By Jason Barnard
The Fleur de Lys (or Les Fleur de Lys as they were originally known) were formed fifty years ago in Southampton. Until they split five years later they recorded and released a string of memorable records including ‘Circles’ and ‘Hold On’; universally recognised as classics of the era.
However they are also notable of having a string of talented of musicians in their ranks. So much so that drummer Keith Guster was the only ever present member throughout their entire history. However many myths have grown up around Keith and the band, partially due to a number of singles released under different banners and some tracks that have wrongly attributed to them. It’s startling to know that it’s only that the first official album by The Fleur de Lys was released just recently, ‘You’ve Got To Earn It’, on Acid Jazz.
Jason Barnard speaks to Keith to uncover the truth behind The Fleur de Lys:
http://thestrangebrew.co.uk/articles/the-fleur-de-lys-keith-guster
Subject: Potential Consignment / Valuation Inquiry: Unissued 1965 Doris Troy Decca Advance Pressing Acetate
I am contacting you regarding an exceptionally rare piece of 1960s soul history currently in my possession, which I believe will be of immense interest to your platform and the global Northern Soul community.
I wonder if Fleur De Lys surviving group members know of this recording session?
I own a 7″ blue-label Decca Group Advance Test Pressing / Acetate featuring Doris Troy in Sleeve
The disc is dated 16/7/1965 in red typescript on the main stamped label.
The track layout on the disc is as follows:
• Main Dated Side (A-side): I’m Gonna Make it Up to You
• Flip Side (B-side): One Room Paradise (Written by Teddy Randazzo)
As you know, while “One Room Paradise” was recorded by Aretha Franklin, Margie Hendrix, and The Raelets this mid-1960s Doris Troy session was never commercially rolled out by Decca UK or released in the US and was recorded before the latter two commercial releases
This acetate confirms that a master tape was sent to the UK, mastered, and cut for a planned UK release that was ultimately shelved—with the entirely unreleased track “I’m Gonna Make it Up to You” slated as possibly the primary plug side.
The lacquer surface is intact, and the typed label details are fully legible.
Given the unique “new discovery” nature of this item and its historical significance to UK R&B/Soul distribution, I would greatly appreciate your professional assessment regarding its potential auction value.
I would be delighted to provide high-resolution photographs of the labels and the disc surfaces upon request.
There are two topics currently on Soul-Source with short snippets of the recordings