Amsterdam Russ

Of course it does. If the quality of the paper used for the label is poor, avoid getting it wet. I make a judgement call every time and haven't ruined anything yet.

Read lots of positive comments about the stuff, but never used it. Not felt the need, but perhaps worth a go if I can find it or an equivalent here in the Netherlands.

Only if you're using too much washing up liquid and then not rinsing enough.

Likewise, a keen user of wood glue when a soapy sponge and water isn't effective.

The word you're looking for is "lint"

Prolonged water contact is a no-no, of course, but I quite happily rinse 45s - label and all - under the tap with no ill effect. Sometimes I'll even immerse them in a sink full of water, again with no damage. Vinyl or styrene, they're tough things 45s.

Get a clean washing up sponge and some washing up liquid. Run the tap so the water coming out is tepid. Add generous drops of washing up liquid to sponge. Soak sponge with tepid water so it's full of washing up foam. Wipe sponge (not the scourer side!) vigorously around both playing surfaces. Turn on tap so the tepid water runs cold. Put record under tap and wash off all the soapy bubbles. Pat down with kitchen roll on both sides & put somewhere it can dry. I place 45s on a wooden kitchen spoon which is secured in a horizontal position. It's perfect for air drying discs. Repeat as needed. If that doesn't improve a 45, you might want to think about the glue treatment.

Funfair adventures - final part!

Funfair adventures - part 2...

Lovely sunny day here in the Netherlands. To celebrate, we went to the funfair and we saw… (part 1)

A recent balcony visitor. This was on a particularly wintery day this year, as you can tell by the collared dove's plumped up plumage.

How dare record companies reissue obscure music from their back catalogue? How dare they bring music that's known only to a minority to the attention of a wider audience? How dare they share the legacy of the mainly long-forgotten artists and groups involved and help make their music accessible to everyone? How dare they? I mean really? We all know that singers and groups fought hard to achieve real obscurity, to never be known for their work, for their music to be unknown except to a few. And they most certainly did not want to gain recognition, respect or royalties. I mean, that's why they went into the recording studios, right? What are record companies playing at? They should stop it immediately. Reissues are killing music!

Never seen one myself. "You don't know nothing…" was the A side. Ragovoy was effectively running Loma out of New York at that time and this, of course, is one of his trademark monster productions. The long version is 3:56 while the edit is 3:11.

The rarer stock copy? What? There isn't a promo of "Mean it baby". The white label of Loma 2068 features a long and short version of "You don't know nothing about love". Get your facts right!

That's £651.00 too much in my book.

Post 334… No matter who posted it first here, it's an incredible, once in a lifetime shot!

Thanks for the explanation. All that remains to be said is... …brilliant timing!

What's the story behind this one? Amazing shot!

Absolutely incredible photo! Full story (and some more pics) here: http://www.itv.com/news/2015-03-02/incredible-image-shows-weasel-flying-on-woodpeckers-back/

The song's on YouTube, but that's taken from the CD. A bit of simple online detective work gave me what I've posted — I don't have that CD. https://youtu.be/7jUebeoowmg

Great to know that at least some of the obscure things I post up to YouTube every now and then sometimes have an appreciative audience. The labels on both sides of the acetate are exactly as you see in the clips, so no writer/producer credits, I'm afraid. Will reply to your PM next...

Never liked this and years ago gave away a copy I picked up cheaply to a friend for nothing.

I'm looking to find out any information about two tracks by The Charmaines that I have on a King Recording Studios acetate and which I've just uploaded to YouTube. Don't go getting too excited now. Both of these'll be way too early and too poppy to interest most on here. My best guess is that the tracks come from 1963 and were recorded for the Fraternity label. The first one, "I saw a star fall last night" didn't get a release as far as I can tell. Perhaps someone can confirm one way or another? The other song "I can't go on this way", is the same as the Fraternity release from 1966, except it lacks the bongo/rhythm track. This, I'm presuming, was laid on top of the arrangement to make it sound "new" at the time of its release, something like three years after being originally recorded. Did this first version get issued at the time and can anyone provide any information on either track? All info appreciated.

Ah, thanks. I thought it might have something to do with footy considering police numbers, but couldn't see any team shirts or colours.

What's the occasion?