"come on train" - Don Thomas - NUVJ

deep red label, VG+(atleast) condition vinyl, VG++/EX label

any ideas of cost

thanks

alan

The missing link. White Demo, Pink Issue then Blue.

the only way to have one (same as mine )

Right,I will say it again & get kicked into touch by certain forum members,I'm convinced that the white DJ copy(or at least some of them) are boots.Including mine.I can't be bothered to go through the matrix number ,paper quallity,run out groove detail again as it doesnt get a response worthy of the trouble.NOT all ,but SOME.

Am I bovered go on ask me if I am bovered.

CS.3205-B 1-CS-3205-A- shiney paper.

For those of you watching in black and white, the blue is behind the pink

Yeah good point, Thomas also did the slower "train keep moving" on Cal State,and later "Calling me home" so he obviously had a thing about going on journeys back home

How different are they ?

Are these boots then ?

Edited November 1, 200816 yr by Chris L

don't know if it sold or not but Mr Manship has one for sale at £175 so your still a bit on the cheap side.

Wow! Gene Townsel.......... Is that the guy of No Use Hiding the modern soul lp track on Dobre?

The modern soul world gets smaller

Anyone know any other of his tracks released??

This one? British issue. Says (vocal) on A side so i'm assuming B side is the instrumental.

whats this worth anyone know please

OK - so how much for a blue '75 Vee Jay International one these days in Ex or better condition please?

I have one somewhere and may dig it out and get rid

Cheers

Richard

premium_stuff@hotmail.com

OK - so how much for a blue '75 Vee Jay International one these days in Ex or better condition please?

I have one somewhere and may dig it out and get rid

Cheers

Richard

premium_stuff@hotmail.com

Reds a boot agreed? Then why is it the only copy with arr. Gene Townsel on it. Would Gene have been in on this session or is it just a bootleggers ploy?

John

Original "Come On Train" is the shocking pink NU VJ label. It looked like it should have been a bootleg, but wasn't. Issued in the UK on DJM in late 1976 (alongside re-issued Fi-Dels "Try A Little Harder")

That's all there is to it!

Edited November 2, 200816 yr by mel brat

True.

Natty Neil bought the PINK Originals in from a warehouse find in California. I took a box of 100 from him along with Buster & Eddies etc.

NuVJ relates to the first effort by the daughter after relocating from Chicago to CA . Rather like Gordy and Motown had done.

I later saw the "mother" plates she had of Beatles 45's.

Dave McCadden had a quantity of white demo's in 80's from a Transvestite "Push & Plug" guy (sorry) in CA.

I used to get the pink originals of "Come On Train" from Bob Cattaneo in Daly City but I didn't have the first copy in UK, unlike other of Bob's finds like "You Better Keep Her" - Marvin Holmes which I took 50 copies on Bob's reccomendation, sold or gave Colin Curtis one after he went mad for it after I played it at a Burntwood Baths all-dayer, and I then went on to import hundreds more following plays from Colin. Other 45's I had first from Bob included "No One Else Can Take Your Place" - The Inspirations (just the one copy unfortunately) and "You're Gone" - Celeste Hardie..

Years later I licenced in "Come On Train" to release on Inferno.The collapse of the Northern scene meant even though we had rights for a seven inch single we shelved it, but did include it as b side to our 12" on Gloria Jones "Tainted Love". That sold about 20,000 copies so format must be the biggest seller of "Come On Train".

I rang up the NUVJ office in LA and they were so happy they had been paid the advance that when I asked if they had any originals they came back and said yes but "unfortunately they are only radio promos which were never sent out" and they sent me 400 WDJ's for free!

I am pretty certain I had the first WDJ copy years before that when Dave Yates at DJM was sent a WDJ when DJM issued it in UK and he passsed the demo on to me. I was well pleased but then broke it one Saturday night while pissed getting ready for The Ritz the next day so it was odd to years later get another 400 copies.

Happy days.

Reds a boot agreed? Then why is it the only copy with arr. Gene Townsel on it. Would Gene have been in on this session or is it just a bootleggers ploy?

John

I never imported any of the reds but I don't think they were boots, I think Selecta imported them from NUVJ some time after the pink label copies had all gone.

So is that 800 WLP or 400 WLP and 400 Pink issues Neil.

If so would that mean the WLP is quiet rare.

Edited November 13, 200816 yr by Prophonics 2029

So is that 800 WLP or 400 WLP and 400 Pink issues Neil.

If so would that mean the WLP is quiet rare.

I had 400 WDJ promos.Whether I had them all or not I don't know but was told none had gone out to radio stations.

