I know the (one copy only?) issue is worth a fortune - another one has turned up. I wouldn't know where to start with this. Anyone?

FORK IN THE ROAD - I CAN'T TURN AROUND - UK EMBER ISSUE

Edited February 19, 201312 yr by Pete S

Bumping this because it's actually a stock copy, a record which hardly anyone has ever seen

gotta be a best offer pete....min £400 or something

gotta be a best offer pete....min £400 or something

That's what I was thinking Dave. This is the rarest British record I"ve seen in a long long time.

Sorry am I missing something. I thought this was just a rare British issue of a not so rare Detroit record, that first came out on GM in Detroit. Great record, but just a UK issue of a U.S. record.

Sorry am I missing something. I thought this was just a rare British issue of a not so rare Detroit record, that first came out on GM in Detroit. Great record, but just a UK issue of a U.S. record.

Yeah you're missing how rare it is... so Darrell Banks on London demo is just a UK issue of a US record? This is ten times rarer than the Darrell Banks London demo

Edited February 19, 201312 yr by Pete S

Yeah you're missing how rare it is... so Darrell Banks on London demo is just a UK issue of a US record?

Yep Pete, that's exactly how I see it. They are just UK copies of American releases, rare maybe, but only that. I know there are people that go crazy for UK stuff. But when it comes to U.S. soul music, rather have a U.S. copy every time, weather it's rare or not. Now if it didn't come out in the U.S. but only in the U.K., Germany, Spain etc, then I do value it, as it's the only way to get the tune.

But I know I'm strange as I collect pieces of music, not bit of plastic, each to his own.

Yeah you're missing how rare it is... so Darrell Banks on London demo is just a UK issue of a US record? This is ten times rarer than the Darrell Banks London demo

100 times rarer than Darrell Banks Pete.....I only have a hand written UK demo of Fork in the Road, the issue looks nice.

Edited February 19, 201312 yr by Steve G

I know the (one copy only?) issue is worth a fortune - another one has turned up. I wouldn't know where to start with this. Anyone?

FORK IN THE ROAD - I CAN'T TURN AROUND - UK EMBER ISSUE

Maybe slightly off topic but does anyone know why some of the black Ember label releases have the sliver A on the label and others don't. I used to think these were demos years ago. I've seen some releases with both variations, Mr Floods Party - Compared To What being one of them.

Yep Pete, that's exactly how I see it. They are just UK copies of American releases, rare maybe, but only that. I know there are people that go crazy for UK stuff. But when it comes to U.S. soul music, rather have a U.S. copy every time, weather it's rare or not. Now if it didn't come out in the U.S. but only in the U.K., Germany, Spain etc, then I do value it, as it's the only way to get the tune.

But I know I'm strange as I collect pieces of music, not bit of plastic, each to his own.

UK collectors, throw away your records as they are useless...all your years of collecting have been wasted

Maybe slightly off topic but does anyone know why some of the black Ember label releases have the sliver A on the label and others don't. I used to think these were demos years ago. I've seen some releases with both variations, Mr Floods Party - Compared To What being one of them.

Maybe this IS the proper demo? Steve's is definitely a test pressing. I can't remember if my mate's has got the A on it or not, I'm sure he'll read this and let me know.

UK collectors, throw away your records as they are useless...all your years of collecting have been wasted

Very possibly so Pete.

Maybe this IS the proper demo? Steve's is definitely a test pressing. I can't remember if my mate's has got the A on it or not, I'm sure he'll read this and let me know.

Pete, the demos of the black label Ember releases I've seen are yellow with an outline A and ADVANCE PROMOTION COPY in red. But I've always wondered why some releases have the normal label but with a silver A on as well.

Very possibly so Pete.

I often used to think that you know, but if push came to shove and I had the money to collect anything I wanted to - I'd choose UK over USA every time. I know there's only 1% of material available, but it's the labels, those red and whites, they are hypnotising. And yes, sadly I would collect for the plastic and not whats contained in the plastic in many cases.

