Leon Ware - Why I came to California

[Karlos]

I was having a rummage through an old box of records at the weekend and found a white label 12 inch single of "Why I came to California" by Leon Ware. Is this worth anything?

[Forrrce]

I think you already know what it commands on the 'fleece' market that is eBay and just wanna show off! :lol: Last I heard, it sold for something ridiculous, like $700+.

What I find odd is that a lot of the 'kids' don't even like this sophistcated gem, yet everybody seems to want a copy. £20 LP - and it's now on mid-price CD. Just buy that, you plums!

[Karlos]

I didn't know that honestly! My copy is not a bona fide release it's a bootleg. Does this make any difference to the value?

[Forrrce]

OK, OK...I believe ya!

I didn't realise it had been bootlegged, even though it seemed 'logical' (not my logic) and is very easy to replicate, label-wise. How old is the bootleg? Is it one of the '80s London jobs...with maybe a Leroy Hutson track on the other side???

[Karlos]

Yes it is a London 1980's job. There's one other track on the same side and one on the B side...don't know who the other artists/tracks are as the label is blank....You're now going to break my heart and tell me it's worthless...!!

[Forrrce]

I wouldn't be so sure...it's still a 12" edition of the track, which will count to many. There are bootlegs which can sell for money and this is probably quite a rarity in its own right. Believe me - boot or no boot, I bet there's a market for it.

[Karlos]

Thanks for the info........ Coming soon on E-Bay.....!!!!

[Forrrce]

Thanks for the info........ Coming soon on E-Bay.....!!!!

Good luck with that! :D :D :D

I'm not too sure what gets reissued these days, so many things every week...and the current trend in the UK is to release previously LP-only tracks on 12" (definitely a notion fed by eBay and the current "collectors' " climate). I wouldn't be surprised if the track is already on some Expansion/Soul Brother reissue 12" with another artist on the flip. The other tracks on your EP may be the selling point.

[Karlos]

I know what you mean about the Expansion reissues etc but I've just looked on GEMM, there's nothing there, you would at least expect to see a reissue 12 inch if there had been one pressed. Will have to listen again to see if I can identify the other tracks. Incidentally I picked up another boot at around the same time "L.A. Nights" by Yasuko Agawa (bet I haven't spelt that right!) any ideas on that?

[Forrrce]

Yasuko Agawa's 'L.A. Nights' was made with the nucleus of the L.A. Boppers, in 1983. It came out on Japanese 12" & 10", then on a UK Bluebird 12" in '84. Check your white label - if it has 'New York Afternoon' on the B-side, it's probably an official 12. I think £15 is right for it - though you can probably double that on you-know-where.

[buckaroo]

I think you already know what it commands on the 'fleece' market that is eBay and just wanna show off! :lol: Last I heard, it sold for something ridiculous, like $700+.

What I find odd is that a lot of the 'kids' don't even like this sophistcated gem, yet everybody seems to want a copy. £20 LP - and it's now on mid-price CD. Just buy that, you plums!

I remember when Don Blackmon's 1982 album was going for £45. Then someone released it on CD and vinyl...for £6.99. I bet a lot of collectors were screwing. :lol:

I also have a copy of the Bluebird version of LA Nights, with NY Afternoon B side. All classy choonz

[miles mayhem]

i have an 12" on Erect with the Leon Ware track. and Terry Callier 'I Don't Want To See Myself'. It looks like a boot, but an old one. Which label did the original Leon Ware come out on?

[Karlos]

Think it was either Electra or United Artists. I'd say the original LP goes for good money these days.
As to the bootlegs mine has two tracks on each side. One track (on the other side to Leon Ware) is by Woods Empire but don't know the other two tracks.

[Forrrce]

Leon Ware came out on Elektra originally. I've heard about this mysterious Erect 12" and now what's on it has been revealed, it can only be a bootleg. I can't see why a tiny Chicago indie would bother licensing a recent track from a major. The inclusion of the Callier consolidates the 'unofficial' status.