Ian Dewhirst

Very timely Roger. I've been re-reviewing the career of Nick & Val since mid this week. They're basically right up there with the greatest songwriters in music history and they've been doing it for 5 decades which is astonishing. Here's a clip from February this year where they filmed a promo film for a new act they signed - Terry Lavell. It's an utterly brilliant song which I think out does Valentino's "I Was Born This Way" in terms of Gay anthems (not that I'm an expert by any means). However, then I remembered that Sylvester got his breakthrough hit with Ashford & Simpson's "Over & Over" so they have form in this area. It's got that whole Ashford & Simpson late 70's rhythm vibe going on and obviously the delivery is too cheesy for most tastes, but underneath all that, there's a great song with all the traditional Ashford & Simpson hallmarks. Plus good to see Val on keyboards and Nick grooving away in the background. I presume it was filmed at their club in New York but maybe someone can verify......? Terry Lavell - Born This Way - Ashford & Simpson Video Clip From February This Year Also, gratuitious plug here, but I have an Ashford & Simpson tribute coming up LIVE at 2.00pm today which covers a huge body of their work. 2 hours worth in fact 'cos every tune is connected with Nick & Val....... August Bank Holiday 28/08/11 - ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS Ashford & Simpson Special Tribute Show! Following the sad news of Nicholas Ashford’s passing away last week, we’re doing an ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS Ashford & Simpson bank holiday special which will feature two hours of wonderful music from the last 4 decades, all of which involved Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson in different capacities, whether as solo and duet artists or writers, producers and arrangers. It’s a breath-taking look at a pair of careers that stretched from the mid 60’s to February 2011. The fact that Val Simpson met Nick Ashford on a park bench when he was down and out in New York simply adds to the mythology of two of the greatest songwriters of all time. I had the pleasure working with Val & Nick in the early 80’s when I promoted “Solid” for Capitol/EMI and watched it become a smash in the UK. I hooked up with them again in 2007 when I interviewed them before their last UK gig at the Luxury Soul Weekender in Birmingham and, as always, it was a pleasure. Val was very prim and proper, sat very gracefully and formally in a table chair and allowed me to commence the interview. Nick was sprawled out on the sofa with legs akimbo and a huge grin on his face. He laughed like a hyena throughout the interview, especially when I asked Val what inspired the lyrics to “Let’s Go Get Stoned”, their first bona fide hit with Ray Charles. I’m trying to dig the interview out because it was great so I’ll post up when I get my hands on it! RIP Nick! Anyway, this show will be a perfect soundtrack to a bank holiday weekend, so if you’re around then try and join me and the rest of the gang this Sunday afternoon LIVE for 2 hours of pure Soul pleasure! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 28th August 2011 on everyone’s favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring…… Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell * Diana Ross * Ashford & Simpson * Terry Lavell * The Braxtons * Ashford & Simpson * Marlena Shaw * Garland Green * Valerie & Nick * Marvin Gaye * The Marvelettes * The Four Tops * Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell * Collins & Collins * Ace Spectrum * Teddy Pendergrass * Valerie Simpson * Diana Ross * 6th Borough Project * Ashford & Simpson This one's a BEAUTY! Ian D

August Bank Holiday 28/08/11 - ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS Ashford & Simpson Special Tribute Show! Following the sad news of Nicholas Ashford’s passing away last week, we’re doing an ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS Ashford & Simpson bank holiday special which will feature two hours of wonderful music from the last 4 decades, all of which involved Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson in different capacities, whether as solo and duet artists or writers, producers and arrangers. It’s a breath-taking look at a pair of careers that stretched from the mid 60’s to February 2011. The fact that Val Simpson met Nick Ashford on a park bench when he was down and out in New York simply adds to the mythology of two of the greatest songwriters of all time. I had the pleasure working with Val & Nick in the early 80’s when I promoted “Solid” for Capitol/EMI and watched it become a smash in the UK. I hooked up with them again in 2007 when I interviewed them before their last UK gig at the Luxury Soul Weekender in Birmingham and, as always, it was a pleasure. Val was very prim and proper, sat very gracefully and formally in a table chair and allowed me to commence the interview. Nick was sprawled out on the sofa with legs akimbo and a huge grin on his face. He laughed like a hyena throughout the interview, especially when I asked Val what inspired the lyrics to “Let’s Go Get Stoned”, their first bona fide hit with Ray Charles. I’m trying to dig the interview out because it was great so I’ll post up when I get my hands on it! RIP Nick! Anyway, this show will be a perfect soundtrack to a bank holiday weekend, so if you’re around then try and join me and the rest of the gang this Sunday afternoon LIVE for 2 hours of pure Soul pleasure! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 28th August 2011 on everyone’s favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring…… Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell * Diana Ross * Ashford & Simpson * Terry Lavell * The Braxtons * Ashford & Simpson * Marlena Shaw * Garland Green * Valerie & Nick * Marvin Gaye * The Marvelettes * The Four Tops * Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell * Collins & Collins * Ace Spectrum * Teddy Pendergrass * Valerie Simpson * Diana Ross * 6th Borough Project * Ashford & Simpson Ian D

