Sold Date: September 12, 2021
Start Date: September 5, 2021
Final Price: $26.00 (USD)
Bid Count: 3
Seller Feedback: 170
Buyer Feedback: 48

 Item Specific Notes: (No Reserve Auction)

ROBBI CURTICE – THE SOUL OF A MAN / WHEN DIANA PAINTS THE PICTURE (SIDEWALK 942) (PROMO) (VG+/VG)

From Wiltshire, UK, Robbi Curtice’s real name was Rob Ashmore and he’s a relatively enigmatic character.  In July of 1968, he made it into a London studio in the capable hands of producers Ralph Murphy and Vic Smith.  Ashmore brought the song When Diana Paints a Picture with him, and when Cilla Black turned down the song, he got to do it himself.  At some point in the process, the studio execs thought it wise to spruce up Ashmore’s name to Robbi Curtice. When Diana Paints a Picture got the royal treatment in the studio and was expanded with all the UK “tools of twee,” and came out remarkably tight for that genre of music.  The flip side however, was a completely different beast.  The Soul of a Man was written by both producers Murphy & Smith, and is a seriously thundering composition that never really ever takes a break. Ashmore’s vocals are positively stellar and the tasteful orchestration legitimately enhances the song to the point where it could have opened up a movie as the soundtrack showcase piece.   This guy should have been an instant star with a song like this, but some way, somehow, the folks at the studio felt very differently and completely canned the release of the 45.  But somebody must have realized the single was too good to sit on the shelf, so contact was made with US producer Ed Ver Schure at Sidewalk Records in Hollywood. The record was released in the US a few months after the original recording, but alas, it made no significant waves on the US charts and Robbi Curtice’s flame was essentially snuffed out.  This promo copy grades visually as VG+/VG, but plays closer to VG++, with When Diana Paints a Picture having a few audible pops.  It comes with the iconic original Sidewalk Records sleeve. Check out the scans and audio samples.

Hi folks, this is Velvetfogg, founder of the U-SPACES music collective which ran from 1997 to 2020 on Yahoogroups and has now switched over to Facebook.  The primary focus of U-SPACES was to provide a network of Psych & Garage music aficionados to build and share compilations of non comped songs. Over the past 40 years I have amassed a large 45 & LP collection which I am now choosing to put up for auction to help fund my kid’s college educations.  Generally speaking, I am only putting things up for auction that are either in excellent condition or extremely rare.

My preference is to run these auctions on EBAY because of familiarity with the process, but there is the potential that I will switch or use other platforms in parallel in the future.  Check out my collection on DISCOGS under VELVETFOGG. I have only listed 45’s on that site that I plan to auction in 2021/22 and the list will grow substantially on a weekly basis as I continue to go through my collection. I hope to list 10 records per week for EBAY auctions on Sundays.

GRADING SCALE:

NM/M: Played once or twice. No visible surface or playback wear.

EX: Has been played but has no scratches, minimal to no wear and plays without surface noise.

EX- Plays without surface noise, but might have a few visible minor scratches.

VG++: May have a few surface scratches or a little wear, but plays nicely with only minimal surface noise and clicks. No Skips

VG+: "Typical used record".  A little wear, a few minor (light) scratches, but plays well. Surface noise may be more present during soft passages. No Skips

VG: More wear and significant surface noise. Deeper scratches. May have a skip and will be noted.

G: Significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear. (Beat up record!) May have skips if noted.

(All Records are play-graded and visually-graded.)

SHIPPING (45’S):

USA: $5.00 

Canada/Mexico: $13.00 

Asia/Oceania: $18.00 

Rest of World: $15.00 

45’s ship via USPS First Class (domestic) or USPS First Class

International. Professional cardboard 45 mailers will be used with proper bubble packing.

Priority Shipping is available for higher priced items (Domestic & International) which includes insurance, so please inquire upon winning bid if you are interested in this option. For international orders, please research these costs in your country prior to bidding.

PAYMENTS:

EBAY Managed Payments or Paypal Only.

FEEDBACK/SATISFACTION:

I will work to ensure that all customers are fully satisfied should any issues arise.  I have made all attempts possible to provide high quality scans, full audio files from the auction items and grading information about this record.  Bottom line, if you still need more info, contact me through EBAY and I will gladly answer any additional questions.