John Manship Auction Results 12-2-2014

[JOE TORQUAY]

Constellations I Don't Know About You C/w Easy To Be Hard

From it’s source we think this 45 was unplayed before we clean and lifted the sound file, which reveals fabulous New York vocal group Northern Soul that has grown in reputation, demand and awareness to monster proportions over the last 15 years.

Not to be confused with the similarly titled “I Didn’t know How To” this recordings resides in a different league. With some of the most diverse range of vocal pitches you will hear on a Northern soul dance record.

The exalted harmonies soar on the back of a Richard Tee string-propelled arrangement enriched by persistent palming of tambourines, drum rolls, piano all drive this divine recording to heights of excellence.

To be honest it’s a record I’m already regretting listing - infectious masterpiece in near perfect condition.

Two flawless labels, original birth sleeve and vinyl that only suffers from the merest paper sleeve brush blemish or two.

A tip-top copy!

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 1,003.00

 

Inticers Since You Left C/w I Got To Find Me A Baby

Let’s not mess around - you are looking at one of THE RAREST Northern Soul 45s known to man.

This San Mateo, California creation is more than one of those super-rare disc that lack a little in musical substance - this Northern-Soul-Unicorn offers the privileged owner TWO totally murderous dancefloor marauders.

Another ridiculously rare Harold Andrews Motownesque session that “H” actually mailed to Hitsville on an acetate for consideration for Motown release. This request, for Harold was sadly declined - but for the Northern Soul Paleontologist, it was the birth of a “NS Impossible”

For those of you who are fascinated by acute-rarity, we can inform you this is not a “find”, it comes from a very reluctant and eminent NS collector who doesn’t think he’ll ever emotionally recover from “saying goodbye” to one of the greatest records in his collection.

LET’S GET SERIOUS!

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 3,496.00

 

Life Tell Me Why C/w That's Life

I first heard this superlative journey into vocal-group Northern Soul as a 1974 new release on a Thursday Night @ The Lacano, Leicester when Blackpool Mecca regulars Paul Rudzitis and mutual friend “Shelvo” played it.

Shelvo’s told me Colin Curtis thought t was the best record he’d ever heard, I’ve never been a sycophant but I had to agree this was one stand-out tune with no comparable. This copy that pair were flaunting was an ISSUE, I was informed it was a USA new release Colin Curtis has gleaned from somewhere.

The “I’ll get one then” - statement has never been so misunderstood or more inaccurate; as it was perhaps a decade before I saw a STOCK copy again. Why such sheer brilliance never sold a bean, I’ll never know. All I know are two things..

1. in this format it is an iconic example of rare soul collecting.
2. As a record, it is along with “The Carstairs - It Really Hurts Me Girl” defines a course changing moment in the history, not only of “The Blackppol Mecca” but also the Northern Soul Scene as the “modern” sound became another string to pluck on the Northern Soul harp.

PS for me one of the most-perfect-of-tunes I’ve ever heard.. so much so “The Lacarno” experience and the time wasted trying to order a copy, seems like only yesterday.

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 305.00

 

Jean Carter Like One C/w That Boy Ain't No Good

it’s 2014 how can it be possible to find a Northern Soul anthem still in unplayed condition?

Well this particular offering was filed in a California Country & Western collection in the 60s and as far as we can tell left unplayed… until I had time on my hands and rummaged through a mass of “Country” filings.

Sound quality is stunning - labels are perfect - vinyl forensics reveals only the the lightest signs of sleeve contact storage.

YOU WILL NOT LOCATE A BETTER COPY of this double helping of Lori Burton & Pam Sawyer a gifted pairing that gave Northern Soul so much to cheer about.

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 334.00

 

Blue Busters & Byron Lee And The Dragonaires Can't Believe You're Gone

Extremely RARE and totally slick mid-tempo Northern Soul groove from Philip James & Lloyd Campbell with fluid backing provided by Bryon Lee and his Dragonaires.

