Billy Jo Jim Bob

We all know this group from their in demand Sanns 45. I had the Von Ryans' Express LP with 'Hard Luck' on it, but sold it many moons ago. It was a nice smooth sweet group effort, so when I saw this 45 I thought I'd get it back again. Somewhat surprised when I put it on the deck and found this uptempo funky soul and not the version I wanted. Strange that the album and 45 are completely different. This is old store stock in its birth sleeve and played just to record it for a sound file to post up. Von Ryans Express - Hard Luck son of a gun - MGM Promo NM £20 Post 2.00 UK first, 3.5 Recorded and 5.00 world wide Paypal as F&F or add 4%. PM please Cheers Andy VRE.mp3

As with all fashion it came and went as styles go. Some were ahead of the curve as fashionistas are today. Some lagged behind and remained with the older look. Many of the clothing suppliers attended or advertised at venues but also in news papers like 'Black Echoes' which covered soul music and the soul scene. Many people did use these outlets like Spencers, but at the time the 'soul look' was kind of the street fashion of today, so it spread into more mainstream fashion outlets as they tried to capitalise. The high street shops like Burton's previously mentioned did it, but so did independent shops and it did all intermingle with the fashion trends of the day. I got my leather trench coat from Mr Sweenys in Chesterfield and I thought I was the dogs at the time. My parent thought I looked a two-hat. Street markets were also popular and there were many traders that would produce the latest designs for you but with a 'twist' where you could take a standard pair of trousers add as many pocket flaps, pleats, side pockets etc as you wanted. My standard garb at one time was Oxford bag trousers (as wide as possible), 3 star jumper, long leather trench coat and what we called Spreader shoes (they were probably called something different in other areas). When I look back I think WTF !! However, it was 'of its time', but like most street fashion it became on trend and picked up by the mainstream and like Magpie's you pick and choose what you wore and how you looked. The soul scene was definitely both about fashion and music. Some says it was the era of bad fashion, but the 80's were far worse believe me

I recently looked to make a purchase of a couple of recent releases and to be honest I like the look of the white promo label better than the issue, the issues are my least favourite colour (silly I know but it puts me off). So I was going down the white promo route until I saw they were double the price of the stocker. They were both for sale on Discogs from the label direct, so for me it was clearly not a promo, just a money grab. I got the hump about it and decided to buy neither the promo or the stocker.

It also came out as just The Reflections on Went, if I remember correctly. Blue label and I think there are some on Discogs. Mines blue and had it 25 years.

These 45's are old store stock and probably never played, but lets call them NM. Postage would be 2.00 first, 3.5 recorded and 5.00 worldwide Paypal as F&F or add 4% if that suits you best. YT clips are for reference only Any questions or to order please PM. Cheers Andy +++++++++++++++ 1. Bunky Sheppard at his best with a lovely largely ignored XO outing The Sheppards - Your love (has a hole in it) - Bunky £15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-9Gpc4PAkc 2. Chicago and Bunky at his finest yet again with a cracking double sider The Esquires - The feelings gone / Why cant I stop - Bunky £10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1uWvedaGn0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apvXQKSi3yo 3. An absolute killer Chicago tune with fab vocals and harmonies, which just builds into a crescendo of sound. I'm getting a sweat on just listening to the YT clip ! The Turks - You turn me on - DJO £25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYSCg5Ipad0 4. The Diplomats are one of those groups that we seem to forget despite recording for a number of labels including Wand, Minit, Arock, Fat Back etc. For me one of their best was cut for Dynamo and is fast becoming a want for group collectors with a copy going through Ebay at over £60 recently, but here its on offer as a mint unplayed copy The Diplomats – I got the kind of love – Dynamo £30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPflGGQJedA 5. If you were asked for a record which has a killer slowie on one side and a great NS track on the other, for under twenty quid is there anything better around than this Chicago goodie and a mint unplayed copy ( on JM's at £30) COD’s – I’m a good guy / Pretty baby – Kellmac £15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hVKp0DdZ6g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u94oXkbc8S8 Hope there is something of interest. Thanks Andy

