Amsterdam Russ

Used to have a pair of Levis, but can't say I was into Judaism!

Well, people have been saying for ages that the scene needs youngsters... Mind you, if they get any younger allnighters will be out of the questions. Instead, it'll have to be alldayers, with a break in the middle for some milk and a nap.

Inner Ear.

Ah, it's not just the smell of the chemicals. Acetates usually have a certain fustiness to them and a weary look that betrays their age. Or am I confusing them with people?

Go on then... I dare you! One thing though; how would you make it smell authentic?

You mean the one that appeared and disappeared on eBay last year? Don't think it was dodgy - it looked like a genuine Mercury acetate. Just wish it wasn't removed before bidding closed. Can only presume the seller received an offer they couldn't refuse.

Hi Ady, thought you might appreciate knowing that I received this notification from Amazon this morning: Any ideas what the problem is and, more importantly (and appreciating that you're not Amazon's customer service!), when stock will be available???

There is a threshold here in the Netherlands of something like 48 euros (I'm not sure what it is exactly). Anything valued above this amount is subject to duty, which is around 30%. On the other side of the coin, spare a thought for our poor cousins in the States. In two instances now, when my other half has sent packages over there, US Customs have refused to release them unless the social security number of the recipients were included in the paperwork! Try telling a customer stateside that, even though you're 1,000s of miles away and in a different country, you must have their social security details when processing a financial transaction with them! It sounds awfully suspicious, even to the most understanding of customers. Even worse, in one of these instances the recipient was a mature student from overseas. They had a study visa and all the documentation needed to show that they were legitimately living and studying in the States. However, US Customs refused to release the package to them. Why? Because they weren't a United States citizen! In the end, a sympathetic Customs official suggested that all the paperwork - invoice & Customs documentation - be altered and made out to a friend of the student who was a US citizen. That way the other person could collect the goods on the student's behalf! Sadly, I'm sure that any dealings with Customs - on either side of the pond - are only going to get worse.

And as my post clearly states, I'm talking about the buyer's perspective...

Not sure I understand why you'd be claiming from the post office when you should be claiming through eBay/Paypal - unless you're talking about sales not done through eBay.

If you're buying from eBay the proof of value is the sale itself, not the postal docket.

Combine the increasing frequency of Customs charges with the new hefty rise in postal rates and it's hardly going to be worthwhile buying from the States!

A site that allows people to run their own blogs. It's part MySpace, part Facebook, part photo sharing.

It always depends on the specific composition of the glue. Most will become like putty in warm water - and the soap suds helps remove residue. Isopropyl alcohol is also a very good cleaning fluid. Couldn't say if oe was better thane other - it all depends on the glue/residue. Give them both a trial and see what works best in this specific situation.

So, let's ask the question... Who's got one of these in their collection?

Warm water and a sponge with some washing up liquid should do the trick.

Voices of East Harlem - Right on be free - French only release (I think) with pic sleeve. Sounds great out loud and with the bass turned up!

The thing is though, and rather sadly, when you buy online it's often the poor customer who has to pay. Airline and concert tickets are both prime examples. Just at the point you're ready to pay, they add on an extra charge that varies in its outrageousness depending on the method you're using to pay. Transaction costs should be built into the profit margins and that's it. Quite frankly, if I was buying a record and a seller asked me to pay Paypal costs, I'd tell them to stick it up where the transactions don't shine!

Not sure I totally understand this thread. I've heard most of the records mentioned played at one club or another over the years and I didn't get into the scene till after Wigan closed, so around 81. Guess I must be missing the point.

Joe 90? That used to get a lot of plays at Bogarts, didn't it Keith? :-)

I was looking to get a couple of carvers done courtesy of someone over here in the Netherlands. I'd forgotten about Timmion and had intended to give them a go - will do so this time around now that you've reminded me. Vinyl Carvers - I used them a couple of months back. Think they're operating out of Austria now.

Do you mean the Nicholas Brothers? They were doing their thang as far back as the 30s, so I don't see a direct connectionto Northern Soul there, only an indirect one, and even then the Nicholas Brothers were but one theatrical dance act among 100s, probably 1,000s. And they weren't the only ones doing the acrobatic routines, even at that time. They all have their roots in the Vaudeville tradition though, and that stretches back as far as the historical eye can see. In fact, I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to directly connect Northern Soul dancing to the Jazz Tap of the Nicholas Brothers, etc, to the Vaudeville tradition of centuries past and the development of Morris Dancing of Olde England which, with its weird dress sense, funny rituals, peculiar music, not to mention the view the public has of it, sounds exactly as if it could have been a precursor to the eccentric scene we have today.

The Mad Lads (no, not a reference the person in the Sylvester puddy cat suit in the photo above) - What will love tend to make you do (Volt).

Think Al Wilson is bad? Try this 'version' from Sheila, French chanteuse and part-time air raid siren!

I bought a copy of The Intentions "Don't forget that I love you" from eBay during the week and it turns out that the seller was one of the members of the group!