BERTHA TILLMAN "OH MY ANGEL" UK DEMO

[Guest]

Been playing this wierd doo-wop/soul oddity as a closer for a while now (after pinching the idea from a DJ in the back room of a Nottingham pub a few Christmases back).

The US issues on BRENT are in abundance, so its not a rare record. In fact, it must have been a massive hit at some point, because there are golden oldie re-issues in the states.

I've only ever seen one other UK demo, though.

Good old ORIOLE

[Gene-R]

Hmmm,

On your recommendation I've just ordered a copy on Brent from the States for $15. I'm sure I'll like it, also from what I've heard a few friends saying about it.

I do believe this was a Billboard Top 100 hit in 1962. Mind you, so was "If I Could Only Be Sure" by Nolan Porter some 10 years later, but, hey, soul doesn't necessarily have to be rare to be good, does it??

Gene

[Gene-R]

And speaking of Oriole, check out "Give Me More Time" by Errol Dixon and the Blue Beats from 1964. Was played in the late '80s I believe. Certainly NOT the ska track some people think it is, in view of the artist!!

Gene

[Guest]

I have a UK Oriole copy, it has a small silver 'A' printed just above the centre hole, can anyone tell me if this is a demo??

[Gene-R]

Kevin,

Yep - sure is a demo. In fact, the silver "A" on the centre is the only distinguishing mark between an Oriole demo and a stock copy.

Interesting - all these Oriole rarities that crop up with no centre; makes you wonder whether they were issues or demos to begin with!!

Gene

[Guest]

Thanks for that Gene, I knew that my copy was from a radio station so I suspected that it was a demo but it's nice to get confirmation.

As the demo marking is a relatively insignificant one on Oriole 45's I wonder if that affects their value over the value of stock copies, do you have any idea of the value of the 'Bertha Tillman'. I think i've seen the stock copy listed at £50 in the 'record collector' guide.

By the way "Oh my angel" was issued on one of the Kent 'Birth of Soul' CD's, I think it was volume 1.

[Gene-R]

Good question Kevin - does the silver "A" affect the demo value over Oriole stock copies? At a guess, I would say only on the Motown (Oriole-American) releases, simply because of what they are. In general, I don't think there would be a difference in price since an Oriole demo is no more colourful than a normal stock copy.

Valuewise, with regard to Bertha Tillman, I would guess that RC's quote of £50 would be correct. Given a few more plays, I guess that could probably push it into the three-figures!!

Gene