Records That Made You Gobsmacked

[Guest]

Did ever hear a record for the first time and think "WHAT THE F**K IS THAT!!"

So basically tunes that were away from the normal 'Run Of The Mill' Northern Soul tunes IMHO.. Like l said either good or bad(l'm not saying which is what though!)

Five from me...In no particular order...

1) Purple Haze-Johnny Jones And The Casuals

2) Janice-Skip Mahoney

3) Paris Blues-Tony Middleton

4) Seven Day Lover-James Fountain

5) We Got Togetherness-The Jewels

[Linda4me]

Harry Starr - Another time another place - on End heard it on cd then went and bought it

[Chris L]

Harry Starr - Another time another place - on End heard it on cd then went and bought it

Never quite 'got this' tune....... I actually know his ex-wife

[Jumpinjoan]

Four Voices - Your Love Is Getting Stronger - Voice.

What a stunner of a tune. Got goose pimples just thinking about it.

Eddie Parker - I'm Gone - Awake.

Without doubt one - if not the - best records ever. Got goose pimples on my goose pimples!

edit - think I might have read the post wrong. doh sorry Webby

Edited December 5, 2010 by jumpinjoan

[Jumpinjoan]

That Knick Knack Paddy Wack record. WTF is that all about?

[Guest Mart B]

Gobsmacked.. Hearing Frank Wilson for the first time at The Casino,around 1977-1978

not sure the exact date.The dance floor reaction was unbeleivable.

But like many folk on the scene at the time thought "wow how was this missed!".

To much play and overkill at present day.

Also gobsmacked hearing for the first time one of the best dance floor reactions i have ever seen was yet again late casino 1978-79 was tamala Lewis You wont say nothing. Richard Searling was playing it at the time as a newie,not sure initially if richard played it as a cover up?also did Richard discover it?

I know someone on soulsource will give me a answer.

Regards Mart

[De-to]

"im spellbound",tamiko jones,in the mid 70s bouncing off the casino walls quality detroit soul,

[De-to]

and one i missed coz i stopped going to wigan, a brilliant tricky dicky spin,(doh)

[Staceys Dad]

how about "rosemary what happened" ...still great today..............

[arnie j]

tsu toronadoes - got to get through to you - atlantic

this one, absolutely blew me away when i first heard it ! nd only about £20 !! great thread that could run and run webby

jason

[Mark Bicknell]

Many but the one that sticks in my mind was the first time Keb Darge played Freddie Houston - If I Had Known - Old Town, that big huge massive note he hits towards the end of the record just did it for me big time, had to get one which took a few weeks, one record I have always kept, awesome.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

[arnie j]

freddie houston - if i had know - old town - preview copy

totally agree with you there mark,fookin awesome tune at stafford,great call !!

jason

[Harry Crosby]

Allways remember the first time i heard this one......................GOBSMACKED

chuck holiday - just can't trust nobody - soul-tbc

[Guest JIM BARRY]

going back a long long time for me, 1970 friday afternoon school disco....the flamingos....boogaloo party.

the last choon that blew me away was...the empires...your on top......love the harmonies.

Edited December 5, 2010 by JIM BARRY

[arnie j]

johnny gilliam - room full of tears - cancer

oooh,and this one from stafford also, probably the first record that made me realise im into soul music and not just northern

jason

[Guest JIM BARRY]

Sure that The Flamingos charted....Great tune ..and there's somebody famous in the band but l can't remember who!!

tommy hunt webby.

[Mark Jones]

Many but the one that sticks in my mind was the first time Keb Darge played Freddie Houston - If I Had Known - Old Town, that big huge massive note he hits towards the end of the record just did it for me big time, had to get one which took a few weeks, one record I have always kept, awesome.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Ditto on that Mark...hairs on the back of the neck stuff...was worth travelling to Stafford just to hear Keb play that one tune...then again Dave playing Pyramid had the same effect on me first time I heard it at Stafford too!

