By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.2) on Friday, November 15, 2002 - 01:04 pm:

Can anyone confirm this,
Cuppy Records out of philadelphia was/is owned by Bill Haleys Wife,the Label that has The Delights Rare/Northern Soul track on it called Lover!
And also on the philly theme,can anyone shed any light on The Lawn record label,which featured the absolutly dynamite 1963 Rare/Northern Soul stomper Put that woman down by John Leach.
Any info on Either the group and artist mentioned as well as the Labels would be very much appreciated.
Mel(andthensome).

By Mark Speck (64.156.67.144) on Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 12:58 am:

From all accounts I've heard, Bill Haley's wife did indeed own the Cuppy label, which has another Northern rarity by the Thornton Sisters.

Lawn was a subsidiary of the longtime Philadelphia label Swan. Leach's 45 was the final release on the label, according the listing in Stak-O-Wax (Lawn 256, from 1965).

Other 45s of interest on Lawn:

231 Ladybirds "Handsome Boy"
(girl group Northern that has went up in value; it's on the Kent CD of Swan/Lawn material)

238 Bob Meyer & Rivieras "Behold"/"You Got to Tell Me"
(double-sided beach music tunes)

247 Larry Clinton "This Would Be My Prayer"
(reviewed a while back in Shades of Soul; killer deep soul from the "She's Wanted in Three States" guy)

254 Modern Red Caps "Empty World"
(veteran Philly group, Northern soul harmony tune)

Also, Billy Harner made his debut on the label.

HTH

Best,

Mark

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.76) on Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 01:37 am:

Mark,
I wasnt too sure about the date on the John Leach I knew it was early.
I always remember a mate of mine trying to sell a copy at an all-nighter(stafford)and no one knew it(or not so many).
I would of had it,but couldnt afford it.What a record man,if I recall it was played first at the casino,but dont quote me.As my memory isnt the same after 30yrs of all-nighters.
The Thornton sisters rings a bell,but I know theres another thornton sisters that got spins in the 1980s.
Many thanks for the other info,I may have the Larry Clinton track you mention on a tape somewhere.
Many thanks Mark,and its about time you came over here and came to an all-nighter mate(if you havent done already)
your brother in the north
Mel(andthensome).

By Mark Speck (65.57.18.190) on Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 12:16 pm:

I have to admit, Mel, that when I first heard the John Leach (on a tape of the Soul Supply LP containing that track that Gene Merideth taped for me), that I wasn't impressed by it--it sounded very dull and draggy.

When I got the Kent CD though, it was a much different story--it sounds a hell of a lot better there! Just goes to show ya how different labels approach a reissue (Kent having the original master on the track also made a big difference).

As for coming over, I hope to do so someday. Gotta stash away some cash for that purpose. Right now I'm putting away money for my vacation (which starts this Friday)--I'm hoping to hit the road in search of rare records and fun!

Best,

Mark

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.81) on Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 12:21 pm:

Mark,
my good mate
Frankj is here with me and says,
youll never make it over here,
because your as bad as him(and myself)
as soon as you get a few bucks it goes on records.
MEL.

By Mark Speck (65.58.51.210) on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 09:24 pm:

Actually, Mel, I blow most of my money on girly magazines and getting drunk (what I don't spend on bills, that is)!

I haven't been to a record show in months! Hope to hit another one eventually.

Best,

Mark

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.107) on Monday, November 18, 2002 - 11:57 pm:

Mark,
nothing wrong in that,
but I know you like the old record or two matey.
MEL.

By Mark Speck (65.56.56.50) on Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 12:24 am:

That I do, Mel. I just haven't found anything amazing in a while.

Gotta go to this place on the West side of Cleveland where my buddy sells his 45s.

Best,

Mark

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.86) on Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 03:23 pm:

Mark,
any doubles that you may find ,
of say,
something,
uptempo and obscure,you know where I am coming from,then,if you dont want them,well I can find a lovely little deck and home for them.
your british groveling mate,
Mel(ho.ho).