Great Collections?

[Simon T]

Reading through threads, particularly 'events' and have seen that "xxxx" / "DJ XXXX" has a great collection. Just wonder what everyone thinks constitutes such a collection? £100K+ of originals? 10,000+ original pieces of vinyl? 200 one-offs? 100 un-released studio acetates? A framed, autographed copy of Wank Wilson, plus signed photo of Lenny Gamble?

[Guest Paul]

Just wonder what everyone thinks constitutes such a collection?

Out of the thousands of records I've had over the years, the ones I cherish are not particularly rare or expensive; they are the ones I can't live without.

Try to imagine a collection - or a life - without anything by Al Green, The Soul Children, Annette Snell, The Dells, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight, The O'Jays, Betty Harris, William Bell, Jackie Wilson, Doris Duke, James Carr or Sam Dees for example? Or a collection without anything on Stax, Motown, Goldwax, Fame or Philadelphia International?

In my opinion a collection isn't worth a dime unless it can comfort you, uplift you and make you cry sometimes. And it really doesn't matter if the music is on 45s, LPs, cassettes, CDs or whatever.

Paul Mooney

[Guest Coxy]

Out of the thousands of records I've had over the years, the ones I cherish are not particularly rare or expensive; they are the ones I can't live without.

Try to imagine a collection - or a life - without anything by Al Green, The Soul Children, Annette Snell, The Dells, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight, The O'Jays, Betty Harris, William Bell, Jackie Wilson, Doris Duke, James Carr or Sam Dees for example? Or a collection without anything on Stax, Motown, Goldwax, Fame or Philadelphia International?

In my opinion a collection isn't worth a dime unless it can comfort you, uplift you and make you cry sometimes. And it really doesn't matter if the music is on 45s, LPs, cassettes, CDs or whatever.

Paul Mooney

Totally agree Paul. It`s not about how many ( though you always want more ) or how much there worth, it`s what they mean to you

Trev

Edited April 20, 2006 by Coxy

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

good point, to me you can't have enough records and CD's hench i always buy. But some of my fav's are not that collectable however my fav soul LP is Jackie Wilson - Higher and Higher which i own. Just wish i could own more original stuff rather then end up with dad getting some re-issues or songs or in most case a UK pressing.

[Steve G]

Try to imagine a collection - or a life - without anything by Al Green, The Soul Children, Annette Snell, The Dells, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight, The O'Jays, Betty Harris, William Bell, Jackie Wilson, Doris Duke, James Carr or Sam Dees for example? Or a collection without anything on Stax, Motown, Goldwax, Fame or Philadelphia International?

Paul Mooney

Funny thing is I know of some big name "DJs" that don't have anything of substance by any of the above - maybe a "Run for cover" or the odd "Jackie Wilson".....and they look blankly when such names are mentioned in mixed company.

[Guest NASHEE]

My collection is made up of all styles of music..and I love every single record.

theres ones that make me smile, ones that make me cry, some are purely memories of my childhood, some remind me of lost love, good times, bad times, finding northern soul....in fact...They are my life in a box.

I've never once brought a record because someone else likes it, and never will

[Harrogatesoul]

Funny thing is I know of some big name "DJs" that don't have anything of substance by any of the above - maybe a "Run for cover" or the odd "Jackie Wilson".....and they look blankly when such names are mentioned in mixed company.

Totally agree Steve - A number of years ago I looked at my collection and realised just how many 'big names' were missing from my racks - Slowly over the years I've added them and still love it when I listen to a Gladys / Aretha / Al / Otis track which somehow has slipped thru and gone un-noticed.

I think broadening my horizons and encompassing 60s / 70s / 80s and a dab of Y2K has made my collection all the more richer, diverse and more enjoyable!

Regards - Rich

[Guest]

GREAT SOUL COLLECTIONS:

Collectors like John Ridley, Steve Guarnori, Mark Dobson etc who's collections reflect there musical taste and strive to be as complete as possible. Striving for complete runs of Chess, Wand and Okeh etc would be the basis for a great collection.

Great collections are not be driven by the ego. There are certainly a few "great" collectors who I'm afraid pretend to own records they don't. These guys are perhaps the top three 3 in the world and so modest with it.

