Blue Note Records: Classics and More...

Blue Note Records, alternate hits to BarakPDub's excellent Blue Note overview...

[@thomashumphrey7395]

Really great and somewhat esoteric (to the mainstream masses) content in your videos, which I just discovered. I'm 57,' have been collecting records since I was 15, have about 8,000 albums with maybe 1,500 to 2,000 being jazz, which I also love. But, man, I thought I knew a lot about jazz and music but am almost in humbled awe by your effortless encyclopedic knowledge of this great American art form. Just wanted you to know it is not lost on everyone. All the best.

[@MegaF1guy]

I LOVE Jimmy Smith!!!!!!!! My fave is Organ Grinder Swing The Incredible Jimmy Smith Featuring Kenny Burrell amd Grady Tate on Verve records, recorded at Van Gelder Studios. Great video. Cheers

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thank you. I was looking on ebay today, OG Smiths are still reasonable, unlike the rest of the roster. What is that you think?

[@MegaF1guy]

@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 my dad gave me his LPs and the organ grinder was in the LPs that he owned.

[@kamilzabiegala1649]

God what a great collection you have.. goals.

[@1999zrx1100]

Hope you realize how important these videos are to people like me. Been listening to Jazz for over 30 years but you have turned me on to so much amazing material I had no idea about. I’m embarrassed how little I know. Thanks so much Ken ! 😎

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thank you so much. I sometimes feel like I'm doing these in a black hole, so I appreciate greatly your comment.

[@1999zrx1100]

I love your no Bull Shit approach, not posting 3 times a day with stupid intros etc. Always a treat to hear what you have to say. Keep it up bud. 👍😎

[@coolmickey68]

that Johnny Griffin album is one of my favorite albums what a great listen...

[@johnpischedda6951]

Love it ! Prompts me to have a dig and give some of those a spin.

[@DjEle1979]

Excellent video and interesting picks, there's many albums I still have to listen to from your choices.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thank you Lisardo

[@DismasM]

Well done, Ken. I enjoy the way you talk about jazz--both the albums themselves and the music.

[@Dems-fk8sh]

Me as well. Thanks Ken. Cheers from Belgium !

[@BillsBoxOfSound]

Thanks for the fun & informative vid Ken. Love those Jimmy Smith records!

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thanks Bill's Box!

[@ashvarma2486]

Many thanks for sharing this wonderful collection. I actually found all of them on Tidal to get me started for now. Happy listening!

[@Valleyplant]

As a young jazz lover, I really appreciate these videos, when you review an album I love it resonates so well, and when I don’t know the album I am guaranteed to find a new favorite!

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thank you very much, I appreciate it. It makes me feel better every time I receive an email like yours. I find the whole KZbin process disheartening. You attract more viewers if you wear fancy glasses and have pretty backgrounds that if you actually have knowledge of the subject. So I appreciate your comment.

[@scififool]

Fantastic comments on some of the most iconic jazz albums ever created. I wish could find some BN vinyl anywhere these days.

[@Hairyderriere]

What a great post! Love so many of those. The Larry Young and Herbie Hancock were two of the jazz albums I heard that got me seriously listening to jazz, many moons ago. Inner Urge seems, to me, to have the same sense of completeness that Inventions and Dimensions conveys (if not the otherworldliness of the latter). Both discs seem not to need an audience, in a way - just the joy of playing for the sake of it, with the lucky happen-stance of microphones being there! Like the players are really playing for each others pleasure, first and foremost.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Excellent analogy. Those albums can be hard to quantify.

[@BarakaPDub]

Just when you think you have seen them all, you see ones you have never have come across. I have never seen that Sonny Clark or Stanley Turrentine albums before. I just put an eBay bid in on the later ;) Jimmy Smith records...I never pass them up. As for the other labels, I totally agree and the Ashley Khan book is fantastic. I can't wait to see what else you plan to present. My weak point is definitely Savoy. I just never see them at all and Contemporary, I have never seen an original around here in the wild. Thanks for the kind words by the way.

[@DorianPaige00]

I got both of those aforementioned Clark and Turrentine albums on cd and cheap too! There was alot of bonus tracks surrounding that Sonny Clark record issued on a cd called Standards that's still available. It includes rare tracks only issued in Japan or on 45's.

[@silvanaorozco6568]

Great video ken I wish I had those!!!!!!!!

[@Valleyplant]

Kenny Dorham actually wrote Blue Bossa, and Page One was the first album it appeared on! A super fun one to play too :)

[@scotlarrimore3129]

Excellent video. Thanks for furthering my jazz education.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thanks. Now its time for Dinner with Andre!

[@marymarino3986]

Ken Im digging your show.hah Jimmy Smith .I like root down and get it lp by Jimmy..I spent many hours listening to wkcr...pretty good jazz education for me.for which I'm forever grateful...Elvin Max art blakey Tony Williams Philly Joe Jones those guys blew my mind.have a great night as well Ken......I like what you're doing........