P.S. anyone got a Freddie Houston for sale that's not a Belgian popcorn pressing...always a bit scared to buy one off evilbay just in case!

[Guest gordon russell]

DEWY F**KING BLACK

[Koolkat]

Frank Wilson....Deffo...... Casino.

Jean Carter.....Like One....Casino.

Doni Burdick.....Bari Track ....When it was covered at the Mecca. That blew me away at the time. Thought it couldnt be beat.

Marvellos.... Somethings Burning.......My loft on a tape from a guy called Pecker from Royton, Oldham.

Nita Rossi.... Something To Give...... Spinning Jenny, Accrington, spun by Guy H. Not everyones cup of tea but I love it still.

[grant]

few spring to mind..

jewels - we got togetherness

james coit - black power

arthur freeman - you got me uptight

butch's temptones c/up

[Phild]

Three for me, which are still my top three of all time. Thankfully now got 'em all on original vinyl.

Court Davis - Try To Think What You're Doing

Don Gardner - Cheatin' Kind

Eric Mercury - Lonely Girl

Awesome!

Phil

[Phild]

And on the "bad" side of this thread.... Thankfully not got any of ';em on any format

Larry Trider - Carbon Copy

Profiles - Take A Giant Wrap

Roscoe & Friends - Broadway Sissy

One question about all these three ....... Why?

Phil

[Benji]

Three for me, which are still my top three of all time. Thankfully now got 'em all on original vinyl.

Court Davis - Try To Think What You're Doing

Don Gardner - Cheatin' Kind

Eric Mercury - Lonely Girl

Awesome!

Phil

And on the "bad" side of this thread.... Thankfully not got any of ';em on any format

Larry Trider - Carbon Copy

Profiles - Take A Giant Wrap

Phil

I was guilty of making L. Trider and Profiles quite popular here in Southern Germany over a decade ago. Don't know if I'd play them nowadays (probably not).

Wish I had been guilty of making any of your top three tunes popular

One that left me gobsmacked from the very first time was George Freeman - Down and out. Fantastic production...

[grant]

And on the "bad" side of this thread.... Thankfully not got any of ';em on any format

Larry Trider - Carbon Copy

Profiles - Take A Giant Wrap

Roscoe & Friends - Broadway Sissy

One question about all these three ....... Why?

Phil

they all fill the dancefloor mate, so someone likes 'em

[Phild]

they all fill the dancefloor mate, so someone likes 'em

So did Joe Dolce - Shaddap You Face at our local nightclub back in the day

Popularity is never a reliable indicator of quality.

Phil

[Phild]

I was guilty of making L. Trider and Profiles quite popular here in Southern Germany over a decade ago. Don't know if I'd play them nowadays (probably not).

Wish I had been guilty of making any of your top three tunes popular

One that left me gobsmacked from the very first time was George Freeman - Down and out. Fantastic production...

I am glad you can admit it. But do you repent?

Phil

[Cobbles]

2 gud uns....

me and garry churm talking at 100 club ....THEN... butch sticks on the swans "nitty gritty city" dore ......now churmy can talk for england... but we both stopped immediately and mouthed "W.T.F.I.T ?" ...i think i won the scrabble to the decks to find out what had just frazzled our minds!!!!!

or

maurice williams "deing without you"deesu ...hearing it for the first time at the tender age of 17 at a local soul do in derby ...ooooh still gives me a warm feeling !!!!.....or is it i've just tiddled in me trousers in this cold weather!!!!???????????????

or one bad un....

dry well "gypsy" lauren.....what is that about.....who's laced me with lsd?????????

franc

[Benji]

I am glad you can admit it. But do you repent?

Yes, "I won't play Popcorn at a Soul do again" written 100 times on the lid of my DJ box...

Edited December 8, 2010 by Benji

[grant]

So did Joe Dolce - Shaddap You Face at our local nightclub back in the day

Popularity is never a reliable indicator of quality.

