Jerry Hipkiss

..same occurred with "The new world" - national issue was a different tune, but flipsides were the same "The whatchamacallit" IIRC.

Thought there was also a Clarence Jackson release on the label (using one of the backing tracks) - unfortunately I can't seem to access Mr. Rimmer's label listing for Valtone on his website!

"Some good" has vocal/instr. versions matey. Hippo.

Will you lot stop it...I'm supposed to be working but getting engrossed in this thread Let's throw a (related) one in...how's about a once-and-for-all definitive list of all the releases and variations using the same backing track as "What shall I do"? I'll start... Laura Greene "Moonlight music and you" (RCA) Laura Greene "Moonlight music IN you" (demos only?) (RCA) The Essex "Moonlight music and you" (Bang) Honey Townsend "The world again" (Mala) Mark Johnson "The beautiful place" (Diamond)

Ah, but Ady did...or was that Tesco's PA system?

Even though we worked on the same radio station i didn't know Simon that well - apart from soul-related chats of course - but it's sad news. I've just been sent this to the studio, so if you can listen online tonight from 9pm - 11pm, do so... Hi Jerry Just to let you know i will be joined by Andy G from the Funk Experience show. We are going to dedicate the broadcast to our tragically departed friend and former GFM DJ Simon Bendle. The programme will be given over to music that we shared a parrelled love for, this will encompass sounds from the 'mod' R n B scene as well as funk, jazz and soul and the occaisional Nu Beats that he was always quick to latch on to. Peace and love Merry Christmas Ade Simpson Listen at www.gloucesterfm.com

Just to confirm the above, here are Ian Clarks' top tips from Yate, in March '79, with selected quotes - I've just taken out some of the in-jokes and name-checks - this is taken from Soul Symbol issue 7..... Rita and the Tiaras - Gone with the wind is my love (Dore 783) Originally via Soul Bowl, sold to Ginger and Richard, Pat Brady expressed interest, and it was originally covered as the Vel-vets. Now a deserved monster, a sheer class soul record. Bells and chimes, a brilliant haunting introduction that builds up into what will rate in the Tamla Lewis category. This is brilliant and one for 1979. Frank Dell - He broke your game wide open (Valise 6900) Cheers to Dave Greet for its exposure at Yate. Massive, like my feet. All over - nothing more to be said except listen to this, the words, the tune, the soul. Credit to Richard and John from you know where! Wilbur Walton Jr. - Twenty four hours of loneliness (123/1703) Twangy guitars and throbbing bass, heart rending lyrics as Wilbur belts out "Twenty four hours of loneliness". Slightly modern in its beat, it's on the Capitol 123 label, once again this reeks of soul. A very short record, but one that has it all. Recently seen on John Manships list. Precisions - Such Misery (Drew 1001) Well, it can't be rare, but it's well known in the Notts area. The same backing track as Stemmons Express, it guarantees a full floor. Cracking lyrics bring tears to my eyes and sweat to my forehead, let alone wobbles to my knees. "Such misery" - what a hook line! Capitols - I can't deny I love you (Omen 5) Familiar name, and familiar label responsible for the Secrets and Brice Coefield classics. This is known, I'm sure - a side that takes time to swing along to. Roll of drums, girls going "ooh aah", then a simple beat and into the vocal. Dig it out if you see it - the B side is good too! Especially for Gilly and his crazy crew. Sam Williams - I got a strange feeling (Cover up 007) The other Sam had this off John Manship, and Uncle Ady (Croasdell) picked it up. A very old label, a well known singer soul wise, it spins along like the real Sam Williams, with a finger snapping start, heart rending lyrics - oh blimey, what a build-up! Great girlies in the background, swirling strings, if you can't dance to this then go and join Hot Gossip for a week! Otis Smith - C'mon and dance now (Recreation 7832 - honest! Hee-hee!) Starts off with a morse code signal, instant appeal, belts into a gruff voice. Familiar to the Yate crowd and gaining spins on its excellent breaks and inviting lyrics. A cover-up of the first order, and with the David Huff and Heartbeat 45's, Yate exclusives. If you want to hear them, get on down, worth 1000 miles to hear, no sweat! Joe Hicks - I still care (AGC) An obscure item from what sounds like a "honky" singer, but it's from Detroit way, so I'm told. Discovered at 52 Langham Street, it's a 100 mph stomper, a cross between Saxie Russell, Joe Hicks, Animal from the Muppet show and the Bonzo Dog doo-dah band, sling in Cobblestone too! If you can dance to this you will never stop - this would honestly rip Wigan apart, I kid you not!

