Frankie Crocker

True up to a point Dave. UK dealers have bought wholesale from US dealers for years as a basis for their business. Nothing the matter with that. However, we’re witnessing a new movement in high-end record sales. Take for example the Anderson Brothers sold by carolinasoul on 23/5/21 that fetched £1,569 that was later put up for sale by a UK dealer at £2,250; some might consider this a smart piece of business, others may regard it as daylight robbery or plain extortion. Earl Jackson sold by carolinasoul on 23/5/21 for £531 and was later put up for sale at £800, then swiftly dropped to £750. Jeanette Harper from the same batch was also ‘flipped’ later. The problem with this high-end flipping is galloping price inflation. It puts records beyond the budgets of many collectors. It distorts eBay auction finishing prices - this encourages other US dealers to fall back on high starting prices. It denies serious buyers their chance to acquire a long awaited want. Maybe I’m a sore buyer talking through my pocket, but I feel it ethical to express concern about the way the record market is being manipulated at the expense of committed collectors. As we are commenting on John’s world record prices, one has to ponder whether some of the sales are records to be ‘flipped’ by another dealer, exchanged temporarily to brighten up a colourful website, put in a vault for 10 years to appreciate in value or enjoyed by dedicated collectors.

Well spotted. I’ve noticed this too. Likewise, I’ve lost numerous auctions only to see the same records later advertised at significantly more. I’ve raised the matter on Soul Source previously - peoples’ views on the buying of records purely for re-sale vary. There is a possibly a darker side to this though as a duopoly can manipulate the prices of records allegedly ‘sold’. Dealers moving records to other dealers can create the illusion that values have increased when no actual sale has taken place.

Bang on. Top, top musician. A fitting tribute, long overdue.

Thanks for posting. I think the film will go down extra-well with folk north of the border. I thought some of the scenery was spectacular. I had planned a city break in Edinburgh last year but it was cancelled - I hope to be there before not too long so will be practising for the karaoke evenings🎶🎶🎶

Just got in from watching the recently released ‘Our Ladies’ film set in Scotland. Reviews in the press were full of praise for this vulgar comedy, but no mention of the karaoke in the aptly named Pillbox Club was made. Half a dozen lasses on a schooltrip to Edinburgh end up on the razz, three of which end up on stage belting out a decent version of Tainted Love. Other soundbites included Love Reputation, He Who Picks A Rose and Let Me Down Easy. The dance floor had a few people dressed the part, moving as you do, and with the regulation acrobat thrown in for good measure - I wonder if someone can recognise any of the dancers? I enjoyed the film and can see it becoming cult viewing - I would certainly recommend it to those with a warped sense of humour. That said, I wonder if the inclusion of a Northern Soul karaoke scene set in a mid 1990’s club was for extra laughs, realism, to showcase good tunes to enhance the film or possibly revive an old trend? Whatever your thoughts, try to see the film if you get the chance.

It’s a styrene bootleg. Original is on heavy vinyl. I don’t have my copy to hand but it replaced the format pictured. Great sound. Big at the Casino in 1975. I think it could be a Simon Soussan bootleg as anything that was in-demand was pressed up at the Monarch plant.

Styrene record. Paper label. Folk wrote their names or initials on them. Come party time, there’s a pile of 50 records on the carpet. The records are stacked 10 at a time on a portable Dancette player, spun, then dropped back in the pile. Ten spins and the styrene burn turns to a hiss. Ah well, stuck it in the metal rack and forget about it. Finally, the kids grow up and the records were chucked sleeveless in a box, then stuck in the basement to wait for the inevitable flood... It’s a miracle that any Jackie Beavers on Revilot survived. Those that eventually surfaced often have that ‘ghetto worn’ look that Detroit records have when uncovered in a yard-sale 50 years down the line.

It partly depends on whether the record is made of vinyl or styrene. Vinyl cracks can be ‘tighter’ and less subject to displacement causing audible imperfections. Styrene is prone to hairline cracking but sometimes this can sometimes actually be a manufacturing defect; if the crack cuts across the run-in grooves, this can be a problem, but if it is the result of an impact on the playing surface towards the run-out grooves, this can be less of an issue. Ultimately, the length of the crack and the part of the record affected would be factors affecting the re-sale value.

Thanks for posting as usual. Maxine Brown was a huge surprise - someone must have wanted it very badly. Sunday is a Set Sale record as copies are available weekly. Troy Dodds was a reasonable price as it did not leap up like everything else seems to these days.

‘with sports bags full of gear’... sn*****, sn*****... I can remember my first outing at the Casino, March 1974, had a lift a Mini with two lads and lasses from RAF Valley. As I walked across the dance floor to the stage, Chris Scouse from Bangor asked me ‘have you got any gear?’ I said, ‘no just got my holdall here’, dohh... Well some of us didn’t need any artificial stimulants, the music was loud enough to wake the dead. More tellingly, the music was so great, you were on your toes all night. The drink was not expensive - Coca Cola from the bottle did the job, but even six trips to the bar hardly cost anything. And those chicken rolls from the upstairs bar were delicious. Sorry, but the article does not do justice to the true state of affairs. Yes, some took non-prescribed medication, often liberated from poorly secured pharmacies en route to Wigan, but the Piggly-Wiggly brigade more often than not, were holding their balls in the car park, blending in nicely with coach-loads of divvies on their only trip to the Casino to see what the fuss was about.

