Frankie Crocker

Joseph Webster sold for $9,390 so was closer to 8K. At the time, I got the impression this sale was unconnected to the upsurge of Angela Davis coming onto the market. Perhaps one find led to another - there are plenty of Detroit crate diggers and record trackers at work following up the slightest of leads.

Yep, the new press is easily identifiable and has seemingly been released to cash in on the popularity of the expensive original. I have a mint original and it looks 'very new' so it crosses the mind slightly, what year was this actually pressed? In Brad's store in Detroit a fortnight ago, I saw a mint Nancy Butts record on Flaming Arrow and a mint Exquisites on Crow (not the rare one) so I thought, where are all these coming from? I think some of the Detroit cache have been sold on to other dealers making it harder to figure out the numbers involved.

Fair question. Over the last year, they seem to have popped up frequently. You mention re-presses, so are the copies surfacing old stock or freshly pressed up? Like Nancy Butts on the same label, once there were few copies and then there were lots. Prices recently have fluctuated as collectors have become cagey about numbers. It looks like a label connection ie artist/producer has been tracked down in Detroit and the remaining copies liberated as releases on Crow, the sister label have also appeared in small numbers. As Joseph Webster on Crow is proving impossible to buy, punters are settling for Angela Davis' version as it's a pretty decent alternative.

I'd just buy the one on eBay on the off chance it will be the last you see for sale, the condition may be as good as you will get, the record will hold it's value and probably appreciate in years to come, you can tick it off the wants list to focus on the next elusive record, err that's plenty of reasons... Musically, it's a great track and a floorpacker to boot.

Mouth watering stuff. Good to see plenty of Northern still being turned up. You missed out Freddie Chavez on Look which would have been in sixth place. Thanks for collating and posting - I really like this feature.

I like the record lots and lots. Great dancer. Finally managed to replace the sky-blue boot with an original a couple of years ago. In 1979, I copied all the lyrics onto a Valentine's Day card - mind you, she wasn't impressed either.

Looks very recent. Maybe one of those 'if it meets your needs' thingies done in a garage to make a bit of spare cash...

They still look very similar side by side. No major differences apparent at first sight. Presumably one's vinyl and the other styrene but with different markings in the run-out?

The original bootleg is sky blue label stuck on styrene. The fake dark-blue replica is possibly a photocopied label stuck on a styrene disc - there are two of these on Popsike for comparison. The original record is on vinyl with a moulded label if my memory is correct. Best way to tell is compare the original and suspected fake. Do us all a favour and snap the fake in two to keep it out of circulation.

I stand corrected. Probably best the copies are in the States where they may be more appreciated by the woppy-doo squad.

The two scans are different looking at the converging lines at the top. John has over-hyped the track in his blurb - obviously rare and well worth having but not a track to set the dancefloor on fire.

Tony and Tyrone 'Please Operator' on Atlantic. If I ever get round to owning a smart-phone, this'll be the ringtone.

Hi Tony. Welcome to the soul scene. There's a place on Bold Street, half way up the hill heading towards the church, an antique/retro store, can't remember the name, but downstairs in the basement there's a decent selection of US imports for someone like yourself. I was there six months ago and saw the Artistics 'Hope We Have' and Candy And The Kisses 'Out On The Streets Again' plus plenty of other tracks at fair prices. Check out You Tube for the rarest and bestest but also sample the Goldmine range of CD's for what's out there. Take in a few soul nights such as the one at Runcorn and rummage through the record boxes at any venue you attend and pick up on any recommendations. Most of all, enjoy the ride by gathering the sounds you really, really like a lot.

Great theme for a thread, but tricky to do it justice in one song title. As already mentioned earlier, it partly depends on when you attended. Blown away by the atmosphere in Mike Post's Afternoon Of The Rhino but how about 'Strings A Go Go' by Bob Wilson Sounds or the Checkerboard Squares as it is known today? Every month there was a 'definitive sound', one that captured the moment, set the floor alight, stuck in your mind for days, months and years. Tomangoes was a slow burner compared to Saxie Russell. The Flasher probably created more stir than Dance, Dance, Dance. I would agree with lots of the tracks already mentioned by the Salvadors, Willie Mitchell, Jades, Jewels, etc but would add Gloria Jones 'Tainted Love', and perhaps the Vel-Vets 'I GotTo Find Me Somebody'.

Popsike will give you the most up to date price range for recent sales in relation to condition. Are we talking about a WD here? If so, expect to pay at least c£375 to secure one. The sales price is flexible depending on your expectations and their method of payment, but if you are selling in a hurry, you might only realise c£325 for a VG++ copy. Hope this helps with the request and others you may have tomorrow...

Look at it as a gift from heaven for making 37,000 posts on Soul Source...

Think I much preferred the format of the old web site. Some of these records auctioned are really set sale items such as Blanch Carter and Towanda Barnes. If John changed his web pages to improve the auctions, I think he's made a miscalculation...

Article very well written, and most selections justifiable. I would have included Nosmo King instead of Wayne Gibson, but honestly, there would be another hundred worthier selections. Enjoyed the read as a heck of a lot of research had gone into it. The Guardian as a newspaper has really improved in recent years.

A copy on Pandora sold on eBay couple of days ago. Went for £800+ but does not showup on Popsike. Agreed though, does not come up for sale often wheras the Mohawk version does pop up occasionally.

Would the massive company be EvilBay or the next to be even more evil corporation, Amazon? Too many boots, reissues etc clogging up all record data bases and ruining things for all OVO buyers. There needs to be a market place for these wares but not sure who is best placed to sell them - perhaps bona fide Northern dealers or High Street record shops are the long term solution if the internet is going to exclude them.

Sorry, no but it went for something like £184.

The copy that prompted this thread has now been sold. I think someone picked up a real bargain. Thanks to all for contributing to the thread and enlightening me.

Wise move Hammie. If this does go for big money, Manny should top that should you decide to sell. At the end of the day though, you're better off holding the record than having the cash...

Ruby Sherry sold for less than it's worth. Two good sides AND on vinyl AND in nice condition. Gold Token chasers need to wake up and smell the coffee as THIS is the version to own despite the plain label design.

Never seen the stars design until this auction - must be very rare. Another tune that's finally getting the recognition it deserves. Pure Northern and then some.