Soul16

For me, Edwin's version has a more heartfelt vocal performance, so it got my vote. Doni's version sounds like he's reading the lyrics off a sheet. However, the backing track does have a certain something about it.

John Manships video is very nice, but do those weighing scales and vernier callipers have a valid calibration certificate? If not, all that fannying about is pointless

I must say that having a hand cut aluminium plinth at a cost of £6k does sound a bit over the top to me too, but who are we to argue if it makes him happy eh? Sure, with high end audio (and plenty of other hobbies), the law of diminishing returns kicks in at some point - sometimes you have to spend big to get a relatively small improvement. If we are lucky enough to have disposable income, we can spend it on whatever we choose I guess - like NS records. Some people are even happy to buy a Parka coat from Canada Goose at nearly £1k. I could never justify that and I’m not just talking about the price...

Being something of an audiophile myself (I have a relatively modest £10k Naim CD, streaming and amplification system), can I assume that your comment about expensive audio cables is based on your own personal listening experience or is it just your opinion? Trust me when I say that (some) expensive audio cable can and do make a big difference to sound quality, of course they have to be used in an appropriate system that is capable of resolving the detail in the first place. As an example, Naim produce a 1 metre interconnect that is priced at £1600, a lot of money for sure, that I couldn’t justify in the context of my hifi system, but I have had a demo of that cable (using a Mario Bondi CD - This is what you are), the improvements in sound quality and detail resolution were indisputable. I don’t have ‘special’ hearing abilities. I went to the demo as a cynic and took my even more cynical son with me. The demo was as part of a £30k system, so £1600 for a cable is fully justified in that context - if you are wealthy enough and are happy to blow that amount on hifi. Your comments around the Technics turntable are spot on, it’s a great all rounder for any application.

It never ceases to amaze me how often I see YouTube videos of people playing 45s worth serious money on toy turntables - crazy. You bought well and won’t regret it. Sure, there are still arguably better ‘audiophile’ turntables out there, but for playing 45rpm singles, the 1210 is perfect. I use a Michell Gyrodec for HiFi listening and an Audio Technica AT LP1240 for playing singles.

I've got the Marion Stewart footage on a videotape - boxed up in the loft probably. I bought the tape off a guy at Keele around 1989/90. I uploaded some Keele, 100 Club and Old Vic footage to youtube some years ago, I didn't bother with the Queens Hall stuff because (from memory) it was not very good quality and was too dark.

Lou Roberts and the Marks - Ten to One - MGM Parliaments - Don’t be sore at me - Revilot Dottie and Millie - Talkin’ about my baby - Topper Harvey - Any way ya wanta - Tri - Phi The Miracles - If your mother only knew - Tamla Tony Middleton - Spanish Maiden - Speed The Neptunes - Girl that’s an awful thing to say - Gem Little Anthony and the Imperials - Better use you head - Veep Madeline Bell - Picture me gone - UK Philips Jimmy Beaumont - You got too much going for you - London Chi Chi - If you’re gonna love me - Kapp Kiki Dee - On a magic carpet ride - Fontana Kelly Garrett - Love’s the only answer - Smash Buster Jones - Baby boy - Sure Shot The Capitols - Don’t say maybe baby - Karen Sam Fletcher - I’d think it over - Tollie John Bowie - You’re gonna miss a good thing - Merben Howard Guyton - I watched you slowly slip away - Verve Roy Hamilton - The panic is on - MGM Aretha Franklin - One step ahead - Columbia All tried and tested oldies that remind me of people and places. Strict OVO policy firmly in place too of course.

A Huh thing. A bit of colourful, lightweight nonsense. It's been, it's gone, it's forgotten.

Little Anthony and The Imperials - Better use your head. There’s a really nice snappy drumming sound as the fade out begins, if I was in the studio I would have insisted that the fade out was left until just a few seconds later.

Those vocals, the production and that crashing beat - Proper Northern.

Spooky and Sue was the first version I heard, via a muffled sounding bootleg back in the 70's. For me though, I think that the Chuck Jackson version is the best.

Chuck Jackson gets my vote.

Johnny Truitt - Just the other day

Two for sale, both with clean labels and no writing. Scans can be provided on request. Night Winds - The Strangers featuring Richard Pitts. Warner Brothers promo, in mint condition. £50 She's Hurting Me - Milton Harris. Mutt Records, in mint minus condition. £40 SOLD Price includes Recorded Delivery within the UK. Payment by PayPal Friends and Family or +4% please. Please PM me if interested. Thanks, Andrew.

My best guess would be 'Jock Mitchell - Not a chance in a million'

Bernie for me too, I heard that version first and first heard the Gene version on the Grapevine LP. I do like that Del-Val label though. Sorry to be picky, but the lyrics above aren't quite correct, I think they're: 'First we meet, oh baby, then we kiss Then we find, oh yeah, that love is bliss Before we met each other I was so alone Yes I was and so now I've got someone to call my own' 'So now I know that you're the one, yes I do Now two hearts aglow, alright, beat as one'

She still does, early Saturday evenings.

You are probably right there, maybe I just recall JT because the music he played seemed to include plenty of obscure American danceable records that appealed to my ears. I do remember that he seemed to be very knowledgeable (may have been scripted by someone else of course) about the records he played. I used to listen to SOTS at work on a regular basis and when Brian Matthew took over, the show definitely went a lot more 'middle of the road' in terms of music policy. Tony Blackburn is OK, but I reckon they should have handed the show over to Dale Winton (really)

Yep, that's the one. Atrocious in my opinion.

Not that many thankfully! Jimmy presented the show in the 1980's.

Hmmm, yes I heard it this morning too... There was a nice little pre-amble from Phil 'the collector' Swern, as soon as he mentioned the FIP label, I turned the radio up, ready for an unexpected treat, only to hear that the Mel Britt track was a re-recording of some some description, with an extended fade and looped vocals. The beat sounded digitised and 'Northerned up'. Not heard that version before and I don't particularly want to hear it again. Sounds of the Sixties was better when Jimmy Tarbuck presented it in my humble opinion. He really seemed to know his stuff, he played lots of obscure American recordings too. In those days he was playing real records and not some mp3 or Wav file that hasn't been checked for authenticity. Sorry for being a bit grumpy, but I've had few pints

If, as you say, the recipient is not even responding to PayPal, that is pretty short-sighted on his part. If your payment came via your credit card, rather than a balance in your PayPal account, it may be worth having a chat wth your credit card company, they may be able to do something. I work on the theory that the vast majority of people are decent and honest, so you've been very unlucky there. £200 is a lot of money to lose. Good luck in trying to get it back.

Sorted for Dottie and Millie -

Looking for the following two 45s: Dottie and Millie - Talkin' about my baby - Topper Gerri Diamond - Only you - Counterpart Must look and play in at least Excellent condition - photos and sound clips would be appreciated. Please PM with condition and price if you have either one for sale. Thanks, Andrew

There is an original UK issued Chess copy around too, I bought it from Chris Savory at one of his record fairs. He was a massive fan of The Dells and insisted that I bought it blind, with the offer of returning it if I didn't like it. 35 years later, I still own it.