Sean Hampsey

I have this, I'm pretty sure. Yellow & Black label? Birmingham thing? Will also take a look see if i have a spare. Sean

Hey Dave, I was tempted to say Otis too as he was INCREDIBLE last time I saw him... and even on recent video still has the chops. Probably, right now, he's one of the last, still performing, TRUE Soul (as we know it) Singers. Thinking about trying to get him over for a PA at Just Soul. What do you reckon? Sean

Yep - that's a silly typo, but the post says 'description of the Casino'

Agree mate. Infact he once told me his favourite artist was Howard Tate... ...so that makes him a man with just about perfect taste in my book! Sean

Wassat then Simon? Pie, Mash & Liquor! Sean

Ah! Then I'm witcha! Top man Ted. Sean

Me neither Dave. Is it that the word 'shit' is missing prior to the word 'hole'? Only kidding guys.... calm down, calm down..... Seriously, I can't see the mistake at all. Maybe we're all ill informed? Sean

Hey Bull, a sad loss mate. Let's not forget that (despite those great sleeve notes) Sandra had a superb career in music for the past 25+ years. After a time performing in Nashville she became lead singer of a group called 'Bordello' before moving up to Vermont in 1992 and forming the 'Sandra Wright Band'. She recorded and performed until very recently with them and her 'Shake You Down' album from 1995 is a pretty good raunchy blues affair with 'Payin' The Price' being a particular favourite. She was only 61, still had the voice and was even performing this New Years Eve! What a pity we never got her over on this side of the pond. Cheers, Sean

Crikey! I bloody love her voice, Ted. Fragile, certainly, but with the right song she's outstanding! On such material as "Too Hurt To Cry" and "In The Ghetto" which cry out for that level of fragility, she's incredible, to my ears! Different kind of vocalist to an Aretha, a Gwen McCrae or a Millie J. but there's not much by her I don't rate. Saw her about 5 years ago and she was still on top form! Sean

Isn't "Soul-A-GoGo" backed with "And I Love Her" Pete, (sure it is on mine...) so is it the Pic Cover that's rare or are you saying it was flipped? Confused... of... errrrr? Sean

Very sad news, The Wounded Woman album is one of the most complete Soul albums of all time. RIP Sean

Yep. But what's done is done. It was bringing you back again where I really slipped up! Sean

mmmmmmmmmmmmm Don't test me! Sean

No they don't. ........................................................................................................... Red............................

I've got a Stag copy, Brett, and its superb quality! Sean

Nah mate, FFS don't get into 'new age music' as well! One crusade in life is enough for any man! Sean

About time too! Broaden your knowledge... and your listening enjoyment in the process, me lad. Sean

Despite Popsike, there've been a couple on eBay, Nev, in the past few years! Sean

Got to be subjective this one Ivor. I can really only suggest names that I think have similar tastes to my own, but I'd certainly nominate a couple of National Heavyweights for starters. Dave Godin - Impeccable taste and the biggest influence on my own in the early days. Richard Searling - 70's & 80's He always had a great ear for a quality tune! Outside of those, the Soul Essence & Pitches guys have always been people I can rely on for a good tip on a quality item. Names that immediately spring to mind.... Rod Dearlove (How many GREAT tunes has Rod been behind?), Mike Charlton (Absolutely!), Bob & Gavin (Naturally), Steve Plumb (The man behind the best LP only set in the known world), Steve G. Gareth Donovan, (how come, for someone so young?) etc. and in my own direct circle... The Wikipedia of Soul, John Benson (great ears)..... The very wonderful Kevin Briscoe (if you've ever heard him play out or received a CD from Kevin, you'll know what I mean The guy has incredible taste) and my partner in crime Tats who (as you know) has blinding great taste, always uncompromisingly soulful and, these days, one of the most entertaining Real Soul DJ's on the planet. People who may not DJ a great deal, but I know have great taste (i.e. similar to my own) would include Binsy (He knows the score) Blake Helliwell (Sublime taste in music) Richard Broughton (First Class) Alan Darker (Always a winner!) Rob Hurcombe (Midlands Maestro) Mike Lofthouse & Adam Garbutt (North East Legends) Eddie Hubbard (A1+) and Dave Turner (Arkwright) who is so similar to me, in where we are at in the music, we're thinking of setting up home together . Oh... and I think you know a good tune, when you hear one, as well Mr Jones . Sure there's a lot more, but at 11:00pm (and I'm supposed to be preparing a presentation for tomorrow morning) that's just a quick brain dump. Sean

Great stuff Pete. Always had a soft spot for "Little Miss Perfect" and "What is Love". Wonder where the 'Doc Love' nickname came from? Ray Caldwell / Nick Caldwell / Whispers / Doctor Love / California ???? Just a thought! Look forward to the Boba interview! Sean

Still reeling from hearing "To Get What You Got" (My favourite record of all time) on Radio! Truly Awesome!...and an excellent Birthday Pressie for me! Sean

Fabulous show Gentlemen. One of the finest two hour sessions of Real Soul Music I've ever heard on Radio. A very fitting tribute to the Maestro, Willie Mitchell. Thank you. It was very special. Sean

Worth noting that, in the case of Motown, the label owned the Studio facility and the Musicians were mostly salaried, so the cost was covered as a 'fixed 'cost' (it cost the same whether it was utilised or not). This is why they were able to record 24/7 at no further expense... and could therefore afford to implement strict quality control and have such a high 'rejection rate'. In the case of RCA, it was a 'Major' label - consequently the Pop hits from Paul Anka et al paid for all the rejects. In contrast, it was the 'Megatones and Cabells' of this world where a guy could lose his shirt if he overpaid for Artists, Production and Promotion... which is why they did it 'on the cheap and in limited numbers. Sean

Of course not. I was merely supporting Chalky's comment that there were stores in the US you could walk into and record a record for a few dollars and come away with a copy of the recording, by explaining that we could even do that over here - for a 'one-off'. The stuff 'Rare Soul' fans tend to collect is covered in the second part of my post. Sean

You could cerainly do that Chalky. We even had Booths in this country back in the 60's where you could go and cut a record for about 10 shillings (50p). Brett - The economics were and are the same as with any manufacturing process - the more you press, the cheaper the unit price as the set up cost is liquidated over a greater number. Even the very small labels would have found it viable to press 300+ rather than a handful. This is why even the very rarest records will turn up... every now and then. The 'survivors' are all still out there! Sean