60s NORTHERN SOUL BEN ZINE PARKWAY DEMO ORIGINAL STOMPA

	£		78
	$		103

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 NORTHERN SOUL

BEN ZINE

"WHAT THE HECKS THE HANKY PANKY"

b/w 

"VILLAGE OF TEARS"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xXW4jFNnlk&feature=related

(US: Parkway P-996, 1966; D.J. Copy)

Vinyl

Record conditon: Very good ++ (plays Excellent ++)

Labels condition: Excellent -

Tommy James & The Shondells original "Hanky Panky" was released twice in 1965 (on Snap and Red Fox), before Roulette saw the potential, and turned the daft song into a US #1 the following year. The mickey-taking parodies that followed were led by Neil Diamond's humorous Bang single, also called "Hanky Panky", which ripped the inane lyrics of the original to pieces. Whereas Tommy James and Neil Diamond both went on to greater things, spare a thought for those who didn't quite make it, like Ben Zine. His thundering "What The Heck's The Hanky Panky" never adorned any of the Billboard ratings, despite some quite funny lyrics: "is it a dance, or is it a rare disease?" It might have worked better as an instrumental - at least on the Northern Soul scene.

There were also times around late 1977 when I used to wish that "Village Of Tears" was also an instrumental. I think Richard Searling was the first to spin it, when Wigan Casino was playing at least 50% 'blue-eyed' stompers. It was the age of the classic British artist cover-up, when Helen Shapiro was masquerading as Dana Valery, and Sue Lynn filled the floor as Judy Jenkins. Keith Minshull staggered everybody with his impeccable soul taste by making Tim Tam & The Turn Ons into a "monster" (definitely the right word to use). That old rocker Charlie Gracie dusted off his winkle-pickers, and Bobby Goldsboro had more out-and-out stompers than Major Lance. As for Uncle Russ, he had "Black Power" to prove he was a bona-fide soul jock.

I was unable to find a piccy of the mysterious Ben Zine, but I bet Soul Sam has one secreted away somewhere, because he played the record to death when he got a copy. You have to look under the 'Z' entries in the guides, but nobody really believes there actually was a Mr. Zine roaming the streets of Philadelphia in the mid-60s. The record flopped, despite both sides being produced, arranged, and co-written by Ernie Maresca, of "Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)" fame. I assume that after "WTHTHP", Ben Zine called it a day.

Now that I'm (a lot) older, and "Village Of Tears" is (a lot) pricier, I love it. It has a certain charm that reeks of the all-nighters of my youth, some thirty-plus years ago. It's certainly very danceable, and was always guaranteed to get a good response on the floor back in the day. More importantly, it was the all-important B-side of a flop that the Northern scene has always thrived on. Have a listen to the clip if you don't know it. The current book price fror a mint demo is £150, with issues at £200. That's a sign that there weren't many people interested in yet another "Hanky Panky" record in 1966.

I bought this described as a near mint copy. It isn't, due to quite a few light "spiders web" markings on the vinyl - mainly near the edge. It does, however, play a good excellent ++ or higher.

Both labels are slightly grubby. There is also a small area of pink discolouration on the edge of the A-side, though nothing very noticeable.

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.