Soul16

I guess because, A: It's a genuinely great 'iconic' 45 B: It's always in great demand, most of us older collectors have a copy, but the newcomers have yet to bag one. I agree that it's become very expensive, but as in all areas of collecting, the real quality stuff always retains it's status. As ever, values are a combination of desirability, condition and rarity. Desirability is the key with this methinks.

I think Fascinating Girl is a brilliant record, to me it's one of those records where the individual elements are not exactly polished performances, but when all mixed together, you end up with a bit of musical magic. I see the George Pepp 45 in much the same way.

This one gets my vote, used to be guaranteed to get me and the other clappers on their feet.

Correct, that would've been the venue name at the time.

I was there that night. If I remember correctly, the live appearance was at the Fenn Green hotel on the Kidderminster to Bridgnorth road.

Just a 'heads up', in case anybody on Soul Source has a bid, or is planning to make a last minute bid on the above item. I asked the seller to confirm that it was in Near Mint condition as stated in the title, he got back to me and said that he didn't realise it was advertised as NM, because he just 'copied the title from a previous listing'. I suspected that this may have been the case. Anyway, for those that are interested, from his reply to me, it sounds like a VG condition record. He was honest enough with me, but as I write, the listing hasn't been amended to reflect it's true condition.

To be fair, she clearly states 'I am of course open to very sensible offers', so if a sensible offer is accepted, you'll get one hell of a discount off the current £670 high bid

BBC Radio 2 playing this a lot lately, definitely growing on me.

'We cherish the music' - There goes that 'it's all about the music' line again. The music is cherished by collectors/DJs that care enough to seek out the genuine 45s, it is also cherished by companies that legally re-issue it on CD from original master tapes (where available), Ace/Kent being the finest example. It is cherished by those on our scene that seek out the artists that created those records and tell them how those often forgotten recordings they made are revered by us soulies, Andy Rix and Ady Croasdell, being just two examples. Being happy to dance to dodgy sounding fake records, spun by fake DJs is not cherishing the music, it's fake - just like this thread, this whole thing has to be a wind up and I must congratulate you on getting three pages out of this so far Merry Christmas

For sure, he's having a bit of pre Christmas fun methinks.

Just out of interest, what is your position on audio quality of bootlegs? Do you have any personal criteria in that regard, or will any old distorted crap do?

My understanding is that the Northern Soul scene was built around rare records, rather than rare recordings. Bootlegs and pressings are pieces of plastic with rare recordings cut into them, often with dodgy sound quality. 'It's all about the music' is often given as an excuse for playing boots too. For me, it's always been about those genuine rare records, where the DJ that fills the dance floor with those records is king.

Sometimes I wonder if the Northern Soul scene has been hijacked by internet trolls trying to wind us 'purists' up! The way things are going, I reckon it might be best to sell my collection of decent originals and find another interest in my old age. FFS

(In no particular order) Today they are: Howard Guyton - Slowly slip away, Epitome of Sound - You don't love me, Chi Chi - If you're gonna love me, John Bowie - You're gonna miss a good thing, Chashers - Without my girl. Tomorrow, the list could look a little different...

I think it's just 'if you' sung as 'if-a-you" I could be wrong of course

I think this is fairly close: "I can't give you up, no, I can't let you go, I can't let you leave, coz I still need you so, So baby please, baby don't leave, stay, I'm begging you please help, I'm drowning in my tears, coz my love for you is burning in my heart You're gonna miss my love if you should go away You'll thank your lucky stars if you decide to stay Oh baby, I'll change in every way, if you tell me you'll stay Hey yeah, I'm begging on my knees, please baby, if you'll only please help (break) You're gonna miss my love, if you should go away, You'll thank your lucky stars if you decide to stay, Oh baby, I'll change in every way, if you tell me you'll stay, Help, I'm begging on my knees, please baby, if you'll only please help (Please stay, please stay, please stay...) (fade) Oh I need you only, please stay here, ooh I love you."

