Amsterdam Russ

I recall hearing a female version being played on a stall at the Utrecht Record Fair maybe seven or eight years ago. It sounded brilliant at the time, but in light of the "Cindy Field - Ends of the Earth" debacle, I seriously doubt the authenticity of the track.

At the heart of the matter is the fact that artists can earn more money from vinyl album sales than they can from streaming. The streaming market needs a damned good shake-up if it is to be financially viable sustainable for artists, which at present it isn't. Earlier on this year, Gary Numan stated that from 1 million streaming plays of his music, he earned just £37, which is ridiculous. Story here: https://www.nme.com/news/music/gary-numan-says-he-was-paid-37-from-a-million-streams-2860258 Going back a few years - when streaming was just starting to take hold - music 'royalty' - Madonna, for example - stated that because royalty payments were so low, the only way they could make real money was to do more live shows. Hence we saw the rise in mega concerts where paying three figures for a ticket became the norm. The rise in vinyl sales is directly related to artists seeking to 'take back control' (my words) of their royalties in a digital age where streaming primarily benefits record companies and the platforms through which music is streamed. Good luck to them, I say.

Interesting article courtesy of NME on the surge in demand for vinyl https://www.nme.com/news/music/whats-causing-the-vinyl-delay-adele-is-not-the-problem-say-music-industry-insiders-3094213

An article on the resurgence of vinyl records: Full story here: https://thehustle.co/the-insane-resurgence-of-vinyl-records/

A grand selection of reader photos in this week's "Your pictures of Scotland" courtesy of the BBC News. I don't know why, but the images sent into the BBC News by readers in Scotland are nearly always way more interesting than those from England. Source: BBC News / © Florence Royer Pics here: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-59432986

That's a great story. Thanks for sharing.

The summer of 2019, we had three weeks staying in Molyvos on the Greek island of Lesvos. Having been there a number of times, it's a place we know well. Anyway, late one morning we decide to go to a taverna that sits directly under Molyvos castle and has a brilliant view across the Aegean. Thinking more about brunch than breakfast, we ask if it might not be too early for moussaka. Dodo, the owner, happily obliged. All well and good. Music was playing courtesy of a Greek radio station. I'm guessing one show changed for another because what we got next were lots of laid-back soul vibes. We were treated to Carlton Jumel Smith's "This is what loves look likes" - at that time a new release - Joe Bataan, and a whole host of excellent grooves. The late morning turned into early afternoon. Moussaka led to Ouzo, and a fine day, filled with the most unexpected musical treats, was had. It was just perfect. Here's me on that very day, just finishing off my late-morning moussaka. And this is the night-time view of the castle from that same taverna. On the same holiday, but in what is more of an expat bar than a local one (and one we typically avoid because of that), we walked in one evening on a rare visit. Playing over the sound system was Billie Davis - Stanky (get funky). A Brit - older than me, so late-50s or early 60s - standing just inside the door, was proclaiming how this was his favourite Northern Soul tune. I engaged him in conversation - mentioning that I too was into the music, and that I ran small Northern Soul nights in Amsterdam, and had a website devoted to the Loma record label (www.lomarecords.com). I don't recall exactly how the conversation went, but it was along the lines of... Me: It's great that you love the music. I have a website devoted to Loma records. Him: What? Lorna records? Me: No, Loma. Him: Roma records? Me: No, Loma. You know, Roy Redmond "Ain't that terrible". Ben Aiken "Satisfied" and lots of others. Him: No, never heard of it. Me: Have a great night!

Courtesy of BBC News... Click for video: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-bristol-59429742

Each to their own, I suppose, but that's way too weak for my liking. In fact, based on what I've just heard, I'm now impelled to consider this French 'cover version' in a much more positive light!

This was discussed just recently...

Thanks for the insights - very informative. I asked because Richard Domar's name cropped up earlier. Like many, I got his sales lists back in the early/mid 80s. One 45 I bought from him was Harvey Averne. Knowing nothing about the history of the northern soul scene back then - but having heard mention of the Cats as a legendary venue of old - I bought the 45 blind solely on the strength of his description of it, which said "Catacombs secret sound". Curiosity got the better of me and I spent what was then - for me - a substantial sum for a 45. Over the years, I've asked a number of knowledgable folk about whether Harvey Averne was indeed played there, and everyone has stated there's no way it could have been. But that means doubting Richard Domar's word and his knowledge of what was played at the Cats - something I've never had any reason to do. Scan attached from the relevant part of his sales list from 1985.

Was Harvey Averne's - Never learned to dance - played at the Cats?

Did Richard Domar have a direct connection with the Cats or was he just a passionate punter at that club?

Another lovely autumn day - another lovely trip out. Plenty of deer to be seen and a lovely dear of a different sort.

A few pics from a trip this afternoon to the local nature reserve. Sparrowhawk or Goshawk? I suspect the former, but its size hints it might be the latter - although female sparrowhawks are of course larger than their male counterparts. Wigeon in flight Grasses - nicely backlit courtesy of the low position of the late autumn sun And teasels - also backlit rather nicely.

By posting here you sought to encourage discussion on the subject, hence my use of the word 'discuss'. And I really don't see that anyone, myself included, is looking to create an argument. Rather, it seems odd to discuss records without actually mentioning any by title, especially when another member asks for a bit of clarification from you. I don't think walking away from Soul Source - just because someone's post has rubbed you up the wrong way - achieves anything. If I did that every time I disagreed with a post, I would have left about a hundred times by now! Relative to your subject - I don't buy reissues, at all.

“I like reissues and buy lots of them - discuss.” ”Can you name some of the reissues you’ve bought?” ”No - it wouldn’t be right.”

East St Louis Gospelettes - "I’ll take care of you"... The stand-out track for me. Blimey, that was good!

Yup, that disc ended up with me.

You have it on a carver? Where did that come from? I ask as to the best of my knowledge it’s an unreleased acetate track. I have the acetate and a sample of the track has been on my YouTube channel since 2014. I’m curious to learn if there’s another acetate out there or whether someone I once shared the track with has done the dirty and had it cut to vinyl behind my back.

Where does the Duke Turner track come from?

I wish Lorraine all the best with her new single. Good luck with it.

Here… https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2021/nov/05/twenty-photographs-of-the-week#img-5

These ones? https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2021/oct/28/la-palma-ashen-landscapes-in-pictures

A normal guy on his lunch break - with very, very expensive camera equipment. Joking aside, he clearly has a huge talent for "capturing the moment" - the thing that makes the difference between good shots and great shots.