Ian Dewhirst

Distribution and politics Eddie. I think Stax were having battles with Columbia at that point and were being very creative in terms of what would go through Columbia's distribution (all Stax releases) and what would go through the Indies - all Truth releases. They had to keep cashflow going, so some Stax releases got switched to Indie distribution, often quite late in the day. Ian D

LOL, that would have cost you dear! Wow. News to me but it doesn't surprise me if it's Butch. I don't know where the hell he would have turned that up from.... Ian D

Oh really? I didn't know Butch had one. I thought Steve G had the only one.......? Ian D

I'm still waiting to see these. Can I qualify to get a set for personal use? I really wanna see how close they are to the originals so I am intrigued...... Ian D

Stax/Fantasy SHOULD own it but it is a murky period and the distribution channels were not clear cut at that point. There should have been paperwork in place since there were two verified Truth 7" releases anyway so I have no doubt that this repertoire certainly was owned by Stax at one point. The fact that the company was imploding and that her album got lost in the shuffle could have resulted in David Johnson Broadway Productions getting the rights back somehow. In fact, it's entirely possible that David Johnson Broadway Productions could have removed Stax's rights to the material on the basis that their legal and financial situation effectively destroyed their ability to exploit the repertoire properly. Obviously, if that was the case, the best argument (maybe for all parties at that point) would be to say that the album was never issued or pressed. In a situation like that, if they had manufactured any, they'd probably destroy 'em a.s.a.p. Not surprising if a handful copies escaped in my view. Plus it would be in David Johnson Broadway Productions interest to say it never got issued since that would make it 'fresh' material for any potential future licensee and therefore theoretically more valuable. All supposition but that would be my guess. Ian D

Funnily enough I've been digging around the net like a b*stard looking for anything that refers to an original including your great site too but unfortunately coming up with zero. However, in this instance, it seems like a case of everyone repeating the same story of a 'lost album' that never got issued. As Steve G often points out, sometimes these multiple stories that get copied and copied tend to be thought of as the truth after a while. I'll try and dig Paul Mooney out but someone, somewhere did buy one of these off me in the late 70s so hopefully the truth will emerge in tangible form at some point. Most people simply assume that I'm mistaken (or worse) but on the same trip I did turn up the Si Hightower mini-album test-pressing and no other copy of that has showed up in 40 years either. Best, Ian D

Well yep. Paul must have got sent the original album artwork from somewhere or other. Obviously we'd need a scan of the original 70s release against the Soul Brothers RSD reissue but, believe me, it's the exact same photo. I dunno about the copy or font details (it has been 37-38 odd years since I last studied it) and the sleeve on mine was pretty battered I seem to remember. I actually remember being slightly disappointed with the Demon reissue because they DIDN'T use the original artwork but a reconstructed modern one instead which I thought was odd. It doesn't surprise me that it should be so rare though given the problems at Stax and the fact that their company and distribution was falling apart at the time. There are several instances where I've worked for major companies and found oddball records in dark corners, subsequently enquired about them and been told that they never came out before I then produced a copy! It only took 50 years for someone to find a Darrell Banks UK issue which apparently 'never existed' before, so I don't see a Sandra Wright LP as being such a stretch considering the parlous state of Stax at the time. That album track-listing came from somewhere. Ian D

It came out in the 70s. I bought it in L.A. in 1976 and it resided in Leeds for a few years until someone snagged my copy. Eventually someone will confirm it's existence other than me I'm sure........ Ian D

The best record which has never been played in my view:- Ian D

Well, it sure didn't happen commercially but it was released in the 70s and yes, it was called "Wounded Woman". The original 70s cover art was exactly the same as the Soul Brother re-issue. The Demon release in 1989 was new cover art. Makes me wonder where Soul Brother got the cover art from (and album sleeve to scan) if it didn't exist previously....... Cheers, Ian D

Great record and perfect for the time but it was pretty well known around my way long before Wigan and was in most Tamla Motown collections at the time. "Love Bug (Leave My Heart Alone)" was popular too and everyone always checked out the Tamla Motown 'B' sides 'cos they were generally great anyway. So covering it up would have been a bit of a stretch. Mind you, Russ is great at popularising some previously underplayed Martha stuff like "No One There" etc so he's obviously a huge Martha fan. Ian D

I'm assuming I sold it to Colin because he bought most of my 'Deeper' stuff and offhand, I can't think who else was buying albums from me at the time but someone got it for sure. I'm kind of shocked that this album is now in the 'holy grail' category. I can remember that the sleeve was pretty battered but I had no idea it was THAT rare. Colin got my Si Hightower album so I'm assuming that the Sandra Wright album went to him too....... Ian D

I had this album back in the 70s. Someone got it for sure. Maybe Colin Dilnot....? Ian D

Incredible article. Everybody on Soul Source should read it. RIP Eddie. Ian D

Well, a handful of people have known about this for a while but I can't believe it's never really been played. To me it's a monster that easily holds it's own with any of the classic 70s era stuff...... Ian D

I just wanted to share these with Soul Sourcers. I have a couple of items on e-bay right now and I'm curious to see whether either of 'em are that well-known to Soul Sourcers. I think the Ralphie D record is quite simply a brilliant monster of a Northern Soul record that's never been played out properly..... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121850225723?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 And the O'Kaysions record is simply just weird as hell. One of the greatest Northern Soul cover versions I've ever heard in my life and it's rare as hen's teeth. But, brilliant as it is, I wonder if there's any appetite for this type of record these days....? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121850235379?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 Any thoughts anyone? Ian D

That's waaaaay too shiny Mike. Must be a boot....... Ian D

Fantastic Lorraine. I was checking ANOTHER one of your productions last night - a killer Eddie Parker ballad. Happy New Year babes! Ian D X

Actually, talking of House Of Sounds, it's about time I pulled out "Stiffed" again for another read. There's a particularly gruesome picture of a badly beaten-up John La Monte in there when the mob moved in on him...... https://www.amazon.com/Stiffed-Story-Music-Business-Mafia/dp/0060924942 Ian D

Well, it's been 40 years since I went but, yeah, that looks about right....... Ian D

I've got an issue of BDA297. I bought it in the 70s and kept it along with a UK demo so I had the option of Part 2 if needed. I think it's relatively rare. I think a couple have gone through Discogs and BDA310 isn't on there at all. So pretty rare I'd say. Happy Xmas old bean! Ian D

Great story! I had that happen a few times in 2006 when I last went digging there. I think a combination of the Brit accent and the internet killed a lot of it stone dead for me. In effect I felt like I was being used as a record selector who then gets hijacked at the end of several hours of hard-digging. Plus a lot of the stuff I pick up is varied and not particularly worth much so I wouldn't be looking to to pay top prices on those anyway. Digging on the internet is more my thing these days 'cos at least you know what the prices are and you know you'll turn up something. I bet that last sentence will come back and bite you in the ass though! Ian D

Damn. Levine again. Another myth blown. But credit where credit is due. An incredible find. Very gracious of you Rick. Thanks for clearing that up. Ian D

Well, we tried...... Ian D

Hi Rick, Hope you're well and all is good! Brilliant story and thanks for contributing! Just wanted to clarify one thing. I always remember Kev telling me that you'd discovered a killer Gene Chandler record on Constellation called "Mr Big Shot" and there was a big buzz about it the week it emerged. Was that how it happened? And yes. I make most people nervous because of my overwhelming confidence.... Ian D