Soul16

I can’t deny it, I have maybe 30 or so bootlegs (stored separately from my collection of originals, in order to avoid any cross-contamination), they’re all from the 1970’s when that was the only way of being able to listen to the music at home, either due to lack of access to, or inability to afford certain rare originals. The world has moved on, the Internet gives access to everyone that has the means to buy originals, but not only that, you can listen via streaming services, no need to clutter your house up with fake pieces of vinyl. Clearly, the Internet has also created a marketplace for ever more bootlegs for those that feel the need to buy such things. Given that Northern Soul is now quite trendy, there is of course a large customer base for bootleg 45s. As for the dancers, I’ve no doubt that some couldn’t care less about the medium from which the music is being played - that’s not what it’s about for some - they just want to go out and enjoy themselves, which is fine for them I guess. Northern Soul is the perfect vehicle for the over 50s and 60s to go out and let their hair down (if they’re lucky enough to have any). For now, I prefer to stay in and wash mine.

I may be mistaken, but we do seem to have this debate on the run up to Christmas every year on Soul Source! For me, it's very simple. There is no pleasure or pride in owning/playing a fake or bootleg. However, holding an original piece of rare vinyl in your hand (regardless of monetary value) is a great feeling. Northern Soul is so much more than having 'a good night on a full dancefloor'. It may seem a bit sad, but one of my favourite moments was when Ted Massey allowed me the privilege of handling his copy of George Pepp after he played it at the Station Hotel in Dudley in 1998. I've never forgotten it!

Boy, do I miss the 1980s and 1990s when the playing of originals at soul nights was assumed and the acronym OVO wasn't even a consideration for printing on your event flyer.

Agreed, the liner notes are great, as you would expect from Ace. I’ve been playing the CD in the car this week, nice stuff.

Reviving an old thread I know, but at last, it looks like there's a really nice Ace compilation due next month. Even though I haven't bought a CD for years, this is a definite purchase for me https://acerecords.co.uk/yesterday-has-gone-the-songs-of-teddy-randazzo

I don't use Facebook, but to be honest I absolutely love the first two and still like the third one for nostalgic reasons. Makes a change from Al and Frank Wilson's outings being 'absolute favourites' on FB I guess...

There's definitely a blue vinyl one from the 1970's out there. I've got one on a jukebox.

As I said in my initial response, I don't know all the lyrics, in RED is the bit I've never been able to determine correctly. So here, just for you, are the (mostly) non gibberish lyrics : (She’s the queen of fools, she’s the queen of fools) Well I’m the queen of fools or so they say Yes I have, yes I (caught the VD??) only yesterday But now look at me and you will see The lonely but proud queen of fools. And I’m the fool they talk about Yes, I’m the one that you’re heart left out So now look at me and you will see The lonely but proud queen of fools. (She’s the queen of fools) Well you hurt the heart that loved you so Yes the one that cared the most, you finally let go So now take a bow and we’ll propose a toast To the lonely but proud queen of fools I’m the fool they talk about. Yes, I’m the one that you’re heart left out So now look at me and you will see, the lonely but proud queen of fools I’m the fool they talk about Yes I’m the fool... (Fade)

As I said in my original response ‘I don’t know all the lyrics to the song, but’ I was only trying to be of help!

I don’t know all the lyrics to the song, but some of the stuff written above looks like gibberish to me (Yes, you are that catch too much. So now let’s bond and we’ll drink up the toast. It’s my mind that your heart can’t have) Some of the lyrics definitely in the song, but not quoted in the post above are: ‘yes I’m the one, that your heart left out’ also ‘Well you hurt the heart that loved you so, yes the one that cared the most, you finally let go, so now take a bow and we’ll propose a toast, to the lonely but proud queen of fools’

I heard it when it was broadcast a few weeks ago, it caught my ear at the time too. Tried to ‘Shazam’ it, but it’s too far into the background and the main dialogue gets in the way. It sounded kind of 70’s, but my guess is that it’s a new recording.

