Mal C

Thought I’d share the stamps in my pilgrim passport, so if you don’t know what this is about, you get a stamp every night you stay at an albergue or shelter , or at churches or pilgrim shops or services. The reason is, you need to have shown this passport to the Pilgrim passport office in Santiago to receive your ‘Compestella’ which is a document written in Latin which dates to the 10th century, confirming you have made pilgrimage to the apostle Saint James, who is interned at the Basilica In Santiago. you need to have walked at least 100 kilometres I think to qualify. Liza’s is one from the passport office in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pyrenees, which she got back in 2017/8 it’s taken this long for her to attempt the walk. They are cool things to hang on the walk. 🚶 🚶‍♂️ 🚶🏼‍♀️ 🚶

Dígneme! Dia cuatro /day 4 Big day on the mountains today, started at 5:30, and walked through Cruz de Ferro, and across the mountain range down to Molinaseca. That’s 1500m down to about 300m. I did write about this decent last time I did this stretch, it hasn’t changed, it’s about 20k but my god is it hard coming off that mountain, basically a rock run, which never finishes! When it did we hit a pueblo called Acebo, we got breakfast and a sugar hit, I needed it, but that was still 8/9k from where we wanted to be. everybody we have met today, Rikki from northern Italy, Miguel from Madrid and a British guy who I didn’t get his name but he was the first Brit we have spoken to, all pushed onto Ponfereda which is another 8k on from where we are, we just didn’t have it in our legs today to cover that in the afternoon sun. We are currently in a hotel, could not get an albergue, it’s more expensive @57 euros but we have our own ‘baneria’ and some magnesium salts, and we are sitting pretty for a 26k walk tomorrow. below pic shows Cruz de Ferro at 6 this morning,. I guess that’s about 15 meters in height… Buenas noches 🌙

Tonight’s update not a great one, we swear the lady who we paid for our stay said dinner was included, so we had dinner, and told the waitress it was included, they both now says it isn’t, so I got a right bollocking from a Spanish albergue owner who all of a sudden has no English, she did earlier. Not a massive deal it was 28 euro, but the ferocity took me back, I didn’t argue the point, but I wish I had now, I’m a bit pissed off, like restaurants in Venice, they don’t care, there will be more pilgrims tomorrow to fleece 😞 tomorrows aim is to walk to Ponfereda which is just under 30k, early start again, if we can half that distance by 10am, we can enjoy the afternoon sun, more importantly get our washing on the line… and on that note, somebody stole Liza’s new Calvin Klein bra, don’t know what’s with Foncebadon this year but I’ll be glad to be moving on early light! Luego:-)

Dia tres / day three After the Shenanigans of last night, today has been a sold walk, we were out of the albergue at 6am, and exceded the 20k I mentioned probably around 10. Am, So decided to get up the mountain to Foncebadon which is a small pueblo pretty much on the top of the mountain range consistIng of maybe 4 or so Albergues. The good thing is this place is within reaching distance of Cruz de Ferro at 1504m. I mentioned CDF in my blog on 2018, there is a picture below for reference. So pilgrims carry either a stone or a keep sake that they leave at what can only be described as a pole in the ground, as you can imagine the offerings have grown over time leaving a pyramid shrine to remember, confront, confess. or just plain apologise, for what ever you want to say at special place. More spiritual that catholic I think. It’s a short hop across from there to Manjarin and Collodo de las Antenas and it’s downhill all the way to Molinaseca. I just passed through last time, but it’s a welcome place to get your boots off and into the cold mountain water in the river that splits the town. I might update in a bit, I gotta have have my dinner.

Mick why don’t you give it a go, and report back, I foresee some interesting results. 🙂

If you are happy to travel a bit there is a great shop in Saint Sebastian, which is a drive I grant you but worth the visit for the beach, old town and great record shop. I’m in Spain just now, but can’t think of the name of the place, but I was there a few years back, found some great 45 and Lps, When the name returns I’ll post it here malc

update!!!’ it’s now 10pm, and 27 degrees, super hot in here, and Liza just saw a naked dude running around the floor we are on, we are now whispering havIng judged he’s on the outside of our room! You get it all on this blog folks, just wait till we meet Americans they love the goss! Lol I think that streaker has gone away, there are female voices outside our room now ! buenas noches 😴

