Rarest Blue Note?

[brownie]

Finally received the latest Mosaic brochure. The one which fronts the reversed Roy Eldridge photo. Michael Cuscuna in the 'Dear Friends' section writes about the Duke Pearson Select and mentions that "Merry Ole Soul' may be the rarest of Blue Note albums.

Knew this was not a widely available album but never realised it was that rare. I have an original copy of that Duke Pearson LP in excellent condition (except there is a large AUDITION COPY sign over part of Father Norman O'Connor's liner notes). Can't remember where I got this or how much I paid for it.

Beside the Lexington and first generation 63rd Street LPs are there other BN albums that were that rare?

[Daniel A]

Perhaps Cuscuna is not to be taken literaly? I got this a few years ago and it wasn't too expensive. I would think that there are at least a few early 70s misfires which are as rare, if not rarer, as well as a couple of the later Bobby Hutchersons. But they are perhaps not considered as "true" Blue Note releases since Frank Wolff too was gone by then.

Anyone who remembers Moacir Santos?

[JSngry]

Yes, and Dom Minasi as well. I think he did two, and I've only seen one. Once. Never seen the second Barbara Caroll 70s BN either.

What does "not a widely available album" mean? Lower preesing count? Limited distribution? All of the above?

[undergroundagent]

"Merry 'Ole Soul" was just reissued as a TOCJ I believe. Check Hiroshi Tanno, or Dustygroove.

My vote goes for either Grant Green's "Visions" TOCJ or Marlena Shaw's "Marlena" TOCJ as the rarest of Blue Note material that was released on CD (I could use Visions). Maybe even Hutcherson's "Live at Montreux" these days.

Edited December 5, 2003 by undergroundagent

[connoisseur series500]

I just ordered "Merry Ol Soul" from Dustys. It's a JRVG isn't it?

I'm gonna pass on the Mosaic since I'm less interested in the other stuff. I've got some of the other sessions on single cds except for "PHantom" and a couple of the others not reviewed too flatteringly by AMG.

[Daniel A]

Conn, don't trust the AMG too much! I'd rank 'The Phantom' as one of the best albums in the Pearson Select.

Jim, maybe all the Minasi albums ended up in Sweden? I found about twenty cut out copies of his debut 'When Joanna Loved Me' once. I bought one for next to nothing, and even that was a waste. Forgettable from the liners to the last chord. Not Minasi's fault, perhaps - I remember the string arrangements as espescially unbearable. You know, that kind of a bit too small string section that just sounds cheap...

[connoisseur series500]

Conn, don't trust the AMG too much! I'd rank 'The Phantom' as one of the best albums in the Pearson Select.

Well that's just terrific, Daniel. The chances of me finding and being able to afford the individual cd is remote at best.

I don't want to buy the Mosaic for just one session.

What do you think of the other lesser known sessions included in the Mosaic? What about "How Insensitive?"

I've already got the Big Band and "I Don't Care Who knows it."

[JSngry]

"How Insensitive?" is one of those things that you have to take for what it is and go from there. It's grown on me over the years.

The sleeper of the whole bunch, in my opinion, is "It Only Happen With You ". That's a really nice side, subtle and meaty at once.

[Daniel A]

I would say about the same thing as Jim about 'How Insensitive'. I'm not as great a fan of that album as, say, Lon though. I think the best cuts are those with Flora Purim+rhythm. The chorus makes it all too much of mood music for my taste. It's not that I don't like voices in a setting like this, I've got all of the Singers Unlimited albums on MPS, if you're familiar with them. It just seems to me that the 'New York Group Singers' Big Band' isn't up to the level of Pearson, Cranshaw et al. Pearson's own playing on 'Stella by Starlight' is as classy as anything he did, though.

I'd recommend 'How Insensitive' for Pearson fanatics / completists only.

[undergroundagent]

Paul,

I love that "Sweet Honey Bee" disc that you traded me! Pearson is very underrated in my opinion, but what I think really does it for me on his sessions is the presence of James Spaulding on Flute.

Edited December 5, 2003 by undergroundagent

[mikeweil]

The rarest? Perhaps the Fred Jackson, the Charlie Rouse, Tina Brooks' Back to the Tracks ( ) .....

I have all three Moacir Santos LPs and love 'em - one of the true geniusses of Brazil's contemporary music, very original composer. Wonder what has become of him.

[brownie]

The rarest? Perhaps the Fred Jackson, the Charlie Rouse, Tina Brooks' Back to the Tracks ( ) .....

I have all three Moacir Santos LPs and love 'em - one of the true geniusses of Brazil's contemporary music, very original composer. Wonder what has become of him.

My original question was referring to the BN LPs from the Lion-Wolff era. Must say I did not investigate the Moacis Santos sessions. Will be looking for these now that my interest has been roused.

Got the Fred Jackson and Charlie Rouse LPs. Somehow never got hold of the original 'Back to the Tracks'

Edited December 6, 2003 by brownie