Pete, the demos of the black label Ember releases I've seen are yellow with an outline A and ADVANCE PROMOTION COPY in red. But I've always wondered why some releases have the normal label but with a silver A on as well.

Might have gone through a change of distributor maybe, those yellow demos are a bit like Pye demos

Maybe this IS the proper demo? Steve's is definitely a test pressing. I can't remember if my mate's has got the A on it or not, I'm sure he'll read this and let me know.

Yes but if a demo I would have expected a release date on it somewhere. My guess, and it's only that, is that this is an extremely rare issue that "escaped'.

Ive got a lot of the black Ember releases issues and demos (rock stuff).I have seen Fork In The Road written test pressing ...it was on the same colour label prior to the black/silver and hand written.Looks like all the black/silver demos were undated.

https://www.45cat.com/label/ember/4

Ive got a lot of the black Ember releases issues and demos (rock stuff).I have seen Fork In The Road written test pressing ...it was on the same colour label prior to the black/silver and hand written.Looks like all the black/silver demos were undated.

https://www.45cat.com/label/ember/4

The test pressing of this is a blue thing Wiggy.

Edited February 19, 201312 yr by Steve G

Ive got a lot of the black Ember releases issues and demos (rock stuff).I have seen Fork In The Road written test pressing ...it was on the same colour label prior to the black/silver and hand written.Looks like all the black/silver demos were undated.

https://www.45cat.com/label/ember/4

As Steve (and I) said - it's a blue test pressing. Same design as "Witchita LIneman" except hand written artist and title

Perhaps we're all missing the obvious. Maybe the little silver A is there to indicate the 'Plug' side?

Perhaps we're all missing the obvious. Maybe the little silver A is there to indicate the 'Plug' side?

Yes but the demos for that design are yellow..

Yes but the demos for that design are yellow..

Which is what I'm trying to alude to. Perhaps the black labels are issues after all. The silver 'A' indicates the 'plug' side. Just a theory.

Which is what I'm trying to alude to. Perhaps the black labels are issues after all. The silver 'A' indicates the 'plug' side. Just a theory.

You could well be right. I'm sure I have another UK Ember single with a similar 'A' which was definitely a promo since I got it from a UK radio station.

By the way, this is a seriously rare record. That's the first one I think I've ever seen and I've known about it for a long time. Previously maybe only seen a demo once. I'm actually surprised that they got to finished label status on this. You learn something new every day.....

Ian D

You could well be right. I'm sure I have another UK Ember single with a similar 'A' which was definitely a promo since I got it from a UK radio station.

By the way, this is a seriously rare record. That's the first one I think I've ever seen and I've known about it for a long time. Previously maybe only seen a demo once. I'm actually surprised that they got to finished label status on this. You learn something new every day.....

Ian D

As far as rarity goes - this is almost on a par with the Billy Harner instrumental.

Am amazed there's not been more fuss about it to be honest.

I'm making a fuss Pete....but quietly.....

I'm making a fuss Pete....but quietly.....

As far as rarity goes - this is almost on a par with the Billy Harner instrumental.

Am amazed there's not been more fuss about it to be honest.

I totally agree Pete. I think it's rarer than Billy Harner because I've seen at least 4-5 copies of that over the years (usually in DJ's boxes admittedly) but I've NEVER seen a straight UK copy of Fork In The Road. I'm kinda stunned to finally see one to be honest.

I bet if you did a straw poll on S.S. right now, no one else would have one. Could be the rarest UK record ever, apart from the Volumes on Pama of course.....

£1000 minimum. You'd be crazy to sell it for less.

Ian D

I'm making a fuss Pete....but quietly.....

Oh, whoops LOL! I owe you one Steve.

Ian D

Oh, whoops LOL! I owe you one Steve.

Ian D

I wasn't neccesarily intent on buying it, I was thinking about it, but since I have a test pressing, it would be a "trade up" rather than buying something totally new - the test press is rare enough and trade ups are a luxury when there are still records I don't have at all. But wouldn't buy it at the price you are suggesting

Edited February 22, 201312 yr by Steve G

LOL, yep. Probably not that level of demand but it does make me wonder how you price an item like this - a record which is arguably rarer than Frank Wilson (he said tongue in cheek)!