Clarkie was playing this at Yate covered as "I've got a strange feeling"... Jerry.

Don't remember this getting played, immediately made me think of Fantastic Four "Alvin Stone (Birth and death of a gangster), also on Westbound, which definitely did get disco action for a short while. Jerry,

Maybe, how do you put a value on it? But it's a real novelty...did they have pressing plants in Lebanon? 'Cos that looks like it was pressed in France(?) and then shipped out, going by the BIEM mark and several test pressings I've got from later years with Echantillon printed on the label. Jerry.

Surprise at first glance is that while Eddie Regan is listed as the John Madara c/u, Mary Saxton was already listed under the correct title and label. Didn't think it was uncovered till later. The memory isn't as clear as I thought! Hippo.

Brilliant - first time we went, I think Martyn Pitt was driving, nice cross country run and stopped for a pint or two...other times it was the Kiddy coach with "Mad Val" and co, or Alison's coach with Steve Smith being crazy...meeting Tony Warot, telling him of my quest for a copy of Dickie Wonder and within minutes, he'd found one...oh, and making my niter DJ debut in the blackout room...loved the place! Hippo.

In between The Temptones and stardom, there was another group - Executive Suite, who issued "Christine" on Jubilee in 1970. No relation, AFAIK, to the ES of "When the fuel runs out" fame... Jerry.

Wasn't me Simon...as far as I know ...though I will admit to being there!

Dave, sorry, I missed this post at the time, but according to Karen, yes, sadly it's true. Stll got my copy of "Mr. Big shot " with his name scratched in the run-out! Hippo.

Stemmons deffo got many plays at Yate - sadly my befuddled brain can't remember who played it most. Did you have your Wand issue then, Dave? Jerry.

Say no more, squire ...still think this rings truer than the mono/stereo story, love to know the rest of the tale!

Is this fact? I heard that story at the time, but since then I've been told that they only had the stereo version and wanted the boot to mix the right sound for mono release...but as stereo singles were common then, wouldn't they just have gone ahead with what they had? Although they'd never admit to it, I wouldn't be surprised if Ringleader is correct... Jerry.

Trouble is...apparently they didn't show in Cheltenham...literally last minute cancellation according to the local rag.

Thanks Pottsy, that makes sense.

Had a phone call from Steve Whittle last night, sadly his wife Julie has died from cancer. Spare a thought for him everyone...

Yes, I believe so, not done in the '70's for the NS market as far as I'm aware, but don't know the exact details. Hippo.

A few years back my good mate Paul O' B took himself on a cruise; landed in Lanzarote and while looking round a market the old vinyl direction finder fired up...under a parrots cage (he assures me) were two records. One was a Karate demo which he just couldn't leave, burnt a hole in his suitcase till he got back. sadly it was The Peels "Juanita Banana"! Disappointed? Well, partly - the other 45 was a Joe Hicks original . Still love to know how it got there... Hippo.

Can't ever recall seeing a white demo Steve! The multi-colored ones are legal, Soulville and Jay-Walking were related companies, which is why JW appears in the dead wax.

The Verve demos were damaged due to a flood at the warehouse, or so I was once told - still wouldn't part with my High Keys though . If the ballast story is a myth, then it's a verrrry old one, I remember hearing it in the early 70's. Also at that time, which must seem unbelievable to younger soulies, Tesco had loads of imports at 10pence each (still got a cover with the price tag on it!). I remember getting Watts 103rd on Keymen, Bob and Earl "Sissy" on Chene, Donnie Elbert on Command Performance among others, nothing too rare but nice collection fillers, the most valuable turned out to be Status Quo demos on Cadet Concept! Did anyone actually get any real valuables from that haul? Hippo.