No, that recording has no Northern DNA in it whatsoever. Barbara Redd, however, certainly does.

I only knew him through my dealings with him on Soul Source, but I found him to be a true and honest gentleman. I'm very shocked to hear of his passing. A very sad loss. Rest in peace John.

That's a different topic altogether!

An honest dealer that has a reputation to protect will tell you if a 45 is a bootleg/pressing or reissue - all you have to do is ask if you are unsure. The asking price would also be an indicator. The old adage 'If it looks too good to be true, it probably is' still applies. Buy from reputable sources.

As a long standing Northern Soul 'fan' or 'freak' as they used to say in the 1970's, these are some of my basic beliefs: 1. 'Keep The Faith' has had no place in Northern Soul culture since the 1970's. Today, along with the 'clenched fist' logo, it's just a marketing tool to sell naff accessories and general tat (mugs, drinks coasters, car stickers etc) to those who think that it makes them look in some way 'cool' to be into this 'underground' thing that is Northern Soul. 2. It ain't underground any more. 3. It ain't cool (just check out some of those YouTube videos of current soul nights) 4. 'Proper' Northern Soul DJ's only play original vinyl and are worthy of our appreciation and applause for playing their prized gems. 5. DJ's that deliberately buy looky likey 45's to play to the paying public have no respect for the music or for the guys mentioned in point 4. 6. At some soul nights, the paying public don't really care that the DJ's are playing bootlegs, as long as they hear 'The Snake' and necked a few pints, who gives a toss? 7. DJ's that don't play original vinyl are fine to play it off CD's, or whatever digital format at Birthday parties, Wedding receptions, Christmas parties etc. 8. 'Vintage' bootleg 45's do have a place in some collections - that was the only way most of the working class kids could access the music in those days. 9. People 'making a living' selling illegal bootlegs on eBay are openly breaking the law. 10. I'm a miserable old fart and it's no wonder I can't be arsed to go out anymore...

About the same in quantity, but I've probably spent more on them. I only buy old vinyl, not really interested in new vinyl.

My missus was out last night so no Strictly Come Dancing, followed X-Factor for once. Time to spin some records and have a dance in private. Nothing 'up front' or in vogue, just records that I like to play at home when I get the chance. Wilson Pickett - Let me be your boy (Verve) Harvey - Any way ya wanta (Tri-Phi) Fay Simmons - Please tell me I'm yours (Senca) The Neptunes - Girl that's an awful thing to say (Gem demo) Buster Jones - Baby boy (Sure Shot demo) Parliaments - Don't be sore at me (Revilot) Chubby Checker - You just don't know (London 70's UK reissue) Hamilton Movement- She's gone (Soul Mafia reissue) Benny Troy - I wanna give you tomorrow (De-Lite demo) Billy Cole - Extra Careful (Power Exchange demo) Kiki Dee - On a magic carpet ride (Fontana) Jimmy Beaumont- You got too much going for you (London) Ketty Lester - Some things are better left unsaid (UK RCA) Ritchie Adams - Better off without you (MGM demo) Chi Chi - If you're gonna love me (Kapp demo) Big Dee Irwin - You satisfy my needs (Rotate) Howard Guyton - I watched you slowly slip away (Verve) Sam Williams - Love slipped through my fingers (Grapevine reissue) Del - Larks - Job opening (70's Queen City lookalike boot) Tony Middleton - Spanish Maiden (Speed) Mel Britt - She'll come running back (70's FIP boot) Epitome of Sound - Where were you (Sandbag) John Bowie - You're gonna miss a good thing (Merben) Mamie Lee - I can feel him slipping away (MGM) Chashers - Without my girl (Uncle) The Drifters - Pour your little heart out (Epic demo) Cheers, Andrew.

That is also a possibility, they must be out there in quantity, none on Popsike though. Cheers Swifty

Could be the case I guess, cheers Trev.