Ian Dewhirst

Yep, forgot it's tonight LOL! I went to the chemist yesterday and ended up in Hoxton last night listening to Disco-Trance LOL and today I'm feeling the PAIN, which is what this thread is all about! So any advance on Harry's Al Williams W/D? For £30? Mmm, the chemist must have been closed...... Good luck tonight mate and regards to the missus..... Ian D

This thread will get rid of that pain Harry! It'll be cathartic to re-live the experience and pour it out for the benefit of younger SSers who HAVEN'T FELT THE PAIN LOL... For instance, I'm living the pain of NOT going to L.A. to spend Harvey Weinsteins money now and that's YOUR bloody fault! I WANTED Don Cornelius to sue you LOL. We'd have made a fortune........ Hey, how was it last night? And did the pics come out OK in the Evening Post........? Ian D

Well, it's happened to all of us hasn't it? At some point most of us have had a record in our hands that is very special. Then, for one reason or another, you allow the record to leave the cosy comfort of your collection and then spend the rest of your life regretting the fact that you'd allowed it to slip through your fingers. It may have been for a number of reasons. Possibly there was another fresher record that you wanted and in order to get it, you may have had to trade that special one, thinking that you'd be able to get it again in the future. Or, in my day, it could be that one of the special ones was about to be bootlegged, so it'd be traded in a swap deal or sold to an 'oldies' collector. That's where my Eula Cooper, Four Perfections, Tomangoes, Yvonne Baker and Detroit Executives went for instance - all of them being mega-rare at the time. Or it may have been a financial imperative. I've had about 4 seperate Northern collections over the years. My first collection was sold to finance a trip to the U.S. in 1976, which co-incidentaly meant I amassed a second collection almost immediately. I eventually got back to the UK and used Collection No.2 to fund a few essential purchases - cars, clothes, women and investments in a 'live fast, die young' lifestyle which obviously failed miserably! Collection No.3 came following lots of trips to the U.S. in the 80's where I hit lucky a few times before hitting a slump at the end of the decade which Collection No.3 got me over and helped me to finance the development of a great compilation series (Mastercuts). This was when I sold a BEAUTIFUL little Modern collection to Pat Brady which would now be worth £30K by itself! Then, in the 90's I got lucky again and acquired a tasty UK collection and some lovely RARE U.S. originals which contributed to Collection No.4. But then I had to finance another venture, so bang went my my Alexander Patton, Lou Johnson, Garnet Mimms, Levi Jackson and Major Lance promos along with a ramp of U.S. goodies. Some of you on here bought 'em so I know they went to good homes! I've got battle-hardened over the years and I'm now used to maintaining a 'floating' collection all the time. I keep everything in one form or another, so I still have everything that I've ever owned or wanted right here. But, alas, Stanley Mitchell is not on a Dynamo white-promo anymore and the Professionals is a boot LOL......... However, every so often, I sometimes wake up in the dead of night covered in a film of sweat reliving the tortuous moment when I had to let a goody go! One instance that springs to mind was when I flogged the ONLY test-pressing in existence of the Si Hightower ep to Colin Dilnot in the late 70's. I KNEW it was a one-off and incredibly rare but, to be honest, it was WAAY to slow for the Northern scene at the time and wasn't one of my preferences anyway. So I let it go to a good home - to someone I knew would really appreciate the record and nurture it until it was ready, which, as it happens, is EXACTLY how things turned out. So a good decision in my opinion. And this is how I've managed to justify letting some key records go over the years LOL..... But I wonder whether Les McCutcheon, Johnathan Woodliffe and Kev Roberts have similar nightmares over THAT 1st copy of Frank Wilson? Were they happy? What circumstances made them pass on the only-known copy of the ultimate rarity? And can they sleep at night LOL.... So what records have YOU let pass through your fingers and then regretted it forever? The records don't have to be mega-rarities either. They could be records which have a strong sentimental tie for you or which remind you of a particularly good or poignant time in your life. Or they may be unique copies in some way or other. But it still tugs your heartstrings on occasion just thinking about that particular record, who you sold or swapped it with and the reasons why you sold or swapped it at the time. There's gotta be some GREAT stories here, so let's hear 'em! Ian D

Yeah Di, course we can go - we just need to antagonise Mr Cornelius again! Plus I put a none-refundable deposit down on the hookers and the Chippendales and I don't want to lose it! Maybe Harry could accuse Don Cormelius of attempted aggravated buggery or something? That'll GUARANTEE we'll get to L.A...... Some come on, get yer sunglasses out........ Ian D