I got through more than 400 of the pink issues.

And date wise - first remember hearing it an our Dudley Zoo All-Dayer which I think was around October 1974, that was when it started to get played, became an immediate monster.

.

Cheers Neil.

Dudley Zoo, I once went to a party at the small mammals house at London zoo, it had a strange pee smell and a lot of weird nocturnal but no music.

So There is no clear evidence that the red issueis a boot.It appears Selecta imported them after the Pinks had run out.I am not sure unless anyone knows for sure! I know there is one on ebay at the moment so I am bidding on it as I dont have a copy of blue, red, pink, or any other colour!May bid on the legal reissue on DJM too. Just heard it on the Visa advert and forgot how great a sound it was!PAUL.

Cheers Neil.

Dudley Zoo, I once went to a party at the small mammals house at London zoo, it had a strange pee smell and a lot of weird nocturnal but no music.

Anyone know any other of his tracks released??

Done a Track Mid 80's Modern Track "How Can I Help But Love You" on a Gospel Album which was @ the time only available from Religious Shops - Adam used to play it

JB

Edited March 4, 200916 yr by jonbuck

Right - my side of the story (as far as I believe it).

The maroon-red issues ARE boots, as far as I'm aware. Bought one in 1982. Has the tell-tale run-out grooves banded closely together. On playing it, two things were noticed:

1. Starts off slow, then quicky picks up speed (a bit like a record that wasn't quite cued up on the decks properly).

2. There is also a scratch that can be heard in the first few bars, which is not visible on the grooves, so it could only have come from a bad original.

These two factors, coupled with the low-fi sound quality, make it too awful to be a legit reissue.

On the UK DJM issues, they weren't pressed on red vinyl, but they do go red when held up to the light (like all other DJM / Pye releases of the time). These were taken from the Vee Jay reissues, as both sides have the three-note piano ending.

PS: Since the Vee Jay label appears to have reactivated in 1975, could this have been responsible for the release of "Patience" by Rokk on Tollie that year?

Done a Track Mid 80's Modern Track "How Can I Help But Love You" on a Gospel Album which was @ the time only available from Religious Shops - Adam used to play it

JB

That's a completely different Don Thomas (even the spelling is different, Donn as opposed to Don.)

I'd be interested in a nice copy of Calling Me Home if anyone has one for sale.

Right - my side of the story (as far as I believe it).

The maroon-red issues ARE boots, as far as I'm aware. Bought one in 1982. Has the tell-tale run-out grooves banded closely together. On playing it, two things were noticed:

1. Starts off slow, then quicky picks up speed (a bit like a record that wasn't quite cued up on the decks properly).

2. There is also a scratch that can be heard in the first few bars, which is not visible on the grooves, so it could only have come from a bad original.

These two factors, coupled with the low-fi sound quality, make it too awful to be a legit reissue.

On the UK DJM issues, they weren't pressed on red vinyl, but they do go red when held up to the light (like all other DJM / Pye releases of the time). These were taken from the Vee Jay reissues, as both sides have the three-note piano ending.

PS: Since the Vee Jay label appears to have reactivated in 1975, could this have been responsible for the release of "Patience" by Rokk on Tollie that year?

Yes Gene, the same people were behind Patience by Rokk.

This is the alco Research & Engineering test pressing of Don Thomas - Come On Train that belonged to Don (you'll have to take my word for it as there's no titles on it). It's vinyl, with the same markings as the one's that prophonics Tony has posted up.

It doesn't belong to me, my son Tommy sent it over as a birthday present for my other half last year, as its her favourite song. Tried to get it off her a few times, no joy yet

I had 400 WDJ promos.Whether I had them all or not I don't know but was told none had gone out to radio stations.

I got through more than 400 of the pink issues.

And date wise - first remember hearing it an our Dudley Zoo All-Dayer which I think was around October 1974, that was when it started to get played, became an immediate monster.

.

Think Dave Withers had about 200 white demo's in the late 80's - don't know if they were part of this 400 or found elsewhere

Ive one for sale here

Pink issue

www.raresoul45s.co.uk

with scan & actual recording

Cheers Darren

I bought the blue one at Wigan from Russ's little shop on the balcony whilst is was still a played sound, a few weeks later the pink ones appeared and i always thought them to be the second/boots especially with a label like nu.vj....it always struck as as being a not quite right...

Cheers John

You're right! That NU-VJ label looked JUST like a proper nasty bootleg oughta' - shiny, shocking pink label and all. Only trouble is, it WASN'T!

(Serves ya right at Wigan for playing "Train" so late anyway!)

Cheers Neil.

