Ian Dewhirst

Can't say Matt. He used to be around when I was a lad and he's been an armchair collector ever since by the looks of it. He wants to stay anonymous as well. Some folk don't like the limelight I guess........ Ian D

£120 @ 1974 prices I seem to remember. But I got spoilt - I paid £40 for the Tomangoes and everybody said I'd been ripped at the time LOL....... It's interesting seeing some of the wants. Everybody's after the same records by and large and I can't believe the prices on some of 'em. In fact there's a couple of titles which I GAVE away in the bloody 70's and they don't sound a hell of a lot better since LOL...... Mind you seeing some of the Auction prices leaves me absolutely bemused as well........it's a weird old world....... Ian D

OK, I'm just going to add a couple of ground rules which have only just become clear. 1) No offers for anything LESS than £500 please. He's less interested in selling lots of smaller items and would rather sell fewer big ticket items if you see what I mean. 2) He's armed with the price guides and if anything he'd probably expect a premium for many items as he argues that if he auctioned some of them he would probably get more than the book prices on several of the super-rare items. So don't expect any favours LOL. To everyone that's PM'd me so far. I'll come back to you all individually. Suffice to say, that of all the records over £500 he got roughly 50% of the requests but is equally coming back with what he is prepared to sell them for. So only the bigger priced items please gents and bear in mind that they can be with you within a week. What's obvious is that there's some pretty damn rare records around including several that he's never heard of, so keep 'em coming folks. Also he has a wide collection so it's worth checking as he has a lot of Funk, Deep, Southern etc maybe in some cases for the flip! Best, Ian D

No LOL. Even I plundered him in '79! Ian D

I've recently bumped into the mother of all collections from someone who's been quietly beavering away collecting for the last 30 odd years and before anyone asks, no he's not on here or any other forums LOL. This was a guy who would never, ever sell anything previously so once he got something it always stayed in his collection period. When I say he has virtually everything I'm really not kidding. It's the best collection I've ever seen and I've seen quite a few. However, he's now changed his outlook somewhat and has said he'll let certain titles go 'for the right price'. He wants to remain anonymous but has invited me to come to him with specific offers on titles, so I'm throwing it open to anyone on S.S. who may be after a gem that's eluded 'em forever. Now is the chance. I sold a RARE RARE RARE record (maybe half a dozen 'known' copies) for him last week at a price he accepted so he's for real. Please feel free to PM me if anyone wants to give me any titles with the price you'd be willing to pay whilst remaining anonymous. It's all very discreet but this could be an opportunity to get something that's been eluding you for a while! I think we're looking at the higher end of the market, so no point in pitching for any of the more common titles. I wish I could afford some of 'em myself - he has literally every single one of my favourite all-time records including some desperately obscure stuff so it's worth a try if you've been going nuts for something that never comes up anymore. It may be a question of him needing to raise some dosh quickly so it may well be worth striking whilst the iron is hot. Anyway please feel free to PM with me any wants and the price you're willing to pay and I'll come back to each PM individually with a yes or no, record grading, etc, etc. Good luck! Ian D

Good for Ian. A zillion people will probably contradict me but I'd swear this was the same band as MFSB before they were called MFSB. The simularities are just so close...........whoever the guitarist was he could sure play. Sounds like an early George Benson to me........... Ian D

And me, but when was the last time you ever heard anyone play it out? Ian D

The first hint I got that instrumentals were 'out of fashion' was on the recent CD swap when a couple of people asked why I'd included 4 or 5 instrumentals on my CD. I thought it was weird that they mentioned it until they mentioned that they weren't even aware that instrumentals used to be played 'cos they just don't hear 'em these days. Which is just nuts. Instrumentals were always a mainstay of the scene in the 60's and 70's. They'd often add another dimension to the night. It still sends shivers down my spine remembering the first time I heard "Crying Over You" Inst - Duke Browner and "Nothing But Love" Inst - The Tartans played one after the other @ the Mecca. "Exus Trek" was always the side which got played originally - the vocal only became majorely popular in the 80's. "The Gallop" was always a magnet for the better dancers who used to do some lovely freeform stuff to it - likewise "Thumb A Ride" which I believe was Frank Booper's (best dancer @ The Torch) favorite track to dance to. Why on earth would instrumentals not be in fashion these days? They're incredibly important for programming different dynamics in a DJ set surely? Sometimes they provide temporary relief from tortured vocal after tortured vocal and can be used to 'set up' other records from a melodic or rhythmic point of view. Also the instrumentals showed another side of Northern Soul - many of 'em were the top records of their time and really added range to a night. Remember these were all originally released as jams for Black audiences which could be every bit as popular as the vocal sides - that's why they released 'em in the first place or re-issued 'em later under different names (E. Rodney Jones is a good example and could be cited as a 60's Rap record even). It's just nuts to say they're out of vogue. How come no one is playing 'em anymore? What's the story? Ian D

