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Hi Tim Sorry for the delay mate Well, I found both copies of Billy / Billie Kennedy- on the black issue and the WDJ copy respectively. The artist's name is shown as Billy on the issue, but as Billie on the WDJ. Many copies of the demo that I have seen are corrected in marker pen by hand to replace the "ie" with a "y" (like mine). The matrix details on both sides look identical on the issue and demo - I examined them with a 10 x magnification hand lens. The reason I initially said that the demo played louder was by comparing the MP3 sound files I did of "This Is A Groovy Generation". This time, I played the records themselves and again I think the demo sounds much sharper and brighter, with more overall "presence". More treble picking out things like the snare drum and cymbals. This is the case on both sides of the records - so on "Sweet Things" too. The differences in the artist's name on the labels suggests that the two discs could have been cut in different batches, at different times, albeit from the same master plate. Perhaps that might explain it? I have also heard from time to time that companies often put more effort into how they recorded and pressed up promotional copies, knowing these were going out to radio stations, so they needed to make them sound as good as they could - but that they put less effort into how they produced the subsequent stock copies. I don't know if that's true or not, but it kind of makes sense. The only other factor that could come into play is that my WDJ copy is a beautiful, shiny M-. By comparison, my black issue has obviously been played a bit and I just wonder whether the differences in sound quality could be down to a slight deterioration in the sharpness of the sound from use? It's all very subjective stuff, but listening to the two discs side-by-side I would hazard a guess that they did a better recording (with sharper, clearer sound and more presence) on the demos - on which they got the artists name wrong on the labels - and they didn't do as such a good job when they pressed up the issues later on (when they also corrected the artist's name to "Billy"). Whatever the situation, it's another reason to choose the lovely demo over the issue Hope this helps. Cheers Richard

Hi David Print quality and sharpness is similar on both sides on my WD - no obvious difference between the labels. Cheers Richard

There have been one or more copies "known" for a while

I just listened to it again. The last "yes" sounds like one person maybe? Don't know how many were on it on backing vocals - guess 2-4? - but it's hardly a major error. Sounds fine. The more I hear it, the more I like it - I didn't like it when I bought it - but that's just collecting - think it's great at the moment and actually picked it out a couple of weeks ago for a pre-'65 Detroit project I'm working on. In the context of when it was recorded, it's a great record.

Yes, I didn't make my point very clearly - sorry. Answer is no I meant that I reckon I could probably "counterfeit" a record for a few hundred quid, using modern technology to do photographs and videos, that would fool some people to spend £10k on it as an original. Basically, I'm trying to say that nobody should say that a 1960s vinyl record is original, based simply on 2014 technology-based photographs and videos. As I have always said - it might be real - I hope it is - but is it? Cheers Richard

If you guarantee that I can make £10k plus from it, I reckon I could get some photos and some videos made up for a few hundred quid to "prove" it existed for a few hundred quid. Nice challenge to do, and definitely worth the investment. All the matrix info you need is on the demos anyway However, if you had the record in your hand and knew enough about records you would know if it was real just by looking and handling it. I'm not saying it is or it isn't real - just not convinced/unconvinced until it has been checked out for real by someone who knows what they are doing. Verifying authenticity based on photos/videos is not sufficiently reliable. Didn't a few people say it was real based on virtual digital media? Thank you Richard

Yes, I am for real Mike

Nobody ever saw it as far as I know - I kept asking who had seen it in the flesh. I'm unconvinced ....................... until I'm convinced of it's authenticity Could be a scam - potentially easy to do with IT and digital technology - just like the old 70s bootlegs were done with sh*te technology. Jury is out as far as I'm concerned - until someone who knows their stuff has it in their hand and says it's a goodun Cheers Richard

Which ones are quiet and which are louder Harry please? I thought they were all quiet

I never rated it - then I played it a couple of weeks ago and I love it

Tonight Dean's guest in the studio is Ian Seaman Should be great On tonight 7-9pm Listen online here: https://www.tulip-radio.co.uk/ Or use the TuneIn app on your smartphone Cheers Richard

Yes, I have an issue and a demo here. Not in the same place (box) though, so might take me a couple of days to find them both Cheers Richard

Looking for a copy of the Marvelettes - He's A Good Guy (Yes He Is) / Goddess Of Love (Tamla) on a DEMO copy please. Must be top M- condition. Please PM me with price and condition. Thanks Richard

Yes, they are definitely test pressings - was just answering the previous points about the white labelled copies with handwritten credits. Cheers Richard

I have seen a handful. Cheers Richard

LAURA LEE - TO WIN YOUR HEART (CANADIAN RCA VICTOR) Detroit Northern Soul classic in its most beautiful and by far the rarest format - by a million miles! Vinyl pressing - not styrene like the USA Ric-Tic release. Price is £200 please. Record in beautiful M- condition. Label scan from actual record below. Payment by PayPal as gift (family & friends), cheque or cash please. Postage is £2.50 UK Recorded Delivery or £7.25 UK Special Delivery. Overseas at cost. No quibble money back guarantee if not happy. Please just PM me if interested. Cheers Richard [Click on picture to see larger image]

Thanks guys

Anyone got the year of release for the Royal Playboys - Arabia (Do-De) please? TIA Richard

Wanted please Fabulous Playboys - Honky Tonk Woman (Apollo) Orthea Barnes - Your Picture On The Wall (Mickay's) Must be top M- condition. Please state price and condition. Cheers Richard

Thanks Dave - yes, conflicting information. It needs to be 1964 or earlier for a small project I'm doing Cheers Richard

Thanks Dave - did you find any useful links in particular please? Cheers Richard

Anyone know which year Freddy Butler The Signifying Monkey (SA-MO) was released please? I'm guessing 1964 or 1965 Cheers Richard

Dean reckons it's definitely back on next week

Don't think so mate. Can't get the stream myself. I complained to the station last week. They replied apologising, but I didn't hear back if they had fixed it Cheers Richard

Woooo - hooooo