August Bank Holiday 28/08/11 - ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS Ashford & Simpson Special Tribute Show! Following the sad news of Nicholas Ashford’s passing away last week, we’re doing an ORIGINAL MASTERCUTS Ashford & Simpson bank holiday special which will feature two hours of wonderful music from the last 4 decades, all of which involved Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson in different capacities, whether as solo and duet artists or writers, producers and arrangers. It’s a breath-taking look at a pair of careers that stretched from the mid 60’s to February 2011. The fact that Val Simpson met Nick Ashford on a park bench when he was down and out in New York simply adds to the mythology of two of the greatest songwriters of all time. I had the pleasure working with Val & Nick in the early 80’s when I promoted “Solid” for Capitol/EMI and watched it become a smash in the UK. I hooked up with them again in 2007 when I interviewed them before their last UK gig at the Luxury Soul Weekender in Birmingham and, as always, it was a pleasure. Val was very prim and proper, sat very gracefully and formally in a table chair and allowed me to commence the interview. Nick was sprawled out on the sofa with legs akimbo and a huge grin on his face. He laughed like a hyena throughout the interview, especially when I asked Val what inspired the lyrics to “Let’s Go Get Stoned”, their first bona fide hit with Ray Charles. I’m trying to dig the interview out because it was great so I’ll post up when I get my hands on it! RIP Nick! Anyway, this show will be a perfect soundtrack to a bank holiday weekend, so if you’re around then try and join me and the rest of the gang this Sunday afternoon LIVE for 2 hours of pure Soul pleasure! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 28th August 2011 on everyone’s favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring…… Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell * Diana Ross * Ashford & Simpson * Terry Lavell * The Braxtons * Ashford & Simpson * Marlena Shaw * Garland Green * Valerie & Nick * Marvin Gaye * The Marvelettes * The Four Tops * Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell * Collins & Collins * Ace Spectrum * Teddy Pendergrass * Valerie Simpson * Diana Ross * 6th Borough Project * Ashford & Simpson I’ll be off to Ibiza next weekend for gigs @ Sands & Es Vive on Saturday/Sunday morning and Wok N’ Roll on Sunday evening with my old mate, Paul Schofield, so if you’re on the white island then check us out ‘cos these gigs are ALWAYS great! Al will be back next Sunday before he jets off on holiday, so I’ll you next on Sunday 11th Sept! Ian D

Yep, reliability, quick and efficient service, a professional approach and smart packaging is absolutely worth a premium for many people. Also I think the amount of imagination and effort people put into their listings makes a major difference at the point of purchase. There was a story on BBC 1 today about the 7 new e-bay millionaires (in turnover) that are less than a year old. The business they decided to focus on was a new UK based CD seller who now has 40 employees and 10's of 1000's of regular customers. That's serious business and I've never even heard of 'em LOL...... It's kinda good news in a way. It proves that there's a huge worldwide audience for music, who still trust in physical products and want to buy them quickly and efficiently from a reliable seller. Ian D