Dia dos / day two As we could not get the flight we wanted, this camino has started with a day on the train, however we are in Astorga, a wonderful town I have only walked through before. Back then I sampled a quick Cafe solo and a snap of the cathedral which is something else, check out the photos. We are in a convent called Albergue de Peligrinos Siervas de Maria, a fabulous convent and albergue on the edge of town. I had forgotten how some of these places work, most times the owners or nuns in this case will employ somebody to cover admissions as well as have volunteers. So the guy Pedro was hired by the nuns,but the volunteer from Germany can speak several languages, so they argue about who of ‘theirs’ gets the rooms and bunks, hilarious! Pedro wanted the large family from Brasil, but our German volunteer won this round and we got a room with Two bunks to ourselves, and I’ve deffo had the look off Pedro as we came back tonight…. tomorrow we are off to the mountains, Rabanal del Camino to be exact, about 20k which we can clearly see from the city walls. We will probably walk further, but that’s the norm here, guide books and pilgrim maps only go so far. if you are ever in Astorga, do stop it’s a great vibrant town. Buenas Noche chicos

Hello mate, can I take Carltons ? will be in and out all day due to walking, but can sort tonight. malc

Dia uno: Day one is now over, we had a great flight into Bilbao, short bus ride into the centre, and we arrive at our digs pronto. it’s a wonderful city Bilbao, but then you know that! All great but the problem is I just sat on my glasses and they are broken, and I’m totally blind without them. So I’ll tape em up tomorrow and push on! I was really pleased with my Spanish today, I haven’t been here since 2019, but I’ve been having weekly classes ever since, and it shows, just need to listen harder because they talk quick here! Here are a few snaps today, so enjoy lion infested fountains, lurching spiders and more pinchos than you can shake a stick at! I’m knackered, I’m off to bed! hasta mañana chicos

Hi everybody, in recent years when I have walked the Camino in Northern España, I use this forum for my blog, basically as I don’t do any other social media. So, this year Liza and I will be walking from Leon/Astorgo to Santiago, about 260km over 11/12 days. So look out for my daily blogs here, pictures and thoughts from two pilgrims on 'The Way'... btw, if there is anybody on here that lives in Northern Spain, either Castile Leon, Galicia, Asturias, or anywhere en route back to Bilbao, we would love to meet you 🙂 ¡Buen Camino!

Two from the week before here...some of you might recognise these from my sales lists.

You should flip 'Carefully Checked Your Heart' over for Bobby's version of 'Let's Prove Them Wrong' also done by Debbie Taylor. Do regret selling this one, but Debbie's version is quite cheap and easy to pick up.. First heard the Kay-O 45 via Ted Massey tape, I guess 87/88. Both versions are worthy of course 🙂 the Kay-O 45 has Jobete on the left there, not present on the GWP release, a stab at saying this might have been a Motown song that they were able to release outside the company? I don't know how that murky world works, but sure some on here do...

Thats one hell of a way to go out...!

Pm'd you

Hi there, two very nice crossover 45's here, Franciene Thomas is a killer, not one on the label you see much. Ray Frazier came out on two label variants, both sound the same to me, this is a great a great track, check out the clips, not the 45's for sale, and check out the reductions in price on these two. ---- Franciene Thomas - To Beautiful to be Good / TRAGAR EX+ £120 £100 Rarer one on the Tragar label, and a killer slowie…some superficial marks nop. Ray Frazier & the Shades of Madness - Your Eyes / Carriage EX+£85 £80 A little rub on the label, hardly noticeable, styrene copy, plays and looks clean. ---- I prefer direct Bank Transfer, but you can pay by PayPal either Friends & Family or add the normal 4% fee. Postage: £4.50 for 1st Class signed for (Within the UK) anything over a ton via Special Delivery, £8.00 (Insured up to £750) within the UK. * If you are outside the UK, just tell me where and I'll quote you via PM, I have rates for the states and Australia straigh to hand. Malc

I was at the Glastonbury Extravaganza yesterday, great show, Lightening Seeds, and Texas... plus a seriously good firework show... bit damper than last year’s festival, but once the sun came out it kicked into life! Never been a fan of Lightening Seeds or Texas, I could not tell you a single one of their songs to be honest, but they were both great acts, obviosuly remembered the hits when I heard them. Sharleen Spiteri certinally has got it, great presence on stage...

Great pics, you can see how much the Mustang had surpassed the early machines from the last 3ts; was the 109 an original, or a Spanish one?

Take The Contessas Dave, pm me

Hi there, this event is on today, just leaned I have an additonal ticket as my son does not want to go. offer a spare childs ticket at £20, cost me £25, happy to meet you in Glastonbury town today to hand it over. Either the Pilgrim pub or by the Market Cross. https://www.glastonburyabbey.com/whats-on/concerts/glastonbury-abbey-extravaganza-2.php Saturday 5th August 2023 When: 4.30pm to 10pm Where: Main Abbey Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza will take place on Saturday 5th August 2023, with a headline performance from Texas, with support from Lightning Seeds and Wells City Band. The event will conclude with the traditional fireworks finale. best Malcolm

