Garethx

The embedding of youtube clips within the topic is a massive pain. Can people not just provide an external link? Also quoting a post with an embedded clip and leaving in the clip really slows the pages down.

Cheers John. Just had a listen. Very very good but maybe misses the spontaneity of Jesse James vocal.

Interesting John. I've never heard the Etta James version of Jesse James but it sounds like it may be right up my street. That aside, while all the covers you mention are very good records I'd go with the original in each and every case, with the marginal exception of the Laura Lee version of Sure As Sin. Jeanie Greene's version is one of the greatest genuine Blue Eyed Soul 45s. If Laura's had been released on a single I might find myself playing it more as it's a scorcher too. I'll throw one in which may be controversial but I think Laura Nyro & Labelle's version of "The Bells" makes The Originals reading of the song almost one dimensional by comparison even though it is a true classic in its own right. Darrell Banks' versions of several great songs on his Volt album are so good as to be definitive. His reading of "Only The Strong Survive" is truly magical, as is his version of J.J. Barnes' "Forgive Me".

Now sold.

For offers: LUCKEY DAVIS IT'S NOT WHERE YOU START (IT'S WHERE YOU FINISH) C/W INSTRUMENTAL HIGHLAND 1201 Condition: vinyl a very clean VG++. Slight water damage to 20% of A-side label. A rare opportunity to own the record in the most desirable format. Many times more difficult to locate than either yellow or orange label variants. No trades on this I'm afraid. TIA for any interest, gareth

I'm guessing somewhere between worthless and priceless. It's going into the sales section.

Hi Anyone got any realistic current market value for the deejay copy of Luckey's "It's Not Where You Start" on Highland. Condition is VG++/E+ vinyl but slightly water damaged label to the A-side. Can't see any on popsike despite there being a fair few of the yellow and orange label variants. Does it being a white demo make it any more desirable from a monetary point of view? TIA for any replies.

Sad news. I always think Isaac Bolden's songs and arrangements had an extra layer of musicality about them than someone who typically worked at that level of the business. His partnership with Tony Owens produced music of enduring quality and depth. RIP.

A great artist. More demonstrative or showy performers are often nearer the top of polls for greatest female soul singer but few could get inside a song and live it like BM. Current favourite is her version of Billy Stewart's "I Do Love You" from the "Oh How It Hurts" album on Arctic. A poignant and mesmerising side.

I think recent renewal of interest in this record comes via the scootering scene picking up on Gypsy: I've sen it feature on a few internet playlists from that quarter. Fair play to them, as this deserves to be an anthem somewhere: smooth verses, that tremendous uptempo break and committed singing from our man. As everyone says above This Place Ain't Getting No Better is simply one of the best records of its kind. I really can't think of many better Windy City ballads from that era. What price this 45 if it were scarce?

The Monitors is also the first use of Marvin's "God Is Love" backing track on the flip of "What's Going On". Also unreleased until recent anthologies I think.

Their original of "Just To Keep You Satisfied" on the extended re-issue of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" is absolutely sensational. It's also on the 2008 compilation "Complete Motown Singles Volume 10", despite it being un-released as a 45 to the best of my knowledge. If I'm wrong about that I'd be glad to be corrected.

My copy of this album is as described. The labels state "Promotional: Mixed For Airplay". I've had it for over twenty years so before that spate of lookalike 70s indemanders such as Alice Clark (Mainstream) and so on.

So much better than the released version by Freddie Terrell, which in itself is pretty great. This is phenomenal!

Anyone read Neil Rushton's book?

^ Nice one. Keep 'em coming.

What are the best written guides to the world of Northern Soul? If an alien were sent to Earth to learn about the scene what would his ideal reading list look like? Are there any books which really really renewed your faith in all of it, or which you read and thought "yes. That really nails it." Looking forward to hearing everyone's nominations. There are no wrong answers.

That's the west coast promo pressed at Monarch and denoted by the 'MO' at the end of the catalogue number. After 1966 all Atlantic distributed records used this system to denote which of the following plants their 45s were pressed at. PL = Plastic Products, Memphis TN SP = Specialty, Olyphant PA MO = Monarch, Los Angels CA AM = ARP, Owosso MI CO = Columbia, Terra Haute IN These are the main ones and there are a couple of others but I can't recall them off the top of my head.

Has anyone mentioned Gail Nevels "Taking My Mind Off Love" yet? Maybe a bit 'heavy' for this topic but has a similar feel to the September Jones sessions in many respects: the percussion could only be from Detroit. I've always preferred it to the Carol Anderson cut of the song.

Agreed that it is quite hard even on a demo. I used to play it from the album and fade it out half way before I thought about looking for it on 45. Got one pretty quickly and looked around for others and it has to be said there weren't many available. Great record which seems to have been forgotten about even though it received spins as a new release on the fledgling Modern scene. Sounds just right for now.

Here's a scan courtesy of Record Mania in Sweden:

Yes, there are black issue copies. Never seen one in the flesh but a youtube listing had video of the 45 issue spinning around.

Yup. The b-side of "I Don't Care" but also an a-side in its own right backed with a superb moody instrumental credited to Prince Shell and Orchestra.

Cookie Scott's "Misled" on Orr? Not Detroit but definitely has that spacey feeling and dramatic, thin string sound. Also Carol Jones "Don't Destroy Me" on Mutt.

Gloria Taylor!