Dave Moore

Could anyone in UK point me in the direction of genuine new styli for the 500v3 carts? I'm aware that Stanton have discontinued them and that there are 'generic' Chinese ones available but I need the genuine article. I don't want the carts - just the styli. Any help appreciated. Regards, Dave

I gave up using feedback forum when I spent over 600 quid on a flight and hotel to get to what had been described as " a new fantastic allnighter of underplayed and rare soul" to find myself in bed by 3 am having had that there Country AND fookin' Western shyte invade my sensitive ears! Never again. Regards, Dave

John, I think as the US indie record company came into it's own in the 50s and 60s, it produced lots of people who would gain the reputation of being 'record guys'. People who were immersed in the business of making records. Berry Gordy, Randy Woods, Len Jewel, Weldon McDougall, Ahmet Ertegun, Joe Ruffino. A good example of a female record 'guy' would be Johnnie Mae Mathews. These people ate slept and literally breathed 'rekids'. As the majors bought/asset stripped/engulfed them these kinds of people simply disappeared to be replaced by the suits. The days of record companies preferring a good set of ears to an MBA came and the whole industry became a sterile, closed shop where execs simply shifted desks every few years. By the time Sony came in it was all over. Records had become like TVs or fridges. Just something on the bottom of a balance sheet to add to the corporate coffers. There had always been the drive to be commercially successful, but the industry had no space for 'record guys' anymore. It had MTV. Regards, Dave

I lost interest after 'Holy Grail". Just how many grails are out there? Regards, Dave

Thanks Guys. Question answered - Topic locked by thread starter. Regards, Dave

Can anyone identify the line up on this picture sleeve by their individual names? The ladies in the line are: Rosetta Hightower, Marlena Davis and Shirley Brickley but can anyone identify who is who? any help appreciated. Regards, Dave

Hi Paul, Although most of my 'net' purchased 45s are sent to UK I've been 'collared' here in Spain too. In fact it's slightly dafter here in that they stopped one 45 with a value of $10 on the package but charged me 7.81 Euros for 'their service' of intercepting it, even though there was no import tax due. They then added VAT to the postage and billed me for it?! Mental! Regards, Dave

Carla is the original but it's the Instrumental. Satiron is the 70s press of the vocal made for the UK demand. Regards, Dave

And not forgetting of course the 3 man midfield of West Grand Boulevard that they were all trying to recreate the success of. They knocked out a couple or three gud un's too. Regards, Dave

Whenever vintage soul music is discussed there are a few hallowed names that are synonymous with producing huge amounts of quality material. They transcend the music and actually become bigger than their creations. The likes of Berry Gordy, Kenny Gamble, Curtis etc are more than musicians, more than even the sum of their soulful contributions. They are spoken about with extra reverence and rightly so. Carl Davis was one of these people. His contribution to black music was incalculable. From his humble beginnings as a chart compiler, through the careers of promo man and songwriter and on to the status of Soul Music Royalty Mr Davis maintained a standard to all his endeavours that's hard to match. Along with Curtis, Gerald Sims, Sonny Sanders, Riley Hampton he became a vital component of the team that took America's 'race' music and massaged it into the country's psyche with their strong beating rhythms, their floating strings and their ability to bring impassioned vocals from all who worked with them. Right at the helm, steering this mighty musical ship was their captain - Carl Davis. I only got to know the man in recent years and was always enthralled by his tales of 'record guys'. His stories of a time and place that sometimes forces me to wish my life away, and would love to have lived in, will stay with me forever. Lots of people in the music industry love to name drop. He didn't need to. He actually made the names! It was others who would name drop HIM! He never quite got used to that idol like loyalty that his fans displayed. When we went to Chicago in 2009 we tried desperately to get him there but as the week got going it looked like he wasn't going to make it. A few of us were devastated, a week playing soul in Chicago listening to the likes of Jimmy Burns, Marvin Smith, JoAnne Garrett, Ruby Andrews, Syl Johnson, Holly Maxwell, all backed up by Willie Henderson's band but no Carl Davis was unthinkable. Looking round at Marshall Thompson, Mill Evans, Barbara Green, Jackie Ross, Cicero Blake and a whole host of other Chicago musical icons was a fantastic experience but there was still a small part of me gutted that the (for me at least), main man wasn't there. To cut a long story short my wife got hold of Remell his PA and convinced her to get Carl to understand how important he was to us and the reception he would receive. The girl done good because, lo and behold, at 9pm on a windy night at the Ambassador East Hotel as DJs were playing his home town's music, in walked the man himself! An introduction from Kev left people in absolutely no doubt as to the importance of the man, dressed in a suit as sharp as a razor edge, standing before them and the place erupted in an out-poring of love, affection and respect for a man who had actually created 'The Chicago Sound". I was fortunate enough to spend an hour or so with Carl that evening with my good Mate Dave Ferguson in a private room where we drank coffee, ate donuts and we shared yet another experience together that confirmed to me that... sure, records are important - but people matter more. Last year he sent me a CD of an artist he was working on for an opinion? Eh? Carl Davis asking a wretch from Burnley his opinion on an artist? Christ on a bike - could life get any more surreal? I've been extremely lucky in my life in that I've met and enjoyed many a great experience when it comes to soul music. That evening in Chicago, surrounded by mates, all knowing exactly what it all meant was fantastic and ranks up there with the best. So to Kev and Sam Roberts, to Styrene-45, to all the friends who were there that night but especially to Mr Carl Davis - a TRUE legend. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Magic doesn't even come close. I'm out tonight at a previous engagement but tomorrow night as is usual at our gaff on these occasions, I'll open up 'Frankies', crack open a bottle of bubbly, dig out a box of Chicago 45s and celebrate the life of a man who's work has provided the backdrop to my life. Mr Carl Davis - Mentor to Curtis Mayfield, Songwriter to Jackie Wilson and Otis Leavill, Producer to the The Artistics, and general all round Top Bloke...step forward Sir and take a final bow....for a job EXTREMELY well done. I've attached a few photos of Carl, one of two excited, child like, 50 year olds spending time with one of our heroes. I hope Dave F doesn't mind. And Carl with members of the Accents who he reunited with that night after first producing their single 50 years ago! Fantastic! Regards, Dave