Philip & Lloyd’s vocals thaw into a clear pool of Soul as the voices play soulful-volley-ball, as the duo flow through their own composition with consummate ease and class. A mood-lifting session giving up one of those sessions that just melts into your heart.

Impressive rarity and bristling with class.

Reggae fans the flip is worth a listen.. a Bryon Lee production again flooded with those uplifting signature  characteristics.

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 174.00

 

 

Edited February 12, 2014 by JOE TORQUAY

[Dave Pinch]

constellations ..whooooooooooshhhhhhhh............made a joke to my bro this week that it would hit a grand

[JOE TORQUAY]

Tammy St. John Nobody Knows What's Goin' On

Hearing this 45 rockets me back to that era of Northern Soul,when DJ’s like Nev Wherry, Alan Rhodes, Rick Scott, Ian Clark etc would almost weekly turn up a UK only release that became a Northern Soul dancefloor winner.

Over those formative years scouring the market stalls, junk shops etc. turned up some timeless greats. John E. Paul, Wayne Gibson, Chapter Five, John Ford, Barry Benson, Paradox, Jason Knight Five and a Penny, Carl Douglas, Samantha Jones etc. etc. sparking a Klondike style vinyl-rush to discover the next candidate to rock The Casino, Yate or Cleethoroes Pier.

This offering was right up there with the best - a fabulous British take on The Chiffons Laurie recording, a particular choice spin for Nev Wherry who with others turned it into a crowd-pleaser.

As a flawless winter of 1966 DEMO copy - it still pleasures the serious about British Soul, today.

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 168.00

 

Major Lance Ain't No Soul (in These Old Shoes) C/w You'll Want Me Back

It’s a timeless NS Anthem from a Father-figure of the scene…

Not only that but it’s the coveted 1966 British Promo in impeccable condition.

A small point of interest is that British EMI actually on this release paired Okeh 7255 to Okeh 7266 putting two fabulous tunes back to back. and leaving the flipsides “The Beat” & “I” in the wilderness.

Dave Godin picked up on “The Beat” for Soul City release 3 years later and “I” the original flip for “Ain’t No Soul” in the USA is now considered an overlooked Beat Ballad Giant.

EMI made some puzzling decisions in choice of material, but there’s is nothing puzzling about this “Green Goddess”. “Ain’t No Soul” was from the start a War-cry for Northern Soul Religion.

This copy is in exquisite condition..

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 123.00

 

Troy Johnson I Want You C/w This Ain't The Way

Renowned Los Angeles rarity with an enviable pedigree for non-availability… In fact this is our first copy for fully 6 years.

Stunning street-art label is complimented by the fabulously soulful dance tune in the grooves. Punching keyboard rattles out the intro, squealing girl choir chorus supports the Troy Johnson beseeching vocal approach to the lyrics; making the whole session a sensational example of what is possible when writers and producers ignore the commercial outside influences and just go with their heart.

Soulful rare-dance-soul at it’s rarest & most convincing.

Flip it over the may pace drop a little but the soulfulness doesn’t.

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 310.00

 

Tabby Thomas "popeye" Train

This weeks rare R&B shaker comes from the prolific pen of Jay (Miller) West a name that that turns up with astonishing frequency on Excello and other Blues based labels, a spring of seemingly endless lyrics and arrangements.

On this elusive 1962 R&B Juggernaut he collaborates with an artist very comfortable with delivering a potent dance tune, Louisiana Blues Giant Tabby Thomas rips into this mid-tempo chugger enhanced by dirty-filthy saxophone and horns doing a great job evoking visions of a mighty “Casey Jones” Steam Train a rolling through the dancefloor.

Not one but two lengthy sexy-sax breaks elevate the tune to another level, as Tabby snarling and a growling just get more pronounced, this is stunningly effect early 60s R&B dance! Fabulously primitive in your face RB/Boogaloo guaranteed to get the house rockin’.

Condition df this PROMO copy - is utterly flawless. So hard to locate these seldom-seen Excello’s in such fine condition.

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 188.00

 

Jerry Williams Run Run Roadrunner C/w I'm In The Danger Zone

There are no rules, guidelines or obvious reasons why a record is rare and more to the point a rare record does not carry a huge price tag.