All items mintish or thereabouts (no time for super-grading unfortunately). First PM’s get the record! UK Postage: Recorded Delivery: 7" singles; 1 record - £2.00, 25p each thereafter. Overseas Airmail postage: European countries: 7" singles; 1 record - £2.00, 50p each thereafter. World Ex Europe: 7" singles; 1 record - £3.00, 50p each thereafter. Alpaca Phase III Love At First Sight Clintone 017 £30 American Gypsy 10,000 Miles Chess 2170 DJ £25 Cheryl Berdell Giving It All To You E.M.T 3846 £25 Chuck Corby See You When I Get There Sceptre 313 £75 Everlife Have A Good Life Jibaro 21001 £30 Fantastic Puzzles Come Back New Moon 8501 – Rare Issue! £125 Lillian Hale The Signs Were Wrong Fretone 011 £25 Leon Haywood Consider The Source Capitol 2584 £75 Hot Bush Tell Me That You Will APA 17017 £50 Image Promises Verdy 1059 £25 Denise Kelly & Fame I'd Like To Get Into You 20th Century Fox 2385 DJ £75 Lady M Please (Don't Break My Heart) Blue Parrot 2 £40 Bobby Womack So Many Sides Of You UK Motown TMG1267 £50 Martha Velez Aggravation Sire 722 DJ £20 The Brothers & Sisters I Am Somebody Pts 1 & 2 Toddlin’ Town 4055 £10 Bobby Bowens & Shades Of Magic Gonna Love Somebody UK Move Single-Sided 7” DJ – Rare! BM11 £60 The Diplomats I Can Give You Love UK Direction 58-3899 DJ £10 Jimmy Briscoe & The Beavers I Only Feel This Way……. UK Nems 001 – Rare! (A wol) £12 Gene Chandler/Barbara Acklin From The Teacher To The Preacher UK Brunswick 30 DJ £15 Moment Of Truth Helplessly Roulette 7164 £10 Boz Scaggs You Make It So Hard (To Say No) UK CBS 2321 DJ £20 Ian D

There's an all-dayer @ the Hobgoblin in Islington this Sunday so if the sun comes out that'll be worth a visit! I'm in Carshalton and there's never much around my neck of the woods..... Ian D

Blimey. With those sort of prices I'm tempted to whack up my White Label Friends & Co 12" promo. What would your guy pay for that Sebastian? Fancy being a broker mate? Ian D

I sold my original to John Vincent in the late 90's for around £60. It's actually really damn rare and one of those records that you just never seem to find. Very popular in it's day and sounds better to my ears then a lot of the newer funky stuff but I would say that wouldn't I lol..... Ian D

Perfect. Exactly what I was looking for Dave. Many thanks! Can you knock off a quick calc for an average US 60's album please? Ian D

Which was the high point of August thus far........... Have you got into groove measuring yet Bob? There's whole new world right there........... Ian D

It's a fair cop Guv........... Ian D

Just skipping through Discogs and came across this:- https://www.discogs.com/buy/Vinyl/Relly-Coloma-Goldrush-The-GoodBad-And-The-Ugly-For-A-Few-Dollars-More/42109753?ev=bp_titl I'm assuming that this is nothing to do with the silver fox but it's kinda ironic that someone's bootlegged his label.... Ian D

PM'd you. Ian D

And to think virtually all of the water-damaged originals came from Jim Wilson's market stall in Shoreditch in the early 1970's. My theory on this, is that that the original lot was bought by him under the misunderstanding that this was a doo-wop release due to the group's 50's sounding name. Following this, I spent the next 3 years having to tediously double-check every bloody dated-looking record or interesting group name on the basis that you can't leave any stone uncovered.......just in case. Other examples of 50's era original 'old' groups or veteran early 60's artists coming up with killer Northern anthems at the end of their careers were records like the Modern Redcaps' "Never Too Young (To Fall In Love)", the Coasters' "Crazy Baby" and, the best of the lot, the Silhouettes "Not Me Baby" - a free 7" record given away with an album of their 50's hits. Examples like those are the ONLY reason why I bought Lenny Curtis for 10p unheard from Bradford market. The End label was a vintage 50's label and waaaay too early for the kind of mid 60's uptempo sound that the North of England liked at the time. However the End record I picked up and carefully studied looked more like a mid 60's ZTSC styrene pressing with a cool label, great title, promising sounding artist and a Robert Bateman production, so, against all the odds, I invested 10p and added it to the other 9 records I'd pulled out. When I got home and played through 'em I eventually got to the Lenny Curtis record and heard it for the first time. Bingo. Dynamite! FINALLY a great one after 1000's of previous clunkers. Every serious collector must know that feeling........ I think the Del-Larks was a key record in making diggers look at records a bit more carefully and not necessarily pass on records that suggested a different era by either the group name or label. Also it took ages to break through. At the time it was a really different kind of record compared to the more obvious Detroit, Chicago, New York and L.A. records. However, the look of the label, the mystique of the group and the brilliance of the recording eventually came through and the record finally became established. Had it not been bought-in by Jim Wilson in the early 70's, who probably bought 'em as a job lot of assorted U.S. independent supposed doo-wop records, then we may never have found it. It's always been rare as f*ck but what a record ay? Ian D

