Mark Bicknell

Here, Here Tony! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Does it matter how many copies there are of a record, just means more collectors get the chance to own them, rare records are the life blood of the Northern scene and having a good collection is something to be proud of and i guess the more big money records you own does play it's part in scene status etc. i'm cool if there are a few copies knocking around if this is reflected in the price, trouble is records can and do get hyped to almost guru status and it's sometimes down to who's playing them. Far better to go looking for semi known bits that float your boat rather than get sucked into this must have all the big tunes ethic. The current high prices on the scene today has pushed many records out of reach to the average working bloke, i admire the few guys that can afford the big titles but most of us look in other areas to source records, i rarley go on Ebay these days either to sell or bid, anything half decent or the top end stuff is basically pointless bidding on as you ain't gonna win and you are certainly not gonna get any real bargains. I would be interested to know what drives some people to almost totally lose control on Ebay for example, this 'must have it' ethic is driving even the most average records to an inflated price, still what goes up often comes down and will some people be quite as interested when the bubble bursts, Bill Bush was a £150.00 record only three or four years ago and is not a rare record, Cashmeres may also be more common than people think but and this is my real point does it make it any less a brilliant record if there are three copies or three hundred, the honest true answer has to be NO for the simply reason of it's quality as a tune. Still who are we to question how some people spend their own money, i guess we would all do it if we could....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Vondell's - Hey Girl You've Changed - Airtown Twan's - I Can't See Him Again - Dade Velvet Satins - Nothing Can Compare To You - General American Jewels - We Got Togetherness - MGM Orlons - Spinnin' Top - Calla/Planet Eric Mercury - Lonley Girl - Sac Sapphires - Gonna Be A Big Thing - ABC Ellingtons - Destined To Become A Loser - Castle Bell Boys - I Don't Want To Lose Your Love Ronnie Forte - That Was Whiskey Talking - Tarx, still a blinding record though. or are we all just that much older these day's Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Top gesture Kev, respect. mark bicknell

Kolla ans All, I've simply dedicated my whole two hour show this coming Sunday to Dave on Solar channel 879 www.solarradio.com from 8pm - 10pm, what else could i do? Regards - Mark Bicknell

So why don't we all get together as a mark of respect and for Dave's vast contribution and do this, all the proceeds to go to charity or a good cause, perhaps Ady Croasdell would be best to get this idea in motion. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Hippo, I take it that was in jest the pressings and CD comment in your original post, if yes then i like your sense of humour........... For me this is an easy question to answer without question Ian Clark by far the best DJ at Yate, and for my money one of the best ever. Chris Waterman.................you naughty man suggesting the double deck idea, whatever next?????? still like Hippo suggested i would only be allowed to play pressings and CD's so would that be ok???????? Still i get the odd booking here and there don't i....oh Chris any chance of a CD player at New Century next year, just to humour Hippo you understand.............. Hippo comment taken in a nice way...... Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Brett would be perfect for this. Mark Bicknell

Mick, Do you need a caddy mate....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I really don't know what to say, the man was simply a treasure. Soul! pretty much say's it all really. Mark Bicknell.

Interesting topic this one, Mick the Derek Martin issues have a organ based backing and the demo's don't, demo sounds oh so much better as the organ to my ear spoils the tune. The George Blackwell Example does not look right to me and i believe it's a speeded up version. Regarding the original thread here is not just the simple fact that many of our records never made it to the issue stage so many of the records are promo/demo/audition only not always white put certainly demo's. Can't beat the pureness and richness of holding a box full of demo's as it don't get much better does it. Mark Bicknell.

Cheers Mick, Big O' and all, I never said i was totally packing it in, rather more a break which i'm still in the process of having, just that all the politics etc. really got to me and had to try and sought it all out and stepping back seemed the right thing to do, as for the fame Mick that goes without saying still you are far more famous than me perhaps because you are a little older and the fact that you have one of the best collections on the northern scene. Regards - Mark Bicknell

Hi all, Been lying low on here this last few day's for a couple of reasons that i'm sure you are all very aware of, i emailed Kevin Roberts and we have had a private chat regarding all the recent muck slinging etc. I was way over the top in some of my comments although they were not directly aimed at KRL to his credit Kevin took my tone personal and for that i am publically sorry. Seems i got well and truley told off by Kev as i was told i had been slagging off KRL for several weeks here on 'Soulsource' but possibly only one post struck a nerve. I had personal reasons for going a little over the top which i explained to Kev, also i did offer an apology which Kevin seems to have accepted, however i was the topic of conversation in certain circles since the conception of THE NEW CENTURY SOUL CLUB as being the man behind this venue, which we all know is total bollocks. Seems like other venues are allowed to operate on a smaller scale but if anything rivals the bigger events then it's war....... So in my defence and an open reply i'm proud to be part of NEW CENTURY although i'm not currently DJ'ing at the venue, but all this has made me reconsider my decision to quit the scene as a DJ so it's a total U TURN on my part, ok i have retired before lol.... but never for the reasons i was forced into this time, bring it on Chris Waterman as Daddy's back, if i'm gonna be black listed from certain other venues because of my connection with NEW CENTURY then lets do it mate!!!!! And really give them something to talk about, i'm very proud to be part of by far the best venue in the UK and that's in Manchester so best you have one of the best DJ's there mate...lol........so Some people have an answer for everything as no matter what you say or whatever your point of view is they know best so let's just do our own thing and see what happens..........best i can say is if you 'Want all the faith', then keep it you deserve it............... Now i was not looking for effect or attention by quiting or having a break but i just can't pack it all in and let Chris and Lee down my mates firstly and secondly very good promoters and the dozens of other gigs i do and have done in the past., still going to have the break i stated and will select the gigs i want to do but i'm not walking away from New Century a venue which i helped to grow...sod that. So as Kev pointed out i am very much involved with New Century 100% correct on that one. Cheers Kev you made me see the light, respect for getting me on the right track just that the train pulls into Manchester Victoria......Soul central. Mark Bicknell.