Dammit Harry! That not what I wanted at all! The plan was to convert this into a WORLDWIDE CONTROVERSY so that we could then flog the film script to Harvey Weinstein and then go to L.A. and spend all his cash! Oh well, let's get back to basics again. Please use the artwork from the following logo on all future Soul Train flyers, ads, beer mats and ashtrays........ If at first you don't succeed........... Ian D

Sounds great Di! Lemme order up a private show from the Chippendales for you whilst Harry and I attend to, ahem, some important contractual type business which you wouldn't really understand........ And I take it you'll wanna do the Rodeo Drive shopping excursion on Day 2...........? Beauty/Spa/Make-Over treatment is lined-up for Day 3 and the Cosmetic Surgery consultation for Day 4 (not that you need it of course)............ How's that sound? Ian D

Yep, I like the sound of that! Plus I know the turf. We can drop in @ Soussan's for a natter and find out how to scam the film business. I've just got off the blower with Harvey & Bob @ The Weinstein Company and they love it. We're up to $2.5 million for the option on the script providing we can get Dean Cavannaugh to write it, which should be a doddle! I dunno about you Harry, but I could sure do with a couple of hundred large in my pocket plus we'll need about $50K for 'out-of-pocket' expenses if we're gonna do L.A. properly. I've booked us into the Regent Beverly Wiltshire - https://www.forbes.com/2002/03/07/0307feat_9.html Can you let me know if this is OK and I'll book the hookers...... Ian D

Which would just never happen these days would it? Probably only took 'em a couple of hours between 'em...... And to think Guns & Roses have only taken 17 years to complete the follow-up to their last album LOL! Ian D

Maybe this should also be explained to Mr Cornelius, who I'm sure doesn't appreciate the rich tapestry of local history surrounding Soul, Trains and York! I doubt if he's even been on a bloody train! He should have called the show "Soul Chauffer-Driven Limo" which would have been much more appropriate in his case! Ian D

Brilliant Harry! You can come up with your own bloody story! Ian D

LOL, it's only 'cos there was a suggestion a while back that I'd had 'cosmetic enhancement' LOL. I'd like it to be known publicly from this point forward, that the only cosmetic surgery I'm even considering is a penis reduction, OK? Best of luck Harry. I'd ask them to put their concerns in writing, then, when you get a letter from them, copy it and draft your own press release and then leak the story to Calendar and get a TV crew down there as well! I'll deal with the tabloids on that 60/40 LOL. Should be worth £20K on a slow day...... Hollywood beckons young man! Ian D

Oi you! I'll have you know that the only time my nose has ever been surgically altered was when a one-pint beeg keg connected with it @ Blackpool Mecca thankyou very much. As for the teeth, well, maybe there's been some dickering around over the years...... Lawyers and Dentists - I hate 'em LOL! Personally I love the 'David & Goliath' imagery. I'd cut a deal with Don on the basis that both you and him could get a blizzard of publicity out of this - he'll get to licence the "Soul Train" DVD's in the UK and publicise 'em and you keep the "Soul Train" nights in York and triple the audience! He's not daft. He knows the value of publicity. Ian D

Well I've always traditionally had a lot of bad luck with lawyers. I've lost every case that I've ever employed a lawyer for and paid a fortune for the privilege. Including one massive £28,500 bill for fighting for the rights to the Mastercuts name and trademark. It's not worth getting into a legal battle in the UK. The law is hazy, there are a zillion and one different types of trademark and they're all argueable for ages, which costs. Basically it's the same concept as the U.S., namely, 'he who hath the dosh, wins'. The alternative is that it could be turned into a HUGE publicity angle which would probably end up scaring 'em away, i.e. 'Rich American TV Tycoon Tries To Close Down Local Soul Night' - a sort of David & Goliath scenario for the tabloids. Harry could appear on telly as the local man with a heart of gold doing something good for the community fighting against the faceless U.S. corporation who want control of two everyday words - 'soul' and 'train'. A sort of "Local Hero" for the North. F&*k me! What a GREAT idea! Harry - I'll give you £200K for the film rights now mate! What a story! Ian D PS "Soul Locomotive"?

He's probably bang to rights as Paul says. The same guy didn't have a problem closing Soul Train records down and forming Solar records shortly after Shalamar sold a million! But he obviously owns the copyright on the name and he's also not afraid of incurring legal costs and instigating litigation that's for sure. I'd be inclined to drop 'em a line to let 'em know that they're really barking up the wrong tree on the basis that it's a bit petty to try and close down a night that's been going for 6 years and attended by SOUL FANS who put Don Cornelius where he is in the first place! But in my experience they're usually not bothered by such arguements. You also have to be careful at being too close to 'Soul Train' as they can still argue that you're 'passing off' by being too similar to their trade mark. Storm in a teacup really but presumably that's what they pay their lawyers for, pain in the ass that it is! 'The Soultraining Sessions', 'Yorksoul Train', 'Soulytrain' - there's a million ways to skin a cat Harry........ Ian D

