Prices rising, but still affordable?
If you have been collecting Blue Note records for a while, you are aware of how much Jackie Mclean vinyl is selling for. Pretty much window shopping for me considering the growing prices for the first press albums like 1959's New Soil and Swing, Swang, Swingin, or 1961's Bluesnik.
That doesn't mean you can't still collect. Many time the second an third pressings sound almost as good, if not equal to the originals. Personally I have gone after a lot of the Late 60's to Mid-70's United Artists and Liberty issues of McLean's by default.
Note: The above album Bluesnik is selling in excess of 100 dollars for 45 rpm re-issues. The original press could easily set you back $500. The NY USA issues are themselves in the $100 to $250 range.
It is important to remember that all of these prices fluctuate wildly, but it is the nature of the market. A record is only worth what the buyer is willing to pay, and what that particular seller is willing to sell it for.. Patience often times pays off.
Nothing wrong with the Liberty pressings
Sometimes gambling that a seller is a conservative grader helps too. Pre Liberty Blue Note vinyl seems to hold up well to moderate scuffs and marks. I have found a VG record often times plays like a much better copy at half the VG+ or excellent grade's price.
Can't beat the experience of the 12 inch cover art
I love the music there is no doubt, but for me the album covers are nearly as important. Just having a vintage copy of these iconic covers are worth it to me, even if what I have isn't usually a 1st or 2nd press.
I remember the first time I bought Blue Note records at my local record shop, thinking to myself how puny and worthless those CD booklets were. They just do not do this art work justice.
Yes, I do have nearly 500 CD's as well, I am also a liner note fanatic, and I just can't seem to get enough of the newly updated thoughts on this timeless music.
Did that cover scare the hell out of you?
20 Years ago or so, when I was just getting into jazz, and had only briefly made my way through the Miles Davis catalog, and only barely heard of Blue Note yet, I remember thinking at the time, if this was a McLean version of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew or something?
Of course it's not jazz-rock at all, just another good free-bop album, typical of the inside outside playing McLean mastered during the 60's for Blue Note. All be it, this time it seems to be more in a modal vein and stays grounded more, with a fairly straight ahead ballad "Toy Land".
I shouldn't judge the cover, but not my cup of tea honestly. I do like some of Mati Klarwein's covers though, Bitches Brew and Santana's Abraxes come to mind.
Demon's Dance is actually one of the McLean Blue Note albums that can be had fairly reasonably in the record shops I have noticed. On eBay though it can be tough to find, but I did purchase mine for 20 bucks. CD's are fetching as much as 40 bucks, not a chance.
Ornette Coleman in support of McLean, but on Trumpet!
One of the oddities of the record is Ornette Coleman playing trumpet instead of alto sax. The first time I heard this record I was not impressed. Over time I have come to appreciate the simple contrasting style. Coleman's not Freddie Hubbard, and that's OK, it's a sound that grows on you.
This pictured copy is a European import I picked up on eBay many years ago for 20 dollars. As of 2018 these are selling in the 40 dollar range, not bad at all for a great record.
Music From the Connection: A dollar thrift store find
An original or second press will run you 50-100 dollars, with late 60's pressings running about 20 bucks or so. This is one of my favorite records, but definitely worth hearing.
One Step Beyond and Destination Out
One Step Beyond and Destination Out are 2 of the best 60's post bop albums of the era. Trombonist Grachan Moncur III is the composition star here. Besides being a tremendous instrumentalist these compositions are full of interesting things. Not exactly easy listening, sort of the same style as Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch. A chamber jazz if you will. Extremely thought provoking music.
These albums were released in 1964 (January and November), and Moncur composed 5 of the 9 tracks on the 2 albums. I consider them companion albums, along with Moncur's Some Other Stuff and Evolution.
The greatest achievement of these particular albums is knowing that 55 years after their recording, they still sound fresh, and honestly sound like they could have been recorded today.