I always remember going through Levine's box @ the Mecca in '73 and seeing the US copy. You could have knocked me over with a feather when someone told me it was test-pressed on Ember maybe a decade later. But to see that it was a bona-fide issue is mind-blowing. Where did the rest of 'em go? And how come the UK collectors at the time never unearthed any? Further investigation required I reckon. A beautiful record. Wish I had it!

Ian D

Hi all As I have not followed this thread as I have had no PC for a week, I have always had the info that the BLANK BLUE LABEL DEMO was the one to get

Hi all As I have not followed this thread as I have had no PC for a week, I have always had the info that the BLANK BLUE LABEL DEMO was the one to get

possibly dave as it on the 60`s label design .....i dont know i think due to rarity the`re as desirable as one another....dont know about £1000 but certainly 500..the proof will be in the pudding.....love to find out

I know the (one copy only?) issue is worth a fortune - another one has turned up. I wouldn't know where to start with this. Anyone?

FORK IN THE ROAD - I CAN'T TURN AROUND - UK EMBER ISSUE

I used to get Beatin' Rhythm, have kept them all, in loft. I think ICTA with proper label was in one of them, never seen mention of it since. Was that one of the copies now mentioned? I think its exciting/amazing that something like this can still turn up. Would be interesting to know if the latest copy came from a soul collection, or a more exotic origin.

Hi all As I have not followed this thread as I have had no PC for a week, I have always had the info that the BLANK BLUE LABEL DEMO was the one to get

Your info was incorrect Mr K...it was, because nobody had the black label issue except Roy and one other - until now.

Edited February 23, 201312 yr by Pete S

I used to get Beatin' Rhythm, have kept them all, in loft. I think ICTA with proper label was in one of them, never seen mention of it since. Was that one of the copies now mentioned? I think its exciting/amazing that something like this can still turn up. Would be interesting to know if the latest copy came from a soul collection, or a more exotic origin.

Someone just contacted me out of the blue and said do you think this might be worth anything...he is a soul collector though

Your info was incorrect Mr K...it was, because nobody had the black label issue except Roy and one other - until now.

HI PETE Your record looks the dogs, but the 2 blue copies with hand written labels? I will give £400 today Ranking J.M is at LIFLINE TONIGHT! come along DAVE K

HI PETE Your record looks the dogs, but the 2 blue copies with hand written labels? I will give £400 today Ranking J.M is at LIFLINE TONIGHT! come along DAVE K

Dave there are at least 4 or 5 blue copies - ask Steve G, he's got a blue one, bet he'd swap it for the black one!

Dave there are at least 4 or 5 blue copies - ask Steve G, he's got a blue one, bet he'd swap it for the black one!

Hi All Pete you no I live in the Past!? More important the EMBER label circa 1970, with a silver A, were pressed through B&C/ISLAND on PHILIPS Stampers, at first I thought the silver A was a EMI Hayes Press, as I don't have the record, you are the best judge? there is defiantly no yellow DEMO DAVE K

Going back to Beatin' Rhythm issue 7 Feb 1992. Pete Smith writes "Roy Gelder discovers only known ISSUE copy of FITR.

Smack-bang on the front of the fanzine, showing the B side only. So know way of knowing if this copy has the Silver A.

Unless you are R. G. or have seen THAT copy. Mick Smith had a hand written test press copy @ Cleethorpes maybe 2-3 years ago. £300.

Off-topic. Same issue says P.S. turned up Dennis D'ell issue. Not many of these around are there ?

Ben E King hand written London demo up there also ?

Cheers.......... Tom. Banbury.

Mick Smith had a hand written test press copy @ Cleethorpes maybe 2-3 years ago. £300.

Hi Tom

I think Steve got that copy which Mick in turn got off Ian Clark

Dave

Edited February 23, 201312 yr by Louise

Hey Pete

Are the two Fork In The Road Issues you know Of Roy Gelder's and John Anderson's ?

