The Blue Note Thread

[TCell]

Not sure if this was brought up or not here recently, but Blue Note Review vol 2 seems to be in stock at the BN site:

Blue Note Review: Volume Two - Blue Note Review

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account.bluenotereview.com

not sure if it was ever sold out but i know some people were trying to find a copy.

My wife got me that BN Review2 set for Christmas a year ago. It's pretty nice. The Art Blakey album and the Tony Williams Tribute album are both outstanding. The Bobby Hutcherson is fine too, just not as memorable as the other two albums. And just last week, I finally got around to taking the baseball cards that came with it to the frame shop to get them framed. (i'll post a picture when I get it back.) Still find it annoying that the box doesn't fit in the Kallax though.

 

[RHANDMJ]

I don't have any OGs and probably never will go out of my way to look for one as long they keep up the great work on the reissue campaigns. I'm curious though for those who have a few RVG albums and have compared to the modern ones - how close is the representation by KPG. I expect that he's a fan of RVG as for his new label I was reading that he's acquired a house with similar "acoustic properties" as the one RVG uses to do many of the BN recordings.

One of the major assets RVG had was his studio. His first studio, his parents house, is what KPG is trying to emulate (but he never really will, the characteristics of that house - plaster & lathe, not drywall, etc. - can't be reproduced). Certainly, that relatively short period of RVG has a unique sound. But the majority of RVG BNs are Englewood Hills recordings. That studio is fabulous, with a wide, open sound and wonderful acoustics.

There are still modern recordings coming out of the RVG Englewood Hills facility, although it isn't regularly used. Still sounds amazing.

KPG doesnt stick close to the RVG masterings. He tries to stay faithful to the RVG master tapes.

 

[Selaws]

My wife got me that BN Review2 set for Christmas a year ago. It's pretty nice. The Art Blakey album and the Tony Williams Tribute album are both outstanding. The Bobby Hutcherson is fine too, just not as memorable as the other two albums. And just last week, I finally got around to taking the baseball cards that came with it to the frame shop to get them framed. (i'll post a picture when I get it back.) Still find it annoying that the box doesn't fit in the Kallax though.

Oh I LOVE the idea of having the cards framed. Looking forward to seeing the photo!

I was close to getting Vol 1 for a while but it's like they pumped all of the money into the scarf. Vol 2 seemed much better value.

 

[Selaws]

I don't have any OGs and probably never will go out of my way to look for one as long they keep up the great work on the reissue campaigns. I'm curious though for those who have a few RVG albums and have compared to the modern ones - how close is the representation by KPG. I expect that he's a fan of RVG as for his new label I was reading that he's acquired a house with similar "acoustic properties" as the one RVG uses to do many of the BN recordings.

When trying to replicate anything out there it's always going to be tricky to get it spot on. When you consider how many different technical elements and steps there are to mastering then it's easy to see how hard it must be to balance all these elements in order to match up with something else.

 

[MikeH]

The next set of BN Classics will be announced tomorrow! And first ones will be out in May.

 

[Oldwhitelincoln11]

I wish they’d do blue train AAA

 

[MikeH]

I wish they’d do blue train AAA

i feel like there are a billion different pressings of that album. is it that hard to find these days?

 

[Oldwhitelincoln11]

i feel like there are a billion different pressings of that album. is it that hard to find these days?

In AAA and good quality it is. Lots of cheap colored digital presses.

 

[RHANDMJ]

I wish they’d do blue train AAA

Come on! There is lots more to BN that Blue Train, and it has been done to death by now.

 

[Oldwhitelincoln11]

Come on! There is lots more to BN that Blue Train, and it has been done to death by now.

There is more but I’d like an affordable analog copy. They don’t exist.

 

[JohnnyCashFan]

One of the major assets RVG had was his studio. His first studio, his parents house, is what KPG is trying to emulate (but he never really will, the characteristics of that house - plaster & lathe, not drywall, etc. - can't be reproduced). Certainly, that relatively short period of RVG has a unique sound. But the majority of RVG BNs are Englewood Hills recordings. That studio is fabulous, with a wide, open sound and wonderful acoustics.

There are still modern recordings coming out of the RVG Englewood Hills facility, although it isn't regularly used. Still sounds amazing.

KPG doesnt stick close to the RVG masterings. He tries to stay faithful to the RVG master tapes.

Thank you for sharing knowledge like that! makes recovering from Shingles a little easier this week.

 

[RHANDMJ]

There is more but I’d like an affordable small log copy. They don’t exist.

Sure they do. Look for a good Japanese pressing. They sound great. Blue Train is a basic two track recording. There is a limited amount that can be done to it.

BTW, mono is the way to go with Blue Train, and if (when) the BN Classic get around to it (maybe even tomorrow) it will probably be stereo.

 

[MikeH]

There is more but I’d like an affordable small log copy. They don’t exist.

RecordCity has a japanese press for around $50 shipped it seems.

