Ian Dewhirst

Wow. I stand corrected Gentlemen. Obviously a lot more around then I ever realised! All of which has made me wonder if multiples of any other ultra-raries have turned up since back in the day. Any Inspirations, Twans, Don Varners or Robbie Lawsons turned up in more quantity for instance? Actually in my astonishment at the two Jimmy Macks in one night in Ravensthorpe turning up, I remembered a guy called Jim who WAS 10 minutes away (in Mirfield) who had an amazing collection of rare originals in '76. Myself and others sold him our rare originals for years when they got bootlegged and he'd built up a very tasty collection, but he dropped off the scene for some reason. I always wondered whether he's still around and whether they're still in his loft........? Ian D

I think they were talking about 'Hey Hey Bunny' rather then 'Judy' Bri. Can't see it ever been played at the Wheel as you say.... Ian D

Haha LOL. I've just realised who modernsoulsucks is now. How are ya Rod? I'll take yer word on the Jimmy Mack then I guess. Difficult to understand how a record which was almost impossible to find in the 70's should be relatively common these days. Out of curiosity what does it go for these days? Coupla hundred? I'm almost tempted to zip down to Ravensthorpe and snag one myself whilst they're out there LOL...... Ian D Ian D

WHOLE OUTFIT & DANCE MOVES!!!!! Ian D

OK, that explains a lot then. An exceptional record IMO, sounds perfect for these days I think...... Ian D

It wouldn't surprise me. I was there about 15 months back and one of the guys there (I think he's called Ray) actually collects Northern. They've been at it for years I think........ Incidentally, yet another place where there are simply too many records! Mountains of the stuff, although mostly 12" and Albums plus they make you give the records to 'em to value AFTER you've spent 3 days pulling everything out!! Ian D

Difficult to beat Judy methinks - so good I bought two of 'em........ But whatever you do, DO NOT look at this otherwise it'll put you off for life. John Fred IS the young John Cleese....... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtUng2PxaAY...feature=related Ian D

Yeah, you're not wrong there Dave! Some of 'em are so obscure I questioned why anyone would want to boot 'em until I saw 'em everywhere from Baltimore to Buffalo LOL..... Ian D

Will you give me ze formula for za secret chemical........? Ian D

It'd be a pleasure Bogue and gives me an excuse to ring the cantankerous old sod LOL! He's still the top guy for mastering the 70's gear to me, even though his apartment stinks of cat pee and master tapes - a perfect smell for us vinyl hounds in many ways..... Ian D

I disagree Rod. As long as I've known, the Jimmy Mack's been an incredibly difficult record to find. To have 2 mint copies turn up @ Sheridans doesn't make sense. Unless someone can tell me different, or a load turned up, I'd be very dubious about the odds of several of 'em turning up on the same night.... Presumably it's still massively difficult? Ian D

True. Peter's the king at bootlegging his own records LOL Last time I was over in the U.S. I was staggered at the amount of P&P 12" rarities which were turning up sealed and virtually indistinguishable from the originals. Until I found out it was Peter that was wholesaling 'em, generally in person and to order. I know all this too well since my partner at the time and I bought the rights to the P&P catalogue from Peter, only to find out that he'd sold the catalogue to Unidisc some 10 years earlier! Also, there's just too many weird boots emerging, mainly from the U.S. - the New Yorkers 12" is another one which was turning up at all the usual shops, identical to the original and priced at anywhere from $50-$200. Some supposedly reputable sellers who were trying to sell them as originals too! Also, another thing I noticed was some real oddball 7" 45's that, to me, were obviously brand new but still being sold behind the counter as bona-fides. Also what about all these recent boots of quite a few major label rarities - the Amnesia connection or something? Anyone got any of the titles.....? Ian D

I think it is! It looks like Tom's writing. I'll check with him next time I speak to him and see if he remembers - I know Tom quite well following the Salsoul reissues in '02-'05 'cos he's still on the Salsoul payroll...... Ian D

That's what I thought Tony. I think it was when Barry said "anyway is the bootlegged version I have a boot of the original independant release prior to Capitol picking it up"? that made me question it LOL.... Interesting band Babe Ruth - I think they had a breakbeat collectible as well with "The Mexican" I seem to recall......... Ian D

Here's a proper one - demo too...... Ian D

Both versions in stereo - 3.20 and 5.02 - it's "Elusive" on both sides and that's probably why I kept it! Ian D

I'm still trying to get my head around what constitutes 'crossover' 'cos a lot of things seem to fit into that catergory going by some of the lists I've seen LOL..... So any of these any good? I think the Shirrelles feat Shirley Alston and the Dionne Warwicke are exceptional. The Dionne Warwicke writing credits are 2 x Hollands, 2 x Doziers and a R. Wylie for good measure LOL.... The CC & Co is a real weird one being a Theo-Coff production and a GREAT version of the David Cassidy song which may put off some people but it's just such a great soulful mid-tempo sing-a-longer......... Ian D

Yeah, I think you're right - there's no promo info on the label after all. Very weird though as Casablanca/Chocolate City were always multi-coloured labels due to Neil Bogart (label owner) always spending lots of dosh LOL..... It's almost like they figured it may be pulled, which it eventually was of course..... Should've been a promo that's what I say LOL.... Ian D

I've never heard the boot Barry. Now that you've said that I'll run a comparison between the UK promo and US one although they'll probably be the same won't they? Plus I never knew that Babe Ruth was an indie release at all!! What label was it? I'm really curious as I thought they were signed straight to Capitol...... Also how much longer is the album version? You'd better play it LOL.... Ian D

The Andre Brasseur is a quite dated straight Northern instrumental - quite weird but definitely got something about it. The Casey & The Pressure Group is a GREAT handclapper and in my day would have been a HUGE instrumental. Never seen it before or since. The Sensational Williams Brothers is straight Northern slightly messy Gospelly type stormer - once again never seen it around. The Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes is simply a irresistible mid-tempo stormer - produced by Rick Hall. Some exceptional vocals and a straight-floorfiller IMO...... I figured the Honey Cone and Originals would be quite well-known but great records nonetheless. I've got a load of what I think could be 'crossover' which I'll stick up shortly - I'm still learning my way around it LOL...... Ian D

Yeah, poppy as it may be I always loved it. I liked "Oh Lori" by Alessi too (same group). Strange what worked back in the day really - I always remember Barnaby Bye and Felix Cavaliere from that period! Ian D

More oddball promos...... Ian D

Just done an exhaustive few hours but found some tremendous records along the way. So does anyone know these? I presume someone will but just interested if they've ever been on anyone's radar........ It's exhausting playing through stuff though innit? I'm knackered LOL.... Ian D

I'm a sucker for white demos - especially oddball ones, so here's a few......... Can anyone indulge me in a few more weird ones.....? Ian D