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Soulbowl

For those avid collectors of rare soul vinyl, the mail order list of SoulBowl (proprietor, John Anderson) should have a special place in their heart, because for the last 50 years it has been at the forefront of vinyl digging for those rare soul imports that we hold so deep in our hearts.

Soul Bowl is to present a connoisseurs room at this forthcoming Prestatyn weekender and has lined up some of it's previous primary customers, including Colin Curtis, Richard Searling, Soul Sam etc. to play something engaging.

To promote this room and also shed a little light on the Soul Bowl set up, I've managed to get a small introduction from John and then a few words about my experience as a collector, including finding records on the weekly list, or in person at the warehouse.

For those who have never had the fortuity to have experienced Soul Bowl's mail order business, or for those who did, but would like a reminder of what went on in those early years of the rare soul scene, I've also posted up some old sales lists. I hope you find them as interesting and amazing as I did

JA intro:

Mark has asked me to write a few words about my 48 years or so of selling records.my first deal came about from my time trawling shops on glasgow. There was a camera shop that had tons of 50’s/60’s uk singles they had bought as a load. I was in there one day and they saidwe got a lot more in a room behind a false wall in the basement. There were four titles in quantity–miracles on fontana/both marvelettes on fontana/eddie holland-jamie. I bought them for 3 old pence and sold them to reddinton’s records in birmingham for 6 old pence-i was on my way!

My second deal was a load of 10,000-us singles i bought blind-took out the soul and managed to offload the rest to an office supply shop in glasgow.

My third bigger deal was going to the states and i hand picked 60,000-soul singles and shipped back sea freight and when my mum and dad saw the truck turning up at our second floor council house they thought the floor would collapse with all the weight! I didn’t have these records for long,word got out and that was the start of our time in the record business proper. I’ve been on the road in the states most years for 4 or 5 months so after close to 50 years you forget a lot of the deals you made.the only year we added up the invoices was 1977 and that year we shipped in one million singles.our major problem was space in king’slynn we had 4 places in town. An old church, a barn and a huge double garage, but we were always running out of places to put the next load. The great thing about those days was we learnt as we went along and there were no price guides which really mean nothing as prices change all the time, also collectors had very little money and we would end up with piles of bounced cheques! All very different from today.

Mark has also asked me to mention a couple of record deals we made back in the day. two that come to mind are the time i went to cincinnati to buy a load of 200,000 singles. They were in the basement of a one stop that had closed down–ceiling to floor-they were mainly promo copies.the one stop would mail out a few and then through the rest in the basement from the late 50’s to ‘67. I couldn’t really see much as there was no power-so it was a gamble and we made the deal.i had them shipped but had no idea what we had until the truck’s turned up in king’s lynn. I opened the first box and inside were 50 copies of the invitations-ski-ing in the snow. We ended up with thousands of obscure mid west/west coast soul records as well as demos on major labels. I could write pages about these deals but the second one i’ll mention was in the uk. I used to swap loads with a friend of mine paul who ran stalls on bradford market.he had picked up a load from me and a few weeks later he called me up and said we’ve just got in a big load from the west coast. I went there with gary cape––it was mainly west coast labels in quantity–mirwood/pzazz/highland etc etc––they came from record merchandisers in los angeles. I just remembered that when i still lived in scotland i got the train down to bradford and went to paul’s house to look at the records in his garage––there was 50 copies of the salvadors on wise world in there–wish i had them today!!!!!

 

From a collectors perspective:

In the early 7ts I was already a devoted follower of Northern Soul, even at the tender age of 14yrs. The Torch allnighter was the place to go and my older brother, Ant, was a regular attendee. He had a reasonable collection of imports and gave me the go-ahead to play them when I wanted to. Becoming more interested in vinyl I would peruse a weekly list that my brother was receiving; the list was called Groove City and was basically a couple of A4 pages with about 200 records for sale, mainly Ric Tic, Motown and various Detroit labels on offer. Trying to remember what was on those lists 43 yrs ago is a real struggle, but i do remember that a regular record that you could buy, was Sam Ward 'sister lee' Groove City for 75p. This it turned out was the prototype soul list to SoulBowl.

Eventually, i got signed up to the SoulBowl list in my own name and became a regular buyer, an addiction to this day that ive never been able to restrain. The mail order business was essentially run by husband and wife team, John and Marissa Anderson, with support from a Northern Soul dj, Poke.

One of the real attractions of the list was the Pound Special page. Since there wasn't a great deal of money in a young person's pocket at that time, being able to buy a decent original Northern 45 for a Quid was just what us budding collectors needed.

