Legendary jazz record dealers of old London town
skel
You can't cheat karma 5,033 Posts
You'd pre-arrange to meet him on a street corner in Soho or Mile End.He'd be 30 minutes late, minimum.A quick glance around to see who was watching...... then the bag opens.Maybe 5,10, maybe even 20 pieces packed in there.Huddle into a corner away from curious passers-by.It's early evening, rush hour, low sun streaming through the thoroughfares.A flick through, you'd pause and look at a cover, maybe take it out, flip over to see the reverse.''Tough'' would be the one-word commentary from our hero. ''Killer.''''How much?''''Ton''A bead of sweat would slowly trickle down your brow.How I miss those days.Mark Wimmers, Brad Chamberlain, Hugh Albert, curly-haired Brian: it was 15 years ago and more, but where are you now that the finances are in better shape?Make yourselves known!I'll be your one-man cash dispenser like in days or yore!
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few examples off the top of my head:
dansers inferno ??50
franticdiagnosis 100
tempo 70 el primer 70
harold mcnair 50
longineu parsons 100
billy brooks 30
lee mcdonald 120
roy porter 30
don cunningham....another story
some of those prices look steep now, some ridiculously good value; generally these were all mint, often sealed. I know I got ripped a few times, but hey ho...
the web was a puppy back then, and who'd ever heard of ebay?
You remember the days? talking say 85 to 93.....? PM me!
old man regg was a trip
here is a shot of oldtime camdem/jazz cafe jazz slinger
&
a mighty philly turntablelist
but remember old man Percy, the Brit jazz specialist, never saw him without his flat cap, never bought anything from him
how many Jimmy Deuchar lp's can a man stand?
nice pic - was that a record fair? What's with the bingo board?
That's my man Percy from Camden. He hit me off with some good records back then.
I only remember him as an old man...looks too young. My memory playing tricks.
sorry Percy! Get me a mint Tubby Hayes! and take that stupid beanie off...
Dee, thanks for dredging up a memory or two there....
Regg is a guy you would not forget, ancient & had not let 50+ years living in London
deter his heavy patois a bit
he passed away last year
& the great Hugh, who bestowed nicknames on many a record fool (greek chris, greasy mike,etc)
haven't seen wimmers in years, but he still has a brazilian night somewhere
london jazz/ latin headz are a ruff crowd (armored car heist to buy wax related)
& the photo is from a baltimore volunteer firehall bingo room fair a few years back
Every inch the younger Mancunian Hannibal Lechter.
You'd get a summons to his penthouse Bedford Square apartment.
Rack upon rack of multiple copy rarest Blue Notes, always a stash of mint sealed funky jazz
a smattering of rare soul
He'd bring out a little pile of lps, like this is what I have prepared for you
Occasionally, after the deal, pop over to the local greasy spoon for his favourite Spag Bol
Does no-one operate like this anymore? It was a blast...