John Coltrane - Blue Train Records Mail Order RECORD CITY Japan

Specialized in Japanese Pressings, J-POP, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Soul, Classical, Dance Music, Rap, Sound Track, Anime, Game etc. Japan’s leading on-line Record Shop. Big shipping discount.

www.recordcity.jp

I see them around every once in awhile for $40-$50.

 

[bornard]

It's a bit like comparing apples to oranges if price factors into it. I'd have to think that the Tone Poets win over everything....you're not likely to find NM original pressings for $40 and under.

The BN pressings I really love are the japanese "From The Original Master Tapes" Series. Not sure if they are digital or analogue...nobody seems to want to answer the question. But KG cut a lot of them and they are mono. They sound incredible. The attention to detail is pretty great as well--deep grooves, flat edge, beautiful jackets. Sadly they are very very expensive now and I think I read they only made 1,000 of each pressing. I really regret not picking up more when I had the chance before the prices exploded. A buddy of mine has listened to some RVG originals versus the same titles in the FTOMT series and prefers the japanese pressings.

The great thing about the OGs though is that you can get a pretty beat up looking copy and it will still sound great. They were cut pretty hot from my understanding and it's rare that the surface noise is heard above the music in my experience. So I'm not shy about buying OG Blue Notes if they are cheaper and marked as "G+ or VG".

pretty sure the Japanese FTOMT series were all cut by KG and they were all pressed at QRP (maybe you can get chad to spill the beans) I too like them - these are basically proto-Craftman releases as Disk Union launched the label not long after. the artwork and attention to detail is next level (or typical Japanese depending on your perspective).

regarding beat up originals, I can tell you from experience that they can sound great if you don't mind noise...a little crackle now and then I can handle but anything consistent just ruins it for me. buying sight unseen with these is always buyer beware especially that a beat to shit copy can be much more than a TP.

 

[bornard]

pretty sure the Japanese FTOMT series were all cut by KG and they were all pressed at QRP (maybe you can get chad to spill the beans) I too like them - these are basically proto-Craftman releases as Disk Union launched the label not long after. the artwork and attention to detail is next level (or typical Japanese depending on your perspective).

regarding beat up originals, I can tell you from experience that they can sound great if you don't mind noise...a little crackle now and then I can handle but anything consistent just ruins it for me. buying sight unseen with these is always buyer beware especially that a beat to shit copy can be much more than a TP.

also just to give you perspective only the top titles sold well on release - the dozen or so I have I picked up at DU in Japan on clearance for between 2000-2500yen each...now, they're stupid expensive, but they are probably they best looking reissues ever. I'm not a fan of the MMJ/TP style, but appreciate the overall effort for sure.

 

[tvham]

This is the version I have and it sounds great.

John Coltrane - Blue Train

View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1977 Vinyl release of "Blue Train" on Discogs.

www.discogs.com

Though I still think they would make a mint pressing a BN Classics of this like they did with Sidewinder or Moanin'

 

[MikeH]

also just to give you perspective only the top titles sold well on release - the dozen or so I have I picked up at DU in Japan on clearance for between 2000-2500yen each...now, they're stupid expensive, but they are probably they best looking reissues ever. I'm not a fan of the MMJ/TP style, but appreciate the overall effort for sure.

If you ever want to trade any from that series please let me know! I’ve been looking for them but prices skyrocketed. Jealous that you got a lot of them. I bought 3 for around $50 each and then sat back and didn’t buy more. Now they are real expensive. Think they only did 1,000 of each…

And yea they are KG and QRP mostly. The TBM titles were cut in Japan and are one steps apparently.

For beat up originals, buyer beware for sure. I’ve mostly gotten ones in person in bargain bins that looked very scuffed and played back with minimal noise for $5-10. I’m fine going for something cheaper online too. Especially if it’s a swinging session and not something with quieter music on it. A few years ago G+ copies of BN titles sold for next to nothing on eBay.

 

[Oldwhitelincoln11]

RecordCity has a japanese press for around $50 shipped it seems.

John Coltrane - Blue Train Records Mail Order RECORD CITY Japan

Specialized in Japanese Pressings, J-POP, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Soul, Classical, Dance Music, Rap, Sound Track, Anime, Game etc. Japan’s leading on-line Record Shop. Big shipping discount.

www.recordcity.jp

I see them around every once in awhile for $40-$50.

How is VG+ from record city? Seems like everyone here only grabs NM?

 

[mdmost]

The new Classics were announced. June and August are excellent.

MARCH 24, 2022

Blue Note Records has announced the next run of titles in the Classic Vinyl Reissue Series, which presents affordable 180g all-analog vinyl reissues in standard packaging that are mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and manufactured at Optimal. Curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman, the series continues its exploration of the extensive Blue Note catalog with titles that span the many eras and styles of the legendary label’s eight-decade history presented by themes: Bebop, Hard Bop, Soul Jazz, Post-Bop, Avant-Garde, The 70s, The Rebirth, and Hidden Gems.

The newly announced titles begin on May 20 with two 1970s classics revered as the source of prominent samples on seminal hip hop tracks by A Tribe Called Quest: Two Headed Freap, the 1972 debut by organist Ronnie Foster whose track “Mystic Brew” was sampled on “Electric Relaxation, and Moon Rappin’, a 1969 album by organist Brother Jack McDuff that was released in 1970 and later sampled on “Scenario” and “Check the Rhime.” Both titles are available for pre-order now on the Blue Note Store.

