Mark Bicknell

Sorry the word 'legit' was perhaps the wrong word, i was simply picking up on the fact that Tony said Kent/Ace have a master tape on the Spencer Wiggins and if the other copies have dried up it might simply be nice to maybe use it on their new 'Kent Select' 45 series. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I remember the day way Back when 'Brian Rae' first got the Goldwax import CD's, we were both blown away by the Spencer Wiggins and i think the Wee Willie Walker track 'I Don't Want To Take A Chance' was on one of the CD's too, which later came out on the flip of one of the 100 Club Anniversary 45's with the Magicians on the flip. Just a thought Tony/Ady if you hold the master tapes it might be nice to use the Spencer Wiggins for it's first legit UK issue on the 'Kent Select' series of 45's might make a nice 'B' side?????? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

A very good point, although my comments were based on the condition aspects of the record, it's value depending on the condition rather than the merrit of the tune, for what it's worth if i had £3.2k plus to through at records i'm certain it would go on many others above 'Billy Woods' as it's never hit the spot for me. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I have the Eddie King and Mae B Mae 45, just curious at this stage of it's value? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Humbled i'm sure but as i don't really DJ anymore in the true sense of the word i.e. on a regular basis, i don't really feel i am a good example.....lol always tried to be professional and entertaining, however i feel there are some stunning DJ's currently out there who do a fantastic job with or without a mic, big difference between being a DJ and a record collector, if you can hit the middle ground and balance the collector/DJ ethic then i feel that's why so many are doing well currently, Joan, Karl Rhodes, Paul Sadot, Karl Heard, James Trouble, Flanny, Barry Maleedy, John Weston, Neil Jones, Mr Rimmer, Mr Banks etc. etc. these and a few others all have a simple edge...passion, a connection with the music and the dance floor and i would like to think i made that connection from time to time. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

'Keep The Faith' well all i can say to the negatives on this scene is if you can't or don't wish to contribute to the scene in a positive way then please by all means 'Keep The Faith' as you deserve it........lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Good news Russ, listen give me a call when you get back to 'blighty' and we can make a date for you to guest in 'The Soul Shack' if you fancy it of course?, would be a joy to have you on the show as i'm sure you have some wonderful stories to tell of your time in the States.....see you soon pal. Regards - Mark Bicknell. www.solarradio.com

Hard one to call this Pete, could it not perhaps be the mass volume of records for sale now perhaps out number the amount of collectors or people that want them? or the vast number of what we once thought were rare records turning up in mass via Ebay etc. a case of perhaps supply overtaking demand? or simply maybe the case that prices are getting back to a more realistic state and infact some of todays prices are the true value based on how many copies are out there rather than on demand or panic buying with the must own it at whatever the price ethic? i feel that there can sometimes be a false economy on some records which has been proved time and time again in recent years. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

No beer today though...washed Mr Shards leg down with a nice chilled glass of white wine...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Well i managed Mrs Shard but could only manage one of Rods legs....lol very tasty though, just finished the washing up and now off upstairs to play a few whacked records...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Top answer John, so even with the kudos connected to such a record ............if it's in poor condition it's pretty much worthless? so the same rule applies to all records as you stated...now back to cooking my Sunday roast as we have Mr and Mrs Shard for lunch oh and all his records are mint....lol it's just mine are VG...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

As i thought John but would you get top dollar if you auctioned one of the lesser than good condition 'Billy Woods' copies, that was the point on my question with the kudos associated with such a record? or would it simply sell for 25% less than a clean or better condition copy? or does the must have ethic overshadow this point and go out of the window and more down to 'must own' it no matter what the condition or the price? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Not got it Kev, never really been a big fan of the record to tell you the truth not that is my point...lol. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Kev, I totally take your point on the records rarity. My question was more towards the valuation based on condition which seems to be paramount in most cases in record collecting circles, my contention in simple terms is what is the point of investing such a huge sum of money on a record if you can't actually play it because of sound distortion, hissing or worse? It has to be then based on the owning it factor rather than being able to play it? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Very intersting thread this, just a thought can someone tell me or explain what the point is of wanting to own a copy of such a record that would seem in this instance, with ten or so original copies in circulation, that six or seven copies are it would seem pretty much unplayable or a lot less than perfect, I take the point of the records history and rarity but to pay something like £3.2k or whatever seems a little odd to me. Are records like this perhaps more to do with the kudos of owning something unique rather than actually being able to play it? I thought that the condition of a record dictated a large part of the value, such as being cracked, hissing, distortion etc. or are there a few records again such as 'Billy Woods' where these rules do not apply? If this is the case, which i'm sure it is on certain desirable records, is it more to do with the 'stamp collecting' ethic rather than the actual musical enjoyment. I'm not having a go at anyone's collecting habbits i'm just curious to how you can explain this? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Not bragging mate...but you did ask...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Spare mate lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Johnny Rodgers With The Nu Tones - Make A Change - Amon - Stunning condition of this very hard to find Detroit gem - Serious offers by email only bicknellmark@aol.com Reserve price/starting bid at £2500.00 - saves any messing about. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Don't get greedy girl...lol one out of two ain't bad, i'm sure you will secure the other record soon. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Russ, I've still got Jimmy Burns (Erica), also had Bobby James (Karol) but sold it way back for around £650.00 cheap by today's standards, vocally Jimmy Burns has the edge as already mentioned, Bobby's is the original version i think as he wrote it, aka Robert Newsome, the backing track was already laid down Jimmy went into the studio put his vocal over the top and that was basically it. I think i had 'Brand New Faces' but can't really remember? possibly had it through my hands and kept it for a week or two, not really my bag but respect if it appeals to others. Jimmy Burns is a special record made by a special bloke, it's by far one of my favorite tunes not just because of it's quality but by the way in which i got my copy......the attatched picture pretty much says it all really, never shown too many people this letter so enjoy it.....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I totally agree with you on this one, i've never been a big on albums in trems of collecting but in recent years i although don't go out of my way to locate certain albums i have desided to try and pull together all the real classic albums connected with the rare soul scene, Metro's - RCA, Artistics - Brunswick/Okeh, Freddy Butler/Hesitations - Kapp, Gloria Barnes - Maple, Garland Green - Uni, Reflections - Golden World, Darrell Banks - Atco, Baby Washington - Veep, Williams And Watson - Okeh, Esquires - Bunky, Garnett Mimms - UA, The Tempests - Smash and numerous others, as you pointed out there are some LP only tracks 'Someday' - Tempests, Metro's - 'I'll Never Forget You' and the hidden gem of that wonderful album 'I'm With You All The Way', The Hestitations - 'Soul Superman' has to be very possibly the best ever album track for track it's blinding, perhaps not classic albums in commercial terms but top of the tree on our scene. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Seen some of these in various 'Hard Rock Cafe' beautiful things and very hard to find, even repro's look fantastic, classy items, i'm sure one or two people collect these over here...i have this one...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Jason, try Steve Plumb mate, i think he has it on his site www.soulmusic.co.uk for about £15/20.00 hope this helps, pretty easy tune to locate. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Stunning tuneage, also worth a mention and a little harder to find is his superb "I'm Leaving (This Old Town)" also on Mercury. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

TUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE.......good luck fantastic record. Regards - Mark Bicknell.