I remember the adverts and bought some of the clothes at the time. I'm sure there was a thread on here a few years back that showed and discussed some of these adverts. @Sourcewill be able to help on the search engine I think

Favourite drugs story of my Wigan days (or nights I should say) It was a freezing cold winters evening and I was only 15 but attending Wigan. I recall it was an anniversary night and the coach drew up outside only to see thousands pushing to get in. We decided to go with the coach driver to park up and take a steady walk back to the Casino. As we approached two men jumped out of an alley and got hold of the 4 of us and they were quickly joined by uniformed plods. They said they were drug squad and looking for gear. They made us strip off all our clothes from the top half and undo our trousers so they could check our waist bands etc. They went through our bags with spare clothing, shoes etc and we were all freezing to death. They found nothing, as we had nothing. On reaching the Casino there was still a crowd so we sheltered in a doorway across the street. A couple of lads from Manchester joined us and they shared some of their food with us, which I thought was a lovely gesture. We joined the queue to get in, which was still massive, when we were approached by two other men asking where we were from. They then asked if we wanted to get in cheaper and pointed up an alley towards the side of the Casino. At this point all 4 of us were expecting the worst and ready to fight, but the guys knocked on the back door, it opened, we handed over our cash and we were in whilst the queue outside still contained hundreds waiting in the cold and rain. Great but scary memories.

I've had similar things said to me when we've been chatting to people and my wife mentions I like 'northern soul'. Clearly there is a section of the public who believes that anything of that era is NS. Clearly Gary Timlin is a bit of a two hat.

I just bought 50 Cruciform card box 7" mailers off Soundswholesale on Ebay. I think 50 boxes were 20 quid.

here you go for the obit: https://www.perryfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Doris-Duke-Curry-Willingham?obId=4256621

Hi Here's a lovely tune for your consideration. Its an old store stock copy so probably unplayed. Post 2.00 first, 3.50 recorded, 5.00 world wide. YT clip for reference. Paypal payment by F&F please (or add 4%) PM with questions or to order. ATB Andy ++++++++++++++++ An absolute killer Chicago tune with fab vocals and harmonies, which just builds into a crescendo of sound as he tells her how he feels. I'm getting a sweat on just listening to the YT clip ! The Turks - You turn me on - DJO £25

These 45's are old store stock and probably never played. Postage would be 2.00 first, 3.5 recorded and 5.00 worldwide Paypal as F&F or add 4% if that suits you best. YT clips are for reference only Any questions or to order please PM. Cheers Andy +++++++++++++++ 1. Call it Northern or Crossover, but whatever you call it, this is a lovely tune. Just gone through ebay for $30 plus $15 post and 20% tax. Yours for £25. Bull & Matadors - If you decide / Love come down - Toddlin Town https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj5j3KTF-Vk 2. Yet another Diplomats 45 with little recognition. Did they ever make a bad record ? Minty copy £10 Diplomats - In my heart / Not how you make love - Dynamo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boKQ4Q7zvzo 3. I feel I must apologize for ignoring this 45 until someone shoved it in front of me to hear - tune! Bunky Sheppard at his best again £15 The Sheppards - Your love (has a hole in it) - Bunky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-9Gpc4PAkc 4. Chicago and Bunky at his finest again with a cracking double sider at £10 The Esquires - The feelings gone / Why cant I stop - Bunky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1uWvedaGn0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apvXQKSi3yo

