Rich B

I had both of the blue designs but I also had a white one with the reverse 'S' tamp too. For years I thought that was the original. A local supplier (choosing my words carefully) had a limited quantity of dubious white copis, so when the stamped white one turned up I just assumed it was 'the one' then got the dark blue one, then the royal blue 'paper' demo. Plenty of choice then - almost as many originals as "Tainted love"! Regards, RB

Where's this tune then Beeks - don't tell me you've got cold feet? or are you building the tension? Don't keep us in suspense, RB

Hey John, You're just being modest now aren't you? Seriously, how many of us had "the other side"? And let's be honest, I only bought it because it was a Levine tip in "Hey Mr DJ" - a mistake a made more than once to be honest! I had the Don Gardner recording too - and that was just as bad. I do wish I'd picked up a Gorgeous George though.... Nice to hear from you, take care, RB

Definitely right on that point Flynny. I just wish I had played "All I need" before I sold the northern stuff - obviously it was filed there because of the 'cookin' side! So when I did finally hear it you can imagine my displeasure. The Lady release was sold by Soul Bowl for about £1.50 wasn't it? Regards, RB ps John Benson have you got everything!

Slightly off topic but I love the Nervous label! Best, RB ps if it's good enough to make it, it won't need covering up....

A very sad day, like many others Arkwright st was where I bought my first import (Creative Source "Who is he?" - still got the very copy!) but it has loked on its uppers for some while now. I did buy the complete Ty Karim there about a month ago though, so clearly they still know thier stuff - you won't find it in HMV I betcha! While on the subject of ex employees, Trevor East who appreared on Tiswas on a regular basis worked at Arkwright st, he went on to be head of sports or something for Central TV. As for Robs, after he appeared on BBC east Mdlands website he did get a vist from H & S - didn't do much good though! Sad times, RB

I quite liked it, but it is very 'white', I wouldn't play it out of the house. Best, RB

And looking good it is too Eddie, thanks for that! I got my Yum Yums from a guy who thought he was scamming me by selling me a bootleg, as I was giving a dj a ride who had the bootleg (he had been given it by the bootlegger if I recall correctly) I was able to compare them. And believe me I had no qualms in giving the con man £7 (yes, £7) for a lovely mint demo! Best, RB

I had one as you describe, looked like an issue but had the promo blurb printed on it, it said "Just another heartbreak" though - which of course is what the lyrics say. £45 in 1986(ish). I thought that was a lot of money, even in '86. Three figures in '79 was a heck of a lot! Best, RB

As for the Del Larks I would have to say more than 100 - but as most are tucked away in collections you don't get a real idea of the volume. There was talk (by people I trusted) of someone having a 25 box at the Mecca one Saturday. I think Eddie Parker is harder, but, I reckon the Appreciations would be scarcer of the two... What about real copies of the Salvadors? or Ernest Mosley? Best, RB

Couldn't agree more, I remember playing Jimmy Conwell and a couple of other Mirwood things out in about '76, and some old geezers (so they must be really old now!) refusing to belive they could be real as thier were only 1 or 2 copies of each when they were only really worth about £2 - how things change. But I would have thought a demo only worth a tenner even now - so what do I know! Best, RB

Must be 6 or 7 Billy Woods (mine was one of the original 5 that John Anderson had, though it came to me from John Manship). Del Larks - loads if you're talking about blue/silver copies. Bobby Adams; Polk told me that there were only a handful, because the office burnt down the day they took delivery, the tapes had been returned to them with the vinyl by the pressing plant so they were also destroyed, and though the plant still had the stampers they couldn't afford to get more copies made. A handful had been taken home the label owner. Well thats what Polk told me anyway. Eddie Parker - can't be many of that one. Black issue of the Yum Yums - I would love to see scan of that! good pun Ivor - not so many of those about! Best, RB

I'm hoping that is a statement rather than a question Dave! When I gave Gary Rushbrooke the Monticellos to play out I was unsure about the response it would get - clearly I needn't have been if something like that can be considered. on second thoughts just call it Doni Burdick! Best, RB

A £1 would be too much. It does continue that fine 'northern' tradition of covering up absolute crap, and hoping no one will notice that's what it is. I think the culprits should be 'named and shamed'.... Best, RB

Not an unreasonable question some would say. Best, RB

A white Bronco copy or nothing that's what I say! Best, RB

Fair point Epic, I was always rather fond of Bo & Ruth myself - I'm sure I have a nice white one somewhere! no one get's it right all the time though - remember all the fuss about the Javells? Lot's of the big names made very extravagant claims about that - was it played at the Mecca? I'm sure I heard Hector (anyone remember Hector? Great bloke and top bloke) play the 12" of Bo & Ruth at Cleo's one week about '77. Best, RB

Let's not forget the "Hey Mr DJ column" in Black Music - always first read for me when I got my copy. IL did northern and a geezer called Mo Claridge did the southern side of things (south of the UK that is) I seem to recall he tipped BGL in very early '74. he made it sound so good, but I could never turn a copy up even then! He tipped plenty of othr things that we might think of modern now too - Power of Attorney for example. I think you could do worse than start your list of Mecca sounds with what Ian tipped in the column Paup-ine. Best, RB

The differences between the original and the original Soussan bootleg are simply about quality. The original issue looks just like the bootleg (orange with Bees and everything) but the vinyl is flexible and of good quality vs chunky hard thick rough edged plastic. The label printing is of much higher quality too, with well drawn fine lines and clean edges, whereas the boot just looks cruder. Crap articulation I know, but if you saw them side by side you would definitely know the difference. Best, Richard.

