Scooterboy

I am immensely saddened to confirm that our dear friend John 'Biff' Griffiths did indeed pass away last night. I am unsure as to whether this thread has been started in the correct section of the site, if not perhaps the moderators will kindly intervene? Whilst it appears that John passed away peacefully in his sleep that is of scant consolation to Bev, his children and his wider family. Our thoughts are with Bev and John's family at this saddest and most distressing of times. John has a giant of a man, in stature, in presence and in his knowledge of, and love of, soul music. Whilst a stalwart of the Northern scene in Widnes and Warrington for over 40 years he was well-known, well-respected and well-loved across the North West and much further afield. I won't attempt to list the events that John DJ'd at or promoted over the years, suffice to say that the North West scene would not be what it is now without the massive contribution by the guy I am proud to call my friend and mentor. I was privileged to have DJ'd with John and Dave Truscott at The Birchfield (Widnes) for nearly 10 years and for the last 6 years to have worked with John and Maurice 'Moz' Arnold at The Northern Line (Warrington), and to not be able to hear John's always cheery greeting of "Alright Matey" seems unbearable. Whilst John didn't suffer fools gladly he was always prepared to share his knowledge and love of the music to those who were keen to listen, learn and enjoy. I for one will forever be indebted to John for his time, his patience and the guidance he gave me, and which he continued to give even up to just a couple of weeks ago at his 60th Birthday event at The Northern Line. John had a few years of medical challenges with his two bionic knees and issues with his heart, though we'd all thought that we has on-the-mend, and indeed to many of us John looked far healthier in the last 3 months tan we'd seen him for some time. The fact that he did seem so much better recently made the news of his passing even more shocking. Whilst I'm not usually stuck for words I am struggling to write any more at present so I will sign off. John's son has asked me to post the sad news on Soul Source and whilst it's too early to know what arrangements will be for the funeral I will seek permission from the family to share the details as and when it is appropriate to do so. Rest in peace big man...you are loved more than you know. Chris

PM'd you. Chris

So very sad to hear of Ian's passing. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Ian as well as many of you did, but I did have the pleasure of listening to his spots and dancing to his well chosen, quality tunes (all of which were on the 'right' labels too). I am saddened that none of us will be able to give him the resounding round of applause in future for a spot well thought out, well executed and well received. My thoughts are with Ian's family and friends at this very sad time. Chris

Hi Folks, I have for sale a genuine original of Bobby Garrett - My Little Girl - Mirwood (issue). I can only take payment by Bank Transfer / Cheque etc as I have a nasty credit card bill to try and bring down and I can't part pay it using PayPal. Overall condition of label and vinyl is EX, however there are few marks on the run in, extending about 3/4 cm into the playing surface. I'm not too sure how best to describe them (I'll try and post photos later...if you specifically want me to send you a photo then ping me a PM with your email address). They are not feelable like scratches and look almost like they've been made by a machine as they are all parallel to one another. Scuffs don't quite describe them either, it's like pressure has been applied to the surface that has ever so lightly squashed the surface. There is no detriment to the sound quality at all, it plays superbly (no clicks etc) and the marks don't affect the audio. That being said, the record is offered with a full money back guarantee if not satisfied. Looking for £150 or close offer. Special delivery is £7.50 (unless I get £150 in which case I'll cover the cost). Many thanks for looking. Chris

PM'd you Chris

Sincere and heartfelt condolences to Eddie and his family and to Steve and Julie (Steve being Lynn's brother). I remember well the last time I saw Lynn at The United Services Club. That was just a few short months ago (or so it seems) and she was her usual bubbly, happy self and was on top form. I am so very, very sorry to hear the sad news of Lynn's passing. Chris

