Richard Free

Thanks for the info Gilly

Just picked up "does anybody know " on us trip very nice I am guessing she was from the Alabama area .i will post pics and soundclip when back home

From a young age I love music .my oldest brother was in a band and I looked up to him .From the age of 7 or 8 I knew bands like the small faces ,the who and of course the Beatles .Influenced by my school mates by the age of 11 or 12 I was listening to T. rex , Bowie , Slade and Elton john etc and bought records whenever I could afford them . My brother turned up one day with a bunch of beat up singles .Rather than do my homework I spent the evening listening to the 45s but the stand out record of the bunch was "sweet soul music " by Arthur Conley and that was it .I needed more tunes like this and set about finding as many soul singles as possible .By 1974 (I was 14) I had started to venture to the local village hall disco and birchley close to Billinge on a Monday .The older guys were dancing to soul and Catching admiring glances from the girls .Early favourite tunes were the snake (oh yes ) tainted love Gloria jones and a bunch of Motown as well as tunes like al Capone by prince buster . I was obsessed with finding soul 45s .I also wanted to look and dress like these guys with their smooth looks , leather shoes and smart attire junk shops ,ex juke box 45s sold in newsagents , friends parents collections all sources were raided .Best of all a friend put me on to his cousin Ronnie who had been to the torch and early Wigan but by despite his keep the faith tattoos now preferred beer money to soul records .Any money I gathered would swiftly be spent with Ronnie .He would play the tunes and mock me "you don't know this " (Sandy Sheldon) ." You need this " ((Williams and Watson ) etc etc etc .By the time I was almost 15 I was ready .Despite looking 12 I made my first trip to Wigan .I told my parents I was staying at my mates i left from St Helens railway station .Sthelens was a rough town back then and the St Helens lot were also a rough bunch .I kept quiet and hung around the back of the crowd and my biggest concern was if I would I be allowed in .I had borrowed a membership so at least had that part covered . We reached Wigan station and strode through the town ignoring the drunks being turfed out of the pubs at closing time . The rock night threw out the gimps and a short time later after some pushing and shoving we were in .I spent most of the night on the balcony .i only knew about half a dozen records all night .How was I ever going to find out what all these spectacular tunes were ? How dare I perform my bedroom dance moves which went down fine at the local tin hut disco but paled into insignificance compared to the moves that were going down here . I looked through boxes in the record bar but hardly knew any of them .i had so much to learn . I am still learning . Northern soul led me on to funk , gospel , Latin ,Blues r and b etc .thank you Arthur Conley for the sweet soul music .

No worries .You must have your records organised in the same style as mine .😀Cheers richard

Thanks

Among many wants Gene Woodbury that's not half bad /everybody etc anyone please

He is off course a top seller .Very reliable grading .He is also totally trustworthy and has built a great reputation over a period of time .Other dealers as NCFC states give him goodies because he can achieve prices they cannot .

Check out to see if any record shows on .normally one flea market with records on a Sunday .rose bowl in Pasadena used to have records as well only monthly though .not much success in the record stores though .

Absolutely agreed .but most general soul funk Latin etc that buy northern as well .i am always stunned how good some of the US guys collections are .Then again a little more accessible for those guys

A total sales pitch by Mr Manship about a record that is not rare but in demand .When the market changes this particular tune will be a cheapie once more .I would think serious collectors of northern number less than 5,000 worldwide .The word serious important here .

I feel that the ovo is essential at all the most respected venues .leave the boots for the local soul clubs .the young guys can find plenty of good ovo tunes cheaply .It makes you have to work that much harder to discover great tunes and be much more inventive playing original vinyl .There are so many great tunes costing under £20

Just got to let a few young ones in .Give them a chance to develop their own style .

Thanks Guy I thought I had one but the chap changed his mind .Message me if it turns up .thanks richard

Nice I will message offer cheers richard

Obviously missed this Michael !i managed to get one from the uk it should be awaiting my return .it was good to see you .i hope you found something spectacular .Still need a Tommy bush though .Cheers richard

Hi Guy if you root out the spare I would be most interested .i.caught your spot at Swinton recently and was mightily impressed didn't know a bunch of it which is always encouraging .A nice break from oldies . Cheers richard

Do you want to sell pomonkey ?

Anyone got any info on this one had some spins and quite rare I believe cheers richard

Got a white demo I will have a look tomorrow at condition

Got a mint issue £35 if any good cheers richard

Top end do wop but lots of average stuff prices have dropped

Did you have to stand in the naughty corner 😁

Well worth the telling off .A couple of cracking pics there Chalkie

Other sellers saying just the same thing including records heading back to the USA!

Great pics Eddie Hubbard