John Al

Thanks Pete - indeed it is..........

Alfie Davison - Love Is Serious Business On offer here is an original, Sterling Sound acetate of the 12” version of this classic. The other side is blank. It comes in the original file cover and is in excellent condition having been barely played since I got it some years ago. Both the 7 and 12” versions of this command high prices due to rarity but this is surely a one off! A true collectors item. I’m taking offers for a week or so and if I get one I like, I’ll sell. Please PM with offers or questions. Many thanks! John.

Syl Johnson sounds like Al Green Marc Staggers sounds like Luther Vandross Little Carl Carlton sounds like (Little) Michael Jackson To me they do anyway!!

​Hi Dave, I guess I am the "someone I know" then!!!! Yes, I am back and hopefully will see you soon. I trust the SHS night and crew are all doing well? I'm in Leamington Spa now by the way - a bit different from Berlin & Kuala Lumpur!!!! Brian, I have a feeling we know each other too? Anyway, yes I was in Berlin for almost 3 years and it is a brilliant city with plenty to see and do, very interesting. Soul wise, it has a brilliant soul scene with a great variety of music from early RnB to new stuff and a great crowd of friendly and open minded people, quite a young age group too - by UK comparison at least! . I did DJ there a bit and loved every minute. I admit I miss the city and the people greatly. I'm not sure what would be on that weekend but the main guy to contact on here would be Marc Forrest, he runs a night over there - Hip City Soul Club - and is "in the know" on most of the goings on. I have dropped him a note to tell him you'll be in touch. If you want any help with getting around the city, drop me a PM and I'll be glad to help. It will be bloody cold in January mind. Are you going alone? Could be I'll join you!! Take care, John.

I knew Gary later rather than earlier and he became a friend and confidant. A source of great knowledge, humour and passion not just for music but for life itself. I remember double decking with him at Karen's 40th. We had a blast........... I will miss him but mostly I will regret the contact and the phone calls I never made, that is my loss. Very sincere condonlences to all the family, John.

Thanks Jon, I'll drop you a pm on record shops & let you know about June. Cheers, John

Thanks Marc, sounds good. Look forward to it.

Thanks Mate, found the website and I think I'll be paying a visit...................... Marc, thanks, have pm'd you. Anyone else out here? Cheers, John.

Hi, I shall be working in Berlin for the next few months and wondered if there were any soul people over here that I could meet up with? Drop me a pm if so. Thanks, John.

......and here is my playlist from the Rare & Underplayed room in reasonable, if sporadic order, spread over the three days: Lewise Buthune - Chi-Town Boogaloo (Sack) Jimmie Reed Jr - I Ain't Going Nowhere (Mercury) Mary Saxton - Losing Control (Pace) The Four Voices - We Live In The Ghetto (Voice) Willie Kendrick - What's That On Your Finger (RCA) Wilson Pickett - Baby Don't You Weep (Marble Arch - LP) Charles (Mr CC) Carlson - She's Not To Blame (Bold) Little Eddie Taylor - I Had A Good Time (Peacock) Ray Comacho & The Teardrops - Lonely Town (Copper State) Milton & Winston - You Lied (Falstaff) Falcons - Love Look In Her Eyes (Big Wheel) HB Barnum - Hurts Too Much To Cry (RCA) Mamie Lee - I Can feel Him Slipping Away (MGM) Happy Birthday Helen! Deena johnson - The Breaking Point (Wild Deuce) Brown Sugar - The Game Is Over (Capitol) Grover Mitchell - What Hurts (Vanguard) Oscar Perry - I Got What You Need (Peritone) Ike Strong - I Owe My Life To You (Bama) The Innersection - Let me Love Yuh (Group 5) James Phelps - The Look On Your Face (Apache) Jr Walker & The All Stars - Gotta Hold On To This Feeling Clyde McPhatter - Anyone Can Tell We're In Love (Decca LP) Willie Pickett - On The Stage of Life (Soul Spot) Checkmates Ltd - All Alone By The Telephone (Polydor) The Blue Jays - (It Depends On The) Point Of View (Blue Jay) Marie Knight - Come On Baby (Okeh) Jimmy James & The Vagabonds - This Heart Of Mine (Picadilly - Uk) The Moments - You Said (Deep) The Trinikas - Black Is Beautiful (Pearce) Gentleman June Gardner - It's Gonna Rain (Emarcy) The Impossibles - It's All Right (Roulette) Freddie Houston - Chills & Fever (Old Town) Emorise Kelly - The Biggest Fool (Peacock) Dobby Dobson - Blue Am I (Gaydisc) Vanguards - Gotta Have Love (Lamp) Soul Joe Clements - Ever, Ever (Plexium - UK) Dennis D'Ell - Better Use Your Head (CBS - UK) Sweet Nothings - Cry Baby Cry (Destination) Mousie & The Traps - How About You (Toddlin Town) Little Esther - If It's News To You (Savoy) George Cameron - My Heart Tells Me So (Portrait) Tony Drake - Suddenly (Brunswick) Tobbi Bowe - I Can Feel Him Slipping Away (Patheway) Tommy Frontera - (You're My) Leading Lady (Hi-Lite) Gino Washington - Like My Baby (Mala) Blue Sharks - These Things Will Keep Me Loving You (Gran Prix) Marve Josie - Don't (United Artists) Last record of weekender in Rare Room Very honoured to be asked to play and looking forward to the next one! John.

Yes mate, one and the same track. Still makes me reflective now, after all this time. Wish he'd recorded it. Best, John.

Hi Jonzy, In short, yes we did take him for granted. Like you I saw him many times and became blas about it, even went somewhere else when he was on. I shouldn't have. Remember seeing him sing "Just Be Good To Me" and being moved beyond belief at his interpretation of the song. He was a supreme talent an we should cherish the memories we have. Best, John.

Hi Jonzy, In short, yes we did take him for granted. Like you I saw him many times and became blas about it, even went somewhere else when he was on. I shouldn't have. Remember seeing him sing "Just Be Good To Me" and being moved beyond belief at his interpretation of the song. He was a supreme talent an we should cherish the memories we have. Best, John.

Ahem. Excuse me?

Yeah me too - so not soul then. I think there are a few who cling to playing of "Pressure" - lack of imagination perhaps??

Um, well, yes Kev, I did play it to you a while back - only problem is I am not John A, I'm John Al. Mine cost me $100 (around £60 at the time) from the same seller but I got in quick and searched around a while before I got it. Caused quite a stir when I added it to my DJ spot as considered very rare at the time although a few more have turned up lately. I suspect the seller has added a zero as he has found out it is popular. Sorry, Mr John A for the confusion this old dodderer has caused! See you soon Kev ? If they are still letting you out that is! John.

How about: Troy Keyes - If I Had My Way Lenis Guess - You Can't Destroy A Pure Man Nina Simone - Young, Gifted & Black Or for somethiong more "modern" Glenn Jones - I Am Somebody I think you could count "A Change Is Gonna Come" really. No matter why it was written, it certainly became a civil rights anthem. Best, John.

Funny though, I was just thinking - I'd like to dip some of YOURS in boiling water.

Assume you mean this? Interesting - I've not seen one before, where's it from? John.

Now Gary, you are just being pedantic. It's a boot, just check the markings in his dead wax. ......yep looking forward to Saturday!! J&M

4th one down is a boot.

Been playing this for a while - very good version & not one you see often. Bargain at that price - somebody snap it up! John.

Double agreed. A guy with integrity and honesty. Add me to your mailing list Chris please if you have one. John.

Good call Ollie - excellent. Alway's been a sucker for this Lady's voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DLQf2L0Gic John.

Yes mate, stamped.