There are out there in soul-collecting record-land just oodles of under-valued, under appreciated and under-exposed masterpieces. On these pages each week we try to give some of these passed-by gems the long overdue acknowledgement they deserve.

Are you ready to listen to a mountain of sound from one of our best-loved artists; a BIG CITY session that ripples with power and presence. This Jerry Williams project with long term team-member Richie Rome is every note as impressive as “If You Ask Me” and it will leave you wondering why you’ve not heard it belting out in the more adventurous DJ sets on underplayed get togethers.

The simple answer is, it is damn hard to find, it has after all been a huge “Island” scene tune for decades. That didn’t help it reach the Northern Soul collections, but I feel this is a genuinely hard 45 to secure.

Listen and you’ll be blown out your seat by a man with a penchant for the dramatic..

If you dig it - go to the very absorbing facebook page “BEAT BALLAD HEAVEN” where much-more of this style can be heard.. surely there’s space for a Northern Soul DJ who champions these Tsunami-powered-Beaters , they are utterly moving.

Awesome tune, from an awesome artist - awesome condition - well, just altogether awesome…!

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 86.00

[JOE TORQUAY]

Eddie Carlton Misery C/w It Wil Be Done

For lovers of the ridiculously RARE Northern Soul eye-candy from far flung places - check out this Canadian double helping of pure distilled General Norman Johnson crafted Northern Soul.

Wow BOTH sides are scintillating NS Stompers of the most magnificent kind - the elusivity of it’s 1966 SWAN label Philly press has hampered it’s NS DJ turntable-time since the mid-70s with the UK Cream pressing not featuring thr best side “MISERY”

Click the sound file and prepare to be moved.. check out the label scan and prepare to fall in love.

Two perfectly formed Northern Soul classic style thumpers in the most alluring format imaginable!

Be My Valentine!!

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 161.00

 

Jackie Wilson It Only Happens When I Look At You C/w Where Is Love

Not issued in the USA of course on a 45. And considered one his finest Northern Soul offerings - on the UK Brunswick but as the Spanish release it has another bonus beside the head-turning picture sleeve.

It has utterly gorgeous “WHERE IS THE LOVE” on the flipside, in every other country it is the lead album track for his lusted-after “Nobody But You” album.

This rarely seen 1977 Spanish 45 offers the collector a double musical delight and a picture sleeve into the bargain.

“Where Is Love” is an El Perfecto tune for the likes of a rainy Saturday afternoon at “Soul Essence” so silky, so controlled, so easy on the ear.. this is Jackie at his most comfortable.

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 119.00

 

Curtis Mayfield " In The Groove " - 10" By 8" Black & White

Stunning, captivating, hypnotic & mesmerizing images from David Redfern world-renowned Music photographer with a gift of capturing in time the very character of his subjects.

Here is Curtis Mayfield, a Soul-God and genius of our music, frozen in time by a highly skilled hand. This is no ordinary picture, it is a wall-hanger you can drool over every day, an original photo that is considered the very best of it’s kind.

David Redfern originals are so very sought after, not only for possible investment purposes, but mostly to provide the music fan with unparalleled images of their artist of choice.

…can you think of a better picture to adorn that wall space in your room of vinyl..

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 21.00

 

Bobby Jenkins Quartet What Is Love

Spying the text “Dave Polk Production” on a label and my pulse accelerates, as it should do, as his work on his own Flodavieur & Vistone labels was consistently exciting and decidedly different.

If you looking for “different” this rare 45 will catch your ear, as the blend of Jazz, Popcorn & Soul melt into one memorable strolling dance groove. Nowadays an increasing amount of us “Old-School” Northern Soul fans delve into the Popcorn/ Tittyshaker genres as the more adventurous Club DJ’s stretch their boundaries.

I just love all Dave Polk’s work - as he draws from Los Angeles vocal-group recordings, Jazz and R&B with most of his recordings.

Check out this filthy-moody stroller, it’ll creep under your skin offering up yet another off-shoot of Rare-Soul collecting to consider.

