soulfulsaint

I have a fairly good collection of 7" demo sugarhill the radio releases - maybe able to help you with the 12" poor tracks PM if you want. stuart

They were usually done in collusion with the big DJs and aimed at those fans (or midweek DJs) who wanted a big record before it was more widely availabe, either by UK release or mass bootleg. They didn't last long and of course no artists' royalty was paid, so a rip off in every sense of the word, although they are a bit of NS history and in a warped kind of way they have become 'collectable.' Many were based on the the old EPs - 4 tracks on one disc. Handwriting was usually awful and spelling not perfect. Tut Tut.

Used to 'cut out' DJ playlists and set about collecting the list, hated cover-ups because they scuppered that. Was in Ann Arbor working last month and went passed Ollie McLaughlin's old house so jealous of an Ollie collection. But would say Motown white demos are always something I bag, even if it is a 'hit' record. Have a decent Shrine pile even although its a bit of a cliche but that started with wanting a big DC soul collection so it fits in. Never been a total compleatist tho. Wouldn't buy an expensive record I don't like just to make up a set.

Last time I was through Detroit, old man May was using John Manship's Guide on a pound-for-dollar basis, so the prices were well below book-price, but higher they would have been in the past. I suspect the funk collector's in US have also helped the general inflation as much as the guides themselves. Also think the Detroit shops are less fussy about condition, Peoples barely had a minter in stock, a lot of the records were in quite poor condition.

The local Detroit newspaper 'Detroit News' carried a feature on rare records: https://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...ENT01/708040395

I've always had an obsessive personality and so have always collected. If I was honest some passion has gone and my work has taken me away from the full-blown obsession (of a certifiable kind) the passion I felt at say Wigan, Mecca, Stafford early 100 Club etc. But the music has a lifetime grip and never goes. I have always had a very deep affinity for rare nothern and for modern and refuse to get boxed into either camp. One thing that is really nocticeable and comes through is the very passion of the R&B scene. As Davie suggests its a 'dynamic' scene and if you are young, new or simply restless for more, its an energetic scene that has a lot in common with the spirit of northern 1970-78. So still passionate, refuse to give up, and scared to go to Davie's R&B nights is Scotland cause I know I'd get sucked into another obsession.

I agree sunny probably that summer 'redefined' the music. Added to that Dave's point that the number of copies that eventually came on to the northern/rare soul scene was fewer than previous Revilot releases, increasing the 'possessiveness' that collectors have always felt for this record.

One possible theory is the date of release Rob. It was a summer of 1967 release. On the last weekend of July 1967 Detroit erupted in the worst riots in the city's history leaving 43 dead and devastation in much of the inner city. Some of the city's key record stores and distribution points were burnt to the ground, including places like Joe Von Battles, Fortune Records etc. Although I have nothing to back this up, if Jackie Beavers was pressed in small quantities and was seen as a local release, without national distribution, then its probable that a significant quantity of stock was destroyed in local shops. This is also one of the theories behind the rarity of several Shrine records, from Washington DC. Although Jackie Beavers more accurately fits the dates of the riots. This is just a theory, and is impossible to prove beyond doubt, but at least its an answer. I'd love to hear other possibilities.

I assume its a demo?

great name for a city centre hostelry will toast the wheel sometime soon.

welcome back Russ make sure you clean out every record shop in Norfolk, Virginia before you leave. give our love to Lennis Guess, Elsie Strong, Oliver Christian et al. Stuart

...or more likely this one https://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/contact_us/_b..._selection.html

This is the safety centre accessed via my account. let me know if it works or not. how's things in canada? https://pages.ebay.co.uk/safetycentre/contact.html? stuart

Off to see him tomorrow night at Glasgow - you've cheered me up I was a bit doubtful.

Respect to him for all he did with his music. He had a style that made you smile. But I can't lie, I think 'Take A Letter Maria' was one of the worst records ever played on the scene, and it showed a level of desperation among one or two top DJs that was staggering. So many undiscovered, unplayed and truly great rare soul and R&B records, and they had to resort to that. It was Benny Hill on amphet. Boots deserves a respectful obituary as a musician and a human being but I still can't pretend he was relevant to soul music. Sorry.

My 'Batman At Go-Go' has address under St Lawrence logo. 4849 North Western Avenue Chicago Illinois 60625. Came from Soul Bowl in '70s. They only had a very small quantity. By then, 'Working' was seen as a good-oldie, maybe even played-out. So although the Batmans' proceeded in the Catalogue as I remember they didn't come on to the scene until well after 'Working' was already a big record. The arrival of the 'Batmans' was seen as a bit of a collector's curiosity item. Sorry no scan at work Ridds. When's your next night, I'm keen to come up.

I saw an extensive Shrine collection in Washington DC in early '80s at the home of Maxx Carl Kidd who was then Trouble Funks' manager. He had produced and written for Shrine - Prophets, Eddie Daye etc. Nearly 100% sure that The Counts was in there but I was more fixated with DC Blossoms at the time, it was on an old wants list since Levine played it at Mecca. May well have missed a golden opportunity.

The FBI investigated the Singletons in May 1964. The charges involved 5000 bootlegged singles mostly of Mary Wells' 'My Guy' Gordy didn't pursue the charges and they were subsequently dropped.

Hellish news Sean. I had to fight with a loss-adjustor over a few records that were lost in a fire in an out-house. The best one's were indoors safe but thought I'd claim anyway. They wriggle and say you can't claim unless you've previosuly itemised the value, which is virtually impossible for a big collection. One thing they asked me to do was to get affidavits from other collectors validating prices based on guide-book prices. If you need the same let me know. stuart cosgrove

I've just taken my copy out of a box and its got crack bigger than Frank Cannon's ass. Has anyone got a Mint/Ex/VG++ replacement copy original please? PM me if you can help

Martin has left scotland and is working in the corporate department of Brent Council. They have just had a baby and I suspect he is up to his neck in baby cakes. Don't have anumber to hand but you could try via his work. Keith Keddie will have his number.

Hi Russ: Stuart Cosgrove here, hope all is well in Norfolk. When I was studying in DC there was a great soul bill-poster printing shop in Baltimore. It did all the go-go, gospel and old-soul shows. The company is called Globe Posters, 1801 Byrd Street Baltimore Maryland I picked up great posters of Otis Clay, Jerry Butler etc in the old sixties style with vibrant colours. It may still be there it was a thriving business. Curtis Anderson is still DJing locally but not sure of his radio station now. Take care Russ

I was reading a TV history at work today and came across a chapter on a '60s show called 'Swingin Time', which was broadcast locally in Detroit. The show was presented by Robin Seymour and like TOTP featured real people dancing in the studio. When asked who the top dancers were Seymour replies: 'The Tiptons - Lester and Leslie - they were probably the most famous. They were a black couple and great dancers, they were on the show every single day...Lester and Leslie would do do things, and the other kids would try to copy them. They entered this national contest that Dick Clark had and won..they won two Pontiac automoblies." I didn't know Lester Tipton was a dancer, I didn't know Leslie existed and had no idea they won two Pontiacs. I'd welcome more fascinating if useless facts about the rare soul greats.

Clapping is essential - it also shows respect for records that were denied their moment of respect on release. I always feel i'm clapping the artistic performance rather than the scene or the DJ

This is a fantastic idea and may well give some new life to a scene that can often be too narrwoly obsessed with itself - stuck this weekend so please repeat.