Culcheth Returns Casino 50th Anniversary Special

Early years at the Casino carried the torch (pardon the pun) for the Northern scene, continuing where the clubs like the ‘Golden’ Torch and VaVa’s left off, but the later years at the Casino, for many, were when some of the records played on today’s rare and modern soul scene’s got their first airing. Take a look at this playlist from Richard Searling from 1980 and see how many you recognise…expect to hear sounds like this and many more at Culcheth on Sept 2nd

Nobody could touch Richard for c/ups!, every tune there, an absolute smash...even without Christine Cooper and Bobby Jason

Dave Holts tape recording of Richards Wigan set that was played on BVAN during the lockdown sounded great. 

The real identity of the cover up names/ titles on your flyer Baz takes some working out. Some of those records are still played in the rare rooms to this day.

I'll bet there's a competition there some where lol.

2 hours ago, Jessie Pinkman said:

Dave Holts tape recording of Richards Wigan set that was played on BVAN during the lockdown sounded great. 

The real identity of the cover up names/ titles on your flyer Baz takes some working out. Some of those records are still played in the rare rooms to this day.

I'll bet there's a competition there some where lol.

Thanks Bob, yes that the idea of the night on Sept 2nd at Culcheth, to explore the heritage that the Casino has generated with some great records being played today and some still to have their day. I know you have championed some of those tracks in the past, today and hopefully in the future. One from the cover up list that I know you love to spin today is this from the Executive Four

So, to give a flavour of the night on September 2nd I'm gonna post up some records that remind me of the Casino but using their 'cover-up' names... feel free to post your choices. Starting with Don Varner

Ronnie McNeir

Williams and Watson

Rock Candy

Eddie Jefferson

James Lewis & The Case Of Tyme

On 08/08/2023 at 19:33, Agentsmith said:

Nobody could touch Richard for c/ups!, every tune there, an absolute smash...even without Christine Cooper and Bobby Jason

I can think of one or two that was forward thinking in fact a a few others also not that far behind Richard Gary Rushbrook comes to mind for one , 

Wigan Spin can't remember if it was covered... ranks as rare and underplayed in my book these days. One for Sept 2nd

(24204) Barbara & Brenda - Don't Wait Up For Mama - YouTube

Baz I always loved this one, never covered up as far as I'm aware but still a great record and hasn't been overplayed

Some prefer the flipside but this side does it for me. 

10 hours ago, Jessie Pinkman said:

(24204) Barbara & Brenda - Don't Wait Up For Mama - YouTube

Baz I always loved this one, never covered up as far as I'm aware but still a great record and hasn't been overplayed

Some prefer the flipside but this side does it for me. 

 

Great choice Bob, one that Jordan has been playing in his CULCHETH sets this year 

File this one from Vernon Greene under Wigan Casino near misses.

Kev Roberts once told me he found a copy of this in the states, he didn't know it at the time and he couldn't wait to play it to the Wigan Casino faithful at the weekend. All the excitement on the way back to the UK was unbearable, he'd just discovered the next big thing, he played it and it cleared the dancefloor, tumbleweed the lot.   What a bugger.

Similar story with Russ and Sammy Lee "What goes around" now residing in Baz's box.

From all the comments I’ve had being out and about over the past few weeks, it looks like this event has really captured the imagination…

A night celebrating the Casino 50th Anniversary, featuring DJ’s who were there, ‘on the floor’, in the record bar and part of the fabric of those halcyon nights! Playing records they first heard there, records that are still relevant and played in venues today, as part of our wonderful scene.

Join us at Culcheth on Saturday 2nd September for a great night out…

On 24/08/2023 at 11:48, Jessie Pinkman said:

File this one from Vernon Greene under Wigan Casino near misses.

Kev Roberts once told me he found a copy of this in the states, he didn't know it at the time and he couldn't wait to play it to the Wigan Casino faithful at the weekend. All the excitement on the way back to the UK was unbearable, he'd just discovered the next big thing, he played it and it cleared the dancefloor, tumbleweed the lot.   What a bugger.

Similar story with Russ and Sammy Lee "What goes around" now residing in Baz's box.

 

 

Great post Bob... and a perfect example of the kind of record we'll be featuring at CULCHETH on Saturday! Sooo many great records like this, and many more suffering the same fate at the time at the Mecca etc) which over the years have become more appreciated as tastes and tempos changed, (not to mention lungs, hearts and leg muscles ;-))      

So the guys have been diggin’ into their collections for Saturday and pullin’ out some of the sounds from the Casino, that are either great memories for them personally (and hopefully you) or that after a short life-span for whatever reason, disappeared off the playlists until later years but all still sounding right for today

Starting with CULCTHETH resident Kev Murphy and a record he’s been featuring at Culcheth and in his guest spots 1min 47 seconds of dancefloor DYNAMITE

Looking forward to the return of CULCHETH two room Soul Night this Saturday, especially the modern room with Preston City Soul DJ CHARLIE SMITH bringing his box of modern MONSTERS to the party, BILL WILDMAN digging into the crates for a great selection of 80’s classic from those great North-West nights at Cassinellis, Rafters and Newton Cricket Club. We are joined by special guest and one of the busiest guys on the scene CHRIS BOX, doin’ what Chris does best. There’s all that then later in the proceedings Myself and STEVE PLUMB will be ‘tipping a hat’ to the Casino 50th Anniversary celebrations by looking back at some of the 70’s sounds played on the scene during the CASINO years, making way for the early Modern Soul scene, so expect some great Modern Soul sounds at CULCHETH THIS SATURDAY

On 29/08/2023 at 19:44, Bazm said:

 

Starting with CULCTHETH resident Kev Murphy and a record he’s been featuring at Culcheth and in his guest spots 1min 47 seconds of dancefloor DYNAMITE

 

It says 1min 54 on the label ...  ... I can remember when I could dance to this, up there in my top 10 

26 minutes ago, Martyn Pitt said:

It says 1min 54 on the label ...  ... I can remember when I could dance to this, up there in my top 10 

And mine.  In my top ten that is, a struggle to dance to for me, my legs are long and harder to get them up to speed whereas yours my friend are the right length.

Gettin' Ready For the Get Down!

Lots of interest in this event, looking like a cracker and maybe an early arrival is advised. One of my personal favourites from the early days at Wigan and still yet to have it's day!!

One for the modern room(maybe) had a bit of a revival in recent years and one from the roots of the modern scene!!

9 hours ago, Martyn Pitt said:

It says 1min 54 on the label ...  ... I can remember when I could dance to this, up there in my top 10 

You can still do it Martyn, maybe just more rest afterwards to recover than it used to take LOL - and you have the shoes for it too 

Paul Shirley AKA Wigan Paul, as the name suggests local Wigan lad, Paul came through the Casino years, as a regular helping to clean up in the mornings after the All-Nighters to become one of the best known Northern collectors and DJ’s in the North-West. Over the years, Paul has bought and sold many great records, including classics and rarities and some of the most sought-after tunes from North-West clubs, where he still DJ’s on a regular basis. Paul has been digging deep to find a mix of top tunes for Saturday, so make sure you join us for a night of total quality