I believe the DJ currently spinning it pitches it up by 3rpm… forcing even dirtier urges to trickle through…

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 104.00

 

Sharon Mc Mahan Get Out Of My Life

So delicious is the vocal, so delicate is the simplistic backing, so lush are the quilted strings, so moving are the aggrieved lyrics. This is a tune to pierce your every emotion.

“I Want You To Get Out Of My Life” is a message Ms. McMahan delivers so convincingly.

“Get INTO my Life” will be the thoughts of those amongst you who need to live with the greatest soul tunes ever made.

So very good… it hurts..

Sorry, this item has already been won!
The winning bid was £ 177.00

[JOE TORQUAY]

sorry for the delay, had a few pc problems, power went off for about 10 seconds.

[Julianb]

Constellations - f**k me

[Ian Dewhirst]

Constellations - f**k me

 

Yep. Pretty incredible. You couldn't give it away in the 70's. Had one stuck in my sales box for several years!

 

Ian D 

[Pete S]

Jerry Williams £86, I struggle to get £20 for that, great as it is

[bri pinch]

sold LIFE and Jackie Wilson for a fraction of these prices, recently

Edited February 12, 2014 by bri pinch

[Dave Pinch]

sold LIFE and Jackie Wilson for a fraction of these prices, recently

yes but ours were real prices bri..only one pm for each and they were on here and all over two faced book

[Pete S]

yes but ours were real prices bri..only one pm for each and they were on here and all over two faced book

 

Well this is what happens in the real world, I tried for weeks to sell an issue of Life and took £75 in the end.

[Jnixon]

blues busters - 500 quid in his guide

 

was going to auction one of a few copies i had through him late last year. glad i didn't. 

[Frankie Crocker]

Constellations...WOW. Sadly, the VATman gets £200 of it. All the copies of this have now disappeared so don't expect too many to surface from the shrewder collectors - this is a record to hang on to!

[Chalky]

Constellations...WOW. Sadly, the VATman gets £200 of it. All the copies of this have now disappeared so don't expect too many to surface from the shrewder collectors - this is a record to hang on to!

 

 

Quite the opposite, I would expect quite a few to hit the market now.  If I still had this it would be going to John today cause I know I couldn't get that sort of money, here or anywhere else.

[Pete S]

Constellations...WOW. Sadly, the VATman gets £200 of it. All the copies of this have now disappeared so don't expect too many to surface from the shrewder collectors - this is a record to hang on to!

 

I'd have thought everyone who wanted it would have already got it, it's been big for 15 years, amazed he got more than £300 for it - plus their other one is miles better

[Marc Forrest]

I'd have thought everyone who wanted it would have already got it, it's been big for 15 years, amazed he got more than £300 for it - plus their other one is miles better

Lot of new young dj's around who are looking and needing this sort of aleays floor-filling "anthems". With you on that its been big for god knows how many years and that this price is just obscene but just trying to explain....why.

[Quinvy]

It's a truly stunning record, as is there other one, and it's much harder to find than the other. 

 

Demand x Rarity x Quality = Mucho £'s 

[Frankie Crocker]

I'd have thought everyone who wanted it would have already got it, it's been big for 15 years, amazed he got more than £300 for it - plus their other one is miles better

Pete, sure you're not mixing the titles up? You Didn't Know How To, good record though it is, only rose to prominence and increased in price because I Don't Know About You had such a major impact on dancers and collectors...

[Guest Gogs]

Constellations...WOW. Sadly, the VATman gets £200 of it. All the copies of this have now disappeared so don't expect too many to surface from the shrewder collectors - this is a record to hang on to!

Didn't know this record, so just checked it out on youtube, Sorry but i don't like it.I can't believe the money that records like this go for (imho) i could buy 50 or more better sounding records for less.

[Quinvy]

'I didn't know how to' was the record that everyone wanted in the early seventies Frankie. That was the era of the stomper. 'I don't know about you' actually became popular at a later date. There was a scene before the 100 club.