Hi Folks, I have reduced the price of this record. ****This record is now sold, thank you for your interest.**** I have tried to grade as accurately as possible and have been hyper critical as I'd like people to be pleasantly surprised, not rather miffed. The record carries a full money back guarantee should you disagree with my grading. No hassle, no dramas. Pictures are attached too. I've done my best but I'm no David Bailey, though I hope they give you enough information so that you can buy with confidence. Bank transfer or cheque only I'm afraid as I have a credit card bill to try and drive down. Postage is not included - Special Delivery is £7.50. There is a little staining on label (see photos). Vinyl grades at least VG+ in my view. I strongly suspect others may grade higher than this, indeed I bought it as ‘EX’ condition and I have played it just a handful of times subsequently. There is some minor 'greying' in the grooves which I had originally attributed to play-wear but on comparing this copy to a M- copy the same ‘greying’ is in exactly the same place so I wonder if this is due to the actual pressing of the record rather than play-wear. There are also a handful of small hairline scratches (none of which affect play). I have tried to capture a couple of these in the photos. Vinyl still has plenty of gloss. Plays absolutely fine (I have DJ'd with this copy a handful of times and there are no problems whatsoever). I have graded conservatively and I'm convinced that my VG+ will be many people's EX. Thanks for looking. Chris

Just PM'd you Paul. Don't sell any to Paul Kidd...he has far too many already! Chris

Belle disques Monsieur Bridge!

Sorry folks, Upload didn't work properly (probably because I am rubbish with technology). Please note, in the original post the first 6 photos are of The Sparkels record, the last 3 are of the Percy Wiggins record. The photos of Percy and Connie that didn't upload properly are attached now. Chris

Hi Folks, The following are for sale. I have tried to grade as accurately as possible, and erred on the critical side as I'd like people to be pleasantly surprised, not rather miffed. All records carry a full money back guarantee should you disagree with my gradings. No hassle, no dramas. Pictures are attached too. I've done my best but I'm no David Bailey, though I hope they give you enough information so that you can buy with confidence. Bank transfer or cheque only I'm afraid on these as I have a credit card bill to try and drive down. Postage is included in these prices - Special Delivery for The Sparkels, Recorded Delivery for Percy Wiggins and for Connie Francis The Sparkels – Try Love (One More Time) – Old Town Issue £250 Needs no introduction and appears to be in demand / in vogue at present. A little staining on label (see photos). Vinyl grades at least VG+ in my view (I suspect others may grade higher than this, indeed I bought it as ‘EX’ and have played it just a handful of times). There is some 'greying' in the grooves which I had attributed to play-wear but I have just secured a M- copy and the same ‘greying’ is in exactly the same place so I wonder if this is due to the actual pressing of the record rather than play-wear. There are also a handful of small hairline scratches (none of which affect play). I have tried to capture a couple of these in the photos. Vinyl still has plenty of gloss. Plays absolutely fine (I have DJ'd with this copy a handful of times and there are no problems whatsoever). Percy Wiggins – It Didn’t Take Much (For Me To Fall In Love) – RCA Demo £45 ***NOW SOLD*** There is label wear / ring wear and a little piece of label missing (see photos). Vinyl grades at VG in my view which is reflected in the price. There is some 'greying' in the grooves along with a number of small scratches (none of which affect play). I have tried to capture a couple of these in the photos. Plays absolutely fine (I have DJ'd with this copy and there are no problems whatsoever). Photos removed to avoid confusion regarding vinyl (not label) conditions with Sparkels. Connie Francis - It's Gonna Take Me Some Time - MGM £30 Early R 'n' B type record. Got plays a few years ago and appears to be being reactivated. Copy advertised and sold within minutes on RareNorthernSoul.com around 3 weeks ago for £65. A couple of minor label stains (see photos). Vinyl grades at VG+ in my view (I suspect others may grade higher than this) as there is some limited 'greying' in the grooves and a handful of small hairline scratches (none of which affect play). I have tried to capture the vinyl quality. Plays absolutely fine (I have DJ'd with this copy - no problems whatsoever). Thank you for looking. Any questions please do drop me a line. Chris

PM'd you.