[Billy Freemantle]

Totally agree Steve - A number of years ago I looked at my collection and realised just how many 'big names' were missing from my racks - Slowly over the years I've added them and still love it when I listen to a Gladys / Aretha / Al / Otis track which somehow has slipped thru and gone un-noticed.

This must be a common phenomenon. Northern Soul was and is all about secret sounds. I too have only relatively recently even thought of really checking out the big names. I remember one night at The Wheel when one of the DJs gave The Supremes 'Up the Ladder to the Roof' several plays. A lot of people were not happy.

Edited April 20, 2006 by Billy Freemantle

[Guest Gavin Page]

GREAT SOUL COLLECTIONS:

Collectors like John Ridley, Steve Guarnori, Mark Dobson etc who's collections reflect there musical taste and strive to be as complete as possible. Striving for complete runs of Chess, Wand and Okeh etc would be the basis for a great collection.

Great collections are not be driven by the ego. There are certainly a few "great" collectors who I'm afraid pretend to own records they don't. These guys are perhaps the top three 3 in the world and so modest with it.

Well said !!!!

[Guest Netspeaky]

My collection goes right across the board.

Motown

Northern

Commerical (Chart/Club Classics)

Sweet Soul

Funk

Southern Soul

Girl group (Includes 60's white pop)

Modern Soul

R&B

R&R

Do-Wop

Blues

Jazz

Soul (Anything that doesn't fit into the above)

Others (Individual things I like - could be anything)

[Guest Stuart T]

Striving for complete runs of Chess, Wand and Okeh etc would be the basis for a great collection.

Would it? I've never been able to understand why anyone would be arsed trying to collect a complete run on a label unless every single track is worth having but each to their own. Though not as bad as people in Record Collector who want the same track over and over again by the same artist so they can claim to have both the Bolivian white label promo and the Taiwanese limited edition CD single in the soft case.

I like my collection, its not huge, its not all rareties, but its full of tracks that I like and will play at home and don't give a monkeys what other people think of it. Thats all that counts. I'm sure thats the same for most people?

[Gene-r]

I like my collection, its not huge, its not all rareties, but its full of tracks that I like and will play at home and don't give a monkeys what other people think of it. Thats all that counts. I'm sure thats the same for most people?

Quite right Stuart - totally agree!

And anyway who is this DJ xxxx? Forget the stupid chav-type name, I've never bloody 'eard of him!

[Steve G]

Would it? I've never been able to understand why anyone would be arsed trying to collect a complete run on a label unless every single track is worth having but each to their own.

Well let me attempt to answer that Stuart - if your musical taste in soul is broad then you will like the vast majority of records on those labels. I'm probably about 10 away from complete runs on those three and whilst there is some crap, it is most definately in the minority. You can also add in labels like Minit, Loma, Hi, Veep, Revilot, Goldwax, SS7/77, Golden World, koko, Ric Tic, Checker, T/M, Glades / Alston, Westbound (pre 77), Stax and Motown. Not to mention the minor label stuff with fewer releases - but all high calibre - Chi Heat (3), Sonar (3), So Jamm (2 but probably more to be discovered), Roker (5) Soul Clock etc etc....and then we're onto all the other oddball stuff as well.

The point is simple to me - on the major labels I can pull a handful off of the shelf of any of those labels and always find something that catches my ears and mood, be it deep soul, funk, northern, sweet, midtempo, or just a good tune that you cannot pidgeonhole. Some of these will be familiar, others not. As well as playing records that you know and love, to me the quest is always to find something that excites you and that you are either not familiar with, or have forgotten about.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Would it? I've never been able to understand why anyone would be arsed trying to collect a complete run on a label unless every single track is worth having but each to their own. Though not as bad as people in Record Collector who want the same track over and over again by the same artist so they can claim to have both the Bolivian white label promo and the Taiwanese limited edition CD single in the soft case.

I like my collection, its not huge, its not all rareties, but its full of tracks that I like and will play at home and don't give a monkeys what other people think of it. Thats all that counts. I'm sure thats the same for most people?

Hmm quite agree Stuart, "great collector" someone who has every single record on a label even tho' some are absolute cack ? I think not

[Guest Stuart T]

As well as playing records that you know and love, to me the quest is always to find something that excites you and that you are either not familiar with, or have forgotten about.

Cheers

Steve

100% with you on the last bit. Nothing better than finding something good in the cupboard that I've not really picked up on before.