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thank you sir.

[@drrhythmn]

top video -great delivery and stories - Joe Henderson rules - was listening to Black Narcissus last night - out of sight!

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

thank you Dr Rhythm!

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

Have you listened to street of dreamsand Out to Lunch!, is a favourite heh n don't forget blue bossa by Kenny Dorham that is the best album of blue note I think or maybe blue train. : )

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

We have records and for sale, who would like to buy some records? ; )

[@mrrickr]

Rare records, hard to find.....and when you do find them they’re very expensive. You have a fine collection of vinyl there Ken but just to expensive for my turntable. I have found these titles on CD for a buck or two.Thanks for sharing

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

CDs stink. You can find reissues of almost all of the records I discuss for between $18.99 to $40. If you want to actually HEAR the music, dont' waste your money on CDs.

[@quintinfranklin9168]

Love your collection!

[@peterharley8408]

Finally you got to Herbie Nichols. Was friends with Phil Elwood, SF critic, & he told me to be on the lookout for him. Never found any in Bay area shops. Had to be satisfied with the double record reissues in the 70s. Such a monster pianist & composer!

[@quintinfranklin9168]

You're great man!

[@alansenzaki4609]

great video ken. that new york ornette ive been looking for, heard it on the radio a while back. love all the albums you've shown! those duke pearson albums were nice with george coleman etc. also one of my favorites was wahoo! with joe henderson and james spaulding on blue note...and joe henderson one of my favorite tenor players. thanks for a great copy of inner urge i purchased from your site a while back. thanks again ken!

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Wahoo!

[@dasbakon]

It's true what you say about McCoy Tyner's records away from Trane being so fantastic. Inception from 1962 is in my top 10 greatest jazz records of all time.

[@PrettyGreenVinylGuy]

As someone who is trying to get more into Jazz, your videos are very informative. Thank you..

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Pretty Green, thank you! Im not a natural camera guy, I'm no Steve Guttenberg! I do my best, Thanks for your kind words.

[@Raheemrafea]

Thanks a lot

[@sellobodibe5888]

Ken it's so exciting and great to listen to an informative collector who of course knows is stuff like a palm of his hand. Hope that you can share more light on Tina Brooks and the album 'An evening with Ornett Coleman''

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thanks Sello, I do what I can.

[@jonathanscull7712]

It takes a long time to get through your videos Ken, I pause it each time you bring up another LP and find it on Tidal. I've added a lot of great jazz thanks to you. Have to recommission my turntable and get back to El Big Rig. Thanks man... love'ya, MEAN IT!

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thanks J10!!

[@trevorbarre5616]

'Love Call' is the other Coleman Blue Note.

[@neldinsky]

I am soooooooo subscribed!! You are THE MAN!!! Thank you for a channel I have been dreaming of. NB. P.S. HERBIE NICHOLS???!!! That is deeeep.

[@ralex3697]

McCoy Tyner great player

[@jeffhunter4395]

I just picked up my 1st ever Blue Note 1st pressing of Ornette Coleman#4224 on mono😁,so hopefully tonight I won't be dissatisfied.I'm just getting back into vinyl since the early 70's.

[@MrSalsa1973]

Great vid man, I love your presentations. Are this records,hard finds and hard payings ...Or just good classics?

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Thanks. I think of these as jazz classics. Hard to find as first pressings, but plenty of reissues are available.

[@DorianPaige00]

Prestige was my second favorite. Impulse (the new thing) was a little late for my tastes but I could find a couple dozen that I love! (LOL) An odd one that I bought and like was Pee Wee Russell "Ask me now". Pee Wee plays modern swing/bop and even covers an Ornette Coleman tune. Hank Jones was a bit of a moldy fig for my ears! Larry Young-"the John Coltrane of the organ" Glad you included "the other Horace." I bought the Mosaic box to get one hard to find album. I have all others in Japanese pressings. Alfred Lion was going to sell Bluenote and travel with Jimmy Smith since the sound was so unique. Actually Ellington had a less refined organist named Wild Bill Davis with Johnny Hodges. I always thought Herbie Nichols was Bluenote's answer to Monk. I never really liked either as they do stretch the scales into avant garde. It always sounds like they're playing the wrong notes but many love Monk just not me.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Pee Wee is a trip

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

House that Trane Built Ashley Kahn

[@oldestgamer]

What is gong on with The Real McCoy? I have a King pressing and it sounds really bad, not like most BN I have heard. The only thing I have heard that may be the reason is that RVG was moving from tubes to SS at some period and that recordings made during the transition were problematic, not having that great earlier sound. Does the Liberty sound any good?