Hi folks, after a few upgrades again, need the following LP in very EX++ condition play and sleeves. Darrell Banks - Here to Stay / Stax Jessy Dixon - You Bring the Sun Out / LIGHT, inc 'Love Lifted Me'. Pay £30 for a good copy... ** Happy to swap any of my Sales for anything on my list ** ---- Anybody collect Garage? I know some do, I still need a few Sonobeat label 45's, namely 'The Thingies - Rainy Sunday Morning', and good Thirteenth Floor Elevators 45's must be nice condition! others I need badly, Tol-Puddle Martyrs - Time Will Come / Australian SPIRAL, The Plague - The Face Of Time / Aussie W&G... Aussie wants again... * Prefer demo's, If they have the promo sheet in them, thats a big bonus, in fact if you have any Aussie promo sheets but not the 45, I'll take those also, see example below. * Good quality sleeves, needed, W&G, Astor, Atlantic, Festival (Ampar, Coral, Festival), Chess, Sue, Motown (Orange, with AUS addy on flip).... ete etc... * ANY good White test presses, AMPAR, CORAL, Astor, but good soul, Northerm, Mod, or any really cool Garage, Psych or Surf stuff. ----- Jackie Wilson - Whispers (Getting Louder) / Coral Jackie Wilson - EP with 'open the door' on it. Must be complete with Orig sleeve / Coral Pat Thomas - I can t wait to see my baby's face / Red verve The Four Hi's - Pretty Little Face / The Train / Red verve Fred Hughes - Send my Baby Back / Septre Etta James - Seven Day Fool / Coronet (Green) Astors - Candy / Atlantic The Soul-Jers - Crazy Little Things / W&G (Blue/White) The Exciters - Blowing Up My Mind / RCA (Black) Bettye Swann - Make Me Yours / Astor White Test Press, I have the issue.. Gale Garnett - I'll Cry Alone / RCA (Black) Tony Drake - Suddenly / MCA Garland Green - Angel Baby / MCA Candy And The Kisses - The 81 / Cameo Maxine Brown - Since I Found You / Philips Sam and Bill - I'll Try / Festival (Blue/White) The Jaedes - Uh, Uh, What Did I Do / (Yellow) Festival Mark Williams - A House For Sale / NZ EMI ----- Best wishes Malcolm The Thingies - Rainy Sunday Morning.mp3