Most weeks, another excellent section of the list contained a record that had been hitherto 'big' at the major allnighters, which had now been discovered in some quantity and was now for sale at a fraction of the price it had been previously. This would usually be the talking point for many of the collectors in the Wigan record bar, or at our local 'soul pub' the Antelope. See if you can spot any of these records on the sample lists at the end of this article.

Obviously, most of the records on the weekly list were rarities and therefore you needed to phone as early as possible to reserve. For most of us, that meant running down to the phone box at the end of the street and dialing the ten digit number, usually getting the engaged tone for at least the first twenty tries. When you finally got through, you heard the dulcet, Scottish inaugural greeting, 'SoulBowl' Pushing your coins into the phone box, hoping and praying that your most wanted records were still available, you were able to put in your order. Being able to secure any records from your wish list would set the tone for that day and sometimes for days after. I remember one day in particular, when i was able to reserve five top notch sounds and i ran back up the street, punching the air like I'd just scored in the cup final.

As the years passed and my interest in the the obscure 45 became more intense, I began to send Soul Bowl my wants list, or casually ask about an particular record during a phone order. Eventually, John said those magic words: why don't you come down to the warehouse and have a look around for yourself. This was music to my ears and for the next few days I prepared for the visit, putting together my list of things to look for and simultaneously finding as much cash that i could muster.

The visit was a record collectors dream, over a million soul 45s in one barn, racked out in label/alphabetical order. FInding so many great records in one place and at great prices. It was so good that i decided to stay for an extra day and make a weekend of it. Records that i bought included Montclairs hey you, Bob & Fred Ill be on my way, revells trent town, sonatas hotline, webs dynamic, paul sindab, voltaires bacone, willie mason kalama, four andantes modo, wendell watts kiss a good thing etc. etc. I came away with over 200 hand-picked records and i remember John saying to me, 'im glad you came, as nobody else wants these kind of records' At that period of the scene, he was right; there wasn't really many collectors looking for obscurities.

On consecutive visits to the warehouse, like many of the djs that ive talked to who took trips there, John had a box of specially selected 45s just for my consideration. Inside those boxes there was always something significantly good, unknown and rare. Some of the titles that came from these visits were: Saints Wigwam, Sensations demanding man, Poets J2, George Pepp, Appointments Delite, Love is alright acetate, Hank Hodge eye for an eye.

On one occasion i asked John about a record by the Imperial Cs on Phil la Soul, which has appeared on the main sales list the week before; "what's it like", I asked? John's reply was, "give it a play", as it didn't sell and was still in the sales box. Price was £8 and the rest is history!

Countless other collectors will have similar memories to these that I've described and it would be great to hear about them too.

It's hard to describe the impact Soul Bowl has had on the world of Soul collecting, but it is immense. I haven't even touched upon the stories of their UK wholesale operation, or their substantial sales overseas (including the legendary Japanese lists) and maybe someone else can expand upon these anecdotes following this article. For me, Soul Bowl was the lodestar in discovering the beauty and diversity of American Soul music.

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WOW!!!! 

What a read Mark

,I used to buy off John in the mid seventies,yeah, constantly getting the engaged tone,then the "oh yes" moment when the records you wanted were still available.It would have been a postal order and order form to pay as I don't think I had a bank account at the time,remember the weekly paypackets all paid in cash.

When Saxie Russell was a hot track I ordered 3 copies as two mates wanted one 85p each John sent 2 issues and a white demo as it was a multiple buy!!!!! 

Think it was also known as the cake factory as nearly every  enquiry got the reply S gone haha

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Happy days indeed!

 

Starting getting the lists when it was still Groove City. Every week would just marvel at the array of unknown artists and labels on offer. Just absorbing all the info was pleasure enough even on weeks I couldn't afford anything.

Me and my mate Phil Attley used to club together to buy the Soul Packs too. Feel sick at what we passed over if the first few bars of a tune weren't on the fours stompers or zippy floaters or too funky!

As someone said.....oh for a time machine knowing what we do now!

 

High insight: the benefit of knowing before it becomes Hindsight!!

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Great stories and anecdotes,..just what was asked for..and i presume this thread hasn't even scratched the surface yet...( hopefully worth several hundred more! ) i, sadly can't add to this..other than to say if in anyway it's of remote interest or irony, the "cheap element" has metamorphosed into what i call john's "dustbin" at prestatyn...and i, like many others i'm sure, can't wait to get their grubby little paws in it from friday onwards! :yes:  :lol:

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Smashing read. My first list was 86 ish.

Glad it wasnt just me that used to leg it up the phone box with my orders!

The internet has made it all TOO easy!

Great stuff.

Jim

;)

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This could turn out to be the biggest and best thread ever. The weekly emotions a Soul Bowl list would generate for me from the early seventies when I was still at school meant that I could only call at lunchtime the following day. Sneaking out of the school grounds to the nearest phone box was stressful enough, sometimes to find the phone box out of order; running to the next one only to find the number engaged until, eventually, the answer `Soul Bowl`. The elation in finding the record(s) I wanted still available; the utter devastation at the words `sorry, thats gone`.   