According to Discogs its the same group and members:: Formed in 1960, in Olympia, WA, United States Disbanded 1968. Members were; Sandi Ballant (vocals), Carolyn Berner (vocals), Dorna Kiepke (vocals) Sari and the Shalimars (aka the Shalimars) recorded three 45s between 1966 and 1968 for Verve and Veep, and then pretty much vanished without a trace. Their first 45, released on Verve in 1966 as the Shalimars, ‘Stop and Take a Look at Yourself’ is revered as a Northern Soul classic. I noted also that someone on 45Cat said that Hal Wess was involved in the Verve and Veep 45's and I did see him credited on the Verve and Veep 'you walked out on me before'. Derek's Daily 45 also connects the two 45's. I have a feeling maybe JM and other contributors are both correct ? His line up names sound very plausible and we know that in the 60's group line ups changed frequently.. Billbord shows them but doesn't name them

The carver was a mock up resplendent with a fake 'looky likey' label....naughty naughty

Many moons ago, I was talking to one of the top DJ's around, I mentioned a 45 I had on original vinyl which he had been playing, and he wanted to buy it. When I questioned why, it turns out he'd been playing a carver recorded from another DJ's radio show I sold him the 45 and he offered to give me the carver....I politely declined. So the lesson is don't always believe what you see and hear.

Hi If anyone has one for sale on the Siren label. Appreciate it if you could advise condition / price, or happy to make an offer. Thanks Andy

Hi A soul pack to build your collection or maybe add to your sales box. Probably 250 - 350 quid dealer price, but priced to sell. Some items are a high price on UK lists but this works out at about on average about £4.5 a record ! I've thrown in a couple of popular tracks which are G+ grade or so. All of these are in Ex to NM condition except where stated. I use NM, Ex, VG and +/- to refine. VG discs will have some wear and signs of use but still a nice playable record. Payment by Paypal please as F&F or add 4% if you wish Post is 6.00 UK first PM with any questions or to order. You will find clips on YT Cheers Andy Soul Pack of 21 Various 45's .......£95 Tymes with George Williams - Someone to watch over me - Columbia WLP (nice XO old Dearlove rave) Don Gardner - My baby like to boogaloo - Tru-Glo-Town G+ (plays lot better than it looks - some noise) Maurice Jackson - Lucky Fellow - Candle Light G+ (some snap, crackle and pop but gets better from mid record) Robinhood - Lets Live and let live / Dont be afraid - Capitol (old Dean Anderson spin - 100 on dealers !) Maskman & Agents - the world is a cafeteria - Mask VG smwol (obscure northern) Barbara Mason - Oh how it hurts/ Aint got nobody - Arctic VG smwol Invitations - they say the girl's crazy - Silver Blue (classic) Syl Johnson - Try me / Come on sock it to me - Twilight VG++ (chicago soul) 8th Day - you got to crawl - Invictus (lovely XO) Kenny Ballard - its sure look good / I wanna love you - Toy £10 (gritty NS great deep flip) Jive Five - Happy Man - UA Earl 'duke' Jenkins - Missusin me - BEE (R&B plus deep - gone through Ebay recently at a high price) Eddie Powers - gypsy woman - SIMS Woody Carr & Entertainers - Just another fool - Jerden WLP VG+ (old blue eyed c/u that's remained obscure) The Limelights - before the last teardrop - Creative funk Ex- (nice sweet slowie) ZZ Hill - Ain't too proud to beg - Audrey (pounding version of the Motown classic) Lee Sot Williams - It ain't me no more - UA VG+ (great XO same mix as PM Label release - the best) Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign - How's your wife and my child / Oh baby - IRR Betty Wright - Tonight is the night - Alston (love it) Howard Tate - Half a man - Verve (superb mid tempo NS) Ritchie Adams - Better off without you - MGM (yes that Ritchie Adams - Teddy Randazzo big production)

I've not bought anything off it in years, but it still pops up when searching and there seems to be current sellers on there

One of the things I have noticed is that the number of US sellers of soul 45's seems to have declined. The possible reason is that Ebay now require sellers bank details and the move away from normal Paypal payments. I know from a couple of US people I buy from that they will not give Ebay this information. Maybe they will move to Discogs or Musicstack etc ?