Hi Folks, The following are for sale. I have tried to grade as accurately as possible, and erred on the critical side as I'd like people to be pleasantly surprised, not rather miffed. Both records carry a full money back guarantee should you disagree with my gradings. Pictures are attached too. I've done my best but I'm no David Bailey, though I hope they give you enough information so that you can buy with confidence. Bank transfer or cheque only I'm afraid on these as I have a credit card bill to try and drive down. Postage is included in these prices - Special Delivery for The Valentinos, Recorded Delivery for Connie Francis The Valentinos - Sweeter Than The Day Before - Chess £200 'Now On Hold - Pending Payment' Needs no introduction and appears to be in demand / in vogue at present. A little label wear / bubble in label (see photos). Vinyl grades at VG+ in my view (I suspect others may grade higher than this) as there is some 'greying' in the grooves and a handful of small hairline scratches (none of which affect play). I have tried to capture a couple of these in the photos. Plays absolutely fine (I have DJ'd with this copy - no problems whatsoever). Connie Francis - It's Gonna Take Me Some Time - MGM £35 Early R 'n' B type record. Got plays a few years ago and appears to be being reactivated. Copy advertised and sold within minutes on RareNorthernSoul.com just this week for £65. A couple of minor label stains (see photos). Vinyl grades at VG+ in my view (I suspect others may grade higher than this) as there is some limited 'greying' in the grooves and a handful of small hairline scratches (none of which affect play). I have tried to capture the vinyl quality. Plays absolutely fine (I have DJ'd with this copy - no problems whatsoever). Thank you for looking. Any questions please do drop me a line. Chris

PM'd you

There's a NM copy on Fame on eBay at present and it's been there for a few weeks without selling. Price is $200.

PM'd you

Apologies, I meant to send a PM to Ian D to ask the question, not post in the thread.

Just how rare is this? I got my copy from Dave Truscott (Widnes) when he sold up around 5 - 6 years ago. Not exactly sure what I paid as I had a number of records from him and we did a collective 'deal'. If I had to have a stab at what I paid for this one record I'd guess i.t.r.o. £1,000. Did I get a good deal? Chris

Can't be...there's a guy that works down the chip shop who swears he's Elvis

That Alzheimers is a bugger to shift, glad I got over it when I did. Now then...what did I come in here for?

My copy came from Shifty around 8 - 10 years ago as a M- copy and I have a sneaky suspicion that even then it was around the £500 mark that I paid. If the recent prices that have been paid for top notch, top condition 45s are any barometer, and I was selling my copy (which I'm not) I suspect I'd be asking for around £1,000, maybe more. I am unsure as to all of the sources of information that Popsike uses, but I anecdotally I have heard of sellers on SS who have recently obtained prices that exceed the maximum recorded values as seen on Popsike. I don't know if this helps at all...it's just a personal view (though I am reasonably certain that I did pay around £500, though many years ago now). Chris

Hi Ady, My buddy Alan Jenkins from Fife is after this. I will email him to advise him to contact you directly. Kind regards Chris

Darren Brown or Rare Soul 45s had a Palmer Demo of Al Williams just a week or so ago. It looks like that sold almost immediately and I think the price it was advertised at was £2,750. I'm note sure which is rarer, La Beat issue or Palmer demo (though I suspect this is a topic that may have been covered on SS at some time). Given the price that these 'big ticket' 45s seem to be fetching at present then had JM's issue had a clean label it might well have achieved closer to the £3K mark methinks.

I thought The Moments was a bargain for someone, especially given the M- condition. I wish I'd been able to pick it up for this price when I got mine!

Hi Folks, This record has now been sold. Many thanks for all the interest, offers, trades etc. Cash was king on this occasion due to needing to markedly reduce the credit card bill. For sale a genuinely graded M-/NM copy of The Turbines "We Got To Start Over" on Cenco. Just arrived from the USA. Other purchases and "eyes bigger than credit card limit" force reluctant sale. Plus, the wife is doing her nut at the credit card statement (and she doesn't know about some stuff that's not hit the February statement yet - cripes!) Looking for offers (but need minimum of £1,000). No PayPal on this occasion I'm afraid...funds needed to pay credit card and, as far as I'm aware, I can't use PayPal balances to pay off a credit card balance. Thank you. Chris