Dave

Edited February 23, 201312 yr by Louise

is this the same record,because this shows a black issue..

Edited February 23, 201312 yr by pjs

Hey Pete

Are the two Fork In The Road Issues you know Of Roy Gelder's and John Anderson's ?

Dave

Dave - Roy's and someone who bought a copy of Mick in the mid 90's, name unknown!

But I'm not going to stand here and argue with you or anyone else about 'number of known copies'. I just say what I know.

Speaking to Roy yesterday and we both agree that these are actually demos and not issues.

is this the same record,because this shows a black issue..

You're right, it sure does.

Going back to Beatin' Rhythm issue 7 Feb 1992. Pete Smith writes "Roy Gelder discovers only known ISSUE copy of FITR.

Smack-bang on the front of the fanzine, showing the B side only. So know way of knowing if this copy has the Silver A.

Unless you are R. G. or have seen THAT copy. Mick Smith had a hand written test press copy @ Cleethorpes maybe 2-3 years ago. £300.

Off-topic. Same issue says P.S. turned up Dennis D'ell issue. Not many of these around are there ?

Ben E King hand written London demo up there also ?

Cheers.......... Tom. Banbury.

Roy's copy does have an A on it, he told me yesterday Tom.

Re. dennis D'Ell issue - at the time there were only one or two, since then probably ten or so

OK the copies with the silver A obviously do not have an A on the B side but I think they are actually demos.

Edited February 23, 201312 yr by Pete S

You're right, it sure does.

LOL, the plot thickens then. We now know that the record was demoed with custom promo labels like yours and also made it to a straight issue. So, since we now know of possibly 2 proper demos and 1 straight issue, then where did all the rest go?

Ian D

LOL, the plot thickens then. We now know that the record was demoed with custom promo labels like yours and also made it to a straight issue. So, since we now know of possibly 2 proper demos and 1 straight issue, then where did all the rest go?

Ian D

OK, scrub that. I didn't realise the demo above was the other side! But still 2-3 known demos then (including the one on the You Tube clip)?

Ian D

LOL, the plot thickens then. We now know that the record was demoed with custom promo labels like yours and also made it to a straight issue. So, since we now know of possibly 2 proper demos and 1 straight issue, then where did all the rest go?

Ian D

OK, scrub that. I didn't realise the demo above was the other side! But still 2-3 known demos then (including the one on the You Tube clip)?

Ian D

That seems to be correct - we need to find out where the youtube one came from - could be this latest one maybe?

Hi All A couple of things 1)all the DEMOS with blank labels like the ATLANTIC AT 4065 seem that they were never meant for UK RELEASE (maybe DECCA had a EXPORT release in w, this is the case on the LONDON Label) 2) all the Ben E Kings left the pressing plant without any info written on them at all, those DEMOS THAT ARE HANDWRITTEN & the INFO were written on by Keen Collectors,3) my guess that another reason for it being pulled of the 45, someone thought it would be the ideal side for a LP, and indeed that's what happened,

As for Pete's ISSUE of FORK IN THE ROAD a silver does not make a DEMO in my book maybe a advance copy, but I doubt it, in the same way the red ATLANTICS had a black A on them, the A was just on to ensure that the record was posted out, BRUCE WICKS who had a record shop plus a disco back in 1966 told me that most of them reached home weeks after the release also what is strange to me, is that POLYDOR never put a black A on the sister label STAX, WHY? similar to the EMBER case both ATLANTIC & STAX sent out blank demos also they sent stamped A copied to BIG L & CAROLINE NORTH & SOUTH & BBC RADIO STATIONS,

taking MY PIONT OF VEIW IN THE CASE OF PETES 45, IT MUST BE MORE OF A ISSUE THAN A DEMO, TAKE A LOOK AT THEM, THE BLUE ONE IS THE DEMO, IF NOT THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE I AM AWARE OF THAT 2 DEMO EXIST BUT NO ISSUE, I'm SURE Mick had a stock copy of this by the way DAVE K

If anyone wants to buy this - the black label Ember copy of Fork In The Road - please PM me.

ta.