I had a bit of an issue with Paypal checkout from the site yesterday as it kept bringing me back to the Epsilon website and asking me to check out again when I'd already done it. Yann's phone number is at the bottom of their web page and just contacted him and got their Paypal address and sent it direct. Suggest others do the same if you have a problem or give Yann a shout on here.

Just recently before buying I asked a Discogs seller if he would sell 'off site' and described the issue of Tax etc. He was aware of it and happy to move forward without going thru Discogs. I've also had a bit of an argument with Ebay over adding 28.5% tax as opposed to 20%. They told me that there were fee's involved as they outsource tax collection to the shipping company. In the end they said if I wasn't happy with this arrangement I could ask the seller to sell it off Ebay...which was a bit of a shock coming from them. Just ask the seller is the message.

Time for a sales box clean up with some bargains for all tastes. All of these are in Ex to NM condition except where stated. I use NM, Ex, VG and +/- to refine. VG discs will have some wear and signs of use but still a nice playable record. Payment by Paypal please as F&F or add 4% if you wish Post is 2.00 first, 3.50 recorded or 5.00 worldwide PM with any questions or to order. You will find clips on YT Cheers Andy +++++++++++++ Eddie Simpson - Got to keep believing - Mamie £25 (on dealer lists at 150 !!) SOLD Cliff Nobles - Is it the way / the horse 77 - JV £15 (XO mover Tim Brown tip way back) SOLD Tymes with George Williams - Someone to watch over me - Columbia WLP £10 (nice XO old Dearlove rave) Dells - all about the papers - 20th Cent £10 (modern classic) Moments - So this is goodbye - Stang smwol £10 (awesome group lowrider ) Freddie Waters - This is the life - Ref O ree £5 (nice smooth XO tune) SOLD Robinhood - Lets Live and let live / Don't be afraid - Capitol £20 (old Dean Anderson spin - 100 on dealers !) Maskman & Agents - the world is a cafeteria - Mask VG smwol £10 (obscure northern) Barbara Mason - Oh how it hurts/ Ain't got nobody - Arctic VG smwol £5 Invitations - they say the girls crazy - Silver Blue £10 (classic) Syl Johnson - Try me / Come on sock it to me - Twilight VG £5 (due to a radial mark which DNAP) 8th Day - you got to crawl - Invictus £5 Kenny Ballard - its sure look good / I wanna love you - Toy £10 (great deep flip) Jive Five - Happy Man - UA £5 Earl 'duke' Jenkins - Missusin me - BEE £10 (R&B plus deep) Claudine Clark - Telephone game - Chancellor £10 (seen this at 50 recently !!) SOLD Rina Scott - Just cant forget that boy - Black Rock £5 SOLD Eddie Powers - gypsy woman - SIMS £5 Woody Carr & Entertainers - Just another fool - Jerden WLP VG+ £10 (old blue eyed c/u thats remained obscure) The Limelights - before the last teardrop - Creative funk Ex- £5 (nice sweet slowie) Ambassadors - I'm so proud of my baby / Happiness - Atlantic VG £10 ( their best double sider on the label) SOLD ZZ Hill - Ain too proud to beg - Audrey £10 (pounding version of the classic) Lee Sot williams - It ain't me no more - UA VG 10 (great XO same mix as PM Label release) Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign - How's your wife and my child / Oh baby - IRR £5

The Really Useful boxes are great. However be sure to order the 9 litre XL box (larger lid height) for 45's. Initially I made the mistake of ordering just the 9 litre. I had to use them elsewhere. At least my garage was tidier than it was

Up today is a lovely soulful reggae tune with great vocals and a haunting backing. Noel Bailey is involved and anything with him there is usually top quality. Give a listen thru and see what you think YT clip for ref only Tempo & Jets Sets - Sweetest thing to me - Impact Ex £25 Post 2.00 first, 3.5 recorded, 5.00 worldwide. Paypal as F&F or add 4% if that suits you best.