 

I had them both and sold them for the going rate in 1975 which was 75p each.   The guy that bought them and still has them never tires of reminding me of this fact every time I bump into him. 

[Quinvy]

Didn't know this record, so just checked it out on youtube, Sorry but i don't like it.I can't believe the money that records like this go for (imho) i could buy 50 or more better sounding records for less.

 

You forgot to tell us what these 50 great records are. I presume you don't like 'Northern' then?

 

To me that record is a masterpiece. If only I could find more of the same quality.

[Guest Gogs]

You forgot to tell us what these 50 great records are. I presume you don't like 'Northern' then?

 

To me that record is a masterpiece. If only I could find more of the same quality.

Like i said each to their own, if you really want me to list, what i consider 50 better records i will do it tomorrow afternoon. My first 1 would be Johnny Johnson & the Bandwagon- Breaking down the walls of heartache and that was a chart hit. 2nd would be John Miles - One minute every hour, And i've not even spent a tenner yet.

Edited February 14, 2014 by Gogs

[Pete S]

Pete, sure you're not mixing the titles up? You Didn't Know How To, good record though it is, only rose to prominence and increased in price because I Don't Know About You had such a major impact on dancers and collectors...

 

Not true mate, I Didn't Know How To was a Stafford tune and most people heard it via one of the Northern Soul Story LP's back in 1988, it was always more sought after to start with.  Then the other one overtook it.

[Pete S]

Like i said each to their own, if you really want me to list, what i consider 50 better records i will do it tomorrow afternoon. My first 1 would be Johnny Johnson & the Bandwagon- Breaking down the walls of heartache and that was a chart hit. 2nd would be John Miles - One minute every hour, And i've not even spent a tenner yet.

 

I had One Minute Every Hour come on during a random itunes session recently and it sounded fantastic, someone went out of there way to get a real 60's sound on that one.  Happy youth club memories.

[Dave Pinch]

Quite the opposite, I would expect quite a few to hit the market now.  If I still had this it would be going to John today cause I know I couldn't get that sort of money, here or anywhere else.

you might be better puttin it at set sale at £850....cut out the middle man and the V.A.T......i think it would actually sell in this climate

[Jordirip]

You forgot to tell us what these 50 great records are. I presume you don't like 'Northern' then?

 

To me that record is a masterpiece. If only I could find more of the same quality.

 

I love the Constellations, such a feel good tune, brilliant atmosphere and fantastic vocals. A bit like this one by the Manhattens which is a tiny fraction of the price, but very similar.

 

[Wiganer1]

Not true mate, I Didn't Know How To was a Stafford tune and most people heard it via one of the Northern Soul Story LP's back in 1988, it was always more sought after to start with.  Then the other one overtook it.

Constellations IDKHT was a massive leicester oddfellows spin for Adam.....

[Tony Smith]

Not true mate, I Didn't Know How To was a Stafford tune and most people heard it via one of the Northern Soul Story LP's back in 1988, it was always more sought after to start with.  Then the other one overtook it.

That was when I Didn't Know How to was £3 and the other was £8, always remember Don't Know About You being the harder of the two.

[Guest]

Didn't know this record, so just checked it out on youtube, Sorry but i don't like it.I can't believe the money that records like this go for (imho) i could buy 50 or more better sounding records for less.

I can`t stand it!....comedy sale of the week.....IDKHT is head and shoulders better!

Edited February 14, 2014 by Guest

[Guest Gogs]

You forgot to tell us what these 50 great records are. I presume you don't like 'Northern' then?

 

To me that record is a masterpiece. If only I could find more of the same quality.

I didn't say "great" records, i said records the i would prefer. So as promised here my list of 50 records that i would buy and as nothing listed should cost more than £20 (and many less than that) i would still have change. there might be a couple of northern tracks in it. In no particular order.

