Wigan Casino - 5Th Anniversary - Richard Searling Spot

[Wiganer1]

the 2nd live wigan tape i ever got and what a cracker....

something i wrote some time ago.....

excuse any inaccuracies...atb mark

yeah the sound of lou roberts there . many thanks to russ for the last couple of hours' you got me for the next and here comes the first one and its :-

Betty boo Say it isn't so - Richards kicks off with his monster unreleased track Betty Boo which already has already gained cult status. This would have been released around this time and the 'wiganites' would soon have access to a sound you could only hear on a saturday night.

Lou roberts You fooled me - Next on the deck is Lou Roberts other biggie on MGM and the heart rendering You fooled me . More country and western than northern but this one just enough of a 'northern ' beat for it to fill the casino floor.

Vicki Baines Country girl - Next comes one of Richards biggest ever Wigan Floor fillers covered up as Christine Cooper - I'm just a country girl , this was played before the 5th anniversary but spun to a maximum audience on this night. On Parkway records it still remains ultra rare on original and would be the highlight of any oldies collection.

Cobblestone Trick me treat me - On the decks next comes ' Tempos and love me like a man ' . Another cover up from Mr Searling. Turned out to be Cobblestone on Mercury . Only available on issue and still goes for over £100 .

Paula Durante If he were mine - On the GJM label comes Paula Durante.Driving drums and horns in the opening bars set you up for a great dance beat but then Paula hits you with her dulcit tones . One of Richards biggies for the year but long forgotten now and rarely played. An original copy would set you back around £75 ,beware of those awful green bootlegs Yuk!

Benny Sigler Who you gonna turn to - Cover up time again with 'Randolph Walker' and 'Who you gonna turn to' . Great and instant opening few bars and then you're on your way to a great northern tune, with stop starts and handclap breaks galore. Must surely be Bunny Sigler but pressed as Benny! Quite rare on original Parkway Records.

Yvonne Vernee Just like you did me - Wigan does rare soul with the next one with this detroit belter on Sonbert. Always remained rare with copies seldom coming up for sale. Brilliant dancer and one of Richards finest discoveries .

Del Capris Hey little way out girl - Hitting the turntables for the next tune which was one of the most popular oldies to come out of Wigan . Covered as the Del Capris its actually the Construction on Sync 6 records which is extremely rare and never turns up. Instant floor filler with catchy vocals and skip along beat. Came out on UK Grapevine with the classic picture sleeve with the two dancers on it.

Rita the Tiaras Gone with the wind - Putting the rare 'soul' into rare soul comes Richards next 45. 'First time out for this one and here comes the Velvelettes and Our love is gone with the wind'. Another 45 that was hammered and soon became one of the most popular records around. Uk copies became available via Destiny complete with Picture sleeve. Original copies on Dore have become major collectors pieces after being hammered by Ginger and the like over the last few years.. Still sounds good and is as popular as ever.

Jimmy Burns I really love you - Another rare outing and a 'Grapevine' special comes the ultra rare US Erica recording from Jimmy Burns.Storming uptempo with the instant hookline with the title in the chorus. I really love you is a super northern 45.

Gerri Thomas Look what i've got - On World Artists comes the more traditional 'Wigan' sound from Richard comes Gerry Thomas' haunting tune 'Look what I got'. I cant eat- who ooh I cant sleep who ooh, those unforgettable opening lines make this a classic Wigan sound for many. White demos of this would set you back around £50 or more,was booted on a horrible yellow pressing which should be avoided at all costs.

J.C.Messina Time wont let me - Covered as the Bob Seger system comes a version of the Outsiders 60's hit .This version is a much rawer vocal on this obscure Tom King label I think Tom King may have been a member of the Outsiders or is related to them somehow. I think this sounds even better today and has crept up in price over the years. Beware of the cheap bootleg that looks exactly like the original.

Paul Anka When we get there - Back to the classic oldies of Wigan Casino, after his monster 'I cant help loving you' filled the floors everywhere it was only a matter of time before someone checked out his other material on RCA for northern soul related items and this is what we got This is much slower than 'I cant help loving you ' but this still packs a punch is just a beautiful northern soul tune. Got a UK release on RCA which is very collectable.

Twans I can't see him again - Back to ultra rarities and on the Dade label is the Twans , this was spun earlier in the Wigan days as Richard announces back to the oldies. . Uptempo girlie oldie that never lets up.Twans has always been rare, although it was booted in the mid 80's , to get an original you're talking anything over £500.

Wakefield Sun Trypt on love - Back to the MGM outlet for Richards next cover up whcich this time was masquerading as Eddie Jason. Atmospheric and moody and still has that something that you dont get with alot of oldies. Was booted on the infamous blue vynil MGM reissues but save up for a proper yellow demo for a few quid more!. Issues of this are extremely difficult to locate. Check out his version of Harold Melvins' get out on the same label.

Dogs - Soul Step - 'First time out for this instrumental and this goes out to Soul Sam who's somewhere in the record bar' On the very rare Treasure label this 45 which went on to be a cult collectors item over the next few years of the Casino. Got re-issued very recently with a vocal version on the other side. But Richard was first to spin it a the 'Heart of soul'

Reperata & Delrons It's waiting there for you - Girlie teratory again with Reperata and the Delrons other Mala outing, Panic being their other monster from earlier on in the Casinos lifespan. There won't be many fans of this record today, but Richard must have liked it and it was popular none the less.