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I drove ian levine there one time,he got quite excited driving through Asby de la Zouch,his favourite place name.Anyway for driving he gave me a copy of bobby taylor there are roses when really i wanted anything more uptempo!!!

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Great reading Mark, didn't start buying from soul bowl until the mid/late 70s. Have a persistent memory of sneaking into my Managing Directors office around 8:00am trying to get through on the phone before his car came round the corner. I remember the fear of getting caught making my heart beat almost out of my chest but as an obsessive collector needs must.

 

Also good to finally read the definitive story of what happened with Bostocks, Bradford. There are stories of the Salvadors from the very early 70s from Andy Simpson, John Manship etc.

The ex soul bowl Mirwood and Money label 45s were still there for sale as late as the early 80s offered in record packs.
Ironically I had a Bob & Fred Ill be on my way from John too, it was in the deep soul section of the list!, from memory I think ended up selling or swapping with you Mark.

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Brilliant read ! I went to Portland St. with Rob and Martin Thomas in the late 70's I think , was blown away and got Edward Hamilton - BDYW £8 and the Ideals - Mighty Lover £4 plus Harold Melvin - Get Out £4  and I reckon I was only earning £15 a week  :lol: Oh and those Soul Packs , got Innersection Demo in one that I remember , happy days eh?

 

:thumbsup:

Edited by SWIFTY
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What a brilliant read thanks. Sadly born just too late for Soulbowl (lost count of the stories and quotes I've read or heard about prices then, but all relative I guess). Just grateful now that many of those amazing records are still being played out and filtering their way out of some collections to still be enjoyed elsewhere.

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Fantastic read and brought back happy memories. First stated receiving the lists in 1975, late for school waiting for the post. From memory there also used to be the new releases on the front page e.g sexy sugar plum, Alfie Khan, Barnaby Bye etc. Got back into the scene around 1996 and started getting the lists again picking up the Pointer Sisters. Records were always mint. Like a lot us, I wished we had a time machine. Also wished I had purchased some of those soul packs. 

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Wow, memories. Remember buying stuff like The Ringleaders, John Bowie - Your gonna miss a good thing for about a fiver before they went huge.

 

wish I still had them today instead of selling them, ah well hindsight!

 

Great shop and list for picking up so many tunes back in the day.

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Great read. Thanks Mark and John A of course.

I was fortunate that our post was delivered fairly early so I had some success, albeit on limited funds, without being too late for school.

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one I posted a few years ago.......

 

£1 specials with William Cummings listed at 41 smile.png also slipping in at 47 - Skip Jackson. Think the list is a bit later than '75 because Eddie Horan's LP on HDM is listed on the reverse... anyhow thought people might like to see it...

 
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Should the hall of fame thread have a category in which John is recognised as a promoter of soul. No in the sense of running an event or as a DJ but as a provider of soul to the masses.

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I can only echo what everyone has said here...

Absolutely great read Mark and John.

It has actually given me a new perspective on the whole origins of the rare soul scene that evolved into what it has become up till today.

In fact it's like a breath of fresh air to be honest!

 

Thank you.  :hatsoff2: 

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No wonder I could never get through on the phone.

 

I very rarely got my first choice of record, it was very frustrating in those days.

 

I always wanted visit Soul Bowl in person, but it was a bloody long way and I never did make it.

 

I had an arrangement with my boss at work so that I could use the telephone in my department until I got through, then however much time I had lost, I would work when everyone else had gone home.

 

As well as Soul Bowl, Brian Phillips list was my favourite. Again I very rarely got my first choice off the list, and I'm not surprised after hearing that half the countries Dj's were perminently camped outside his house at the time.

Edited by Quinvy
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The Del Larks in 75 is worth more than 450 quid in today's money! No wonder only people like John Vincent could afford one. Mere mortals just had to go to Sam's, Wigan or wherever he was booked to hear and dance to it. The way it should be!! Here's a UK inflation caculator so we can get a grip on those seemingly cheap prices!!
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1633409/Historic-inflation-calculator-value-money-changed-1900.html

Edited by macca
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Same here with the phone calls etc.

Must say i didn't know he had connections with Paul & Gerry at Bostocks in Bradford.

So in addition to all the good stuff that we got off Bradford market, there were tons more that ended up at Soul Bowl. It would be interesting to know how that deal came about.

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Great read, should be Hall of Fame surely? Here's one of my memories.