1.  Johnny Johnson & the Bandwagon- Breaking down the walls of heartache

2.  John Miles - One minute every hour

3.  Percy Sledge- The Angels Listened In

4.  Major Harris- After Loving You

5.  Sister Sledge- Love don't go through no changes on me

6.  GQ- Make My Dreams a Reality

7.  Jimmy Cliff- Waterfall

8.  The Baja marimaba band- Along Comes Mary

9.  5 Farhenheit- Just Let Your Heart Be Your Guide

10. The Grand Piano Company- Esperanto

11. Jackie Wilson- I'm the One to Do It

12. Jackie Wilson- Nothing But Heartaches

13. Artistics- Hope We Have

14. O'Jays- I'm So Glad I Found You

15. James & bobby purify- Help Yourself

16. Inspirations- Gotta Find a New Love

17. Ramsey Lewis- Wade in the Water

18. Dells- There is

19. Little Milton- Sometimey

20. Outsiders- Time won't let me

21. The Human Beinz- Nobody but me

22. Babe Ruth- Elusive

23. The Buckinghams- Don't you care

24. Pat Lundy- Mr. Rainmaker

25. Spiral Starecase- Baby what i mean

26. The Fuzz- I'm so glad

27. Dee Clark- Hot potato

28. The Fenways- Satisfied

29. The Vogues- That's the tune

30. Gene Chandler- Does she have a friend?

31. Bobby Caldwell- Love won't wait

32. Johnny Moffett- I found joy

33. Cameo- Find my way

34. The Flirtations- Nothing but a heartache

35. Shirley Vaughn- Watch out mr. Lonely

36. Leon Haywood- Skate a while

37. Omni- Keys to the city

38. Barbra Mercer- Hey !!

39. The Dynatones- The fife piper

40. The Newbeats- Crying my heart out

41. Classics IV- Stormy

42. Jackie DeShannon- Find me love

43. Baltimore & Ohio Marching band- Condition red

44. Margaret Whiting- Nothing lasts forever

45. Spyder Turner- I can't make it anymore

46. The Platters- Sweet, sweet lovin'

47. The Platters- Washed ashore

48. Don Covay- It's better to have (and don't need)

49. Jerry Butler- Moody woman

50. Jackie Lee- Your p-e-r-s-o-n-a-l-i-t-y

 

[Frankie Crocker]

I didn't say "great" records, i said records the i would prefer. So as promised here my list of 50 records that i would buy and as nothing listed should cost more than £20 (and many less than that) i would still have change. there might be a couple of northern tracks in it. In no particular order.

1.  Johnny Johnson & the Bandwagon- Breaking down the walls of heartache

2.  John Miles - One minute every hour

3.  Percy Sledge- The Angels Listened In

4.  Major Harris- After Loving You

5.  Sister Sledge- Love don't go through no changes on me

6.  GQ- Make My Dreams a Reality

7.  Jimmy Cliff- Waterfall

8.  The Baja marimaba band- Along Comes Mary

9.  5 Farhenheit- Just Let Your Heart Be Your Guide

10. The Grand Piano Company- Esperanto

11. Jackie Wilson- I'm the One to Do It

12. Jackie Wilson- Nothing But Heartaches

13. Artistics- Hope We Have

14. O'Jays- I'm So Glad I Found You

15. James & bobby purify- Help Yourself

16. Inspirations- Gotta Find a New Love

17. Ramsey Lewis- Wade in the Water

18. Dells- There is

19. Little Milton- Sometimey

20. Outsiders- Time won't let me

21. The Human Beinz- Nobody but me

22. Babe Ruth- Elusive

23. The Buckinghams- Don't you care

24. Pat Lundy- Mr. Rainmaker

25. Spiral Starecase- Baby what i mean

26. The Fuzz- I'm so glad

27. Dee Clark- Hot potato

28. The Fenways- Satisfied

29. The Vogues- That's the tune

30. Gene Chandler- Does she have a friend?

31. Bobby Caldwell- Love won't wait

32. Johnny Moffett- I found joy

33. Cameo- Find my way

34. The Flirtations- Nothing but a heartache

35. Shirley Vaughn- Watch out mr. Lonely

36. Leon Haywood- Skate a while

37. Omni- Keys to the city

38. Barbra Mercer- Hey !!

39. The Dynatones- The fife piper

40. The Newbeats- Crying my heart out

41. Classics IV- Stormy

42. Jackie DeShannon- Find me love

43. Baltimore & Ohio Marching band- Condition red

44. Margaret Whiting- Nothing lasts forever

45. Spyder Turner- I can't make it anymore

46. The Platters- Sweet, sweet lovin'

47. The Platters- Washed ashore

48. Don Covay- It's better to have (and don't need)

49. Jerry Butler- Moody woman

50. Jackie Lee- Your p-e-r-s-o-n-a-l-i-t-y

 