And to widen the topic even further, I actually had the job of promoting it to a completely uninterested UK Market at the time when I was a regional promotion man with Decca. No one bothered with the track as it was considered too 'pop' for the specialists and too twee for the mainstream at the time. Plus Jackie and Brunswick were pretty cold at the time against the onslaught of commercial Disco that was in vogue then. Also the song was penned by 2 very commercial UK pop writers, Kenne and Gold, so the Soul Police were suspicious from the outset! Another example of a record you almost couldn't give away for 30 odd years! Ian D

Great. I can give you a shout out on the show and then pop down hopefully! Ian D

American Doo-Wop collectors from the 70's were some of the most fanatical I ever met. Some downright nasty characters involved too - wouldn't think twice of holding a gun to your head for the right record. Is there an element of vinyl fetishism about holding the physical record in your hand do you think Brett? Ian D

LOL, amazing. If someone wants mine for £178.40 it's available too! I suspect it's 'cos it's a breakbeat classic although I far prefer t'other side..... Ian D

What a wonderful crowd in the chatroom on Sunday! Many thanks to all who joined the show and made it the usual Sunday afternoon experience. It gave me a great lift after what had been a trying week so thanks to all! Also the three winners of the new Norman Jay “Good Times” CD (Lambchop, Immy and Scratchy) will be pleased to know that the CD’s are winging their way to you right now! Download link below. Enjoy! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 14th August 2011 on everyone’s favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring…… 1st Hour Wild Pursuit feat Gerideau & Shawn Benson – So In Love Dionne Warwick & The Detroit Spinners – I Don’t Need Another Love – Joey Mustaphia Club Mix Mishal Moore – Rein In The Night Shuya Okino – Give Your Love A Chance Jeffree – Mr Fix It – Chow Daddy Re-Edit Caroline Crawford – I’ll Be Here For You Billy Paul – Let The Dollar Circulate – Scratchnsniff Re-Edit Eddie Kendricks – Girl You Need A Change Of Mind – Galaxy 21 Re-Edit Eugene Record – Take Everything – Jimmy Michaels Remix 2nd Hour Kenya Collins – Barnabus Collins Love Bandit LTG Exchange – Keep On Trying Universal Mind – Reach Out For Me Bettye Swann – Kiss My Love Goodbye Little Anthony & The Imperials – I Don’t Have Time To Worry Jerry Butler & Brenda Lee Eager – Ever Since I Can Remember Jr Walker & The All Stars – These Eyes The Chi-Lites – Inner City Blues – Project Tempo Re-Edit Stevie Wonder - Superwoman Shiva – Never Gonna Give You Up – Re-Edit The Temptations – Warm Summer Nights Orlando Johnson – Two Can Make It Better David Ruffin – Walk Away From Love – London Soho Re-Edit https://www.sixmillionsteps.com/6MS-2011-08-14-Starpoint.mp3 Al is back next week and I’ll catch you all again on the 28th August @ 2.00pm LIVE! Ian D