Still a daft price for this very good record. I would have thought £500 was more realistic, and certainly no more than £800. Just another example of the Manship Effect.

This is a really distressing thread Floyd, so I hope the seller settles the matter honourably and without further delay. I once received a styrene record from the States, mint unplayed, $300+, snapped into three pieces. I got the refund, but the record still eludes me. When I buy from a general bric-a-brac dealer these days, I specify strictly no Jiffy Bags, bubble-wrap etc. I once received a record by the Fantastics on Copa from a New York dealer. It came sandwiched between two cardboard stiffeners and had an edge crack. He promised me a discount on the next record I bought from him. Well that never happened. I reckon the edge was cracked from the start so he packed it badly. There was no sign of damage to the two pieces of cardboard so it was obvious the record had been deliberately ‘mis-packed’. A decent collector-dealer will generally pack records as they would expect to receive their purchases through the mail. Anyone who fails to pack records inadequately does not deserve to be in the selling business.

Yep, everytime he sells one, he finds another one. Punters have wised up to this manoevre so the last one did not sell. Maybe the latest ‘discovery’ ended up with John? Trouble is, there are now quite a few collectors holding a copy of Larry Allen they paid too much for in the belief it was the ‘last’ copy, or they thought they were getting a second-chance ‘bargain’.

Johnny Caswell issue did OK creeping up a few more hundred. Surprised Larry Allen did so well; should be less than $1,000 given the number dripped out in recent years. No really stupid sky-high bids by the Loadsamoney brigade tonight.

I am shocked and horrified by this tale. No self respecting record collector or seller would ship a record with such inadequate protection. Using a Jiffy bag is lazy, stupid, thoughtless and irresponsible. Using an inadequate number of cardboard stiffeners is neglectful, stupider, boneheaded and completely out of order. The seller has to assume total responsibility for the safe delivery of any item money has been taken for - in essence, they have to do everything in their power to guarantee safe delivery. In this case, the seller has fallen woefully short of minimum standards, so should be avoided in future. If he reads this and feels ashamed as he should, he will refund all costs and offer compensation.

It’s got great reviews in the Saturday and Sunday newspapers so we’ve booked up to see it on Wednesday. Well done to Soul-Sourcers for flagging it up well in advance.

There’s another in obituary of Dean in the Daily Telegraph dated Friday 16th July on page 25. Parts of it are similar to the Guardian version, but it reads more like a proper obituary, covering aspects of his life and career.

Thanks for posting. I managed to miss it yesterday when skimming the Guardian. This morning I retrieved it from the recycling pile and what a fine tribute it is, taking up three quarters of a page. Like yourself, there were bits that made me scratch my head, but overall, it was nice testament to Dean with ample historical context for those who need informing. I am not sure why Frank Wilson’s £25K sale rated a mention - perhaps this is a clue to the identity of the author? I would have liked to read about the Laurie story, the Boom years and Dean’s initiation into the scene at Cleethorpes, but overall, the obituary/article was a heart warming read.

One hundred smackers max these days Rod. And thanks again for the Idle Few on Blue Book that left the Manchester emporium for £30 a long time ago.

Talking of sound quality, has anyone noticed how some of John’s sound-clips suck pretty badly just lately?

Teddy Randazzo ouch - a set sale record any day of the week. Cajun Hart broke the sound barrier but the eBay hunters have pushed this one up and up recently. This Hamilton Movement was a bargain price given the condition of the copy a few weeks ago. High Keys doubled in price. John seems to be liquidating someone’s collection bit by bit, so they should be happy with the profits.

But not too many Mel Britts or Bobby Klines there... Most of the records won’t sell as the demand is not there. A million records isn’t much when you consider the top ten in the charts sold millions in the 60’s and 70’s. Even the top top Motown sounds barely sell unless they in demand by the Northern fraternity. The sounds we want are buried in the States and more likely to appear on eBay if they are rare, valuable or in demand. Discogs is handy for obscure, cheap unknown sounds, but how any of these actually turn up regularly?

Yes, most definitely if the price is right. Best to buy directly from the source rather than the middleman in Britain. If the record is mint unplayed, that’s surely worth taking into consideration. If you can use a USA address, postage costs and taxes will be lower too. We’re scraping at the bottom of the US barrel these days so grab what you can when it comes to market as it won’t be there in years to come.

Ah, but it peaked at The Dome. Big venue, Friday night crowd from far and wide, packed dance floor, dancers going bonkers. I was with the dancers - were you with the chin-strokers in the record room? Blue-eyed soul from New Mexico, Freddie Chavez influenced, what’s not to like?

Big, big spin at The Dome 15-20 years ago. I reckon if I found the dead stock, I could knock them out slowly at £1,000 at first then £500, £300 etc. It’s a real dancer that builds and builds.