Amsterdam Russ

Definitely not an acetate. Out of interest, why do you ask?

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I've found out that there's another Ringolevio/Ring-A-Leevio song - from Dale Brooks. Maybe there are others. Can anyone supply sound files or confirm if the track on the flip to Mr Creator is one of these versions? What's interesting here is that the versions of the Ringolevio song are early 60s, whereas Mr Creator is what, 1967? Would WB normally have pressed up a few white label copies of a 45, circulate them to radio DJs, but include a 4/5 year old song on one side? Anyone got others like this?

Yup...

One thing that puzzled me about this song - as well as whether it's the same group on the A side of the dis - is the lyrics. The opening words of 'Tap, tap, 123' are straightforward, but I couldn't make sense of what they said straight after. After trying variations of what I thought they might be singing into Google - "ring/bring Olivio/Olivia", for example - I got lucky and stumbled upon this at Wikipedia... Now the song makes complete sense, especially as the opening lines after the introductory chorus is "Sweet darling, you've been tagged / At last I've got you trapped". If, as was told to me, the disc came out of the collection of a New York radio DJ, and that the song here didn't make it on to the actual 45 release with the flipside, it makes sense that maybe it was sent to the DJ in order to get feedback on whether the songs had what it takes to sell well commercially, and be worthy of the air play needed to get those sales. It may be that the A side received positive feedback, and got a release, whilst the B side (the song above) was considered to be not good enough and so was replaced with the song that appears on the actual 45. Whatever, it seems fairly obvious that any song about a game played primarily in New York could only have local appeal. The rest of the country wouldn't have a clue what the lyrics meant or what the song was about. What is the "classic girl group stomper" on the other side of the white labelled disc? It's The Apollas singing Mr Creator. Is the poppy number in the sound clip also by The Apollas? Can't be sure; it certainly hard to hear the same voices that feature on Mr Creator. Perhaps WB thought about giving the girls a musical make-over and turn them into more of a pop act rather than a soul group. Perhaps it's a different group all together, but it would be nice to think that is in fact The Apollas, no matter how poppy the song sounds.

It's not a matter of revenue, it's about respect. It's also about what the priority is - the dj's fame or the artist's recognition. At the end of the proverbial day though, cover-ups are an integral part of the scene (and others, as has been pointed out), and nothing will change that. The point is relevant to the poll because it's about exposure. The question is whether exposure of 'the scene' is a good or bad thing. Exposure of the scene and exposure of the music go hand-in-hand. And I can't see that exposing fantastic but forgotten music to the public-at-large is ever a bad thing. It certainly isn't from the artists' point of view.

If bringing great and otherwise forgotten music into the consciousness of the public at large is a good thing, then I vote an absolute yes. If keeping great and otherwise forgotten music hidden from the public at large because of a sense of elitism is the goal, then I vote no! I wonder how forgotten artists feel when/if they learn a song they recorded 40/50 years ago has been picked up for exposure on the "Northern" scene. And then they learn that a DJ who professes to love the music and its origins has crossed out/covered up their name for the sake of 15 minutes worth of personal glory and a fast buck!

I picked up a white label test pressing of a classic girl group stomper recently. Apparently the copy came from the collection of a New York dj from the 60s. On the flip is the song in the sound clip. It's not the B side of the actual 45 release, and it's not in the catalogue of the group. It doesn't sound anything like the group on the A side, so I'm wondering if for promo purposes each side was given over to a different group. It's got that kitsch 60s go-go girl group sound of the type that could have been written for a TV programme or a low budget film from the 60s. It could have been a major pop hit for all I know. Anyone know who this song is by? https://soundcloud.com/harveysoulfinger/unknown-60s-girl-group-tap-tap Title of post edited to reflect addition of the info below.

A 'Want' I posted up for last week arrived today...

Carms, I can't add anything to the story of the Preview label or to the history of the personalities involved. Just wanted to say how absolutely fantastic it is to see such enthusiasm, passion and dedication for some music - and the background to it - that would otherwise remain consigned to history's musical land fill. This is what 'Northern Soul' is about! Forget all the bickering, nit-picking and so on that overshadows things from time to time. It's the music that counts - as it always should. I take my hat off to you and the others who got swept away by it all.

Yup, seen a number of low value items which I've either not bought (if it was a BIN) or saved to my watch list because of the postage costs involved. It's worse if you're shopping in euros as I am. For example, $14 = €10.40 or £8.90.

But hopefully not in the pile of records right next to the toilet!

Just seen this vid on Facebook. Thought it had to be shared...

Speak for yourself. Some of us aren't that close to retirement age or death just yet. I look forward to the great record glut of the 2030s!

I'd be buying more and adding to my mini collection under the stairs if prices were more affordable - and realistic. Victim of it's own hype is 'Northern Soul'.

No, it's really rather shallow... It was merely a flippant aside to the earlier comment about "I like Lambretta jeans, but don't own a Lambretta". I was parodying that by saying that whilst I've worn a product branded with what many would call a Jewish name, I've never been drawn to the Jewish religion. See, I told you it wasn't deep!

Wanted... Now Sorted The Ethics - I want my baby back - Vent. Nice clean copy, please. EX preferred on both sides. Average price on Popsike is around $60. It'll be coming to the Netherlands, so will need to be sent Int'l Signed For or Airsure. Let me know by PM...

Copies not been found yet... Or many copies in collections? Just like Eddie Parker's "I'm Gone"

Rapidly changing... LOL If apps can handle currency fluctuations, then the tortoise speed of the "Northern Soul" market shouldn't be a problem.

Congrats on the app, Kev Wasn't John Manship looking to offer a price guide app? I'm sure he said so on here some time back. I'd certainly pay for such a thing.

And let's not forget Claude's take on the Frank Valli/Timebox number "Beggin'" Love the footwork! https://youtu.be/gVyEgKkltpU

French chanteuse Sylvie Vartan sings "Ne l'imite pas" aka "Monkey Time"

Nancy Holloway - Tu N'es Pas Venu. Had this in my play box occasionally along with some other French stuff. Was surprised to see someone on here had this on their playlist some months back. Well done that person https://youtu.be/Zv0K1DVZlcA

Either the Rhythm Kings or the Rhythm Aces. I'd go for the first one...

I got a copy mid 80s from Richard Domar who had it described on his list as "a Catacombs secret sound". I'd never heard of it and bought it blind based solely on that description. I was well chuffed when you played it at the 100 Club because it was the first time I ever knew the identity of a cover up!

I once heard, but don't know if it's true, that when Glen Campbell was touring the UK after the success of that song, he was promoted on the posters of one venue as being the "nine stone cowboy"! True or not, that one makes me laugh every time!