Amsterdam Russ

Our first crop of balcony-grown chillies. Habanero on the left and cayenne on the right.

As mentioned, it's been going since 2015, but still sure I'd not heard of it before. But then the memory is not what it was.

It's not a photo competition I've heard of before, but the winners in the Comedy Wildlife Photography Award have just been announced. One of the finalists submitted this photo: Title: Draw me like one of your French bears. © Wenona Suydam/Comedywildlifephoto.com Story and images here: https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/09/02/draw-me-like-one-of-your-french-bears-these-funny-animal-photos-have-a-serious-message ...and here's a link to a gallery containing images from previous finalists: https://www.comedywildlifephoto.com/gallery/finalists/

There were three strange yellow/orange things overhead yesterday afternoon. To be more specific, it was three Fokker S-11 training aircraft flying in formation, possibly circling Schiphol airport, which is very near to us. There were four planes, but one peeled off leaving the three to do a couple of circuits above us. They were some way away, so the pics are heavily cropped. A most unusual sight!

I think we all know that.

£446 on JM's auction in Feb of this year.

BBC News has a stunning selection of winning pics from the Bird Photographer of the Year competition. The pic below was from a British photographer. Source: BBC News / © Kevin Morgans / Bird Photographer of the Year Check out the other photos here: https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-58396228

There's one here - just gone live today. https://www.midastouchsoul.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6772180-SunloversMy-poor-heartBreakthrough-E.html

A few pics from a mid-week cycle ride to the local nature reserve (Schinkelbos). Must admit the ride there knackered me out. Not only was it a case of me not being out on the bike enough, but while you all know the Netherlands is as flat as a Dutch pancake, one consequence is that even on the stillest of days there's often a headwind that seems to target you, and you alone. Look around at the trees, flowers, bushes and flags (yes, there are lots of Dutch flags to be seen here) while you're cycling along and nothing is stirring - but in your face, and hindering your progress, is an invisible force holding you back (and curiously - annoyingly - when you're cycling back home, it's still in your face!). Highlights of this small Dutch nature reserve include such British imports as Exmoor ponies and highland cattle (Dutch = Schotse hooglanders) - and, of course there's some local wildlife, including, in this instance, a goshawk being mobbed by a swallow.

Disagreed! Heard it first on one of Pat Brady's very early sales tapes (which I probably still have) and loved it from the off. Took me maybe 10 years or so to get a copy, which I would say is as clean(sound wise) as the one JM has just sold. Love the flip as well (both versions on the same label), and have never understood why the 45 is not, and never has been, hugely popular. "Nomad (No mad) woman" is a brilliant mid-tempo/beat ballad of the highest order - all drama and stuffed full of Detroit emotion. And now it's just ripe for these days where slower tempos and deeper musical emotions are appreciated. It's a 45 that's having its day - at last!

Yes, I think you're right. That would make sense with the Lovelites being a trio, although on closer listening, I'm sure there's a vocal overdub as well as there could be more than three voices. Interesting article on the group here: https://chicagoreader.com/music/girl-group-the-lovelites-hit-big-but-never-became-stars-outside-chicago/ As far as Pat & Pam are concerned, I found a bit of info courtesy of a 2012 blog post on "Derek's Daily 45". He says: http://dereksdaily45.blogspot.com/2012/07/pat-pam-i-love-you-yes-i-do-bw-im-one.html

I agree with the differences in the sound of the mix of the backing. The vocals sound the same - again, with just a bit of a difference in the mix. So... at best, a minorly different take from the same session, or the same one with just some different emphasis courtesy of the mixing desk?

Beyond a variation in the mix, they both sound identical - although must admit I don't have the P&P version on vinyl, so can only use YouTube to compare. Can you outline any differences between the two?

Pat and Pam... sounds exactly the same!

Yes, it’s mine. Must admit, I wasn’t so keen on “I love you (yes I do)”, but it’s grown on me over the years and now I rather like it.

Just a bit of eye candy relative to The Lovelites before Patti... According to Wikipedia, "How can I tell..." sold 55,000 copies in Chicago and 400,000 nationally, and even reached #15 in the Billboard soul chart. What's interesting about the acetate of this common record is that the flip is the sublime "I love you (yes I do)", which only appeared on their unsuccessful LP "With love from the Lovelites".

Agreed regarding Troy Dodds. Nice price for a great 45. BTW, I've edited my earlier post. On re-reading, it came across as being directed at you specifically when it was aimed at everyone generally.

It's an auction record because there's huge demand for it and JM is right in knowing that a copy with clean labels would fetch a premium - with that premium being decided by the person who bid most. His job - his business - is to get the most money from every record he sells and auctions. This isn't the Antiques Roadshow - it's a piranha frenzy - and it has been for several years. Nearly every week we hear "it's not like the old days" - in terms of anticipated prices or in relation to the lower prices that many dealers offer. It shows people are out of touch with the market. JM is far from being the only dealer to offer 45s at premium prices. Apart from Pete Smith, who else is? If there any other "Northern Soul" dealers from whom we can buy premium discs at "old-fashioned" prices, do let us all know...

As I said earlier, it might well be that the name was derived from Cody, but presenting it in that specific abbreviated form - with fullstops after each letter - directly connects it to what was back then a very common way of doing business - Cash On Delivery. Anyway, I feel we're starting to go round in circles. Well done for messaging Pruter. It'll be interesting to learn what he has to say.

As said, if you have any sources to confirm... Interestingly, the same question was asked on here back in 2014.

Hmm, the extract from Pruter's book Chicago Soul states Bill Cody gave the group its name - not that it's derived from his own name. I'm sticking with Cash On Delivery - it is the simplest explanation.

Then why not The Codys or The Billys? I appreciate that being called The Codys or even The Cods would be somewhat odd to say the least, but the fact that the group is known as "The C.O.D's" indicates explicitly that while it might be derived from the Cody name, it was was meant to be interpreted by the general record-buying public as what was then a common abbreviation. At the same time, I'm sure you could well be right and would very much like to be pointed towards your source.

Cash On Delivery

That's a bugger.

How did you pay? If Paypal, make a claim through them for the full amount.