Dudley Zoo, I once went to a party at the small mammals house at London zoo, it had a strange pee smell and a lot of weird nocturnal but no music...

Dudley Zoo (Queen Mary Ballroom) was absolutely ACE! - 'specially the night the sealions escaped!

I have got Don Thomas on a QM tape from Jan.1975 somewhere, but I reckon Neil's about right with his October date.

Steve

Sorry mate but i am not so sure!!!! I am still convinced in my mind the blue was first, as i said i bought mine when it was still a "played" sound not when it had peaked and the pink one appeared. But i am willing to be convinced. Cheers John

Blue is a legal re-issue, no surprise they continued playing it while Russ had copies to shift though!

I was there the night it was first played, definitely a pink copy, because I went to ask what it was.. Didn't see a promo until later on.

It was one of those tunes that seemed to be played forever, and ever and ever!

Best,

RB

On the UK DJM issues, they weren't pressed on red vinyl, but they do go red when held up to the light (like all other DJM / Pye releases of the time). These were taken from the Vee Jay reissues, as both sides have the three-note piano ending.

I have dug my BLACK UK issue out. i bought this version, mainly because it was cheaper than a US one up for sale at the same time but also cos of the novelty sleeve it came in.

Anyone know if the sleeve would have been produced at the time of the UK release (and when that was)?

Or has it been done after? It's quite gimicky........

Any idea on value on this, just wondered if i got ripped off when i paid £20 for the UK DEMO a couple of years ago?

Cheers

Azza

Edited March 4, 200916 yr by LilJimmyCrank

I got the blue one first too - just like you - from Cheapo Cheapo - which was like an extended version of Russ's booth upstairs at the Casino only in Soho. Was told by John A later that the pink one is the first issue. The blue one does have a 75 date on it. Steve

The pink one is the first issue. Never saw the blue one until years later............

Ian D

just seen an advert with that playin COME ON TRAIN on channel 4

I have dug my BLACK UK issue out. i bought this version, mainly because it was cheaper than a US one up for sale at the same time but also cos of the novelty sleeve it came in.

Anyone know if the sleeve would have been produced at the time of the UK release (and when that was)?

Or has it been done after? It's quite gimicky........

Same as the Promo Sleeve for Rare Pleasure 'Let me Down Easy' Yellow sleeve with promo info printed on the back. Johnny Guitar Watson's are prob the same.

Wouldn't have thought you'd been ripped.......great tune.........+ 3 extra piano notes at the end.

I sold a w/demo for £100 recently and bought the UK promo £3.00 just for those 3 extra notes. £1.00 per note. Makes it for me, but then I'm a saddo.

Kev

just seen an advert with that playin COME ON TRAIN on channel 4

And apparantly its a remix by Ian Parton???

chris

Same as the Promo Sleeve for Rare Pleasure 'Let me Down Easy' Yellow sleeve with promo info printed on the back. Johnny Guitar Watson's are prob the same.

Wouldn't have thought you'd been ripped.......great tune.........+ 3 extra piano notes at the end.

I sold a w/demo for £100 recently and bought the UK promo £3.00 just for those 3 extra notes. £1.00 per note. Makes it for me, but then I'm a saddo.

Kev

just seen an advert with that playin COME ON TRAIN on channel 4

Yes cool advert... great tune, always loved it... I have a blue copy, should I be sad?? wonder what colour the Visa ad uses?

I have dug my BLACK UK issue out. i bought this version, mainly because it was cheaper than a US one up for sale at the same time but also cos of the novelty sleeve it came in.

Anyone know if the sleeve would have been produced at the time of the UK release (and when that was)?

Or has it been done after? It's quite gimicky........

Any idea on value on this, just wondered if i got ripped off when i paid £20 for the UK DEMO a couple of years ago?

Cheers

Azza

I wouldn't say you've been ripped off at all - I think it could easily go for double.

I have the UK version on DJM,in a sleeve which tells how Don's last known address as "somewhere in Los Angeles" & states that thius UK version "could mark a major turning point from his present lifestyle....it is beautifully poised to bring this disco stomper to the attention of a mass recore buying public" I guess they got that wrong...

dont know if this has been done before but i came home from work yesterday and heard this on a visa advert . bearing in mind i work away 12 hrs a day and dont watch much telly. it could have been on for a while

dave

Yes cool advert... great tune, always loved it... I have a blue copy, should I be sad?? wonder what colour the Visa ad uses?

I believe it´s the ultra rare silver copy.....

I believe it´s the ultra rare silver copy.....

Or rarer still platinum???... may go platinum after the ad!