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Post by Martin on Jan 23, 2016 18:38:18 GMT
Hi everybody,
I have the opportunity to acquire some original Tubby Hayes LPs on the Fontana label. As a slightly tangential example of curiosity this has set me wondering about how many copies of these records were pressed when they were first issued back in the 1960s. For example, I've seen some speculation on the Web that only 500-600 copies of Mexican Green were pressed but without any citation of a primary source of evidence for such claims. Does anybody have any useful information or thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Martin
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Post by alunsevern on Jan 23, 2016 21:52:32 GMT
Similarly, I don't know for sure, but I have seen that sort of figure bandied about with reference to many original jazz pressings. I think it's guesswork, but informed guesswork, and probably not far out. These titles were pressed and sold in very small quantities, because as other forms of popular music took hold, the audience was in any case small and shrinking. I've only heard CDs of some of the Hayes titles Nd they struck me as fatiguing to listen to - but I'm no great Hyaes fan and they could have been fatiguing because of that as much as the execrable CD sound (especially of Mex Green, as I recall - indeed, I'm not sure I even still have it). Good luck in your purchase!
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Post by Martin on Jan 25, 2016 19:52:13 GMT
I've heard that the CD mastering of Mexican Green leaves a lot to be desired, Alun.
Anyway, I took the plunge with these Tubby Hayes records today and now I'm the proud owner of three original Tubby Fontana first pressings: "Tubbs in NY", "Return Visit" and "Mexican Green". The covers are all at least VG+ and the vinyl is definitely NM for two of the records and probably the same for the third. I'm going to need to play them all through to be certain.
I'm not the sort of person who believes in fate but there does seem to be something Tubby in the air this month. At the start of January I gave my dad a copy of Simon Spilett's excellent new Hayes biography for his birthday, now I come across a cache of Tubby records and this coming weekend would have been Tubby's 81st birthday!
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Post by alunsevern on Jan 25, 2016 21:45:45 GMT
Congratulations, Martin. Either you did very well or have deep pockets because the only copies I have ever seen advertised have been in three figures. dId you know that Spillett plays Tubs' sax, apparently?
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Post by Martin on Jan 25, 2016 22:15:48 GMT
Thanks Alun. I managed to stay under three figures for each of them. One, Mexican Green, was significantly under that mark but the other two did end up close to it. The thing is that these records rarely come up, let alone in such good condition, so I knew I would regret passing up the opportunity. Even if it does mean a hole in the wallet!
So I now have some intensive and enjoyable listening ahead of me. I'll aim to post something on my blog about these records in the near future.
I knew Spilett is a big Tubby officiando and owns the great man's personal copy of Mexican Green but I didn't know he plays his horn. He's due to appear at a small venue near to me in Bath in February, so seeing Tubby's sax might be just the incentive for me to go out on a week night.
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Post by alunsevern on Jan 26, 2016 9:18:28 GMT
I saw the Spillett quartet in a free (i.e. non-paying!) gig at Birmingham's Symphony Hall (there have been programmes of free 'rush hour' jazz gigs there over recent years -- from about 6pm-7.30pm or thereabouts -- and held in the bar: it's a terrific little venue for jazz sessions). I'll be perfectly honest and say that it wasn't really my cup of tea. I thought the 'blowing' went on a bit. Spillett was a complete gentleman and very personable and the atmosphere was upbeat and enjoyable, but i just didn't take to the style -- too many notes, solos too long.... As I say, not to my taste, but taste is subjective -- and everyone else seemed to like it.
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