Nickinstoke

I reckon Shropshire deserves a mention. While I was growing up in Bridgnorth, in the late 60s, if you didn't drive a tractor you were into soul music. I never got to the Wheel myself, but older local guys (and girls) were regulars (even the village of Broseley, just up the road, had around a dozen Wheel-goers) and through them I and my mates knew all the Wheel sounds. Farmer Carl sometimes played at the Castle Hall, the local Saturday night hop, where the bands would play to an empty dance floor while we re-fuelled until the DJ came back on. In Wellington, a club called Terry Heath's played all the current big sounds on a Sunday night, so you could go there straight from an afternoon session at the Chateau or the Catacombs. Later, of course, Whitchurch and Albrighton carried on the proud Shropshire tradition

I had a Soul Bros Inc, "Pyramid", around 1976, easily my best soul pack goodie

The Radiants: "Hold on" made me fall over when I was 16. I wouldn't want to try dancing to it now

I bought one a few years ago. Rather more country records than I'd expect in a soul pack.

Working again for me, too. I think this was a scam, where someone unrelated to 45cat was trying to get you to part with money to own the domain name. Whatever, I'm glad to have it back

Interesting! I've just used my iPhone, with wifi off and mobile data on, and got on the site, so it seems to be a broadband problem. The 45cat Facebook page shows that lots of people are having the same problem.

Does anyone know anything about the 45cat website? I've found it a great source of label listings, but as of yesterday I get redirected to another site that says the domain name has expired. Anyone know if this site can be found under another name somewhere?

Lisbon flea market, today, Hesitations - Wait a minute/She won't come back, on Spanish Kapp. Looks like it was once owned by Graca Gomez, whose name is all over the pic sleeve, front and back, but still not bad for half a Euro

I've just played the Five Stairsteps "You waited too long" and Johnny Bartel/Soul Masters "I waited too long", one after the other, and despite the slightly different titles, they're obviously the same song. The Five Stairsteps has Burke and Fowler credited as writers, and Camad Music as publishers, whilst Johnny Bartel is credited to Sedaka and Greenfield, published by Screen Gems-Columbia. I believe the Five Stairsteps came out the year before Johnny Bartel. Anyone know what's going on here? Boba, I'd bet on you knowing the story behind this. Nick

UK Rediffusion, from 1973. Mostly ghastly, but it includes Pic & Bill, "All I need is you" and Carolyn Sullivan's "Dead"

This one's interesting. Not all soul, but it includes the Impressions "Love is a mystery" (its only appearance on vinyl, I believe), the Sapphires "Why don't you let yourself go" (same as Mary Wells, not on 45 as far as I can see) and tracks by the Tams, Steve Alaimo and Fats Domino, plus some horrors.

Just to revive this thread, I've heard from Gemm that they're currently running 6 to 8 weeks behind with payments. Anyone know anything about this?

I've never seen this, but I have Barbara Acklin's "Love makes a woman" on this label. I always thought it looked a bit dodgy, but the JM guide lists both as originals. Local issue perhaps?

Record Collector magazine did a piece on this topic a year or two back. Their theory was that a number of Liverpool record shops, including that owned by Brian Epstein, stocked just about every UK release, allowing local musicians hanging out in these shops to hear some of the more obscure releases - like the Donays, released on Oriole. Just about everything that the early 60s British bands covered had already had a UK release, so it sounds more likely that this is the explanation than the visiting sailor theory. Cheers Nick

Here's mine: Joe Thomas Group - Comin' home Baby (Cobblestone) Shorty Long - Out to get you (UK Tamla Motown) Chambers Brothers - Call me (UK Vocalion) Bobby Moore - Chained to your heart (Checker) McKinley Mitchell - Playboy (Chess) J.J. Jackson - Oo-ma-liddi (Prelude) Harold Burrage - Things ain't what they used to be (M-PAC) Percy Milem - Call on me (UK Stateside) Junior Wells - Party power (Blue Rock) Freddie Scott - I'll be gone (Shout) Webs - I want you back (Verve) 2nd set: Donne Wells - You've got my love (Smash) Gene Anderson - Baby I dig you (Royal-Tone) Pic & Bill - Don't put me down (Smash) Specials - Everybody say yea (Satch) Turks - The bad brought the good (DJO) Revels - True love (Jamie) Mail us - I just can't stand it (Duke) Freddie Hughes - My baby came back (Wee) Vermont Greene - Look at me, look at me (Minit) Spidells - Hmmm, with feeling Darling (Monza) Checkers - Lack of love (Look) Shepards - Little girl lost (ABC) Had a great night and heard some wonderful sounds. Looking forward to the next one

Booted (or reissued legally? I never knew which) for the other side

I prefer Georgie Fame's version to Gene McDaniels, but I believe Georgie's was based on the Louis Jordan version on Tangerine

Joe Simon was an old Twisted Wheel play back in the 60s, along with his version of "No sad song"

Thanks Ricky - seems to be all demos

I was once told that "I'm Mr Big Stuff/Tell her that I love her" by Jimmy Hicks on UK London 10396 was withdrawn over a copyright issue, accounting for its scarcity. Does anyone know anything about this? There are no copies on Gemm, and only one demo shown on Popsike, 7 years ago. What would be a realistic price for this? Nick

It's by the Imperial Wonders, on Solid Foundation. Not sure of the price though

My most recent through the letter box: Leroy Hutson - In the mood (Curtom) Darrow Fletcher - Try something new/It's no mistake (Crossover) Fabulous Shalimars - Playing a losing game (Cotillion) Otis Clay - It's easier said than done (UK President)

You're right, it's a tough 45 to find. I finally got one, but if anyone has a spare I have a mate who'd love to take it off your hands

Is it just me? I've never seen a UK copy of this. Did it definitely come out?

Woolworth's had these in quantity in the early/mid 80s. I'll always be thankful that I bought this LP, otherwise I may never have heard the Isley's original 60s version of "Who's that lady"