Mark Bicknell

Sweet, Sweet Lovin' - The Platters - English Stateside SSL 10245 / Musicor USA. Doesn't Ring A Bell - Track 4 Side 2 recorded 1967 written by Richard 'Popcorn' Wylie and Tony Hester - top tuneage. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Certainly makes you think and question things Phil, funny but the rare end of the collecting market seems to be at a premium right now when you see what's selling on the auctions and what set sale stuff is selling on a regular basis, it's amost like there are two totally seperate sub scenes going on here? I thought it was all one of the same?, it's a shame as there is so much great music and records to source from, rare through to the not so rare yet here we are trying to defend what some of us are about. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

You can't be tht upfront at 'The Attic' as you have had me on twice....lol I'll get me coat! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sure Bazza debate and talking about it should help, yet sometimes we seem to be going round in circles and in the cold light of day nothing seems to change or improve the negative aspects of how things currently are on the scene in general. I think it's a case of put in what you can, contribute where you can, attend and support the venues which 'float your boat' and have a good time. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sorry I thought there was a connection with Ethics/Springers - 'Whales' releases, so I stand corrected. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sorry you have read this the wrong way or I was not that clear with my comment and point, I meant that with all the clashing, similar venues, similar music on offer that clearly something is wrong and nobody seems and it would appear that no one has the answer or solution, and for your information I don't have an attitude regarding this more an opinion like you and everyone else, perhaps we should do a little more about the problems i.e. contribute where we can rather than constantly talking about it, no offence taken or meant Bazza ok. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Ethics/Springers one of the same group I think Mark. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sorry state of affairs all this I reckon, the so called bubble has certainly burst big time, the current scene on the whole is a shadow of what it once was, more venues than you can shake a stick at and very few good ones, this constant barrage of we play what the punters and the dance floor wants is a huge kop out and an easy route to constantly flog to death, far too many people who think they know better and judging by this thread they clearly don't, I'm sure many people are getting to the stage that they can't really be bothered with it all anymore, in a lot of cases it's like many of these locally based events have reverted back to the very basics of club/early Northern Soul culture, it's almost like the youth club culture of old musically at least, I would suggest you could pipe the music and feed these gigs from one central location with the same basic playlist and it would surfice, some DJ's are simply not required at these events which makes a total nonsense of the whole ethos of being a forward thinking current scene, it's a joke to be honest. Keep on clashing and you will simply drive it into the ground, trouble is I don't think there will be that many people to salvage the scene as when it popped in the early 80's/90's, sorry but I don't want to hear The Velvets, Vibrations, Sandi Sheldon etc. etc. anymore, is it me or do some people never get bored with these tunes and others and low key, half empty, pretend Northern Soul events? clash all you like, drive the wedge even further, 'Keep The Faith' if there is any left you deserve it....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Nail on head there Simon, I don't think anyone has the answers on this one mate, I suspect more and more people are possibly thinking like me and basically do their own thing or don't really care anymore or go out that much?, all you can try and do is your best when DJ'ing or promoting, quality music should win the day but everything seems to be a little old hat and very cloudy at the present time. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