 

So, it's Saturday morning, 1974 'ish, and the postman arrives with my "Soul Bowl" purchase. Risk running downstairs in my undies to grab it as soon as possible. Back up to the room, un-stick the mailer and behold the record. It was sssoooooo precious to me I just held it in my hands like a formula-one car steering wheel. Oooops! I snapped the record. It had cost me about £3, a lot of money for a fifteen year old schoolboy. Get dressed, run to the phone box, phone Soul Bowl. "The record you sent me is broken. Is there any chance you have another?" (little did I know that they had loads and were trickle feeding them). They said it was unusual for records to be broken in the post and I said I appreciate that but?.......they sent me a replacement. It was "Cool off"on orange Pameline and it was my pride and joy. :)

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Should the hall of fame thread have a category in which John is recognised as a promoter of soul. No in the sense of running an event or as a DJ but as a provider of soul to the masses.

 

The category is already there. I'd expect John to be nominate at some stage.  Problem is to be inducted, you have to first be nominated. 

 

Regards,

 

Dave

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Getting through on the phone was always a problem. Engaged, engaged, engaged. Through.

 

Remember when John was selling up to Craig Moerer in the 90s….Andy Davies calls says he's just found an unissued Millie Jackson album acetate and John wants to throw it in the skip  :lol:

Edited by Steve G
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The Del Larks in 75 is worth more than 450 quid in today's money! No wonder only people like John Vincent could afford one. Mere mortals just had to go to Sam's, Wigan or wherever he was booked to hear and dance to it. The way it should be!! Here's a UK inflation caculator so we can get a grip on those seemingly cheap prices!!

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1633409/Historic-inflation-calculator-value-money-changed-1900.html

These lists illustrate how todays rocketing prices have took record buying away from many. The average wage in 1980 was £120 per week, Soul Bowls prices approx; Del -Larks £50,Brice Cofield,£6, Sandy Wynns £2.50. Today average wage £400 Per week approx. What price similar records now? [also way back then beer was 30p a pint and petrol 28p alitre!   Oh for the good old days. Anyone remember when Soul Bowl lists featured"pen and Ink "style collages of unknown artists on the back of lists ,Esplendido post gracias!

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I first started buying records from Soulbowl in the early 70’s. It was always exciting waiting to get the new list and hoping the postman wasn’t late. We didn’t have a phone in the house back then and had to run to phone box and hope no one was in so you could ring through bang on 9:00 or else all the good stuff would be gone.

 

I use to spend hours going through those lists there was so much stuff on there I still have so some of the muti-coloured lists from 1973 Ivory’s at £3 wow

I will always remember Tobi Legend £3 and Reparata & Delrons £3 arriving brand new in Bell sleeves I still have those records today. I was only on £5 a week wages!

 

John mentions his mate on Bradford market I use to go and buy records from him I had no idea that he was connected to John that solves that mystery where he was getting records from.

 

Back in the day before the internet etc there very few places you could buy any decent records from. The only places I could find where:-

 

Soul Bowl - mail order lists

Boylans in Conisbrough — help set up by my old mate Snowy Morgan

Violet Mays in Sheffield — first time I ever saw multi coloured Motown label imports

Barnsley Market — market stall run by young girl turns out these were Bubs right hand man Derek Greenhoff’s spare copies I still have my Montclair’s WDJ I bought off the stall.

 

John as well as inventing selling records by mail he is a really nice chap, I eventually met him in the flesh at a record fair in Leicester a few years back now.  I had spent all my money and John let me take a copy of Choice of Colour 45 on APT and without even paying for it, Mick Smith vouched for me and I sent John a cheque in the post when I got home. Not too many dealers would do that today.

 

Happy days

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Late 80s I used to share a flat with a mate who got the list. He'd often have gone to work when it was delivered. I used to carefully undo the staple and then bend it back when I had finished with the list . Lol!

While I am fessing up, I once phoned up to reserve a record but must have had a night in the pub or bought another record or something because for some reason, I couldn't scrape together the six quid(!) to pay for it and didn't' complete the purchase.Anyway, couple of days later the record is delivered anyway. Garland Green 'Girl I Love You'. Always felt a bit guilty about that....

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These lists illustrate how todays rocketing prices have took record buying away from many. The average wage in 1980 was £120 per week, Soul Bowls prices approx; Del -Larks £50,Brice Cofield,£6, Sandy Wynns £2.50. Today average wage £400 Per week approx. What price similar records now? [also way back then beer was 30p a pint and petrol 28p alitre!   Oh for the good old days. Anyone remember when Soul Bowl lists featured"pen and Ink "style collages of unknown artists on the back of lists ,Esplendido post gracias!

120 quid a week was a fortune! I was paid the princely sum of 98 quid a month as an office junior in 1977, and that was at the city's second biggest employer, a major engineering company. 30 something line managers probably earned 120 quid a week. 

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