Sweeney

No, sadly - I'd be interested in hearing why you think it isn't the worst record ever played on the scene though. I would have thought even George's mum thinks this is a crime against vinyl. Having said that, his version of It's an Uphill Climb to the Bottom is even worse, but I believe that was unissued, so strictly speaking ineligible for inclusion. (let's be thankful for small mercies).

None of us want to pay the "going rate" - however, posting up here isn't the best policy if you want it cheap. If he doesn't want to pay Moerer or Manship prices may I respectfully suggest your mate builds a time machine, or do some crate digging. As it happens, Moerer's price is pretty reasonable. Good things come to those who wait, as they say.

Warren - We're trying to protect you!

No Pop. Ever. This is Soul. Rare, Northern or otherwise. If you want "Pop" let Fearne Cotton be your guide (rather than your conscience).

This may sound churlish or heretical even - but wasn't this beautiful sexy music made for two lovers to dance to together? The sight of pasty males (or females) spinning around like idiots on their lonesome must make the Gods of Rare Soul scratch their heads in disbelief. Discuss.

I guess the problem is that this is one of a few 'hobbies' for want of a better word that involves assets that actually appreciate in value. If you were an angler and spent a few hundred quid on equipment - that equipment becomes worth a lot less as soon as you use it. Buy a new car and it's worth 30% less by the time you drive it home. Jewellery is worth the scrap price mostly. Rare Soul Vinyl seems to be worth it's weight in gold however. My experience (and I'm sure most on here) with Rare Soul is that you can buy something for a fiver and ten or so years later it's worth a few hundred - thinking about it, it's a pain in the arse really. I just really want to enjoy the music and not worry about insuring them or getting them nicked etc. Maybe next time your wives or husbands moan about the cost of your records you can assure them that what you're really doing is attempting to make sound financial provision for them in the case of divorce or death!

A terrible situation. My sympathies to your friend. What worries me is that if instead of having the foresight to invest in Rare Soul vinyl, he'd merely pissed the money up the wall or wasted it on another hobby, he'd have been better off in real terms. I take it that this was 'his' spare money to spend, and he met all his commitments to mortgages, etc? If so, this is truly dreadful. How is it acceptable? - does he get 50% of the value of his wife's jewellery/clothes etc. that she would have purchased with 'her' spare money?

"Son I told you all I can Now you see what it takes to be a man We must hold our head up high I'm a man, I'm a man" Sometimes we become so jaded by scene politics and "etiquette" that we forget about all the things this beautiful music can mean to so many. Pure poetry - Isn't this what SOUL MUSIC should be about? A man telling it like it is through the medium of song. Thanks to Paul for posting the lyrics - this has enhanced my appreciation of this beautiful track - and possibly the whole Rare Soul genre - which in these cynical days is no mean feat! Get in my son!

Fascinating Girl - George Lemons Moronic, badly sung, pointless - no soul content, no redeeming features whatsoever.

I wholeheartedly agree - without the dedication of Mike and the Moderators (sounds like a Rare Soul act!) the digital universe would be a much duller place.

Blimey, Needlepoint as well - I guess at 6ft 6 odd you wouldn't call him a poof though!

Both. Giants 55-62, Rams 63-66 apparently.

A fascinating character - American Football star for the LA Rams, Actor (appeared in shows like Man from UNCLE, Kojak, CHiPS, Quincy) now an ordained minister, quite the renaissance man. His records aren't too shabby either!

Here you go 05 House Of Bamboo.mp3

I agree, it's bad form to order a record and then renege on purchasing it - it's even worse when the person won't make a simple phone call or send an e-mail to the dealer to let him know that for whatever reason they can no longer meet their commitment to buy. It must be frustrating being a dealer. On the other hand - I've had quite a few situations where I've ordered records from dealers, been told that they're on the way only to then find that they've mysteriously disappeared from their stock systems. Only to reappear a few weeks later with a heftier price tag. The fact that a lot of these records were beginning to get played and were listed for less than you'd reasonably expect to pay for them was obviously unrelated. I've also heard of another situation where an e-mail was sent, funds exchanged, the record was packed ready to go out, only for the dealer to accept a significantly higher offer for the record from someone else. The dealer was apologetic, but quite open about the fact that he'd had a better offer. A sort of "Sorry, but screw you" attitude. So I guess it cuts both ways - I know it's ultimately the dealers decision to sell for whatever price they want, to whoever they want, but I know I for one wouldn't buy stuff from those particular dealers again.

Billy Stewart's version of Summertime is brilliant too. He did an album of standards which is worth getting.

Marvin Gaye's version of Sunny is very good.

Good God no! Never really understood 'Prog' I'm afraid, other than as a sleeping aid. Technically proficient, yes, passionate? no. Spontaneity has it's time and place.

Anything and everything, really. Just as long as it's made with feeling and passion and the care of a craftsman.

Back in the day when the internet was all fields, Soul Galore was a major factor in rekindling my interest in Rare Soul. It was an irreverent, hilarious and hugely important resource for me and I suspect many others. I never had the pleasure of meeting Dave, only corresponded with him a couple of times, but his larger than life personality shone through his writings. I will treasure my copies even more now. To a true one-off - Thanks Dave, rest well.

There's fantastic guitar work on Dorothy Morrison - "I Can't Go Without You" (Brown Door) but it's pretty hidden in the mix - If you listen through headphones you're in for a treat.

I've got one of the Swanflight 200s and fully loaded it is indeed very unwieldy - fine if you've got transportation. Another alternative is the 50-count aluminium flight cases from HMV of all places - I got one from the big Oxford Street store in London (don't know if they're stocked in smaller stores). Whilst not as hefty as the Swanflight, they're pretty solid. They also cost a nifty £15 or so.

Grapevine's "Sound of The Grapevine" was one of my first introductions to Rare Soul. Gems like Jimmy Burns, Tony Middleton, Morris Chestnut, Eddie Parker's "I'm Gone", Larry Clinton, Flame 'n' King, Carol Anderson blew me away. Can't argue really - OK it's got pointless nonsense like "Let's Do the Duck" and Gary Haines' "Keep On Going" but hey, you can't have everything. Richard Searling's sleevenotes allude to a magical glamorous and exclusive world that I, as a 14 year old was entirely captivated by. Heady days indeed.

Be VERY careful using nail polish remover as they're not all created equal - different brands have different chemical compositions. The ones that contain reasonable quantities of acetone will eat styrene. Ask me how I know! Probably best avoided as a cleaning medium.

Donny Gerrard - He's Always Somewhere Around (Greedy) Pockets - Come Go With Me (Columbia)