Other highlights of the new line-up include some of the most beloved classics of the Blue Note catalog like Thelonious Monk Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1, Lou Donaldson Blues Walk, Larry Young Unity, Wayne Shorter Adam’s Apple, and Andrew Hill Point of Departure, as well as lesser-known treasures like Don Wilkerson Preach Brother!, George Braith Extension, and Grachan Moncur III Evolution. Two modern era standouts—Charlie Hunter Bing, Bing, Bing! and Joe Lovano I’m All For You—are analog recordings that will get their first-ever vinyl release mastered AAA by Gray direct from the master tapes.

Classic Vinyl Reissue Series – Release Schedule:

May 20, 2022 – The 70s

• Ronnie Foster – Two Headed Freap (1972)
• Brother Jack McDuff – Moon Rappin’ (1969)

June 17, 2022 – Hard Bop

• Lou Donaldson – Blues Walk (1958)
• Sonny Clark – Dial ‘S’ For Sonny (1957)

July 15, 2022 – Hidden Gems

• Don Wilkerson – Preach Brother! (1962)
• George Braith – Extension (1964)

August 19, 2022 – Post-Bop

• Larry Young – Unity (1965)
• Wayne Shorter – Adam’s Apple (1966)

September 16, 2022 – The Rebirth

• Charlie Hunter – Bing Bing Bing! (1995)
• Joe Lovano – I’m All For You (2003)

October 21, 2022 – Soul Jazz

• Big John Patton – Oh Baby! (1965)
• Stanley Turrentine – Common Touch (1968)

November 18, 2022 – The Avant-Garde

• Andrew Hill – Point of Departure (1964)
• Grachan Moncur III – Evolution (1963)

December 16, 2022 – Bebop

• Thelonious Monk – Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1 – BLP 1510 (1947-48)
• J. Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Vol. 1 – BLP 1505 (1953-54)

 

[MikeH]

The new Classics were announced. June and August are excellent.

MARCH 24, 2022

Blue Note Records has announced the next run of titles in the Classic Vinyl Reissue Series, which presents affordable 180g all-analog vinyl reissues in standard packaging that are mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and manufactured at Optimal. Curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman, the series continues its exploration of the extensive Blue Note catalog with titles that span the many eras and styles of the legendary label’s eight-decade history presented by themes: Bebop, Hard Bop, Soul Jazz, Post-Bop, Avant-Garde, The 70s, The Rebirth, and Hidden Gems.

The newly announced titles begin on May 20 with two 1970s classics revered as the source of prominent samples on seminal hip hop tracks by A Tribe Called Quest: Two Headed Freap, the 1972 debut by organist Ronnie Foster whose track “Mystic Brew” was sampled on “Electric Relaxation, and Moon Rappin’, a 1969 album by organist Brother Jack McDuff that was released in 1970 and later sampled on “Scenario” and “Check the Rhime.” Both titles are available for pre-order now on the Blue Note Store.

Other highlights of the new line-up include some of the most beloved classics of the Blue Note catalog like Thelonious Monk Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1, Lou Donaldson Blues Walk, Larry Young Unity, Wayne Shorter Adam’s Apple, and Andrew Hill Point of Departure, as well as lesser-known treasures like Don Wilkerson Preach Brother!, George Braith Extension, and Grachan Moncur III Evolution. Two modern era standouts—Charlie Hunter Bing, Bing, Bing! and Joe Lovano I’m All For You—are analog recordings that will get their first-ever vinyl release mastered AAA by Gray direct from the master tapes.

Classic Vinyl Reissue Series – Release Schedule:

May 20, 2022 – The 70s

• Ronnie Foster – Two Headed Freap (1972)
• Brother Jack McDuff – Moon Rappin’ (1969)

June 17, 2022 – Hard Bop

• Lou Donaldson – Blues Walk (1958)
• Sonny Clark – Dial ‘S’ For Sonny (1957)

July 15, 2022 – Hidden Gems

• Don Wilkerson – Preach Brother! (1962)
• George Braith – Extension (1964)

August 19, 2022 – Post-Bop

• Larry Young – Unity (1965)
• Wayne Shorter – Adam’s Apple (1966)

September 16, 2022 – The Rebirth

• Charlie Hunter – Bing Bing Bing! (1995)
• Joe Lovano – I’m All For You (2003)

October 21, 2022 – Soul Jazz

• Big John Patton – Oh Baby! (1965)
• Stanley Turrentine – Common Touch (1968)

November 18, 2022 – The Avant-Garde

• Andrew Hill – Point of Departure (1964)
• Grachan Moncur III – Evolution (1963)

December 16, 2022 – Bebop

• Thelonious Monk – Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1 – BLP 1510 (1947-48)
• J. Johnson – The Eminent Jay Jay Johnson, Vol. 1 – BLP 1505 (1953-54)

@zdkaiser !!!! adam's apple!!