New List - More To Follow - All Records In Good Playable Condition - Contact bicknellmark@aol.com - £1.50 Postage All 45's Sent By Signed For Mail - Offers considered on all 45's so if you see anything you fancy please feel free to haggle. List revised and new additions - Thursday October 18th - New titles being added all the time - Some records reduced. Mini Auction - Mini Auction - Mini Auction. Offers Invited on - The Continental Show Stoppers - I'm Not Too Young - Seventy Seven White Demo - Very Indemand version, super hard to find white demo in nice clean condition - send offers by email to bicknellmark@aol.com Auction closes Saturday 20th October - I have a reserve price in mind on this record - bid well to secure. Patrice Holloway - Stolen Hours - Capitol Issue, in nice clean condition, classic Northern - £275.00 The Idle Few - People That's Why - Blue Book White Demo, nice clean condition - £125.00 Charles Farren - You Got Everything - Limelight Demo - Nice record in clean condition - £30.00 Betty Boothe - Just A Little Bit Of True Love - Enjoy Demo - Superb R'n'B tune in nice clean condition, black felt pen 'X' on top side - £30.00 The Four Tees - Like My Baby - Vee Jay - Nice record in clean condition - £25.00 Original Cadillacs - I'll Never Let You Go - Josie - Some light marks but plays perfectly, nice group record - £30.00 Joe Simon - Just Like Yesterday - Irral - Stunning record in super clean condition - £50.00 bargain! Ernie Andrews - Where Were You (When I Needed You) - Capitol Awesome record in nice clean condition - £15.00 Ella Washington - Bye, Bye, Baby - Atlantic Demo - Nice clean condition of this hard to find demo, superb 45 - £40.00 Z.Z. Hill - You Were Wrong - M.H. Yellow copy - Nice early R'n'B/Northern in nice clean condition - £25.00 Billy Hambric - Talk To Me Baby - Fury - Great record in nice clean condition - £25.00 Azzie Danfair - You've Got Everything (I Want ) - Mellow Demo - Nice Chicago record in good clean condition - £30.00 Derek And Ray - Interpaly - RCA Demo - Classic Inst in super clean condition - £25.00 McKinley Mitchell - You Know I've Tried - One-Derful Demo - Class gritty Chicago R'n'B, nice record in superb condition - £30.00 bargain. Lorriane Rudolph - Keep Coming Back For More - Jet Stream - Still a stunning tune, super clean condition - £40.00 Tony And Tyrone - Please Operator - Atlantic USA Demo - Small 'H' in black pen on topside, some slight light marks, plays perfectly, classic Northern, seen listed for £150.00 so £100.00 should appeal. Major Lance - You Don't Want Me No More B/W Wait Till I Get You In My Arms - Canadian Epic Stock/Issue - Class double header, small black felt pen 'cross' and the words 'Good Rock' written in Red pen on topside and black pen 'tick' on flip, vinyl super condition, nice and quirky on this Canadian original 45 - £225.00 Laura Lee - To Win Your Heart - RIC-Tic Demo - Nice clean condition of this classic Ric-Tic, vinyl super clean - £80.00 Emanuel Laskey - Don't Lead Me On Baby - Sock/Issue Thelma First Mix 97700 written in dead wax, stunning clean copy, hard to find in such clean condition - £175.00 Frances Nero - Keep On Lovin' Me - Soul - Doubled Sided Demo - Nice clean condition, classic 1966 Motown - £125.00 Gwen Owens - I Lost A Good Thing - Velgo Vinyl Copy - Class Detroit hard edged gritty R'n'B/Northern, super clean condition,hard record to locate - £150.00 books at £200.00 Skip Easterling - Keep The Fire Burning - Alon - Stunning record in nice clean condition - £50.00......Bargain. Thelma Houston - Baby Mine - USA Capitol Demo - Super clean condition of this classic Northern record, black felt pen 'X' on flip side - £120.00 - Reduced. Rose St.John And The Wonderettes - Mend My Broken Heart - United Artists Demo - Class record in superb clean condition, nice record - £125.00 The Intrigues - Don't Refuse My Love - Port - Super clean copy of this stunning record, has two small blue ink crosses on both sides of the label, otherwise perfect - £75.00 The Showmen - The Wrong Girl - Minit Audition Copy - Some light marks on vinyl plays perfectly, class record - £100.00 The Velvelettes - Lonely Lonely Girl Am I - V.I.P. Demo - 1965 classic Motown, nice clean condition, some light marks plays perfectly, has the name 'Huff' wtitten in blue ink on label - £100.00 Sissie Houston - Bring Him Back - Congress Demo - Some light marks plays perfectly, nice condition copy, classic Northern - £100.00 Tyrone 'Wonder' Boy - Good Company - Four Brothers - Awesome tuneage, nice clean condition - £25.00 The Magicians - Is It All Gone? - Villa - Great group record, superb clean condition - £100.00 Maxine Womack - When You're Through - Magnum - Superb R'n'B/Northern, nice clean condtion - £30.00 Lee Harvey - Prove It - JGems - Fantastic record in super clean condition, biro pen 'x' on top side - £30.00 Jeanette (Baby) Washington - Move On - Neptune - Stunning R'n'B, nice clean condition - £30.00 Ray Pettis - Don't Use Me - Exodus - Stunning record, superb clean condition - £30.00 Minnie Epperson - Nothing But The Facts - Peacock Demo - Classy R'n'B/Northern, nice clean condition - £30.00 Ruth McFadden - Do It Up Right - Sure-Shot Demo - Classy R'n'B/Northern, nice clean condition - £30.00 Norma Rudd - He's Mine - Sure-Shot Demo - Great R'n'B/Northern, very clean condition, stunning record - £40.00 The Barons - Since You're Gone - RCA Demo - Nice condition Northern oldie - £30.00 Jimmy Hughes - Neighbor,Neighbor - Fame - Class record in super clean condition - £20.00 Al Reed - Sorry About That - Axe - Good R'n'B/Northern, nice clean condition - £40.00 Donald Jenkins And The Delighters - Somebody Help Me - Cortland Demo - Top record from Stafford period, super clean condition - £100.00 Dean Courtney - I'll Always Need You - RCA Demo - Classic Northern Soul, nice clean condition copy, signed on label by Dean Courtney - nice item - £125.00 The Mamselles - Open Up Your Heart (Let Love Out) - ABC Demo - Stunning girl group Northern, nice clean condition - £150.00 Patty Livingston - I've Got My Baby - Dimension Demo - Beautiful record in nice clean condition - £40.00 The Ambassadors - Too Much Of A Good Thing - Pee Vee - Stunning classic Northern in near mint clean condition - £350.00 Cody Black - Too Many Irons In The Fire - D-Town White Demo - Awesome Detroit record in nice clean condition - £100.00 Otis leavill - Gotta Right To Cry - Lucky - The name 'Pat' written twice in biro both sides but otherwise nice clean condtion - £175.00 Delicates - Stop Shoving Me Around - Soultown - Great record in nice clean condition - £40.00 bargain. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Tuff one to call Dave, as we are mates you sent me that Symbol Demo the other week before I sent the money, trust and understanding I guess, I got the tune and you finally lol got the payment which was never in question, if you have done the same to someone you don't know that well and you are still waiting for payment then there is no excuse, perhaps give the person one more chance to send payment with a polite IM then I feel you will have no choice but to name and shame, or at the very least ask them to return the 45 if they are having problems meeting the payment. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Thank you Steve for all your support in recent times, you have been a true friend to the 'Soul Shack'. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Russ IM me mate, I still have Canadian copy dog rare on Regency or might be able to work something out on my USA demo...what's it's Money? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Thanks again to everyone for your kind comments and support, feeling much better now, onwards and upwards and all that now. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I don't often listen to my own shows but had a peek tonight, used to sometimes check things were ok over the years, correct tapes playing, sound quality etc. etc. but had to listen tonight and buggered myself, I'm in total bits now can't stop crying but things had to finish for the very reasons I've mentioned here on SS and on the show, funding issues etc. thank you all for your support and kind comments, now perhaps I can get out there a little more and continue to contribute at the gigs, the show has been such an important part of my life and I'm gutted that it's all over...thanks again. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

