Md Records

By the way, if I cook a Meal for myself I don't say that everyone else in the street is a crap cook.

As I say, yes it's free speech, opinions etc etc but take the example of Bidds, where I'm resident. Not one mention of the venue in 96 pages yet 11 pages on Holmes Chapel, which is no problem in itself - it's Martyn's mag and venue, but when you see the political rhetoric about "inept promoters", "musically average" etc etc and there's no favourable mention about the venue I'm involved with, you can't help but think...........is he having a pop at us!! I'm sure this isn't the case, but it isn't clear for us, or a great deal of promoters,D.J.'s who weren't mentioned in the magazine. Des parker

I'm certainly not having a go at the mag, coz overall it is very GOOD - just kinda feel that the "politics" lets it down. In the editorial it states "Unfortunately most of what we'd call the mainstream comprises of events that are either too political, musically average (at best) or are run by inept promoters who don't have a clue" Now, unless you state which venues you're on about, it leaves seeds of doubt - Who are these "inept promoters" - Andy Mcabe, Kev Roberts, Adey Croasdell, Phil Kowalski, Mace????? It also states, in a review about Burnley "Not a bad night, although not the dog's bollock's as some suggest. But different, so I'll probably return to this one as i've heard enough to give it another try" - what doesn't sit right with me about these "political statements" is that the "unbiased" view of the state of the scene comes from another venue promoter!!!! It really is a great magazine, run by a great guy, but for me the judgements on the scene, could be viewed as a bit biased, to say the least!! Des Parker

How much are dealer tables, Nick? Des Parker

Martyn's a top bloke and full of passion for the music. I agree that this has got to be the best read about, however I have to smile when I read the "political" views:- the scene needs fresh and exciting venues etc etc, and then do an 11 page review of your own venue could be viewed as a little unbalanced reporting, especially when many venues that are consistently trying to be interesting and "exciting" don't even get a mention. I appreciate that this is only a personalised view of "how it is", but can you see how this could be construed as a little bit of biased self promotion, though personally knowing Martyn, I know this couldn't be further from the truth, but it could easily come across this way. Des Parker

This is a bootleg/reissue, though, isn't it??? Richie brown came out on "Hit" records and Val Palmer came out on "Twin Hits" without Richie Brown on the flip Des Parker

Totally agree. Des Parker

Andy, we both agree that when you come off Soul Source and enter the real world it's a different story regardless of how many "postings,lookbacks etc etc" there are on this site. In Middleton's case, regardless of what anybody feels about the music, promoter, cost of drinks, how many posts there are about it, it's GENUINELY never "quiet". The irony is, when you enter Soul Source and the "Virtual Soul Scene" every venue is busy!!! Des Parker

Saturday night in the Gloucester area there are 3 events Des Parker

Well, I've asked the question before and nearly all the promoters have told us that they have a good one, so this isn't a problem...............................because there's 1000's and 1000's of soul fans to go round. Des Parker

Got one of these for £15 including postage (within U.K.) Des Parker

Got a Tambi Garrett promo up for sale at the moment for £45 (including postage) Des Parker

How rare is the "Magic Touch" instrumental by the 7 Sons in comparism? Des Parker

There seems to be a bit of politics surrounding this Years event, but we're used to that are't we. Some dealers aren't going apparently, after a bit of falling out - but this is all information I've heard 2nd/3rd hand but before you commit to a flight you might want to contact the organiser and get a dealer list just to reassure yourself that it's gonna be busy - which I'm sure it will. Des Parker

Sold 2 of these for about £60 - £80. The other side is "Adam & Eve" or something like that, isn't it Mike, and a completely different style almost Soul meets Funk. I played the "Boomerang" side out a few Years ago covered up as "Kell Osbourne" as it reminded me of "Quicksand". If you're into this genre of Soul, and my tastes are very wide, this a potential winner. Des Parker

I don't think he was the first, by any means, but for the purposes of this discussion, I've got Chris Plant on a Tape somewhere playing "Garland Green - Girl I Love You" at Stafford

Just sold a Willie White to Mike Wilkes, difficult to price - OK tune, but not up there with the best.The studio disc you played Dave IS pretty Darned good though, I think Johnny Beggs played this at Bidds (one of the most upfront and exciting allnighters around), I have a CD of it, from him - great track!!! Des Parker P.S. Just my personal opinion, for what little it's worth

I don't know much about this, but giving everybody the benefit of the doubt, is this a Legal collaboration between Boston's "Little Joe Cook" who I assume owns the "Top Top" label, Philadelphia's "Frank Lipsius" who I assume owns the backing music, and Ian Levine who created the finished work? Des Parker

A good price, was offered one a few Years back by a well known dealer for £900!!! On one of the Goldmine C.D.'s ain't it, I assumed it was pretty well known. Des Parker P.S. As has been said - Each to his own!

The whole price thing makes me smile, I have people telling me EVERY week that a price on a certain record in my boxes is too high or more often too low, and I'm past caring. I can't break the F***ing things up and eat them, so I sell them based on what I paid for them, incorporating knowledge I've built up over the Years, looking on t'net and taking a look at J.M.'s stuff. If John Manship starting ringing me up and telling me what price to sell my records for, I'd give a F***. Ironically, how often have people used the "cheaper than the BOOK" line to help secure a sale. Des Parker

I know what you're saying, and I think you know what I'm "clumsily" trying to say, that perhaps we don't need more of the same. Des Parker

Good point, it's a personal thing, maybe? I'm sure from some of your posts on other threads, Terry, that in your opinion there's at least a few venues that aren't contributing anything to the "scene" Des Parker

I agree with where your coming from, Dave, and I can't really judge Berkeley, as I ain't been, but I think we're all agreed that New "events" are a good thing, as long as they're "bringing something to the party", which Berkeley certainly is, but many aren't - just diluting what we've already got. Des Parker

It's a point, Dave, that gets Weekly coverage on this site, and I don't think there's an easy answer. On one Hand yes there are tooooooo many venues, but on the other hand we don't want a situation where a few govern what we can and can't listen to when we're out. I've been offered venues, and wouldn't even contemplate starting an "oldies" venue in our area at the moment, as it's reached saturation point. Having said that, the 60's "newies" and "R & B" end of the market is very poorly catered for in our area, except for a few D.J.'s at Berkeley (Andy D & Arthur Fenn) so I'd welcome somebody putting on an event aimed at this sector. Des Parker

This could be a contentious thread, but how about finding some tunes that nobody could defend, or admit to liking. Some of the most appalling examples of "Northern Soul" in my mind are some of the "Instrumentals" on the "Soul Galore" label.Equally as appalling are some of the "cover" versions on the "Soul Stop" label, did any of these monstrosities get an airing in front of a paying public? Des Parker