No mention of Snoopy Dean/King Sporty/Boby Franklin - accidental omissions or guilty pleasures? I'll nail my colours to the flag, I loved them! They did become a bit of a focus as I recall in the Mecca/Wigan feud (what a nonsense that was) but let's not forget that Lou Edwards "Talking 'bout poor folks" was played there in '74 but it took the rest of the scene years to pick up on it, the same with Prince George. And what about Trammps "Hold back the night" when it was played off the album? that was a Mecca spin for sure! At risk of flattering ego's (and I did the Mecca, Wigan and Cleethorpes - though I did miss the first pier all nighter) it was a far reaching and intelligent policy at the mecca with (IMO) the best of both worlds being played. And lets not forget, a lot of current plays were originally played and weren't strong enough to make it at the time. I always loved going to the Mecca, it always seemed to be a real 'event'. Thanks to Ian & Colin. Best, RB

There have been many interesting points raised, in my usual pedantic way i'd like to look at them; Currently successful rock & roll = commercial. Wrong. Amongst the many hobbies I've had over the years one was collecting cars. My younger brother built hot rods, I had restored 50's + 60's and he often took me to the local rod meet, that came complete with a rock & roll disco (my italics). Commercial it was not! Rare, rare 45's of the most obscure nature - genuinely exciting stuff, first play stuff = excited/exciting young people, wearing the gear (no, not drapes and brothelcreepers) dancing like demons. No Bill Haley anywhere. For those who wonder why the northern scene (and for that matter the current modern scene too) isn't attracting "young" people. What was playing on the radio when you got into the scene properly as a lifestyle (can't believe I wrote that). For me it was '73ish so the charts are full of crap, no one has anywhere interesting or exciting to go - and then someone brings the Younghearts/Father's Angels/Chuck Wood round the house and tells me there is a club that just plays this all night - when you get there - no townies etc, your own uniform - well, Oxford bags and bowling shirts and flat shoes! My 'normal mates' upon seeing me in flat 'dad' shoes vs. thier platform soles, advise me they couldn't be seen out with me they were that shocked! I was quite pleased. What does all that equate too? Special. You, your clothes, your mates, the music - nothing like the pop stuff everyone else is listening too - and damned exciting! But now, when you have the internet, all music is free and therefore not based on rarity, and exciting means getting home without a stab wound - I'm just not sure that northen is going to compete with all that - plus kids all do drugs all the time now - once upon a time you only did drugs at your nighter, now they do them to go to the chippie! Sorry guys, there isn't going to be an influx of young people, and most of the current crowd are only looking for nostalgia, they aren't interested in a living scene, just reminding theirselves of past glories. Most of the dj's we have now certainly wouldn't of been dj's (though many make claims to a past they didn't have) back then. So, as a living, growing, evolving thing, it's time has been and gone. We should have listened to Dave when we had the chance. So enjoy it while you can. regards, RB

There some decent(ish) boots of Jimmy Raye around - but sadly this isn't one. The originals are dark blue. The Ann Perry should be styrene plastic, and on the originals there is a rosette on the label, though I can't recall what it said on the rosette. Free tunes are free tunes though! Best, RB

Still just another 45 Dave, just a bit rarer than most - you wouldn't have anything else in that condition in your collection back then, and I don't think anyone back then thought it would remain as rare as it has. If I had known then....etc etc. I confess I thought he was crazy buying FW and Gwen Owens! His album and 12's collection are both still lovely (in my opinion). Best, RB

As some may know I "did" the northern thing for many years, did a bit of dj stuff (and yes, I can use a mike, and you would be able to understand what I said!) enjoyed buying a record now and then, and what killed it for me was the unrelenting diet of oldies, and people who just would not listen to anything new - at all - never mind a record that was made after 31/12/1969. Dave Godin, bless him, made the observation in about '76 or '77, that if we didn't get a grip on the oldies thing and go back to being a newies scene we would end up like Teddy Boys (not the rockabilly fans mentioned earlier) where the average age would be 50+ and with a stagnant scene. Sound familiar? Regards, RB ps I will be out and about this weekend if anyone wants to discuss, you'll find me at the Modern room, because I'll hear records I have never heard before - I'll actually have to ask what things are, without knowing after the first bar that it is a once great record that just can't be allowed to pass on.

Who'd be most offended! RB