Well for the honeymoon has to be The Empires - You're On Top Girl ( Candi )THINK ABOUT IT! ..... very crude i know sorry..... Reagards - Mark Bicknell.

Here,here Andy and Mark can't add anymore to your very valid and constructive comments on this topic, as i said i care very little of the true or inflated value of certain records, it's nice if you still have the odd one or two from way back, slighty more difficult to deal with when you had them and let them go for a few quid or worse pennies way back, still if we knew then what we know now we would have kept them all, i've forgotton some of the titles i have had over the years which is perhaps a good thing otherwise i would be totally crazy and bitter with it all, still we crack on with this wonderful journey don't we? I bet we could all rattle off a list as long as your arm of little cheapies from the early 80's we had which are now worth a fortune...such is life and all part of the game. Mark Bicknell.

The scenes in the shit really, loads of comment but no solution...... mark bicknell

So it turned out i was only £110.00 out and those who said £300.00 were £190.00 out oh well we were all wrong, still crazy money, sure a quality tune but as with so many records it's getting out of reach for most people today, scares the shit out of me to think the market could crash at anytime then perhaps that will sought out the true collectors from the merchants buying it to what ever it is..... Mark Bicknell.

Karen, email me bicknellmark@aol.com i have contact for Paul Sadot. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

All a bit serious this me thinks.......to be honest i don't really care how much some of these so called rare records go for, also ain't it always the case when you sell something nice that some joker comes out with the old chestnut "I would have given you more than that for it" like they are trying to buy into something really. Ebay has become a total minefield and no i have not been paying that much attention to it in recent times sorry. Mark Bicknell. P.S Let's hope who ever wins The Hytones wants it because they love the record rather than another status symbol....lol

Tell you what guy's lets all put a fiver in and have a guess how much it goes for nearest get's the pot...lol, it's reached it's $500.00 reserve price so i'll say $930.00 Not quite £600.00 but close enough.......... Mark Bicknell

Best we see what it ends up at, to be honest i paid about £8.00 for mine way back around Stafford time early 80's, seen a lot more common records sell for far more money than they shoul so who really knows. Mark Bicknell.

I'll go along with the £600.00 price tag on this one, had it for ages simply a brilliant record and i would add a rare record to find. Needs a few more spins out at the gigs then it would be worth even more....... Mark Bicknell.

First up The Hesitations for me at least, head and shoulders above the rest, still i'm a group kind of guy, all are superb but The Hesitations have my vote...and what an album it comes from too, very possibly one of the greatest L.P's ever recorded. Re Chuck Holiday i had this record way back and think i had it stolen many moons ago from my flat in North Wales or i sold it very cheap...lol but again Four Voices have my vote. Another gem of a song with Two Versions well three if you count the dreadful Brand New Faces version is of course "I Really Love You" - Jimmy Burns (Erica ) and Bobby James AKA Robert Newsome ( Karol ) Bobby wrote it and recorded it first but Jimmy for me wins hands down, recording possibly one of the great Chicago Northern Soul anthems, both stonking rare records, had both still got the Jimmy Burns. There are many tunes that have been cut by two or more artists, Howard Guyton/Lou Courtney "I Watched You Slowly Slip Away" i bet Lou Courtney left town when he heard Howard's superior version, Frankie And The Classical's/ Laura Green plus several other versions slight difference here with this example same backing different lyrics i know but you take my point, Luther Ingram/Douglas Gibson/The Harrison Brothers " Run For Your Life", Yum - Yums/Sapphires - "Gonna Be A Big Thing" and perhaps the best example of two versions of a classic tune has to be Gene Woodbury/Bernie Williams "Ever Again" I always say Bernie Williams for show as it's still shit rare and Gene Woodbury can sing and in my opinion has the edge. Another good title which springs to mind is "Stubborn Heart" Ernest Mosley/The Sheppards again a big difference in current value but for me The Sheppards have it just. I'm sure there are many more tracks but don't try and get my vote on Doris Troy/Tony Blckburn please. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Cashmeres - I think was covered up at The Volcano's - Show Stopper / Don't Let The Door Hit You Back (Hem) Johnny Bartell was covered as The Metro's - If This Is'nt Love ( Solid State ) H.B. Barnum - It Hurts Too Much To Cry (RCA) was George Kennedy, Freddie Houston was covered up too but i can't for the life of me think as who? Lets have a few more..... Regards - Mark Bicknell

If there is a God Mr Ruffin will i'm sure be sitting next to him, without question the best pair of pipes to come out of the Motown house of hits. Mark Bicknell.