DONALD BYRD At The Half Note Cafe Vol. 1 1960 BLUE NOTE ST 84060 dg ear rvg 63rd

	£		77
	$		102

DONALD BYRD - AT THE HALF NOTE CAFE Volume 1

A seldom available copy of this very first press 1960 US jazz classic on the coveted BLUE NOTE label, STEREO BST 84060

 Matrix Numbers :

Side 1  BST 84060 A with "RVG" machine stamped and the "ear" (inverted "P" from "Plastylite") and "9 M" each hand etched into the dead wax area

Side 2  BST 84060 B with "RVG" machine stamped and the "ear" (inverted "P" from "Plastylite") and "9 M" each hand etched into the dead wax area

The condition of the vinyl is EXCELLENT. Lovely sheen with no scratches whatsoever, just a small number of very light paper "non-feelable" scufffs and wispy hairlines on each side and even then only really noticeable under a bright light. Considering it's 57 year antiquity this record remains in remarkably good condition - truly excellent. This 1960's Blue Note vinyl is renowned for both it's audio quality reproduction and durability and each are in plenty of evidence here.

The labels are EXCELLENT+ and would be perfect were it not for just a single very faint spindle trace line adjacent to the centre hole on side 2. Has the ""47 WEST 63rd NYC" text address on each label, and of course the circular deep groove on both labels - each indicative of a coveted very first pressing.

The thick cardboard outer sleeve is EXCELLENT.  There is barely any scuffing at all on any of the edges and the front side colouring has retained all of it's original vibrancy and depth. There is a little rubbing on the bottom corners which is most noticeable on the bottom right hand corner but no creasing and an overall great appearance. The reverse side is equally impressive with all writing perfectly legible and no unwanted writing or doodles. There is just the hint of a little ageing/grubbiness in a couple of places but even this is nothing of great significance. And finally the spine, which is in near perfect original condition - rigid, no creases, and all text in perfect order.

Finally, the quality of the audio is an overall strong EXCELLENT. Great tone and clarity throughout with no distortion either at higher volume or on the higher frequencies. There is just the hint of some very light background interference at the beginning and end of each side and is just about audible (you have to listen carefully) on some of the quieter passages, but this is not intrusive and certainly no clicks, pops, or skips.  

Five world class musicians at the very top of their game : Donald Byrd (trumpet), Pepper Adams (baritone sax), Duke Pearson (piano), Laymon Jackson (bass), Lex Humphries (drums). A great listen throughout.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. MY GIRL SHIRL

2. SOULFUL KIDDY

Side 2 :

1. A PORTRAIT OF JENNIE

2. CECILE

3. THE THEME

Comes with original BLUE NOTE inner sleeve which does suffer from some creasing and on the opening edge some fraying and small tears. I supply a new plain white die-cut inner sleeve as a matter of course.

In summary an EXCELLENT STEREO US BLUE NOTE first pressing of this scarce 1960 jazz classic - a great listen and wonderful addition to any jazz vinyl collection.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other classic BLUE NOTE jazz listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but over the years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boots, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but now I am retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. 

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in removing the record from the outer sleeve in order to prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail 1st class  : UK £3.00, continental Europe £6, and Rest of the World £10. 

NOTE that for items selling for more than £40 to non-UK bidders I insist upon tracked and signed for postage which incurs a further £2-6 P&P costs, dependent upon location so, please, do not pay until I have invoiced you!!

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

Description: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packag­ing might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good

Description: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable sur­face marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

Description: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for prop­erly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

Description: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

Description: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.