Hi folks, Big selection of 7ts and crossover 45's for the weekend. Hope you find something. ---- Barbara Mason - Give Me Your Love / Buddah (Germany) Pic Sleeve EX+ £45 As far as I know this is the only way to get this on orig release 7", Soul Brother did a re issue, but thats a re issue... Benny Johnson - Visions Of Paradise / Today EX++ £20 The Today Lp is rare and expensive, this 7" is an easy 45 to get, but my gollly it's good.. Reggie Sadler Revue - So Long Sweet Little Girl / DeLite EX++ £20 ** SOLD ** Lovely sweet crossover track here, very good record. The Merits - Arabian Jerk / Bandstand USA EX++ £200 Seems to have shot right up in price, really great track this one, a cult 45, this one’s a tad off mint, label and play. Ellis & Cephas - I'm Gonna Miss you Girl /Heart VON’s Records EX++ (With Picture Sleeve) £100 Came from the Lotus Land batch they had around 2005/6, all dried up now. Willie Tee - First Taster of Hurt / Funky Twist / GATUR EX++ £600 Very nice copy of this brilliant Crossover track, never went out of style this 45. Houston Outlaws – What am I Going to Do / Westbound WD EX++ £300 ** SOLD ** Very minty demo of this brilliant track, lots of demand these days, you won’t be disappointed with this copy! Tammaraw - I Don’t Want to Lose You / On a Star / EX++ £250 From 1982, big Arthur Fenn discovery, one slight mark, made by me, dnap whatsoever. Al James And The New Rhythm - Give Me Up Turn Me Loose / ALOCIS Publishing Co / EX++ £120 Brilliant Beach track from the early 8ts, lilting rhythm, great vocals Sharon Clark & The Product of Time - Mama Didn't lie / I'm not afraid of Love / YODI Test Press (Plastic Products) VG++ £95 never seen another demo of any Yodi releases. I spoke to Sharon Clark in the 2000’s, and she told me all about these two recordings for Eddie ‘Dealth’ Merry’s label, lovely lady. Mixed Emotions - Am I Imposing / ROCK-WAY EX++ £85 Never went out of style, great track. Jackie Milton – Little by Little / de-vel EX++ £20 One of the best de-val releases, floating 7ts, very, very nice Jerry Washington - Set Your Soul On Fire / EXCELLO EX++£20 A staple ‘Excello’ 45, A brilliant driving track… Gene Chandler - Without You Here / Curtom EX++ wol £75 Moody track, and now an established Chandler ‘Classic’. 2 x X on label. JJ Barnes – You Are a Living Doll / Perception EX++ £10 ** SOLD ** The only 7 inch from his perception LP, this is simply, a brilliant ballad from JJ. Franciene Thomas - To Beautiful to be Good / TRAGAR EX+£120 Rarer one on the Tragar label, and a killer slowie…some superficial marks nop. The Chichano Brothers - Hunk of Funk / INFAL EX++£55 Cult 45 this, its one hell of a track, very think vinyl press in great shape. Ray Frazier & the Shades of Madness - Your Eyes / Carriage EX+£85 A little rub on the label, hardly noticeable, styrene copy, plays and looks clean. K.L. Hamilton – I’m Trying / RIP PRO EX++ (con Pic sleeve) £150 Custom Press, complete with the orig Sleeve, nice condition. Henry Richardson - Dancing Girl / ELOIS Records EX++£190 Nice copy, one small mark which dnop whatsoever. Grey & Hanks - How Can You Live Without Love / RCA EX++£20 Brill Track from Len Ron Hanks and Zane Grey both out of Chicago, nice clean Blk Issue. Pat Lundy - Prove It / Deluxe Records YD EX++£20 very underrated IMO, nice slow to midtempo crossover 45 this one.. The Relatives - Lenient with my Love / Archway EX+£50 Very Catchy 45, great crossover 45, also on an LP that came out some years back… Sam Dees - Fragile, Handle with Care / Atlantic (Jamaican) EX++£65 Got this direct from the chap who discovered the batch back in 2004, straight off the wall in his shop in Sydney. that said he had piles of them under the counter! Comes with Orig JA sleeve. Albert Jones – You and your love / Candy Apple EX++£45 Always a crossover winner, very nice track and nice copy Billy McGregor - It's My Turn Now / MelloTone ) Gold 1st Issue) EX++£45 Very nice copy this, and another crossover classic Fantastic Johnny C – Don’t Depend on Me / Phil-La of Soul WD EX++£60 Styrene demo, nice label, couple faint marks on play, but sounds totally clean Richard Caiton - Where is the Love / J.B's Records (Reissue) EX++£10 ** SOLD ** Second issue, class track… not a common 45 is it… Pete Warner - I Just Want to Spend My Life with You / Polydor EX++£110 Mecca Classic, very nice label and play… The Whispers - I Can’t See Myself Leaving You / Soul Clock EX++£45 nice clean copy, I rate this one by them, it’s a solid track Millie Jackson - A House for Sale / Spring Records EX++£70 1976 UK original, nice copy label and play, comes in UK Polydor sleeve. The Drivers - Blackbird in Despair / American International Records EX++£100 This track features Chuck Freeman, white singer I think, but it’s a killer. The flip of this isn’t soul, but it’s very good, great opening! King Floyd - I'm Gonna Fall in Love With You / Chimmeyville EX++£45 Keith Woon tip, Keith always tips the very best tracks… This is a brilliant, a sweet midtempo track from 75, really catchy Randy Brown - I'm Always in The Mood / Parachute Records EX++£185 I have most his LP’s, not sure I think this is 7” only release, it’s another 7ts killer. Gwen McCrae - He Keeps Something Groovy Going On / CAT EX++£12 Again from her LP, this is such a beautiful swayer of a track, even her lesser songs are brilliant, you simply can’t go wrong… ----- I prefer direct Bank Transfer, but you can pay by PayPal either Friends & Family or add the normal 4% fee. Postage: £4.50 for 1st Class signed for (Within the UK) anything over a ton via Special Delivery, £8.00 (Insured up to £750) within the UK. * If you are outside the UK, just tell me where and I'll quote you via PM.

totally agree. I used to frequent the Outrigger allot in B'ham, there was a girl up there who danced to all the mod stuff and the more energetic northern, always with a pint in her hand, and that pint was always level, she never spilled a drop! in fact it was the balance to the rest of her moves, if that makes sense.... We were in love with this girl, because she was very cute, and we loved her dancing, it was just dam cool... You can’t teach that, you either have it, or you dont!

That’s interesting, I guess we could surmise she may have been a Chicago resident, or from somewhere in Michigan, who gravitated there, and then made the move to NY? just conjecture isnt it. Only bit of other info I have on her, is 'Everybody's Talkin' was a Former Jim Wensiora and Keb Darge spin, I guess at Stafford. The writers of 'Everybody's Talkin' were Roberts Staunton and Robert Walker, Discogs has them writing and arranging a good few Chicago artists, The Dells, The Artistics, in 64/65 then it seems they got involved in Motown, namely the Monitors and Brenda Holloway in 1965, and they penned and produced 'The Hit Pack – Never Say No To Your Baby' no mean fete! all that a year after Joan cut 'Everybody's Talkin'. Robert Stanton wrote solo for Betty Everett also, so he was working in and around Chicago allot I guess... https://www.discogs.com/artist/690350-Robert-Staunton-And-Robert-Walker