Craig Moerer does it for $8.50, but as stated above, the sheer volume of sales may come into play. Currently waiting for a couple of 45s from him as it happens, just hope I don’t get stung for any customs charges. Never fully understood how it can be charged on used goods to be honest.

This is a favourite because it’s so laughably awful that whoever wrote it deserves a slap coz it’s so bad and a handshake for getting away with it. Jeez... ‘I don't want to see a ghost, It's a sight that I fear most I'd rather have a piece of toast And watch the evening news’ Having got that off my chest, my true favourite line soul-wise will always be: ’I’ve never had a single lesson, All this time, I’ve been guessin’ However, I could pick any lines from the verses in that song, the writers (Lewis - Lewis - Farmer) must have been pretty pleased with it

It’s this one at the beginning of this video. I think it was credited to ‘The Inferno Orchestra’. A Keele floor filler back in the day.

You're muddying the waters! I think the OP may have been attempting to wind us all up a bit to be honest. This subject never fails to raise blood pressure.

OVO events should not need to be 'advertised' as has been suggested, it should be assumed - just like it used to be. Bootleg events however, should be clearly advertised as such, so that the discerning paying customer can see that the DJ/Promoter supports the guys that have recently been imprisoned and everything else illegal that goes with it.

Me and my wife backstage with Edwin Starr at Butlins in Minehead. Taken in 1990 or thereabouts.

This one is better for people spotting

I think it may have been me that sent you the link - it was footage of The Old Vic in Wolverhampton. It wasn’t publicly visible and I asked for the link not to be passed on because Pep had recently lost his wife and I didn’t want to cause any more distress to him by uploading a video in which she featured. I spoke to Pep about it in 2017 and he said that he is OK with the video being out there now. To be honest, It’s very grainy and largely unwatchable until you get about 26 minutes in.

They’re all vintage Mal, the Bermuda’s I have date from the late 60’s I reckon. I understand that they track at 6 grammes too, not sure I’d risk any valuable vinyl to that much pressure mate if I’m honest.

Hi Mal, I have some available, the ones I have left are: 1 x Dansette Bermuda MK 1 2 x Dansette Bermuda MK 2 1 x Dansette Monarch 1 x Dansette Popular 1 x Dansette Conquest All in great condition cosmetically. They’re a bit of a distance from you (Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire), but if you’re interested let me know and you can come and see them. Not sure of prices at the moment, (they belonged to my brother) but I’m not looking for silly money for them. Andrew

In simple terms, Northern Soul is/was very much about exclusivity, certain DJs had certain rare records and if you wanted to hear them on their original format, you would sometimes have to travel hundreds of miles to do so. For me, the DJ was King. They were exciting times, we were young and the records weren't that much older. This 'scene' is now donkeys years old, so what may be new to you is considered standard fare to others. Northern Soul is now a broader church and there are thousands of great records out there, so you can't guarantee hearing the stuff that is on your CDs. With all due respect, you are just as likely to hear the 'big sounds' at wedding receptions and retirement parties via CD and (more likely) digital files these days. So, welcome and just enjoy what you have been missing out on for all these years.

I don't think it has been, but apologies if this particular photo has already been uploaded earlier in the thread. A wider view of the boxes.

In the light of the current scandal, I think it'll be more interesting to see if cowboy DJs playing out bootlegs to the paying public comes to halt. It would be nice if Northern Soul could re-align itself to some kind of normality and move away from being the circus that it has become in some quarters. Maybe it's too late though. Why is it that so many feel the need to buy these bootlegs in any case?

Yes, as far as I’m aware, the Outta Sights are genuine, and not counterfeit copies of Outta Sight 45s. Counterfeit is arguably the wrong word for the dodgy stuff really. ‘Counterfeit’ suggests they were out to deceive buyers into thinking that they were real. The illegal stuff is clearly not attempting to deceive anyone. Some of the items were tagged as ‘Licensed release’ though, so maybe some were. Your average buyer of such items may not really care too much I guess. As you say, Minefield!