It won't even be on CD in many cases Pauline - the format is rapidly running out of steam and now the emphasis is on smaller runs for bespoke markets. I notice that the two new Al Green re-releases are digital only, so if anyone wants to play one of the previously unreleased tracks they'll have no choice other than to play a digital file.......... I don't think you can really hold back 'progress' really. I don't see too many people still using cylinders or 78's these days........... Ian D

OK, good on ya! Manifesto encourages debate. I spoke to Mike earlier today and there's absolutely zero doubt that Tim is attracting comment for sure LOL. There's even threats of legal action from some quarters which is unusual. I'd actively encourage someone to have a pop at Tim. He's far too smug for my liking anyway LOL...... The next issue is out in September and I'd like to see some serious communications about how the magazine evolves. I for one would encourage some new contributors to add to the wealth of present contributors. Mike Ritson calls the shots and he's a pretty open to all viewpoints IMO, so I'll make sure he's aware of your letter. It's a constantly evolving scene and any magazine worth it's salt should reflect that. So YES! PLEASE have a pop @ Tim. He'd probably enjoy it........... But no zoo questions please! That'd be just too easy for him. The bastard............. Ian D

Couldn't agree with you more Proudlove. Soul Source is probably the most democratic way of everybody having their say in this day and age and I applaud different points of view whether I agree with 'em or not. Always have. I actually pretty much avoid a lot of the scene's politics. Life's too short. Plus the benefit of old age and experience has taught me that you're never too old learn and you're never too young to fall in love........... Tim can be opinionated. Likewise Sam. And a massive amount of people on here. We should be so lucky that we have such a broad range of views and opinions to draw from and a forum which encourages and receives intelligent debate. This scene actively encourages characters so let's not be surprised that some of 'em come across as opinionated. It'd be pretty dull without 'em....... Ian D

Damn Sean. I can't get anything right today! OK then, what's the deal with his dyke then...... I would have thought too many dykes knocking around could be a real threat to the continued health of the Mercia monarchy though............ Ian D

Wow. Quite incredible this LOL.... My original text read, "Luckily, it's not written in Welsh..........." I feel it's only fair to point out that I threw this line in because 'Welsh' was the first thing I thought of probably because I vaguely remembered Sam living somewhere towards Wales. However, virtually any language could in fact be subsitituted - Chinese, Russian, Venezualan, Swahili, Moari, Martian etc, etc - so please feel free to take your pick guys. I hasten to add that I was in no way casting any aspertions as to the geological positioning of Mr Barnfather. I'd like to make that very clear. However, as a result of this thread, I seem to have developed an almost pathological desire to study and learn everything possible about Offa's Dyke. How did it get its name? Who is Offa and what's the deal with her dyke then......? Ian D

You're wrong Paul. Manifesto covers a lot of ground across different areas of the scene and anyone is free to contribute if they can write a halfway decent article. None of the contributors get paid and the magazine is down to whoever is up for writing something that's relevent to the scene. New contributors join all the time and articles can be submitted by anyone as has been done for the last 106 issues. If you feel so strongly about it, then feel free to knock up a 2K word article that is relevent to your area of the scene and I'll submit it to the editor and he'll consider it the same way that he considers everyone elses efforts. I guess it's an easy thing to knock a magazine that has been around for the last 14 years but maybe you may be better putting all that vitriol towards writing something yourself rather than attacking people who take the time to write something month in month out fueled mainly by enthusiasm and love of the music. Not as easy as it looks believe me........... Ian D

Well, that's actually a very good point Steve and one I hadn't hithertoo considered......... Ian D

No ya didn't. I did. 4th March 1971. So there! Ian D

As a matter of fact, yep I have Jocko! I just found 2 copies so if anyone else wants one it's £25.00. PM me if interested. Best, Ian D

I'm merely a conduit for what happens in real life Dylan. Truth is far stranger than fiction especially with characters like Tim, Sam, Soussan, Levine, Pete Lawson, Bub, Swish, Kegsy etc, etc. Much more entertaining than a Jeffrey Archer novel that's for sure........ Ian D