Phil

yeah maybe i shouldve stated popular at an oldies venue, but surely must be quality to those who like that sort of stuff, me i cant stand don gardner, never liked the tune, does that mean i dont like 'quality'? eric mercury on the other hand i love but seen it clear dancefloors!

[Phild]

Yes, "I won't play Popcorn at a Soul do again" written 100 times on the lid of my DJ box...

Suitable penance!

You are forgiven. Go in peace

[Phild]

yeah maybe i shouldve stated popular at an oldies venue, but surely must be quality to those who like that sort of stuff, me i cant stand don gardner, never liked the tune, does that mean i dont like 'quality'? eric mercury on the other hand i love but seen it clear dancefloors!

I suppose it just illustrates that beauty (and quality) is in the ear of the beholder and the NS scene is a very broad church

Phil

[NEV]

Too many records over the yrs to mention , that have made me think " what the f**k is that"

Slightly off on a tangent here ...but as a 15yr old being coaxed by the older peeps to get on the coach to wigan casino ....

Walking through the doors into the main hall for the 1st time .. un f**kin believable "

Actually i think hearing SOUL BROTHERS INC -TEARDROPS for the ist time at Prestatyn, whilst dancing, just after Carl Willingham announced he was stepping down from dj'n ........one of the most poignant moments to this day

[soulsalmon]

DEWY F**KING BLACK

with you on that Tez

[The Animal]

Robby Lawson - Burning Sensation

Jimmy Mack - My World Is On Fire

COD - She's Fire

Burning Bush - Keeps On Burning

Vala Reegan & The Valarons - Fireman

Crosswind - Fire (It's Getting Hot)

Flame 'n' King & The Bold Ones - Ho Happy Day

Oops sorry, logged onto wrong forum.

Thought I was on "Pyromania Source"

"A forum where Pyromaniacs can discuss WHAT'S HOT? & WHAT'S NOT

[Greety]

Hearing Richard Searling play Al Williams at a Burnley Cats Whiskers All dayer circa 78/79. Covered as the Masqueraders as I remember. Fantastic!!

[Mick Howard]

Right then - haven't posted for a short while but this seems like a good thread.

What the f**k moments - not all necessarily 'good' tunes or even Soul in its truest sense but all of these hit me like a hammer when I first heard them:

Rat Race - The Righteous Brothers Band

You Just Don't Know - Chubby Checker

You Didn't Have To Leave - The Illusions (those sax breaks still light me up)

Interplay - Derek & Ray

Kay Gee - The Niteliters

Do I Love You - Frank Wilson

Oh Yeah Yeah Yeah - Vivian Carroll

You Know How To Love Me - Phyllis Hyman

After You There Can Be Nothing - Walter Jackson (still makes me fill up)

Pyramid - Soul Brothers Inc - and so, so many more from the days of Stafford including the aforementioned Freddie Houston and George Freeman

Young Girl - Soulfay

Ask My Heart - Eddie Billups

Blimey, I could go on for days

Mick

[Guest]

Right then - haven't posted for a short while but this seems like a good thread.

What the f**k moments - not all necessarily 'good' tunes or even Soul in its truest sense but all of these hit me like a hammer when I first heard them:

Rat Race - The Righteous Brothers Band

You Just Don't Know - Chubby Checker

You Didn't Have To Leave - The Illusions (those sax breaks still light me up)

Interplay - Derek & Ray

Kay Gee - The Niteliters

Do I Love You - Frank Wilson

Oh Yeah Yeah Yeah - Vivian Carroll

You Know How To Love Me - Phyllis Hyman

After You There Can Be Nothing - Walter Jackson (still makes me fill up)

Pyramid - Soul Brothers Inc - and so, so many more from the days of Stafford including the aforementioned Freddie Houston and George Freeman

Young Girl - Soulfay

Ask My Heart - Eddie Billups

Blimey, I could go on for days

Mick

There are many " WTFIT " tunes for me , but one that stands out has to be " Landslide " .

