For me this is a very apt post.
I began collecting Northern stuff recently but am very dis-illusioned with the whole thing. I find myself preaching to friends "it must be original". But when I come across a track I love then realise I cannot buy it, it just seems wrong!
The argument boots are rubish/cheatin is a bit ridiculous if you think about it, because the number of issues given to an original release was realistically left up to chance. Who can say they haven't come across a track and thought - "Jesus why did'nt this sell millions?" whilst others on bigger labels happened to take off, Diana Ross or whoever.
I do enjoy opening a piece of history in a parcel everytime, but still there's that nagging question in the back of my head going - "this is just wrong". a kind of man made phenomena.
Graham