LOL. I'm sure you and Tim could spend countless evenings waxing lyrical about the merits of Freddie North Baz! Me? I'd far rather watch him struggling to get his TV working via the Sky telephone helpline which involved him using the phone in a seperate room and then frantically dashing from one room to another with each seperate instruction from the lady at Sky......Hilarious! There was a point when he tried to enlist me in the process by telling him what was on the screen whilst he was on the phone in the other room and at that exact point what looked to be a green Gekko popped up on the screen, so I yelled out "There's a Gekko Tim"! He thought I was taking the piss and came in to look for himself and then pointed out that it was in fact a Chamaeleo Calyptratus which should give you some indication of where his head's at................ How can you win............? Ian D

I'm sure it will Gareth, but I'm talking about the Freddie North one on Mankind which can be found in quantity in every corner of the world and as ballast in most ocean going ships! Is there any reason why they'd have pressed several million copies of a record which patently never sold and could in fact, make an exact scale model of the Empire State building in vinyl? Answers to Mr Know It All @ Anglo American Freddie North recycling centre........... Ian D

His 'I know best' attitude didn't look so great last week when he couldn't even operate his satellite T.V. LOL. I have FANTASTIC fun regularly watching him proceed at full-pace into a brick wall and then grudgingly eat humble-pie. It's become one of my favorite past-times trying to catch him out which doesn't happen often enough for my liking I'll say one thing for Tim - if he's proved wrong he's man enough to admit his mistake and apologise accordingly. I'll tell him he got his facts wrong on this Betty Harris score and see how he blusters his way out of it (which is entertaining in itself)! Here's a guy who takes pleasure in stockpiling 1000's of Freddie North records, so he's not entirely a full shilling as we say in the Calderdale Valley......... Ian D

They do laugh about it themselves, regularly talk, meet and generally get on very well. I actually like their written skirmishes as both parties happily convey their passion and foibles for all to see. Good luck to 'em I say. For the record, Sam submits his column on hand-written longhand A4 sheets of paper, which is then de-scrambled and re-typed by some poor functionary who'll often ring up several times an hour for clarification purposes. Luckily, it's not written in Welsh........... Tim has not yet discovered the wonder of the web for quick fact-checking and thus has to rely on a brain which is also addled with a lifetime of zoological information. This is a guy who's only just learned how to use a mobile phone, still works with holes in his jumpers and thought the internet was a fishing implement! I think it's fair to say that these guys have yet to come to terms with the 21st century so one has to allow 'em both a certain level of tolerance! Ian D

OK, better late than never as they say. The super-efficient Alan Champ was away last Sunday so naturally we had a technical glitch with the recording of the show. Anyway we've finally played catch up, so here it is folks a mere few hours before the next one's due out LOL..... Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show with Ian Dewhirst on Sunday 12th July 2009 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Hour 1 The Temptations I'm Here Remix The Mothafunkaz feat Sheila Ford & Biblical Jones - Galaxy Soulfeenix feat Monday Michuri Brazilian Love Affair Dance Culture feat Kenny Bobien - Better Dan Hartman The Love In Your Eyes Gwen Guthrie Seventh Heaven Unlimited Touch Searching To Find The One Shot Main Thing Gigolo Precious Hour 2 Eddie Holman This Will Be A Night To Remember Billy Paul The Whole Town's Talking The Mighty Pope Can't Get By Without You Marvin Gaye Where Are We Going Jean Shy What Can I Say, I'm So In Love Al James & The New Rhythm Band Give Me Up Turn Me Loose Michelle Wiley I Feel So At Home Here The Rascals Groovin' Sheree Brown It's A Pleasure John Simeone Who Do You Love Main Ingredient Won't Let You Do That To Me Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Is There A Place For Me https://www.sixmillio...2-Starpoint.mp3 Hope ya can join myself and special guest Alan Champ for another Sunday afternoon session this Sunday from 2.00pm-4.00pm LIVE! Laters...... Ian D

I think the term 'buyer beware' applies. Plus it seems that old boots are fair game these days - after all there's only so many originals so if someone really wants a tune at any cost than this will be the route for many. If anyone wants my Johnny Howard green copy they can have it for the pricely sum of £40 LOL.... But I wish I'd never sold my Mel Britt boot............. Ian D

I'm pretty sure the originals were all vinyl weren't they? The reissues were certainly all styrene...... Ian D