Sheer magic the first time I heard it , and that magic still prevails every time I hear it .

Malc

[Guest]

..............And what an intro!! Those kin drums!!

Believe me Phil , the first time I heard that record , it was like being a nipper again , and told that Santa had been on Christmas morning

Malc

[Guest proudlove]

..............And what an intro!! Those kin drums!!

DumDumDaDaDaDumDumDaDaDaDumDaDaDaDum.Bwaaarrr.........................

[Guest]

DumDumDaDaDaDumDumDaDaDaDumDaDaDaDum.Bwaaarrr.........................

" Bwaaarrr " ? I like the cut of your jib Sir

Malc

[Guest]

What is.....Bwaaarrr?? And exactly where does it come in in the intro?

it is the drum roll on the snare following the taps on it at the start ..... it should read

" Bwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrhhhhh "

Malc

Edited December 8, 2010 by Malc Burton

[Guest Swish]

Although, like all of us there must be hundreds of sounds that made us gob smacked, one thing I liked and was often gob smacked with, were different versions, especially when you didn't know they existed.

There's that Mountain at the Cats.

Chip Tylers version of If you you ask me (yes I know Jerry Williams is the alpha and omega . as it were, but when youre smashed and suddenly ITS ANOTHER VERSION! Well wow.

Karen Keyes, One in a million.

Doni Burdick's version of Open the door to your heart.

All the versions of Lighten up.

Saron Scotts version of ITS BETTER. (It was you guys on here who told me who it was by and how to find it on the RCA CD, thank you.)

I've never heard that anywhere but at home on the CD. Oh JEEEEEEEEEEEEZ I can't tell you how much I'd have loved to have heard it at a nighter.

In fact I've never heard it when blocked. I shall rectify that very soon!

Recently Tc did me a CD which includes Wynnita Williams (is that her real name) of Back street and The way you've been Acting lately.On the other hand it doesn't work for everyone, I know.

Smig from Leicester came up to see me a few months ago and THE WAY YOU'VE BEEN ACTING LATELY by Al Kent must be in his top 5 of all-time.

I couldn't wait to play him the female version.

He listened all the way through without a word, and then said "It's not as good". There was no Wow, another version. or any such exclamation (Mind you Smig never was one for showing much emotion)

Sam Fletcher's version of MORE TODAY THEN YESTERDAY.

Oh and on a similar note , there is a scene in that USA series, Ally McBeal where they are all at a party and Spiral Staircase comes on and they are all loving it and singing the words and that!

EH! Yeah know it was some minor hit in USA but young Usa folks dancing to and singing ONE OF OUR SONGS!?

I was real delighted when all this happened on the show, but then I thought. HOW DARE THEY! ITS OUR SONG NOT YOURS!Now I was really gob smacked!

Edited December 11, 2010 by Swish

[TOAD]

for me it wasnt one record but the RCA unissueds played by Ady C at the 100 club

they just kept on coming whoosh one after each other we even had to count em up !

so i was pleased to get the aniversary single till i found out some B********d had nicked it, but thanks to Shifty he gave me a copy.

Edited December 11, 2010 by TOAD

[Guest Swish]

for me it wasnt one record but the RCA unissueds played by Ady C at the 100 club

they just kept on coming whoosh one after each other we even had to count em up !

so i was pleased to get the aniversary single till i found out some B********d had nicked it, but thanks to a kind dealer got one anyway for nowt

I'd long packed in going to 100 club by then.

It must have been amazing hearing them there, as you say one after the other.

I envy you all who were there.

[Harry Crosby]

Although, like all of us there must be hundreds of sounds that made us gob smacked, one thing I liked and was often gob smacked with, were different versions, especially when you didn't know they existed.

There's that Mountain at the Cats.

