Gene-r

Even though I've now gracefully retired as a soul DJ and collector, on and off for 27 years, I can speak from past experience. If I had a record in my box which was requested, I'd do my best to fit it into my set, providing the request wasn't unreasonable, or was otherwise likely to clear the dance floor (ie, American Pie by Don McLean!). If I didn't have what they wanted, I'd be upfront and say "sorry - I don't have it". But then you do get some rude bastards around, who tell you what they want to hear, and generally have the manners of a pig. Those requests were always ignored. In the early '80s, I was hassled by a leading thug of a then notorious scooter club to play a request, and to dedicate it to them (thankfully it wasn't Deutschland Uber Alles). I ignored the request twice, as they were always getting clubs closed down, and on his third attempt, preceded his request with "Look - unless you want the place smashed up...............". Catch 22 situation or what? Just to shut them up, I ensured the next record was their request. They left me alone for the rest of my set and, soon afterwards, they got the club closed down that same night, when one of their "soldiers" glassed some girl in the club.

Two years later I was pressganged into swapping it for a damn Joanie Sommers!

The first couple of records costing me 'big' money was a red & white UK demo of Dr Love by Bobby Sheen for £20 - this was in 1983, when my take-home pay was £65. Followed that up a couple of months later with a Bobby Kline for £22 from Ian Clark. The first record to take me past the £50 mark was "I Won't Let Her See Me Cry" by Big Frank & The Essences on Blue Rock, which came from Ray Evans in North Wales for £55 - January 1985.

Couldn't agree more Dave - never seen one!

Pete, I'm pretty sure one exactly the same as yours went for over £100 on JM's auction a few years ago. Wouldn't have given my New Zealand copy on Philips away if I'd known it was that rare!

Think the Motown Yesteryear singles date from around 1979 - 1980 onwards to the early '80s.

Perhaps that would explain his illiteracy!

THE SHALIMARS: Baby (flip to Stop & Take A Look At Yourself) ED CROOK: You'll See (flip to That's Alright) DOTTIE & MILLIE: Nothing In This World (flip to Talkin' 'Bout My Baby) THE 3 DEGREES: Do What You're Supposed To Do (flip to Gee Baby) THE YUM YUMS: Looky Looky (flip to Gonna Be A Big Thing) THE VICTORS: Not Only A Girl Knows (flip to Hurt) THE GROUP: The Light Of Day (flip to I Don't Like To Lose) THE CHAUMONTS: Love Is The Thing (flip to I Need Your Love)

Very sad news. Used to read Chris's articles in Record Collector from 1979 onwards. RIP.

Dunno if it's on the LP, but "Gamblin' Man", the flip side to "Kung Fu Fighting" is quite nice in itself.

Point taken, Tony!

Surprised no one's torn your arm off for these yet Russ - these are giveaway prices! Best of luck tho...............

Hi Mal - John Doe records was actually Dave Raistrick (ex Vinyl Allsorts) of Grantham. Used to buy from him regularly as his stock was always very reasonably priced.

"Finger Poppin' Babe" by the Del Vikings on Fee Bee uses the same backing track (apparently) and only sells for around £75. Think Dave Flynn had one for sale on here recently.

Don't know if dried up is the correct word. Ian Clark had one on his last list for about £100 (maybe £150).

Even in the condition it's in it will still probably end up going for stupid money.

Was actually a duet called Two People. Wonder if they're the same two people who did "Stop Leave My Heart Alone"?

And probable destruction after they split!

Isn't the first issue on the Stiff label rarer?

I know - they always turn up 'Scratchy'

Hmmm...........Tony Blackburn (aka Lenny Gamble) trying to sing 'I'll Do Anything'?

PETE!

Damn! Now what am I going to do with my 25-count box of unplayed copies??

Hi Pete, As a guess, I'd say records like this probably sold well locally, and were well-played on crap-quality equipment, and/or badly stored without sleeves by less than loving owners. A good example of this is "Some Good In Everything Bad" by The Fabulous Appollos on Valtone - almost always turns up in anything between VG+ and GOOD, but you never hear of spotless copies. On the other hand, I remember seeing a batch of soul records in equally bad condition. Not that they had been heavily played, but looked more like they'd been in bad storage in the same warehouse/shop basement pile. Hope that helps! Gene

Interestingly, the Leroy Jones "Someday" is actually the Thomas Henry track (released on Spar) under a false name!