Loadsa good tunes here and tons of early memories. Many of us started out dancing to these records so they hold a special place in our hearts. However, time turns up better and better records fuelling the quest to track down the elusive and most awesome sounds - dance floor reaction over the last 17 years places IDKAY in this special category as the price tag confirms.

[Frankie Crocker]

Not true mate, I Didn't Know How To was a Stafford tune and most people heard it via one of the Northern Soul Story LP's back in 1988, it was always more sought after to start with.  Then the other one overtook it.

Hi Pete. I missed the Stafford years but made do with the Soul Supply version of IDKHT until 1990 when I picked up the original  - only heard it played out on the odd occasion until the recent upturn in demand and price as it deputises for the superior IDKAY. When I picked up my copy of IDKAY in 1993, it was a virtual unknown but on a few wants lists and yet to have a major impact on the dance floor such was it's scarcity. Nige RIP of the Hawaiian shirt brigade managed to get his hands on a good quantity maybe 10-15 years ago helping DJ's to popularise it. Since then, just about every copy auctioned has fetched decent money. Both of these Constellations tracks are very good but only one of them has that special X Factor that prompts a stampede to the dance floor.

[Chalky]

IDNAY, unknown in 1993?  Far from it, it was well known and in every sales box 80's into the 90's, cheap as well.  Both were cheap in the 80's. 

[Benji]

I remember both Constellations 45 were mentioned in Shades of Soul somewhere in the mid 90s and tipped to go massive again. "I didn't know how to" got plenty of spins in the late 90s/early 2ks, many copies available but price went through the roof. I paid 25 quid for it and tried to get a copy of "i don't know about you" as well but no luck. very hard to find at that time.

[Dave Pinch]

Didn't know this record, so just checked it out on youtube, Sorry but i don't like it.I can't believe the money that records like this go for (imho) i could buy 50 or more better sounding records for less.

you didnt know this record,,,,,,have you been in the antarctic or something for the past 10 years

[NEV]

What a funny spin off post this is evolving into

People arguing about price of a record on a auction that most people say has no relevance on the real world?

Ironically it does affect pricing of future copies because people quote from recent sale highs.

It's not as good as this, I.prefer that, it used to be in every sales box for peanuts... I'm into oldies but I've never heard this before!

I've only been buying since the early 21st century and this record was a £300 tune, was hard to find and it was booted / re issued with both.this and Idnhtty on the flip at that time!

I'm trying to sell a rarer record and I'm being told, " it's been re issued on a look a like so price will be affected ", well obviously not in this case!

It's all pretty much irrelevant and opinionated except for the fact, the record did sell.for over £1k and had more than one person bidding on it and it is rare, but only.if you haven't already got one

[Labeat]

Quite the opposite, I would expect quite a few to hit the market now.  If I still had this it would be going to John today cause I know I couldn't get that sort of money, here or anywhere else.

 

That's it Chalky, you've got to have Johns Patter.... he could sell sand to the Arabs

[Labeat]

You forgot to tell us what these 50 great records are. I presume you don't like 'Northern' then?

 

To me that record is a masterpiece. If only I could find more of the same quality.

 

"Each to their own".... That's the Golden rule!

 

Hiya Phil.

You say the Constellations is a masterpiece, well as an example, how would you compare your old Dynamic Corvettes in those terms?

I know they are like chalk & cheese but talking of "Masterpieces", I know which would blow the other out of the water.