[@Maquis1943]

It what way does it sound bad? Without knowing specifics, I'd say it's likely the King repress itself-Japanese pressings can sound crisp and transparent, but can also tend to be a little "safe" sounding (my opinion). I have a Division of United Artists Records stereo pressing of The Real McCoy and-while it doesn't have the Van Gelder stamp in the runout-it's still got much of the Van Gelder dynamic intensity (UA engineers must've only stepped lightly on the original mastering for this one...)

[@oldestgamer]

I would say the sound is dark and muddy, not dynamic or exciting. All of the other Kings I have sound very good, perhaps a little soft as they are cut from safeties and not the master, but overall in comparison to my Liberties and Classic records they compare well, just a little soft. But The Real McCoy, really doesn't sound that good at all, compressed, dark & muddy, not sure if this how the master sounds or what. I do know that some BNs sound amazing, and some less so that is well documented on other sites, like the superb LJC.

[@JIMFROMANDROS]

Kenn please tell me if it's necessary to keep the records out of the jacket (of course in protective sleeve). Thanks in advance

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

I only do that to prevent possible ringwear, and with old album jackets, they shrink over time, so I never want to force records into a jacket, and it makes access easier in general.

[@JIMFROMANDROS]

Thanks very much. Sorry for the previous double n

[@georgesember9069]

How about The Gil Melle Quartet?

[@trevorbarre5616]

Much better Hubbard stuff than this one, like 'Breaking Point' and 'Open Sesame'. All of Hill's material is ESSENTIAL, at l;east from 1963 to 1967. I sense that you are uncomfortable with the more opaque sixties Blue Notes? No Hutcherson, Rivers, Taylor? Sorry, Ken but smartarses like me will always respond to the equally opinionated!! Thanks for taking the time to make these pieces.

[@BattManion1979]

Kenny, I don't know what it is about Jimmy Smith...Keith Emerson loved the guy, but there's something about him....to me, he was kind of a square.

[@Mrpsblobsoflowendmung]

Impulse far more important to me than blue note , love prestigè

[@AndersBakfeldt]

Baraka pee dub what?? Didn't quite get that, link please ;-)

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

search you tube baraka p dub

[@BattManion1979]

Jimmy Smith was a square, that's why.

[@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455]

Funny!

[@daniellogansa8101]

I really wanna know why people keep saying this. I don’t doubt you have a reason but is it just coz he didn’t have a dope habit? Kids in England worshipped the guy and got a lot of them into jazz/blue note so I am pretty curious why I can even get first pressings of his sermon record w/ lee Morgan, Burrell, and Blakey on it in the dollar bin 😂

[@BattManion1979]

@@daniellogansa8101 In England he appealed to the soul crowd, but here in the U.S. he got lost in the avant-garde shuffle. Jazz organ never got inside, like jazz piano did.

[@daniellogansa8101]

@@BattManion1979 oh for sure. Baby face willette records go for a lot tho. Maybe it’s cuz smith has a million titles?

[@trevorbarre5616]

Why the obsession with vinyl? Style over content?

[@DefenestrateYourself]

Because it sounds amazing? It’s like saying why use a fireplace over a furnace. Why use cast iron over Teflon.

[@winkingfox7125]

It sounds better , not a myth

[@robertwoodward9231]

Analogue is the universe as Neil Young once said.

[@trevorbarre5616]

I'll answer my own question then. It seems tied in with fetishism and elitism. Love my CDs (and my vinyl), but please, please don't tell me about the 'superior sound' of vinyl. Apart from the scratches and surface noise, which still exist, believe me. At the relative costs that compact discs were, back in the day. One thing is constant - record companies sure know how to continue to overcharge fo 'product'. The covers are great, but the music is the thing, maan? I thought Griffin was the 'little giant', as opposed to the 'might midget'? Sorry to go all woke on y'all.

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

Vinyl can cost a bit, that's why I buy a lot of used, sometimes you want the real thing though with the better material and design, CD's on the other hand are nice to listen to but there is something just about the experience of vinyl... : )

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

Hey don't go out at vinyl. [:] ( I love my vinyl, it's sweet and always ready, you can't just say that dude, we are searching for best sound possible, turns out CD missed the exit on that but vinyl is best cause it's older, even the so called newer blue notes from Michael Cuscuna are 'remakes', they are from that time and were stored to be eventually gifted to us all, and you r criticising those records and the time they were made, you r criticising and confusing blue note as a label, blue note and records is the best label k dude. [:] (

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

Don't ever talk about blue note lp's again, they are sacred, we don't talk about blue notes we don't make money. [:] 0

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

Hey I'm a blue note collektor you know, I own every single blue note lp dude, is it worth it? Maybe not dude but I like my shelves full and my mind clear. [:] 0

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

When talking about blue note we have to realise their r so many blue notes out there and each is like a child and we have to protect that child cause sooner or later she/he is going to grow up and leave us, walk out the door. I love my blue notes. [:] (