Ian Dewhirst

No, he definitely recorded it before the Jackson Sisters Steve......in his own words:- "Marco here (Mark Capanni). For your information, my recording was the first recording, however it was released as a promo and published after the Jackson Sisters'. Mmm.....he's obviously not seen an issue then..... Also Bobby Taylor was co-writer on "Miracles"! It obviously must have been written in L.A. not long after "There Are Roses Somewhere In This World" which ups it's Soul credentials slightly LOL.... Ian D

Yep, same song but earlier recording. I only found out about it on here a couple of years back. Fascinating stuff. What's it worth these days? Ian D

Yep. Totally accurate. The UK's obsession with (mostly) unheralded U.S. Black Music goes back to the 50's and has continued ever since. In the 50's it was mainly the Jazz Collectors (slightly before my time but I'm fairly well read on this stuff) , followed in the early 60's by the Blues and RnB collectors (which in turn fueled the home-grown RnB scene - the Stones, the Who, the Beatles, Alexis Korner etc were all avid collectors) and then in the late 60's people like John Abbey were setting up 'Home Of The Blues' (which then mutated into Blues & Soul) and Dave Godin started the Tamla Motown Appreciation Society plus Dusty Springfield was hosting a Motown show on mainstream TV and clubs like The Flamingo, The Scene, The Whiskey a Go-Go and the Twisted Wheel were all featuring relatively unknown U.S. Black artists. Northern Soul crept into the equation at some point in the late 60's but was essentially a continuation of the previous ethos. By the time the 70's arrived the UK was ideally placed to take it's obsession even further with the advent of cheaper air travel and easier communications which meant that more record hounds could hop on planes and find records for themselves - something which has continued to this day accross a plethora of different scenes which all collect U.S. Black music whether it be Jazz, Blues, R'n'B, Motown, Northern, Southern, Deep, Funk, Jazz-Funk, Rare-Groove, Disco, Modern, Hip-Hop, Rap etc, etc. The UK has also had the liveliest Music re-issue capability in the world (although the Japanese are also very good in this area as is lately Numero in the U.S.) and I think this is simply another example of a nation which often puts a higher value on other nations cultures than they do themselves. I've often wondered why this is. Is it because the UK has a long history of cultural imperialism which means that it's possible for us to assimilate and understand other people's cultures really quickly and then document and curate them? Are we a nation of librarians and historians - something which may have been instilled within us through our education and value systems? I don't know the answers for sure, but it's a phenomenon which makes us a natural nation of crate-diggers. But more to the point, what is it about the U.S.A. which made them so dismissive of anything which wasn't an immediate commercial success? Was it something within their philosophy which only rated commercial success as being the most important thing at the time? I often wondered about this when I first went to the States in '76, went into record shops, asked where the Soul was and invariably got pointed towards the 'Oldies But Goodies' sections with the $1 represses of 4 Tops and Supremes hits. I learned very fast to cut to the quick and simply ask where the crap or 10c boxes were 'cos that's where the real gems were. However, it probably goes back a lot further. I can remember reading an interview about the Rolling Stones first visit to the Chess studios in 1964 when they enquired whether they could meet their No.1 all-time idol, bluesman Muddy Waters and Chess's boss, Leonard Chess said, "Sure. He's right here". He was painting the ceiling to earn some extra dosh. Ian D

It was a wombat. I thought it made it perfectly clear on the label. Ian D

Well, I've been looking for 2 years now and haven't turned one up! They're either all in Sweden or Bri Pinch has a load in his loft! An anthem IMO. Can you imagine anyone not dancing when this comes on........? Ian D

Hi Pete, I dunno where you're based but there's a showing in London @ the Prince Charles Cinema on Sunday 21st February @ 1.00pm - apparently tickets are going fast.......... https://www.princecharlescinema.com/events/#stillbill Ian D

"It's okay to head out for 'wonderful,' but on your way to 'wonderful' you're gonna have to pass through 'alright.' And when you get to 'alright' take a good look around and get used to it cause that may be as far as you're gonna go." https://www.youtube.c...h?v=R9Q2DFms1tA Looks great! Ian D

Mmm. Interesting. So if Mark Capanni's version was recorded first (as I've been informed), then how come it took Capitol 14 months to issue the original on a promo? In fact, maybe it's lucky that it got issued at all since the Jackson Sisters version actually spent 5 weeks on the R'n'B Top 100 in late '73. Maybe that's why it's so rare - it was 14 months too late and the Jackson Sisters stole the thunder.....? Also I've got to be sceptical about it appearing on any European LP. Why would it (unless it was Publishing promo album)? Mark Capanni wasn't even a household name in his street in L.A. leave alone anywhere else...... Ian D

Cheers mate. The Light Of The World feat Cylena Cymone was hot from the mixing desk so isn't even @ final mix stage yet. Sounds like it could be a Summer anthem to me. And there's a lot of stuff from around the Tyrell Corp era which still sounds great today. Wouldn't mind hearing another mix of "Going Home" though.... Ian D

I've not had an offer like that since '73 LOL..... Ian D

Yep, it was you and that bloody Morag that made me pull my finger out! Trying to relax with you lot around is a none-starter! Ian D

I think that's a bit harsh Sean. It's merely another great record in a long line of white fellas who occasionally managed to get all the ingredients right within a masterpiece production. OK, so Mark Capanni's plainly no Deep South razor-throated Soul royalty but I think he makes a pretty good stab at it and follows a long line of white vocalists who knocked a great tune out every now and then. He follows Dean Parrish, Johnny Caswell, Paul Anka, Bobby Paris, Benny Troy, Felix Cavaliere and the Anderson Brothers IMO.... Plus I drink proper beer like which I'm quite prepared to prove when we meet up! Dig me one up for ten bob if ya can then! Ian D

