60s RARE NORTHERN SOUL JOHN BOWIE 2-SIDER MERBEN ORIG

	£		216
	$		286

I've made the decision to sell some of my very large collection of 7", 12" and LPs.

ALL THE ITEMS I AM SELLING COME FROM OVER THIRTY YEARS OF COLLECTING.

I AM NOT A DEALER.

There will be some real gems, so make sure you keep your eyes open.

SOME OF MY LISTINGS NOW CARRY 'BORROWED' SOUND CLIPS BENEATH THE TITLE.

I AREN'T QUITE ADVANCED ENOUGH YET TO PROVIDE MY OWN!

60s RARE NORTHERN SOUL

JOHN BOWIE

"YOU'RE GONNA MISS A GOOD THING (BABY)"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49F_TOvIEQ8&feature=related

b/w 

"AT THE END OF THE DAY"

(US: Merben MR-503, 1966)

Vinyl

Record conditon: Excellent (plays Excellent +++; B-side, see description)

Labels condition: Spotless (B-side, see description)

This little gem has been tucked away in my collection since 1981, when it cost me all of £7. Back then, it seemed like a lot of money - especially to a confirmed tight arse, like me. The label has developed something of a cult status on the scene, with only the first release (501, by The Bats) being non-Northern. The other three are all expensive 45s, of very fine quality, and have all seen a legitimate UK release over the years.

Merben 502 is the most pricy of them all, and is by white Philadelphian Vivian Carol. Her early Stafford favourite, titled "Oh Yeah, Yeah, Yeah", was the last of the Merben singles to be discovered, when it was played as Roddie Joy "Learning How To Dance", during the early 80s. It has since appeared on Goldmine's Sevens label, backed by an instrumental version.

Merben 504 (the 'cheapest' on the label) is Cody Michaels' poppy dancer, "7 Days 52 Weeks". It was the first to gain a UK release, as part of the original Grapevine series, again paired with an instrumental (to Rosey Jones' "Have Love Will Travel"). The same backing track appears on a number of other tunes as well, with Liza-Mae's "I've Got A Juicy Mouth Baby" (Concept) being the strangest. I'm not sure whether copies of this one were pulled because of the outrageously suggestive title, or because both label's were pressed as A-sides.

Merben 503 is most certainly the best of the lot, in my opinion - John Bowie's brooding and bragging "You're Gonna Miss A Good Thing (Baby)". I've passed over this record twice, not plucking up enough courage to sell it each time. Third time around, and hopeful of picking up a demo some time in the future, it's made it as far as getting listed - though I might pull it if it doesn't get a bid early on. Goldmine again released this one in their Sevens series, coupled with The Nomads' "Something's Bad". There's a youtube link to hear it in full (almost), and it really is one of the most powerful mid-paced vocal tracks you will hear.

As a little extra information, five years ago, John Bowie's own original 12" acetate was auctioned off in only good/very good condition, and sold for $500. As well as the two titles here, it also containg two unreleased Bowie tracks. The seller admitted it had a "semen-like stain". I'll leave you to imagine what on earth the listener was doing while spinning this rare item!

The B-side is an outstanding mid-paced beat ballad, with a title just made for finishing off an all-nighter. It's another great performance, and this man of many talents also wrote both songs.

The vinyl on both sides is in excellent condition, and the sound quality is virtually mint. There are faint "spiders webs" on both sides, and an inaudible mark at one point on the B-side only. However, there was a fault in the pressing plant, which also affecs the B-side only. Both the label and the vinyl were pressed off-centre, the former by a short distance, the latter by a lesser amount. I've provided a second scan to show this fault. Of course, this side plays perfectly if you remove the adaptor, and tweek the record a few mm in the right direction to compensate. I'll repeat that the A-side was pressed correctly, and plays beautifully.

It has two immaculate labels, though with the obvious fault on the B-side.

The edges are completely chip-free.

This record has been played on both sides to verify condition, but there's a full money-back guarantee on all my sales, and I'll refund anyone who isn't totally captivated.

New postal rates:

One 7" single: £1.70; 30p per 7" afterwards.

One 12" single/LP: £2.70; 50p per 12"/LP afterwards.