street singer Posted January 21, 2004 Report Posted January 21, 2004 I've managed to pick up a few used Blue Note CD's over the past year or so that have white jewel case trays. Some of these appear to be from the early Connoisseur batches, but I'm not certain of this. Can anyone confirm this? The CD's in question are as follows: CLIFF JORDAN / JOHN GILMORE - BLOWING IN FROM CHICAGO (1994) TINA BROOKS - TRUE BLUE (1994) ORNETTE COLEMAN - THE EMPTY FOXHOLE (1994) The actual discs contained within the cases are white w/ a blue label. I presume the above CD's are early Conn's - were these not labeled as being part of the Connoisseur series back when they were first released? I also recently received a copy of Hank Mobley's 'The Turnaround' that has a white jewel case tray. The back cover has a copyright date of 1989, while the actual CD (white w/ blue label) has a copyright date of 1995. Is this just a regular (as opposed to Connoisseur or RVG) reissue? What's the explanation for the white jewel cases on these? Not to nitpick or anything...just curious. Quote
street singer Posted January 21, 2004 Author Report Posted January 21, 2004 Well, I found a partial answer to my question here. Still not sure about the Mobley, though... Quote
Big Wheel Posted January 21, 2004 Report Posted January 21, 2004 (edited) You mean you didn't know that Trent Lott and Strom Thurmond moonlighted at EMI in the early '90s? Fortunately, wiser heads prevailed and now jewel cases of ALL colors are held in equal esteem, including the then-invisible "clear" jewel cases. But seriously, folks... Between 1992 and 1994 (I think) many BN issues came in the white jewel boxes, including all the "limited edition" titles. The limited editions of that time, dubbed "Collector's Choice" titles on the boards, were reissues of titles put out in the late '80s and the sound was taken directly from the late-80s masterings. Usually, the only thing that had changed was the jewel case color and the color of the CD label. Additionally, the first series of Connoisseur titles had white jewel cases instead of clear ones--but I believe that none of that first series had come out domestically on CD before (so the mastering was all new). There were also several titles that weren't limited editions but did have white spines--the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band album with Joe Williams is one I remember. There was also a Lovano album (Rush Hour?) No idea exactly WHY Blue Note decided to go with white jewel cases at this time, though. Edited January 21, 2004 by Big Wheel Quote
street singer Posted January 21, 2004 Author Report Posted January 21, 2004 Thanks for the info, Big Wheel! Quote
Brad Posted January 21, 2004 Report Posted January 21, 2004 I know my copy of Blowin' in from Chicago was white. Maybe they were trying to replicate the TOCJ series, which are in white. Frankly, I like the white myself. It stands out from the normal grey/black. But maybe it was cheaper to go with the grey/black. Quote
sidewinder Posted January 21, 2004 Report Posted January 21, 2004 Yes, the first series was definitely with the white case. My copies of Brooks 'True Blue', Hill 'Judgement', Shorter 'All Seeing Eye' and Hill 'Smokestack' all had this type of case. Collectors Choice issues such as Kenny Drew 'Undercurrent', Hutcherson 'Oblique' and Lonnie Smith 'Think' also have the white case. Quote
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.