[soulfulsaint]

Try to imagine a collection - or a life - without anything by Al Green, The Soul Children, Annette Snell, The Dells, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight, The O'Jays, Betty Harris, William Bell, Jackie Wilson, Doris Duke, James Carr or Sam Dees for example? Or a collection without anything on Stax, Motown, Goldwax, Fame or Philadelphia International?

In my opinion a collection isn't worth a dime unless it can comfort you, uplift you and make you cry sometimes. And it really doesn't matter if the music is on 45s, LPs, cassettes, CDs or whatever.

Paul Mooney

I agree with Paul. I have a pretty decent collection of rare northern from '60s through to modern. Among them are big rarities. But over the years I've collected white label US imports too, the idea being to get the best soul/club music I could. The more I look through those boxes, the more precious they have become in my mind. Gladys Knight, Harold Melvin, James Brown, Lolleata Holloway and even New York Disco on 7". Among the boxes are some great soul records that may not be 'rare' in the northern sense but feature some of the best music over the last forty years. Its too easy to have 'tunnel-vision' about collecting and allow rarity to be more important than quality.

[Guest]

100% with you on the last bit. Nothing better than finding something good in the cupboard that I've not really picked up on before.

Absolutely right, and you can only consistantly do that in great collections that have taken decades to amass. Only the great collections can boast complete label runs..obviously I'm not suggesting you can only be serious collector if you collect labels. Collecting is about buying what you think will satisfy your habit at the time. But if your turned on by labels as much as the music..then you can get caught up in label collecting and that too is very satisfying.. nothing would please me more than to own a complete run of UK Sue..

But you did ask about GREAT collections I think these guys have GREAT collections..I thought that was the thread..not the validity of collecting everything.

Gil Patard, Rick Nahm, Greg Sureck, Tom Creedon would also qualify for really great collections....

But likewise a proper soul collection must have Otis Redding, Doris Duke, Al Greene, Aretha Franklin etc in them.. but likewise I would think you should also have the great white vocalists or even that one-off "odd-Ball" stunning record like Paul Anka - Can't Help loving you..Bobby Paris, Dean Parrish etc etc

If you were luck enough to be let loose on any of the collections of the above mention collectors i'm sure the first reaction would be GREAT!! in fact bloody great!!

[Soulof]

And anyway who is this DJ xxxx?

* Probably someone into Australian beer or ??

[Dayo]

Good taste makes a good collection.

[Simon T]

And anyway who is this DJ xxxx?

* Probably someone into Australian beer or ??

I was thinking of a time when someone said to me that the DJ spinning had one of the best collections in the country and wondered how you could justify the statement. I would admit that they have one of the most expensive collections consisting of around 200 -300 records, but I'm certain they have never been more than spoon-fed them by other collectors & dealers. Probably only bought them for ego and kudos, and I can't imagine them having racks of cheap stuff and certainly not any non-'northern'. I wonder how long they would hold on to them if niters / soul nights / northern per se no longer exisited?

[Guest Netspeaky]

Collecting - To accumulate as a hobby or for study.

Accumulate I think covers the label run angle of collecting quite clearly.

[Guest Stuart T]

If you were luck enough to be let loose on any of the collections of the above mention collectors i'm sure the first reaction would be GREAT!! in fact bloody great!!

Too right, they'd have to drag me out screaming afterwards! As for consistently finding new things in my own records, fortunately I have the memory of a goldfish and could do that every day with less than 100 records

I see a bit more of what you mean now, although I wouldn't personally lose any sleep over not having an entire label run.

Edited April 20, 2006 by Stuart T

[Guest Paul]

.. but likewise I would think you should also have the great white vocalists or even that one-off "odd-Ball" stunning record like Paul Anka - Can't Help loving you..Bobby Paris, Dean Parrish etc etc

Yes, of course. When I mentioned those few artists I was just generalising. A good soul collection also needs the odd and the obscure and the unlikely - and a bit of pop, country, reggae or whatever.

Bill Brandon and Tommy Tate are as valid as Al Green. And Nicky Thomas on Trojan is not so very far removed from Eddie Floyd on Stax.