Just received a message from his PA: Today at 4am US time Mr Carl Davis, Chicago musical Icon passed away. I'll be back later once I've gathered my thoughts. Regards, Dave added by site Clip and link to news story from Chic... Tap to view this Soul Source News/Article in full

That would be the dream job for a few of us on here eh! Wandering round provincial American towns with cars full of 45s! Sound familiar? Regards, Dave

Big Thanks to all who contributed. Fantastic Effort! I just need the Debby Rollins - My Johnny Doesn't Come Around Anymore - Ascot in order to complete the Jerry Ragovoy stuff now. Appreciate the help guys. Regards Dave

One of the huge differences in the music industries between our own country and the US is the role played by Radio and the people who controlled it. A whole generation before even the Pirate stations here, the US had a thriving radio network and all that that entailed. Payola was rampant even before the days of the 45 and even took place when the industry's royalties were paid via sheet music sales. It's a great exciting story about the expansion of US radio and when you get to the invention of the 45, the development of the Fendercaster and RCAs portable Record Players, and the teenage post WWII baby boomers hunger for Rock n Roll and the expansion of black migrants to major US cities, it becomes even more a tapestry of interwoven events and factions. DJs didn't control the industry in the 60s. Businessmen did. The DJ was the vehicle but in many cases it was the lawyers, the entrepreneurs, the theatre owners, the local businessmen who actually drove the industry. Very few of the DJs of the era would continue to thrive once their usefulness lapsed. For every Dick Clark there were a hundred Alan Freeds. Many DJs would try to grab a slice of the cake but not many succeded commercially, especially black ones. Hence the Rare Soulo Scene 40 years later still hunting down their 'products' Also, you can't rely on merely geographical closeness to link a break-out record with a local DJ alone. Lester Sill is a good example. He was in LA but influenced radio airplay from Alaska to Mexico! Harold Lipsius did the same as did Henry Stone. A few $$s here, a box of 45s there, a bag of powder left on your desk, a hooker in a hotel. It was all part of the weave.The story of the record promo men is a wondrous tale of shenanigans that I've heard first hand from some of them. Most of them see records now as a bitter pill to swallow. One of them recently told me "I never cared about the records Dave or the labels, they were just a product, A product I needed to get past the DJs and onto the airwaves at all costs". When the Payola Investigations closed down some of the 'schemes', it is now felt, with hindsight of course, that one of the negatives it achieved was to restrict the smaller independent labels, companies and individuals from getting their stuff to the DJs turntables like it had before. The whole idea of preventing advantage had actually created it as many DJs wouldn't touch a new act for fear of being compromised. It took a few years for the dust to settle. The of course.....another group moved in to control the distribution side of the industry and the whole shennanigans started again. It's a great subject and one that is covered in detail in the new book "Philadelphia - City Of Brotherly Soul" due out late September hopefully. Great thread John. Regards, Dave

Excellent! I'm much obliged. Have Pm'd You. Best, Dave

Thanks Steve. Tip Top. Regards, Dave

Could you take a photo with a camera? Or a mate with a scanner? I'd appreciate it. Regards, Dave

Mine's a minter. Cost me a lot more than yours Bob's so well done Matey. Regards, Dave

I have one - I've only ever seen three others. It's made from the same stamper as the Tuff release but I think it came after. Regards, Dave .

Sent via PM. Regards, Dave

Guys, Beggin' bowl time again. Could anyone help me source good quality, (300dpi), scans of these as I'm struggling. Debbie Rollins-all three of her singles on Ascot -He Really Loves Me -Don't Let it Get You Girl -My Johnny Doesn't Come Around Anymore United Artists #727-Estelle Brown-Stick Close / You Got Just What You Asked For Imperial-Tran-Sisters-Pull the Covers Up Over My Head Anyone that can help could you send them to hitsville2648@earthlink.net please? Any help greatly appreciated. Regards, Dave

He He! I should think so. Have danced to your copy in three different countries now! See you in a few weeks matey. Regards, Dave

Both Sides! (AGC2) Regards, Dave

I asked him a week ago but am still awaiting reply. I'll chivvy him up and report back. Best, Dave