Best

Neil

[NEV]

That's it Chalky, you've got to have Johns Patter.... he could sell sand to the Arabs

But you don't need to get that price ... John has his commision and vat to come off that price .

[NEV]

"Each to their own".... That's the Golden rule!

 

Hiya Phil.

You say the Constellations is a masterpiece, well as an example, how would you compare your old Dynamic Corvettes in those terms?

I know they are like chalk & cheese but talking of "Masterpieces", I know which would blow the other out of the water.

Best

Neil

Different sounds for different rooms ,so a bad example Neil .

Constellations has stood the test of time and is as popular today on the big room scene,but the D.C isn't a big room sound ,will never be and probably won't be popular in 5 yr from now ( assuming we are talking about Keep off the grass )?

[Steve G]

ALways loved both of the Constellations 45s on Gemini Star, but for me "I Dont Know about you" is more poppy, easy on the ear / feet dancer, while "I Didn't know How to" is a driving moody opus with its change of directions, it's a fantastically produced dance record…..Drumming is, as John says great (Bernard Purdie no less). A number of top musicians were on the session too and you can tell! Never tire of it.

[Labeat]

But you don't need to get that price ... John has his commision and vat to come off that price .

 

Granted Nev,we all know that but there can still be a vast difference in what the average punter gets compared to John

[Labeat]

Different sounds for different rooms ,so a bad example Neil .

Constellations has stood the test of time and is as popular today on the big room scene,but the D.C isn't a big room sound ,will never be and probably won't be popular in 5 yr from now ( assuming we are talking about Keep off the grass )?

Yes Phil... KOTG.... best tune you ever played

[Quinvy]

I agree with Nev, in terms of sheer quality the Constellations has it all. To me the song is all important. The song writer is king. It matters not how great a singer is or the quality of the session musicians, a crap song is a crap song. Berry Gordy knew that.

 

Linda Jones, Otis Reading, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Jackie Wilson...........just some of THE greatest voices of all time. But my God they have all recorded some bloody awful records.

[Labeat]

Sorry Phil/Nev, got you mixed up

[Chalky]

But you don't need to get that price ... John has his commision and vat to come off that price .

 

Just John's commission comes off the price doesn't it?  John pays VAT on his earnings as far as I'm aware?

[Labeat]

Yes Phil... KOTG.... best tune you ever played

 

I agree with Nev, in terms of sheer quality the Constellations has it all. To me the song is all important. The song writer is king. It matters not how great a singer is or the quality of the session musicians, a crap song is a crap song. Berry Gordy knew that.

 

Linda Jones, Otis Reading, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Jackie Wilson...........just some of THE greatest voices of all time. But my God they have all recorded some bloody awful records.

OK, I will accept your views in a graceful manner, the Constellations to you is the business

[NEV]

Just John's commission comes off the price doesn't it?  John pays VAT on his earnings as far as I'm aware?

Your probably right ,but having never sent a record to John for auction ,I don't even know what the selling commission is ?

15-20% maybe and we should always take into account ,the coindition of this copy is tip top ,which does seem to confuse some folk when they expect top dollar for the same record in lesser cond .

Then again some folk are willing to pay over the top for poor cond lol

[SLAMMINSOUL]

Congratz to those who had the ear, good taste and foresight to buy it back when it was cheap when nobody was playing it.

You also can't expect everybody to like something. I think the dance floor reaction to this record says it all though.

No offense meant but its not exactly hard to name 50 or more records that sound better for under 1k, and thats as good as it is itself. The price just reflects rarity. Alot people want this tune and they just don't come up anymore. If you have to have it, you have to have it and we have all been there.

Go maith

Clint

[Frankie Crocker]

Your probably right ,but having never sent a record to John for auction ,I don't even know what the selling commission is ?

15-20% maybe and we should always take into account ,the coindition of this copy is tip top ,which does seem to confuse some folk when they expect top dollar for the same record in lesser cond .

Then again some folk are willing to pay over the top for poor cond lol

Nev - I'm pretty sure it's 20% commission so the seller gets £600 which is pretty good compared to the price it would fetch at an allnighter.