AlanB

I watched the end of this auction in amazement. There were around 8 copies on Music Stack at the time (now 5) for less than a quarter of what it sold for in the auction. Many of the UK label items that I've seen go for surprisingly high prices over the last year or so, seem to have mod appeal (UK covers of soul tracks, R&B and freakbeat-type stuff) rather than traditional northern. I suspect more people are collecting that kind of stuff and some are a bit naive about how (not) rare the records are. Alan

I bought it as a new release and the label is as you describe. The yellowish Scepter label issue says its a disco mix, which implies it came out later. So I think you got the original design. I always liked this record, instrumental side too. Alan

Pete Smith put a Cleethorpes tape on here with great clapping, especially on Exciters - Reaching For The Best (double clap), which sounded much better with clapping than without. Alan

The Crow and Flame N King were rare/quite rare on US and were released in UK after Northern plays, so not really any different from Black Magic, Disco Demand, Linda Jones on WB, MVPs on Buddah, Frank Wilson etc in my opinion. Montclairs - Hung Up came out when Contempo were releasing lots of stuff from Paula including other Montclairs' tracks, so I reckon that one's more a contemporary UK soul release, like Larry Saunders, The Brothers, and the Pye ones mentioned above. Major Lance - Don't You Know made for the UK soul market in the wake of his Northern popularity, but not really tailor-made to be a NS record (the way that Ian Levine productions of the time were). Alan

This was issued in the UK in 60s on Big T as a general soul release, so I think it's in different category from those issued in the 70s to meet Northern demand. Alan

I really enjoy it and appreciate your effort. Alan

It was there because record companies set minimum prices at which shops could sell the records. A common practice in the 1960s in many industries but eventually outlawed for being anti-competitive. I agree that, as said above, it stopped for records in 1969. Alan

All good records but Spyder Turner and Lovemasters are following a standard formula more while Del-larks and Don Varner have something bit special I think. Alan

I was going to use my full name but I forgot how to spell my surname.

I'm looking for a copy of this in a reasonable VG+/Ex condition. (Copies that come up on eBay, like one there at present, always seem to be really beat up). PMs please. thanks Alan

Got mine for about £40 off eBay around a year ago, an Ex rather than Mint. Alan

Major Lance or JJ Barnes I would think. Never achieving mainstream success in the UK, but lots of great dancers throughout their careers and popular here since the early days of Northern Soul. Alan

I was super-pleased many years ago to buy a UK Mercury copy of Damita Jo's I'll Save The Last Dance thinking it was the same as her then popular stomping version on Ranwood. Alan

Sadly this discussion turned into an example of the Forum at its worst - starting with reasonable factual points (on both sides) but degenerating into personal attacks. Pity the thread has to finish leaving simmering resentment. Alan

boba, on 08 September 2011 - 11:20 PM, said: welcome to the soul source unpopular members club, we have meetings every tuesday night from 7-8PM. No, it's where they suggest playing CDs at venues and making a movie about Northern Soul. Alan

Import VAT is set at same rate as UK VAT, which in principle prevents UK business sellers who have to charge VAT on equivalent items being disadvantaged. I appreciate it is annoying to have to pay import tax, but the safest thing to prevent a shock is to ask the seller in advance if they will declare a nominal value on the package. If sending an £800+ item on a 1,000 mile return trip to avoid tax, it would be even more annoying if it got lost in the mail. Alan

Very enjoyable. I thought the Bobby John record at very end was fantastic. Alan

Yes, same one. Alan

I always liked the Wingate Love-In Strings - Let's Have a Love-in and Al Hirt - Boy Watcher's Theme. Also that dodgy thing attributed to Wendall Parker. Alan

Bit harsh I think, Another way to describe this would be nice, atmospheric, early midtempo. I really like it and bought a copy just a few months ago. Alan

Bobby Patterson - What a wonderful night for love Alan

The Barras are only open Saturday and Sunday. They used to be good for record hunting years ago, even though lots of people were trawling it for records, but now they are just run-down even by its standards, and few records. There is one large stall in the main area that sells albums, with a box of soul ones, but it didn't have anything worthwhile when I looked a few weeks ago. Alan

The record shops are a dead loss, few and far between, little of soul interest and as already said lots of people looking for the same stuff. Lots of good eating and drinking around the city centre. I'd check out the Merchant City area in the centre. If you're wanting to look at things the new Transport Museum, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, the Hunterian Art Gallery at the University of Glasgow (which has Mackintosh stuff) are fairly close to each other . Ashton Lane which is just next to the Uni is great for restaurants and bars. The hop-on tourist bus would be suitable for these, but it's just a short and pleasant walk from Kelvingrove to Ashton Lane through Kelvingrove Park. Alan

Tony Turner's vocal of "Six by Six"! Alan

The comparison is interesting because it's like an early example of sampling. Both tunes use the same opening chords, but in the Major Lance one these are repeated just as a build up to "Sweet Music" being sung whereas the Servicemen give prominence to these chords, singing "Sweet Magic" to them and using them for the instrumental break. Apart from the Servicemen pinching these chords, the songs are quite different. Alan