Also it helps to know who's in the market for certain things. I just sold about 25 records for £350 which would never sell on E-Bay or anywhere else IMO. But I knew what the guy would be into so he was happy and I was happy. Likewise, that pile of old boots and UK reissues that would never excite any interest on here, might be incredibly tempting to some person or young DJ who wants to 'learn' the scene with some great recommendations. So anyone buying a couple of hundred boots and reissues @ a fiver or tenner each is OK with me..... Ian D

Lead her in with these (to soften her up a bit):- "Mother-In-Law" - Ernie K. Doe "Mama, You're Alright With Me" - The Four Tops Then into:- "Mama Said" - Little Eva Plus she already knows you're shlupping her daughter, so to get the point across:- "Mama's Baby (Ain't A Baby No More)" - The Attractions Then if she's hanging around too much start playing this a lot:- "Don't Wait Up For Me Mama" - Barbara & Brenda And when she finally moves out you can play:- "Mama's Gone" - Little Johnny Blair And celebrate LOL. Ian D

Well, sure it's camp but that wasn't the actual name was it? I seem to recall it being "This Man Of Mine" - Estell Levitt..... Ian D

Presumably 8034-31 Changing Tymes "Try It Once Again/ You Only Live Once" 1978 QCA-803431 Never seen that before..... Ian D

Talking of which, did you ever get that Casonova 2 yet? I'm just about to load one ont' bay.... Ian D

I think Nik Mak makes some good points here. Attitudes are changing, especially amongst under 30's, which is perfectly natural and has been happening for 100's of years. Things progress - look at the Internet for instance, without which none of this would be possible. In a way, you have to embrace change and use it, rather than stagnating and withering with out-dated technology. The rare records are better in the hands of private collectors who will cherish them appropriately and hopefully preserve them for posterity for that eventual museum of the 8th wonder of the world - Northern Soul. But SPREAD the music with the new technology and attract younger generations, rather then scaring them off with £500 Major Lance originals I say! I think we should embrace the new ways of getting the music out there or risk the chance of an increasingly receding audience disappearing up it's own blind alley. I LIKE watching kids getting off on great Northern. It gives me a buzz just watching their reactions. And they don't really give a shit HOW they hear it as long as they hear it! Also it's nice educating people. I spent 2 hours doing just that yesterday to a U.S. film crew who were fascinated with Northern Soul! All good. Great thread this......... Ian D

Point taken Mark. But it's so much better when it's on a Parkway white promo isn't it LOL.......? Ian D

All Barry White's output is great. There's also a massive stash of generally overlooked stuff on his albums and side-projects too. The first soul record I can remember buying was a Barry White production - Felice Taylor's "I Feel Love Coming On" in '67 and I've been playing his stuff ever since! Love him! Ian D

The eternal question: if you're collecting for the music content, then what's wrong with a CD, MP3 or legitimate viinyl reissue of a tune? You can get the same content via a number of formats at a fraction of the price. But, we're not dealing with the real issue here are we? C.V.D. or "Compulsive Vinyl Disorder" is a modern day problem which involves an unhealthy fascination with a 7" or 12" piece of plastic and which suggests that the collector is in the same general realm as, say, an antique or fine-art collector. Only the originals will do whatever the price. And that's the catergory of most collectors on here. I think I'd concurr with Dave Thorley's point above, that as the veteran collectors die off it could be the new emerging younger scenes from abroad which continue to fuel the market. My worry would be will the vinyl 45 go the same way as the shellac 78? Namely an outdated format which is patently ridiculous in an age where you can immediately access 50,000 tracks from the player in your shirt pocket! Oh for a crystal ball LOL..... Ian D

I bumped into a few of 'em back in '76 and can clearly remember wishing it was 'good' back then LOL. I have a feeling that I found it once with Soussan and he said it was 'repetitive garbage' and, more fool me, I took his word for it. This is the pinkish Soultown label right? It just wasn't on the radar back then - in fact no Ray Agee records were at that point. No doubt some of the copies I left have been picked up since. I remember finding a 100 count box of 'em in a garage in L.A. and cursing that it wasn't the Trips or the Sweets! I bet it's slow though isn't it? Anyone got a clip? Ian D

Bloody hell. You never kept it! I'm pretty impressed - that must have been a difficult decision...... Here lies an interesting thread John. What are the records you've sold which you really wouldn't have minded keeping for yourself? And, furthermore, can a major dealer also be a full-time collector or is there an inherent clash of philosophy there, i.e., what do you sell, what do you keep etc, etc.... Ian D