Mark Bicknell

PM sent sir. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

The trouble is now this is gonna run and run even after the auction, now there will be an inquest on here as some people will want to know who actually won the record and won't rest until they know, makes no difference to me who bought it, that should be private between JM and the buyer and should remain so, time to perhaps let this one pass now, move on instead of the third degree all the time, good luck to Kenny, good luck to JM and good luck to the buyer who have all basically been involved in an iconic transaction that will never be passed on the soul scene. Records - Mark Bicknell.

Hi mate, still in litigation with pay pal so nothing sorted as yet, seems their customer trust and service is well below par, not going to let it go though I can't, will keep you posted. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Said it before so I'll say it again pretty close to perfection Northern wise has to be George Blackwell - Can't Lose My Head - Smoke, has it all for me, perfect backbeat, stunning lead vocal as he sings from his boots, timeless classic, rare and pretty much sums up what quality rare soul is all about, of course there are many more up there with this but for me GB shades it everytime. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I was also told this Mace way back oh and the same for Hayes Cotton often remarks like this come from people who want their cake and eat it to, don't like R'n'B unless it's the big ticket variety then it's move the goal posts time and it's Northern lol stamp collectors the lot of em' lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Personal use or DJ use for me records have to be at the very least VG+ and I'm talking UK VG+ and not what the Americans often call VG+ when the records are far from that grading, records are for playing not looking at the pretty paper bit in the middle as I've said throughout this thread I can not see the point in owning records which are unplayable it does not make any sense to me having for the having sake. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Fcuk me wow, so that's all it went for then lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Oh I already know I have JM's latest price guide....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Be interested to know it's value though? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Is this hard to find now then? just curious as it's upstairs in one of the boxes, stunning tune. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Not a generational thing at all again I can't see the point in buying noisy bad condition records just for the sake of having them is my point, yes harder to find clean copies now but some of the records on offer are worthless if they don't play no matter how rare or hard to find they are. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

PM sent old chap. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I'm not talking about visual grading here my point is on the audible side, I can not see the point in investing money in records which hiss, pop and sound terrible just for the sake of having it. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Just been flicking around Ebay playing a few sound clips of one or two of the bigger ticket items currently on offer and have noticed despite the poor condition of the records the bidding is still pretty serious, now correct me if I'm wrong but in my thirty or so years in collecting, wheeling and dealing in records condition has alway's been the single most important factor for me and I'm sure many others, despite this it would seem that some collectors are happy to have the records no matter how poor the condition is, there is currently a Jackey Beavers - Revilot on offer with a top bid of over $500.00 and I suspect it will finish a lot higher than that, the record is described as VG yet the sound clip to me say's otherwise it's noisy, hissy and IMO not worth having as it will only get worse with play's, so is it sometimes more about actually owning the original record, it's label and history rather than actually having a first class copy that will do what it's intended to do and that is play? seems a little more like stamp collecting than record collecting as there is nothing worse than hearing a tune at a venue that has seen better day's even worse actually owning a copy of a top tune in very poor condition just for the sake of having it. The general opinion from most record dealers is condition is paramount and is the major factor in the buying and selling of records or is there certain records and instances that this rule does not apply? as I can't see the point in having a record in my box which I can't play because it's dished, of course it's getting harder to source clean copies of forty year old records but if a record is in poor condition no matter what it is then it to a point has to be worthless, if Kenny's Frank Wilson hissed and popped all the way through would it still sell for thousands? or is it more also about the kudos of owing something which is almost unique? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Just having my first cup now, coming round and feeling much better now but still think it's an average record lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

First class example of a trophy record and IMO at best average cack...sorry woke up in a bad mood....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I picked up my second copy of this in over twenty years last year after selling my first copy for pennies years agao, a difficult record to find and looks like it's proving difficult for you to locate, sorry not selling mine but good luck with the hunt, stunning record. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

That's good to hear mate, guess it's more down to me really, not really felt part of the allnighter family for sometime now more out of choice I guess, would still like to make the odd contribution myself but the longer you stay away the harder it is to get back into the groove as it were, still love the tunes though like I said. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

As a scene I have no real interest in it anymore I guess it must be the once underground cult is now very much overground, as for the music it is still and will alway's be king to suggest that the passion, love and desire to collect and listen to rare soul is any less if I choose not to attend venues is well simply nonsense, Northern Soul was once a way of life for many of us including myself now it's become music I enjoy rather than a scene I want to be part of full on. As for the best period musically for me it has to be the early 80's, Stafford, 100 Club etc. tempo changed as did attittudes to new and different tunes, true mavericks of the scene like Guy Hennigan, Keb Darge, Pat Brady, Dave Thorley, Ian Clark and a few others were the caterlists of change and pretty much held the scene together at that time, for me now there is too much of everything, too many venues, too many DJ's, too much opinion and for what it's worth I think the bubble has burst or is very close to bursting. The one fundimental single most important factor for me which will never change is that Dena Barnes, George Blackwell, Bobby Kline, Ty Karim, Cashmeres, Elbie Parker, Four Tracks, Troy Dodds etc. etc. etc. still hold that magic for me on my own 1210 upstairs without ever walking into another venue again not saying I won't just trying to make the point that for me and to quote my wife "Soul, it's a feeling, there's nothing quite like Soul music......." I wish we could get back to basics and it be underground and special again but that's a bit like wishing we were all 21 again and that ain't gonna happen is it? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Yeh but I'm no gentleman...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Still we never liked each other have we lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Reckon The Salvadors sound recordist must have suggested the change of tempo during the recording session and wow a massive world wide million seller not lol. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Perhaps a case of selecting authentic Northern style dance records rather than down tempo blues derge perhaps lol my opinion of course as with yours Davie I'm sure you can respect another opinion even if yours is the only one that counts...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Three little beauties just dropped through the letterbox on Friday from Ace/Kent via Federal/King records, three new releases which I'm sure will be of interest to people here on Soul Source. Starting off the Kent/Gusto series these as with previous Kent and Kent Select 45's are stunning double headers with this time Northern/Crossover and R'n'B sides togeher. Mike Pedicin - Burnt Toast And Black Coffee B/W T C Lee And The Bricklayers - Up And Down The Hill Gusto 001 Cody Black - I'm Slowly Molding B/W Roosevelt Matthews With Billy Ball And The Upsetters - You Got Me Diggin' You - Gusto 002 The Stratoliners - What Do You Wat With My Love B/W Little Willie John - I'm Shakin' - Gusto 003 As with all Kent product the presentation and sound quality on these is first class, offering some pretty heavyweight recordings which will still cost you a small fortune on the original Federal/King 45's, not sure of the retail price but would suspect it's around a very reasonable six or seven quid? pretty sure Ady will confirm this, more of the same I'm sure to follow in the Gusto series, would also be interested to know if there are any new Kent/Select 45's in the pipeline? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Would it not be fair to suggest if the record needs slowing or speeding up then the record ain't right in the first place? Play at correct speed or not at all. Regards - Mark Bicknell.