Russ Vickers

Thank you John..........them pesky WD's look so damn sexy tho', 'specially them big red 'A's..........anyone know the date Carl Davis joined Okeh ?. Best Russ

Firstly I would like to say how much I admire collectors who collect labels/artists. I have never had the discipline to do this personally & have always collected randomly, however I am thinking of starting to collect labels & wanted to start with Okeh, one of the most iconic Chicago labels. From a Soul/Northern Soul perspective where do collectors of the label start, is it just the 6ts output/period ?, or is there a logical release number to start with ?. I would like to collect only WD, so what is the crack with the big red 'A', which releases have these, is there a definitive list or is it just pot luck ? are these rarer ?. I would also like to know if any of the releases came with picture sleeves or coloured vinyl (I'm only interested in USA first presses BTW). Is there a styrene/vinyl issue with Okeh releases ( were there issues in both ?) & are there East & West Coast label variations ?. What is considered to be the hardest/rarest release from the 6ts period. Thank you very much for any information. Happy New Year Russ

Extremely well put Andy & I agree entirely with everything you say. Best Russ

Driving from the South Coast on a Friday afternoon/night was no fun I can tell ya...........5 hours some times, I did it on my own on a few occasions too..........I do think Burnley had its own groove, some got it, some didnt........I didnt like every single record played personally, but the whole vibe about the night was exciting & making that journey to be with souls of a similar disposition made it very special, that feelin' ya get when you feel your doin' summat that most dont get, but your part of the in - crowd cos ya do get it..........................maybe I'm being a tad romantic, but I used to really enjoy Burnley, especially Cliff n Karl. Best Russ

Fck me its 1976 all over again.................. I still laugh to myself about that night my friend & 'He had the smell of death about him' lol PMSL..............two hilarious unique Dave Moore quotes. See ya soon buddy . BTW did you get my reply to your PM re: discs ???. Russ

Wouldnt want to have an argument Joan, just an opinion as you have. And I think you are probably right about January's event, although comparisons will be drawn because of the DJ's, but point taken, clean sheet........... Merry Xmas misery Russ

Get ya self along there in January & find out mate. Joan - Cliff & Karl both played records out at Burnley which hadnt had previous plays, not saying they were exclusive to Burnley has Karl particularly plays out every where regularly, I know what you mean though, maybe it was the underplayed then ?..............also Burnley was more about a 'sound' I think, which was usually a gritty, hard edged dancer........just my opinion . Russ

I went from 77/78 until almost the end, I was only a little sprout then & my only interest was dancing, to me it just seemed like it always had been, I spent most of my time in the main room soaking up the Newies from Searling & others & to me it didnt seem that different to how it had always been, diverse play lists from 6ts through to new releases, I knew that RS was really on a roll then & remember vividly the first plays of many of his latter WC plays, it was amazing I felt then I was experiencing something special, but I dont think there was a massive feeling of it being different............although I would bow to the opinions of folk who had been going consistently from the early day's, maybe they did feel it had become different, but to me it was business as usual & it was the time of legends......... Russ

Dont forget that as well as the obvious WC connection at Stafford, Yate & the Southern Scene generally was very evident, & influential, it was a meeting of the two in many ways & this was why it was so different & diverse. Best Russ

Thats brilliant everyone, thanks very much indeed - Wayne, maybe see ya at Filthy all being well - moving house before Xmas so might be up to my neck in it, but I'll be there hopefully all being well. Thanks again everyone............... Russ

I'm good thank you mate, yeah I miss Shifties sets, once he had the confidence in his own tastes & was finding his own 'plays' as well as the other big Nighter spins he was good............very funny too & we had some good nights, he could still cut it if he had the inclination, no records of his own left now I dont think, but he had an uncanny knack of turning stuff up & it wouldnt take long for him to get a good play box back together.............he would be a breath of fresh air. Hope the lad is ok Best russ

100 Club biggie for Shifty some 10 years ago (?)..........remember when he first found it & played it down the phone to me, I suggested the cover up name, I think my copy is Shifty's old play copy............good luck, tis a tough one. Russ

The Record Bar is an integral part of any Allnighter, we all hear the stories about the legendary Record dealings at Wigan & Stafford, but where is the hottest Record Bar currently at an Allnighter............ Also can you still find bargains/unknowns at Nighters or are all the dealers switched on to pretty much everything....... Best Russ

Hey Marcelle, hope you are well..............great prezzie too, I'm hoping I'll see you & Chris on Boxing Day Night, I'm sooooooooooooo desperate to see y'all that it would be a great gift for me be with you n my soul mates before I go back to the dessert..............sorry desert early in the New Year. Have a supa Soulful Xmas Marcelle & say hey to Chris for me. Love ya bird x Russ

As I'm out in the Baghdad sand Pit I havnt been keeping abreast of any new releases for months now & wondered if any of you Modern collectors/DJ's could bring me & others up to date with any relevent releases of note both on 12" & CD. Many thanks guys Russ

Where is the best place to buy Kent CD Comps in the UK online, I tried Amazon & thought the choice available was limited, any ideas ?. Best Russ

The Wilson Pickett Rhino Box Set has been mentioned in an earlier thread & wondered what else might be out there too. In the search for original vintage vinyl these kinda things sometimes slip through the radar, so would appreciate any recommendations, must haves & reviews. Many thanks Russ

Thank you John Russ

I believe, I believe Julie.............just planning a pre - emptive strike to ensure my soulful satisfaction this Yule . Now you be a good girl or you wont get anything nice at Xmas........... . Russ

I dont think I could bring myself to wear NS branded under crackers Mark, especially if they were only VG condition with superficial marks........ . Hope you & Jaqui are well & you have a great Xmas mate. Best Russ

I'll be up if I'm back home then...........................good luck. Russ

Niceeeeeeeeeeeee, any unissued tracks ?. Russ

What soulful things are you gettin' from Santa this year.........if your good that is........ Russ

I think that might be the one I had Callum, but worth a try Pete just in case. BTW Callum say hey to Steve for me mate. Rgds Russ