Dolphy collector out there quite happy. Before it goes to eBay, if any Jazz Collector reader is interested, drop me a note at al@jazzcollector.com.

P.S. — The track Close Your Eyes just came on and I was almost tempted to change my mind and keep the record. Dolphy plays it total straight and, geez, he could play pretty when he wanted to. Hmmm.