Chip Tylers version of If you you ask me (yes I know Jerry Williams is the alpha and omega . as it were, but when youre smashed and suddenly ITS ANOTHER VERSION! Well wow.

Karen Keyes, One in a million.

Doni Burdick's version of Open the door to your heart.

All the versions of Lighten up.

Saron Scotts version of ITS BETTER. (It was you guys on here who told me who it was by and how to find it on the RCA CD, thank you.)

I've never heard that anywhere but at home on the CD. Oh JEEEEEEEEEEEEZ I can't tell you how much I'd have loved to have heard it at a nighter.

In fact I've never heard it when blocked. I shall rectify that very soon!

Recently Tc did me a CD which includes Wynnita Williams (is that her real name) of Back street and The way you've been Acting lately.On the other hand it doesn't work for everyone, I know.

Smig from Leicester came up to see me a few months ago and THE WAY YOU'VE BEEN ACTING LATELY by Al Kent must be in his top 5 of all-time.

I couldn't wait to play him the female version.

He listened all the way through without a word, and then said "It's not as good". There was no Wow, another version. or any such exclamation (Mind you Smig never was one for showing much emotion)

Sam Fletcher's version of MORE TODAY THEN YESTERDAY.

Oh and on a similar note , there is a scene in that USA series, Ally McBeal where they are all at a party and Spiral Staircase comes on and they are all loving it and singing the words and that!

EH! Yeah know it was some minor hit in USA but young Usa folks dancing to and singing ONE OF OUR SONGS!?

I was real delighted when all this happened on the show, but then I thought. HOW DARE THEY! ITS OUR SONG NOT YOURS!Now I was really gob smacked!

I`m the same as you swish i love hearing different versions, it wasn`t until recently i heard LULU`S version of TRY TO UNDERSTAND, One wow moment that allways sticks in my mind was. I`d bought a copy of Clifford Curry-Can`t get a hold of myself, many years ago late 70`s & as per usual i flipped it over when i got home, and heard AINT NO DANGER for the first time. Now that was a WOW moment-REGARDS HARRY

[Baz Atkinson]

Different ones for different reasons -first one was late 78 heard it at the casino stoped wearing baggies etc and got into real soul after this -it was the four tempos got to have you on rampart ,just an incredible haunting sound think Evison played it in his oldies spot -OTHERS HAVE IN INCLUDED-the Butch cover up "just go on and laugh"and the first time i heard both the barons of soul and Jesse james love is alright,suppose all these would be classed as good northern soul!!

On the deep and sweet side i am discovering stuff everyday in my volts that blows me away played Michael Washington-[wondering] this morning must of put it aside it was a gift of Paul Sadot i it blew me away as did the flipside of moody women Jerry Butler bloody sleepers on the flip of passed popular records still surprising you after all these years,deep and sweet gobsmacks me more these days but do look forward to getting out a bit more next year and been blown away at some of the more upfront venues !!

BAZ A

[Colsoul]

gaz simons rich from nuneaton and me were stood at the prestatyn weekender when we first heard arthur willis , the hurt is all over; we all looked at each other and i jumped on the stage mick h playing it with rob thomas stood with him, amazing fresh discovery 2004 or 5, . ,i think in the seventies there were new spine tingelers every week or so, but not these days whats the ones in recent years ? col

Edited January 3, 2011 by colsoul

[Mark S]

Del Larks Job opening thirty years on it still does it what an intro

[Davetay]

Del Larks Job opening thirty years on it still does it what an intro

1,000's back in the day.

Good and Bad.

In the last 20 years or so.......

Best Vanguards "Good Times, Bad Times" love it.

Worst "W**k off to the corn flakes girl" hate it.

PS I still love The Del Larks.

[Dazdakin]

it has to be the first time i ever heard the salvadors "Stick By Me Baby" omg i thought, i cannot get any better than this........it did.....but ffs what a buzz