What a wonderful crowd in the chatroom on Sunday! Many thanks to all who joined the show and made it the usual Sunday afternoon experience. It gave me a great lift after what had been a trying week so thanks to all! Also the three winners of the new Norman Jay “Good Times” CD (Lambchop, Immy and Scratchy) will be pleased to know that the CD’s are winging their way to you right now! Download link below. Enjoy! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 14th August 2011 on everyone’s favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring…… 1st Hour Wild Pursuit feat Gerideau & Shawn Benson – So In Love Dionne Warwick & The Detroit Spinners – I Don’t Need Another Love – Joey Mustaphia Club Mix Mishal Moore – Rein In The Night Shuya Okino – Give Your Love A Chance Jeffree – Mr Fix It – Chow Daddy Re-Edit Caroline Crawford – I’ll Be Here For You Billy Paul – Let The Dollar Circulate – Scratchnsniff Re-Edit Eddie Kendricks – Girl You Need A Change Of Mind – Galaxy 21 Re-Edit Eugene Record – Take Everything – Jimmy Michaels Remix 2nd Hour Kenya Collins – Barnabus Collins Love Bandit LTG Exchange – Keep On Trying Universal Mind – Reach Out For Me Bettye Swann – Kiss My Love Goodbye Little Anthony & The Imperials – I Don’t Have Time To Worry Jerry Butler & Brenda Lee Eager – Ever Since I Can Remember Jr Walker & The All Stars – These Eyes The Chi-Lites – Inner City Blues – Project Tempo Re-Edit Stevie Wonder - Superwoman Shiva – Never Gonna Give You Up – Re-Edit The Temptations – Warm Summer Nights Orlando Johnson – Two Can Make It Better David Ruffin – Walk Away From Love – London Soho Re-Edit https://www.sixmillionsteps.com/6MS-2011-08-14-Starpoint.mp3 Al is back next week and I’ll catch you all again on the 28th August @ 2.00pm LIVE! Ian D

Coming up LIVE @ 2.00pm on www.starpointradio.com! Will give a shout our for the Central then! Ian D

Well can we get Swish out of retirement then? Ian D

That'll be the one in November right Pete? Yep, I should deffo be OK for that one so that looks like a yes mate! Ian D

Wow. It’s been 4 weeks since the last show and a lot has happened since then. The weekend before last I was playing the terrace @ the Royal Festival Hall on a beautiful summer evening at Vintage 2011 sandwiched between George Power and Colin Curtis for one of the most glamorous locations I’ve had the pleasure to play, so hats off to Wayne Hemmingway for another glorious Vintage festival. Didn’t have much sleep though ‘cos then it was up to Blackburn for the Summer In The Parks Ritz Revival All-Dayer which was magical again, so big props to Richard Searling and Neil Rushton for another superb event. Here’s to the next one fellas! So there I was ready to jet off to Turkey for a week’s holiday, all packed and ready to go when the travel company went bust just 18 hours before I was due to leave. Major bummer. Then I aggravated my metatarsal again which laid me up for a few days. And then all my CD stock went up in smoke when rioters burnt down the Sony distribution centre. Challenging bloody week when I should have been sipping cocktails on a beach. No rest for the wicked ay? So the best part of the last couple of weeks has been putting this week’s show together! Also we’re giving away 3 copies of the new Norman Jay “Good Times” – 30th Anniversary Edition CD so tune in early and you’ll get a chance to win one! As per usual we have some awesome new re-edits, some blinding forgotten beauties and the usual trawl through the last 40 + years of beautiful Soul music across the genres. Hope you can join us and party with the Sunday afternoon regulars in the chat room on the home page of the Starpoint website. The perfect soundtrack for a Sunday afternoon! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 14th August 2011 on everyone’s favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring…… Wild Pursuit feat Gerideau & Shawn Benson * Dionne Warwick & The Detroit Spinners * Mishal Moore * Shuya Okino * Jeffree * Caroline Crawford * Billy Paul * Eddie Kendricks * Eugene Record * Kenya Collins * LTG Exchange * Universal Mind * Bettye Swann * Little Anthony & The Imperials * Candi Staton * Jerry Butler & Brenda Lee Eager * Jr Walker & The All Stars * The Chi-Lites * Stevie Wonder * Shiva * The Temptations * Orlando Johnson * David Ruffin Catch you @ 2.00pmLIVE! Ian D

As though the music biz wasn't in bad enough shape ay? Ian D