Dave Raistrick

Another source for import packs was a place in Ashton-under-lyne - John Hillell? If l recall. A 100 count box cost £10 mostly mixed pop, country, soul and funk 45s - Bagged a Chris Cerf - Sweet Music - Amy- from one box load just as Soul Sam started to play it covered up mid 70s. I Think Dave McCadden visited the place and found one of the first copies of Larry Hale - Once - Diamond. I also heard lots about a place in Sheffield called 'Violet May's' but didn't get there until around 1973/4 - any BIG discoveries from there ??? - Over to you Malc Burton-Steve M

I Remember him turning up at a Cleethorpes Winter Gardens niter back in the mid 70s.

Selectadisc in Nottingham was also a prime source in the early-mid seventies - my first visit there was in 1972/73 to Arkwright St. Pretty certain that some major discoveries came out of the Canal Street Warehouse. Maybe Kev Roberts could fill us in ??

Dave, l remember that load, it originated from a distributor on Pico Blvd in LA around 1978/9 l tracked it back to Bostocks, but before l got to it both John Anderson and Ian Dewhirst had visited the warehouse in Bradford and picked the place but l did come out of there with a few bits but all the quantity stuff had gone !!! The next day l went to Ian's place in Leeds and bought stuff from his stock and mail order list, items purchased on that day for around £1.50 each - Brewster Crew, Ultimates-Br-roma etc..... mmmmmmmmm bargain days Ian. Regards to ALL for 2010 Dave R.

Funny thing is that back in the early 70s you could find globs of Bostock's stock in all kinds of places in and around Bradford - l originally came from the Bradford area and would go back there every once in a while to visit friends and family and l would call in to several 2nd hand joints/junk shops in places like Heaton, Clayton, Bradford and trawl through boxes full of american imports that would be easily recognised as Bostock stuff, l guess they sold boxes full at a low price to traders locally and they ended up in all these 2nd hand shops at 10p each 45 - l would return to Skegness after a week/end with a box or so full and trade them with local collectors here in Skeggy. One of the weirdest things though was that on Skegness Pleasure Beach/fairground when you either took a 10p risk at hooking a duck or 3 darts in the same bed from one of the side stalls guess what they gave you as a consolation prize if you lost? Yep an american import 45, included in some of these handouts would be picture sleeve copies of 'Kim Weston' I Got What You Need-MGM and all sorts of Verve things Willie Bobo, Jimmy Smith etc....Once again even this stuff probably originated from Bostock's stock. Any other places you could find Bostock imports ? Maybe 'Halifax Tiffanys' ( Monday nights ) Over to you Ian ?

Ian, I Have a pretty good idea that ALL the Verve/MGM stuff originally came from a cutout distributor in Upper Darby, PA, USA - John Lamont's - House of Sounds or as Val S called it 'House of Sh-ts, this was a six storey warehouse FULL of deletions and overstocks. Back in 1978 we (Arthur, Me) spent a whole day going through a mountain of 45s piled up all over the wooden warehouse floor, it was HUGE 'a real treasure hunt' we pulled Tony Middleton issue MGM and lots more and found the first copy of 'Greater Experience' John Anderson bought often from there and probably shipped pallet loads during the early 70s including the MGM/Verve load. Have a Great Christmas ALL Dave.

Remember this getting plays in and around Skegness 1975 - picked up from an import pack back then.

Dead right Steve, Jon had this on his playlist back then !!

Duncan bought some top sounds back then !!

Yep September 1973 - Blackpool Mecca/Highland Room - Landslide - FANTASTIC !! a great memory.

LP is called Sweet Memories - We have the vinyl LP in stock - sealed unplayed

Arthur found some great stuff on his stateside trips, BIGGEST William Powell - Heartaches Souvenirs - Powerhouse.

Yep, and both still sounding good today !!

Oh that place.....Well l got the rare Johnny Paycheck from there and the seldom seen Jimmy Clatterbucket along with a ton of odd Soul records.........You at Prestatyn in March??

Er... Jan Jones, Bileo, Family of Eve, Bill, Lucky Davis......

Yes Steve - Timeless Legend came from me, l think either Sam or Arthur had my first copy.

Spot on Tone !

INVITATIONS - SKIING IN THE SNOW Didn't Keith Minshull play this at the Torch ?

YOUNG BROTHERS I Covered this up and sold it to Rod Shard/Dave Withers - Dave played this at Stafford and other venues at the time.

Jim had tons of great stuff, two and three copies on some 45s - When he sold up(early 90s l think) he just vanished from the scene, Any idea what he is doing thesedays?? Rob Marriott took up when Jim packed in !

Did you have a 'tache ?? Dave R

Hi Dave, lt was around 1982/3. Other versions on acetate that Tony mentions - DYNAMIC SIBLINGS - VINCE & CONNIE went to Jim if l remember. I also had a Bell acetate of Bernie Williams - Ever Again- Who has that now ?

Yep Jim played it at Stafford!! I sold it to him as a newie along with several other items.

MURIEL DAY I Think the first time l heard this was at an Alldayer Johnny Manship ran at Kirby Bellars, Leics - 'The Painted Lady Club' if l remember, Guy Hennigan and a bunch of others there - Was Nev Wherry the first to play it???