7.10pm Sunday September 2nd 2007, just under 50 mins to go before the final 'Soul Shack', again many many thanks to everyone for your loyal and dedicated support over the past almost seven years. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sounds like fun, tell me what you need John and I'll set the keyboard on fire, not written anything in ages but have done a bit in the past....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

If we are talking 'Blue Eyed' records here then I have to say Jay Traynor - Up And Over - ABC, both 'Ten To One' and 'You Fooled Me' by Lou Roberts - MGM, The Buck Rogers Movement - 'Take It From Me Girl' - 21st Century............still have these records and adore them. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Bugger me I've had three of these over the years, think I sold the first one for forty quid and a bit more perhaps for the later two copies, found two together in Beverley Records in Chicago for five bucks each, think Pat Brady had my final copy about 14 years ago...lol oh well if you knew then what we know now we would all be as rich as JM...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Rod does the odd spot here and there but not as often as he should. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

When I first got into the DJ thing way back around 1981/82 you had to earn your stripes basically, there was no easy route, you got the bookings based on merrit, reputation, records you had in your collection, authentic ones that is, no short cuts, no brown nosing, no you DJ at my gig and I'll DJ at yours, it was far harder to break into DJ'ing back then, yes it was about starting off at local events and moving up the ladder to the bigger gigs but it took time, dedication and hard work. It seems to me that some standards and DJ ethics have slipped a little on today's scene, yes it's about nice original records as anything else is second or third division sorry but it's true, the very nature of this scene as I have said before is the collecting, playing and dancing to obscure, rare, hard to find American Soul records, bootlegs are an off shoot of X,Y,Z DJ's making the original record popular in the first place, originally bootlegs were to supply a demand wrongly or rightly to the masses again made popular by the DJ's who discovered them or were supplied them in the first place, I don't give a flying fig if some people say it's ok to play anything less than original records, perhaps if some of the people who run these gigs don't have the records then they should firstly perhaps consider not DJ'ing or employ the DJ's who do have the records then perhaps we will start to get back to being a rare soul scene rather than this current highbread or almost split two or three scenes going on at the present time, I don't envy nor am I jealous of any DJ's who have a shit hot collection and ability to DJ and DJ well I simply respect them. Are some people suggesting the likes of Mick H, Des Parker, Andy Dyson, Ged Parker, Paul Sadot, Jumping Joan, Steve Thomas, Karl Heard, James Trouble, Soul Sam, Butch, Dave Rimmer, Roger Banks, John Parker, John Poole, Rob Wigley, The Pincher Twins, Ian Cunliffe, Cliff Camfield, Mace, Rod Shard, Cliff Steel, Ady Pountain, Flanny, Steve Plumb, Barry Maleedy, Ady Potts, Mick Smith, Rob Thomas, Ted Massey, Rich Buckley, Mark Speakman, Brett Franklin, Steve Manion, Tim Brown, Kev Murphy, Dave Greet, Len Dopson, John Weston, Hammy, Molly, Ginger Taylor, Steve C, Jo Wallace, George Hunt, Steve G, Tony Parker, Dave Thorley, Carl Willingham, Joe Dutton, Trevski, Phil Richards, Cookie, Paul Donnelly, Carl Fortnum, myself etc. etc. (sorry if I've missed anyone off this list but I'm simply trying to make a point here) and numerous others who strive to collect and play authentic records are somehow in the wrong here? respect to us all I say, no easy route, no short cuts just a passion and dedication to do it the best way we know how. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Yes thanks Kev...lol good luck with the hunting mate, should find some kind soul out there but me i'm not kind....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

So sad that Andy feels he has to take a back seat from the scene because of this, still this is enough to push anyone over the edge, just another negative aspect which spoils the very foundation of what the scene should be about, a very sorry state of affairs indeed. Regards and chin up Andy - Mark Bicknell.

Point taken Wilxy mate totally understand your original points now. Regards - Mark Bicknell.