Paul Mooney

[Guest Gavin Page]

Absolutely right, and you can only consistantly do that in great collections that have taken decades to amass. Only the great collections can boast complete label runs..obviously I'm not suggesting you can only be serious collector if you collect labels. Collecting is about buying what you think will satisfy your habit at the time. But if your turned on by labels as much as the music..then you can get caught up in label collecting and that too is very satisfying.. nothing would please me more than to own a complete run of UK Sue..

Do you still collect John ?

[Guest]

Do you still collect John ?

Gav,

I started collecting again about 5 years ago. I kept 1 copy of everything that came into my hands..then I started to keep 1 copy, even if I only had 1 copy. Then I started paying silly money for personal Holy Grails.....now i get headaches and sweats and have to drink a bottle of wine a night....does this desease sound firmiliar to anyone?

[Guest Paul]

Gav, I started collecting again about 5 years ago. I kept 1 copy of everything that came into my hands..then I started to keep 1 copy, even if I only had 1 copy. Then I started paying silly money for personal Holy Grails.....now i get headaches and sweats and have to drink a bottle of wine a night....does this desease sound firmiliar to anyone?

Hello,

I thought you collected money these days, John???

Seriously, your disease sounds very familiar - and to protect his identity I'll just call him "John".

Err... I don't think I should have said that.

Paul Mooney

Living dangerously on a Thursday afternoon

[Guest Gavin Page]

So

Having sold most of my 7s some years back, I am still a big Album collector.

When collecting a full run does this include the Albums or just 7s and while we are at it what about 12s ?

[Steve G]

now i get headaches and sweats and have to drink a bottle of wine a night....does this desease sound firmiliar to anyone?

Extremely!

[Modernsoulsucks]

Most collectors I know, including myself, think their collections are bobbins!!

That's why you're always on the look-out for the next 45 to add in there hoping that it will make the difference. It doesn't of course.

ROD

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Most collectors I know, including myself, think their collections are bobbins!!.

ROD

Damn right, my man - who the heck among Soul Sourcers would deliberately go out of their way to build up a collection of 'not great' records anyway?

TONE

[Simon T]

Most collectors I know, including myself, think their collections are bobbins!!

True. So if we take 'bobbins' as being the antithesis of 'great' and ask what are the reasons for thinking that a collection is indeed bobbins, we should be able to put forward the oposites to quantify what would make a great collection.

Or we could just try to find someone to say my collection is great, and it's great because..........

[Guest Paul]

Being a completist, I have everything on Soul Galore by Bob Wilson, including "Strings A Go-Go".

I also have all the Lorraine Chandler 45s issued on Black Magic.

And I plan to start collecting Eddie Parker's Ashford 45s next ...I already have one of them.

Paul Mooney

[Dave Moore]

I always think "Aah, now I've got that I'm almost there". Then of course you go round you're mates and after a few beers, a few hours of spinnin' their 45s you realise you're just a sad pathetic excuse for a collector, have only a tenth of what a real collector would have, and solemnly swear to yourself that you'll endeavour to do better in future!" And so......the hunt goes on.

Regards,

Dave

www.hitsvillesoulclub.com

k

[Guest martyn]

Good taste makes a good collection.

Well that rules out the Australian beer then

[Guest Matt Male]

The lowest place in 'collector hell' (just below the guys with the limited Bolivian pressings) is reserved for the 'returnee collector' Those people that sold a collection years ago and are now rebuilding in a climate of hostility and expense, always horribly aware that they are twenty years behind their mates who stuck at it and now paying ten times the price for everything they once had...

the horror.. the horror..

Edited April 20, 2006 by Matt Male

[Simon T]

The lowest place in 'collector hell' (just below the guys with the limited Bolivian pressings) is reserved for the 'returnee collector' Those people that sold a collection years ago and are now rebuilding in a climate of hostility and expense, always horribly aware that they are twenty years behind their mates who stuck at it and now paying ten times the price for everything they once had...

the horror.. the horror..

Peach of a post! The only thing is that they're paying far more than ten times the price.

[Steve G]

Though not as bad as people in Record Collector who want the same track over and over again by the same artist so they can claim to have both the Bolivian white label promo and the Taiwanese limited edition CD single in the soft case.

Funny I was offered a copy of Darryl Stewart "Name it and clain it", on the basis that it was different to "Name it and claim it" - but I decided for a one letter mis-spint I'd buy something else