Frankie Crocker

I booked up for the Albert Hall months ago. I’ll be going with an open mind and shall report back later. Normally, I ignore classical music and boycott the Proms but I thought it sensible to support the event. Someone has evidently attempted to diversify affairs and tap into the rich vein of Northern Soul - it’ll be interesting to see if the orchestra can match the quality of the original recordings...we’ll see...

Cecil Washington tanked a bit - well below previous earnings. Has a quantity turned up in Detroit?

True, as is the case for anyone writing about anything... John’s recollections are worth reading because they are John’s recollections from back in the day and interpretations of the current scene. I’m happy reading about a diverse array of perceptions on Soul-Source including John’s somewhat hyped-up sales pitches couched in factual historical detail. The amount of text John has written could be bound into a volume worth reading in my humble opinion. I only went to Cleethorpes once and my memories become even more vivid when I read about the records spun there.

Who cares about the prices - they’re nothing compared to the mess the economy is in. Hats off to the Bard of Melton Mowbray - John has become a full-time author, and now focuses on writing record descriptions for the next lavishly illustrated book. Come on John and please tell us when all the record auctions will be compiled into a glossy book - I’ll gladly proof-read it for a free copy...

A consideration to factor in would be which take the tracks were, something of course that will remain unknown unless studio paperwork turns up. Sure, there was always pressure to get the tune in the can on the first take, but this could cause nervousness in a very young singer. If the group had rehearsed the track and performed it several times in public, the singer would deliver a less novicey vocal. Heaven Is In Your Arms sure sounds like a youngster rather than an adult - there could only have been a tiny number of budding child-stars guesting in Chicago recording studios in the 1960’s. I think Chalky’s mention of using computer software to analyse the voices would be worth trying out.

Awesome tunes. Great dance music. Up-tempo. Era of the instrumental. Banging tunes 50 years ago...Zola, The Kid, Sea Cruise, The Trip etc. I’ve heard that some of the punters back then were off their trees... Fife Piper was rare in the beginning but sounds tame now; remember the sounds were pioneers of a sort.

Tommy Navarro was a daft price - one for sale every week on eBay. Esther Phillips issue is roundabout £150 so the demo was not too exorbitant. For a number of records, the price was right so maybe collectors are not going OTT as has been the case in recent years.

FWIW the Admiration’s singer on Paree sounds very like Little Michael Jackson.... On listening to both sides of the Peaches 45, echoes of the same singer sound through. It does sound like the same lead singer on both records...doing my head in but I think you lot are on to something here!

Mood Mosaic by a mile. It was the ‘ender’ at Plas Coch Saturday night discos in the late ‘70’s. The Anglesey Soul Crew would fill the floor clamouring for more whilst the Holyhead boozers were staggering off to make sure they had a seat on the free coach. I honestly can’t remember hearing it played out at a major venue back in the day...can’t remember the last time I played the Casino Classic LP’s either - probably not this century, but they’re there just in case I need to. Great tune by the way.

The museum in Wigan has updated the Casino display recently.

A few photos taken in Wigan recently. The shopping centre built on the Casino site and the display by the Casino Cafe.

Not too many bargains this evening or jaw-dropping prices. Dave Charles has gone up a fair bit but understandably so. Some of the prices are matching eBay values eg Earl Jackson, Van Dykes, Exits. Anything that sells for £200 or less is clearly a set-sale item so it continues to baffle that such a quality auction is marred by sub-standard filler - guessing that John does not have enough major rarities for weekly auctions these days perhaps?

Bobby Paris £122- madness. David and the Giants £165 - insanity. Overall, a quiet night for John.

Having made over 70 record buying trips to The States over the last 30 plus years, I can confidently state there’s very little to be discovered in the wild. This is reflected on eBay and Discogs. The USA collectors and crate diggers are wise nowadays and have price-guides to help them snaffle records once ignored; they then use databases such as Popsike and Collector’s Frenzy to value 45’s at ridiculous levels. The desirable records are now in the hands of US collectors who part with them on rare occasions, in the hands of the artists, in lock-ups off-limits to casual visitors and on show at major record conventions but at colossal prices. There are more decent records in nice condition for sale in the UK compared to the USA - unfortunately the sellers want unrealistic sums for them so they often go usold.

Saw the show yesterday and I would recommend it. The production was slick, the singing very good, dancing well choreographed, music pretty decent coming from the House Band, all in all, well worth seeing. We had booked tickets for the Grand Circle as soon as they were on sale but were re-seated in a loggia box with an excellent view. Clearly the theatre is not full to capacity as theGrand Circle is not in use, but the vast majority of seats were occupied. The audience were 98% white, mainly middle-aged to old and mainly female. There were hardly any young people present suggesting a lack of interest in Motown music as far as 20-30 year olds are concerned. For Temps fans, this would be of interest as their history was well covered and spliced in with other Motown acts. As a piece of theatre in the West End, it would be a pleasant way to spend an evening in London.

...eBay paying funds...can’t see them being too generous as they go via Luxembourg and other ‘offshore’ territories... The only saving grace is there’s very little left in the USA and much of that’s in rough condition. Maybe we should have made more of the opportunity decades ago when tge moans about eBay were milder by comparison.

eBay is now adding VAT to invoices. Whether they pay this all to the UK Government is open to question. This obviously deters UK buyers, especially on big ticket items. Not sure if high value items are charged again at Customs? Having a low value on the ticket makes sense for many reasons but some USA dealers will not go down that route because of the legal implications. One other problem has worsened on eBay due to their changes - a lot more dealers will not send to the UK and their settings do not accept UK bids: this is a major nuisance if records are to be sent to a contact in the USA.

Gimme the medium-pace of The Lady In Green anyday. All the Magnetics rarities are floorpackers but when the average age of the dancer is 88, tempo is appealing, especially for the chinstrokers...

A massive Dave Rimmer spin in the 90’s and into the Noughties. Rarely turns up for sale, so this copy fetched a nice price in spite of the condition. Quite possibly the least desirable Magnetics rarity but still packs the floor - I’d put the various releases by different groups on Bonnie and Sable ahead of this record but it’s a great sound nonetheless.

Gotta keep movin’ as they say... I’m a gym member and have used gyms since the early 70’s. No longer do Olympic lifting but use the resistance machines after a warm-up session on the mats. Now using the Infinity Stairs machine despite the dodgy knees - it has led to massive improvements in a very short space of time. I row 5km, nice and steady and find this excellent for the upper and lower body. Finish off with a 2km swim. Wipes out the morning 4-5 times a week but ensures retirement’s not wasted sitting around. The more you do, the easier it becomes so walking becomes a pleasure, stairs no problem and the dance floor is not a worry on the rare occasions I’m at a Soul function.

I vaguely remember the auction but facts need verifying. Copy reportedly was found at a USA record fair. Copy allegedly went to Japan based collector. A truly great record and big credit to Mark for giving it the exposure it deserves.

Nothing too remarkable here. No real bargains. Cautions did OK.

In line with recent and current record price inflation. Not seen one for sale in a while. Very good sound. Decent oldie. Ripe for reactivation perhaps? Doubt we’ll see too many for sale in the near future.

Now you’ve gone and hurt Ian Levine’s feelings... Maybe a thread of your top 10 Allnighter DJ’s might throw up a few less obvious names BUT I’m still enjoying what’s been posted...

A few set-sale prices here eg Determinations, Clyde McPhatter. Good price for Kenny Carlton. Bit of a dull Wednesday apart from Rita and the Tiaras.