And heeeeeere's the playlist. The emphasis today was on happiness, energy and spreading the gospel so it sure went fast! Many thanks for everyone who could join us live and here's the link for everyone else....... Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show with Ian Dewhirst Sunday 31st January 2010 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. 1st Hour 45 feat Stephanie McKay I Believe Light Of The World feat Cylena Cymone Sunshine Exclusive Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr - Shine On Silver Moon Deep Sensation Somehow, Somewhere (There's A Soul Heaven) The Tyrell Corporation Going Home Curtis Mayfield What Is My Woman For Jimmy & Vella Cameron Be Fair To Me Marcia Hines You Gotta Let Go Syreeta & G.C. Cameron Love To The Rescue Marvin Gaye - Praise 2nd Hour The Isley Brothers Tell Me It's Just A Rumour Maurice Williams Being Without You The Sunlovers You'll Never Make The Grade Bobby Treetop Wait Till I Get To Know You The Idle Few People That's Why The Ohio Players feat Towanda Barnes Love Slipped Through My Fingers The Modulations Never Too Late The Individuals Why Can't We Be Together Sydney Joe Qualls Run To Me Anita Baker Sweet Love Cuba Gooding All I Can Give You Is Love The Real Thing Raining Through My Sunshine Average White Band Atlantic Avenue Koffee Brown feat B-12 Weekend Thing Cool Million Leave Me Shirley Slaughter I Love Him Old School Remix Mark Capanni I Believe In Miracles https://www.sixmillio...1-Starpoint.mp3 Al will be back behind the decks next week and I'll be back on the 14th February - Valentine's Day! See ya next time! Ian D

LOL, I picked him up at the airport Paul but I was probably outside having a fag 'cos I can't remember hearing him play that. Good on Lasse! It sounds like there's more copies in Sweden then anywhere else then? Ian D

Damn. I dunno Sebastian. I was at a record fair in the Capitol Records car park in L.A. in 1976 and a guy called Bob 'The Bear' Hite from a group called Canned Heat gave me 10,000 records off the back of his truck. There were tons of Capitol promos 'cos Canned Heat were signed to Liberty - a sister label to Capitol but I never saw that bloody Mark Capanni. I would have pulled it out back then 'cos I already knew the Jackson Sisters, although I didn't like it at the time - too messy back then. Mmmm. I wonder if the UK publisher has any copies.....? Well, I guess we've established that this is one of those real oddball rarities then.......... Ian D

Whoops. Is that the time! LIVE @ 2.00pm. Belter this week folks.... Ian D

Brilliant stuff Sebastian. Plus you've just dispelled a myth that it was never issued. Must be unbelievably rare as I went through 1000's of Capitol 45's in the mid 70's and I never saw one then. What price would you rate this at then? Is up there in the £500-£1000 arena? Ian D

No, Mark Capanni recorded it first (he wrote the song) but the Jackson Sisters beat him to release. By the time Capitol had issued it on promo, the Jackson Sisters was out there and selling a few, so Capitol decided not to issue it and probably junked most of the promos too if the truth's known! Typical slow lazy major LOL...... I think he does a belter of a performance and the production is a sheer masterpiece IMO. The whole process put him off the Music Biz for life and he now runs a successful restaurant in L.A. (all true). Am I right in thinking that this has laid undiscovered for 35 years? I've never see one...... Oh......OK, I'll go up to £50 then......... Ian D

This is picking up some interest on other forums. It's the ORIGINAL version of "I Believe In Miracles" by the Jackson Sisters by the song's writer Mark Capanni. Only got issued on a Capitol promo in 1974 and I think is rare as hen's teeth. Oh and it's absolutely brilliant and would make a fantastic closing record anywhere......... https://www.youtube.c...h?v=ERWLbQqWBu4 Anyone got one and would they take a tenner for it........? Ian D

Not enough detail John........ Ian D

Well my last show was the week that Teddy P passed away so there was a touch of the blues last time.... ... .....so this weeks show is packed to the brim with happy, optimistic and deadly soulful tunes from right across the eras. I can't believe how many tunes we've managed to pack in this week - so many tunes, so little time to play 'em LOL.... Tune in @ 2.00pm this Sunday afternoon for another marathon LIVE Sunday afternoon session with the friendliest crowd on t'internet. Come join the party....... Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show with Ian Dewhirst Sunday 31st January 2010 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. 45 feat Stephanie McKay * Light Of The World feat Cylena Cymone * Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr * Deep Sensation * The Tyrell Corporation * Curtis Mayfield * Jimmy & Vella Cameron * Marcia Hines * Syreeta & G.C. Cameron * Marvin Gaye * The Isley Brothers * Maurice Williams * The Sunlovers * Bobby Treetop * The Idle Few * The Ohio Players feat Towanda Barnes * The Modulations * The Individuals * Sydney Joe Qualls * Anita Baker * Cuba Gooding * The Real Thing * Average White Band * Koffee Brown feat B-12 * Cool Million * Shirley Slaughter * Mark Capanni See you @ 2.00pm! Ian D

Careful. I could just be lulling you into a false sense of security....... Ian D

I bet you he has the world record for the most nights spent at every Wigan Casino event over the years it was open. Could anyone else come close? Ian D

He never did mate. Certainly not with that hairstyle........ Ian D

That's what debate is all about LOL..... He's always been an easy target but I wish I'd have run such a successful venue over that length of time. I'm not saying that he's in any way shape or form a representative of today's scene but he was in a pretty unique position in the 70's so I don't blame him for accepting a role of consultant for a film based upon that era............. Like I say, it's up to others to come forward to raise the finance and make a film that represents their point of view. Has anyone on S.S. got a spare couple of million quid to put their vision on screen? Easier said than done I reckon......... Ian D