Newbeats Don't turn me loose - And if you couldn't believe that Richard played Reperata, you won't believe that he also spin this by the soul purist's ultimate enemy group The Newbeats. Was big enough to get issued on UK Inferno and sounds popular on the night. This would never see a turntable these days unless you were a very brave do but it was played and people danced to it (You know who you are!!) If you do like this type of oldie check out Top Secret on the same Hickory label, Stomp stomp!

Toni Basil Breakaway - Along next comes the old Lada Edmond cover up break these chains which of course turned out to be Toni Basil of 'Mickey' fame. On the A&M label this still is quite a desirable 45 for oldies fans and still popular with the dancers.

Holly St James Thats not love - Next up is one of the biggest oldies of all time and one that has stood the test of time. A total floor filler with the breaks for all the handclaps. Remained a collector's item on the ABC label, mainly seen on white demo copies but did come out on a black issue and is Super rare. Also came out on Soul Fox circa 78/79.

Frankie Beveley Because of my heart - Another rarity to hit the Wigan turnables was this one on Fairmount from the 'If that's what you wanted' man . Also released on Rouser this brilliant 45 caught the imagination the collectors as well as the acrobatic dancers. To get a copy of this would set you back a small fortune. The records that passed through this mans hand!

Bobby Paris I walked away - Back to the classic oldies and one of Bobby's best. On the Capitol record label this became a true Casino Classic!.Used to be covered as Bobby Diamond but this is true Northern Soul in every sense of the word. Seen frequently on US demo copy but the prize to get is a Capitol Issue of this monster oldie.

Lou Roberts You fooled me - Second time around for this one and still sounding good. I was told that lots of tunes were hammered at the Casino and many were played more than once in a night. Here is one example of a sound Richard must have believed in.

Tamala Lewis You wont say nothing - Another indemander that got a release on the UK Destiny label. Covered up by Richard as Sharon Scott this was another monster casino tune for him. The original is on Marton and I think is a light blue label but is obtainable on a orange reissue on the same label. May take you some time to get a proper one however, rarely turns up.

Generation Hold on - Wigan does beach music with the next one in Mr Searlings spot. Another one to come on Grapevine which suggests it was a biggie, and also was scheduled to be released on Destiny 1003 but never came out. The import of this is on the beautiful 'Mockingbird' label which you should be able to get for around £40. One for the oldies crowd this one and would be a nice one to hear now and again.

Ben Zine Village of tears - Now here is a track, this is a record I sold all my LP's to get this 45 and remember going to the Notts Palais all niter trying to get rid of the others for a £1 apiece Got there eventually and it cost me £50 way back in 85'. Ben Zine is a love it , hate it record but it was certainly a huge record for Richard in this year who had been playing this heavily in the previous summer. The issue of this was pressed in the early 2000's and until then you only saw East and West coast white demos.

Family Affair Love Hustle - Back to the shock plays for Richard when you look back at his playlists. But yes he did play this which was a monster at the time. The family Affair is a UK outfit on Pye and had something to do with Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch. There are UK Pye demos out there of this which is about desirable as it gets!

Millionaires You've got to love your baby - Another Grapevine release and was one of the two monster oldies on the Castle label. (The other being the Ellingtons) The Millionaires is a great oldie that doesn't get played enough. Beware of the reissue of this as its nearly identical to the blue original.

Wall of Sound Hang on - Wall of Sound is on the Tower label as well as the local Big Bird label. I'm sure this is the Righteous Brothers hey who knows. Again this is a great sounding northern tune with all the right beat etc. Never heard played out in over 25 years of all niters, due for a revival maybe?

Peggy March If you love me - Playing safe again,this time its Peggy March and the vocal version to Soul Coaxing. As with Russ's spot this tune must have been well in demand as it sure was popular on this night.Gained two releases in the UK on Black 60s RCA and the later 70's orange issue. US copies come in the guise of Yellow Demos and black issues.

Del Capris Hey little way out girl - Again another second time around tune, met with the same frenetic and optimistic response.

Paula Durante If he were mine - Richard finishes off his spot with another respin..

So there you go, the 5th anniversary spot from many considered god at the Casino, it was after this time in 1978 that Richards new discoveries came in by the bucket load and will be reviewed at a later date - Watch this space!

Edited March 13, 2011 by wiganer1

[Steve L]

Interesting stuff mate, was there that night - cant remember so many records being played twice!

Also with mr Searlings reputation since those days being what it is, it show's he is actually a mere mortal playing some of the lesser quality tunes of the day Still the top dog though!

[Guest mickeyb]

Remember Paula Durante getting hammered that night.

Snooky sang it all the way home.

We were all feeling a bit worse for wear except for straight boy Snooky - how Budgie (who was driving) didn't lump him, I'll never know.

Edited March 13, 2011 by mickeyb

[Guest martyn]

the 2nd live wigan tape i ever got and what a cracker....

something i wrote some time ago.....

excuse any inaccuracies...atb mark

yeah the sound of lou roberts there . many thanks to russ for the last couple of hours' you got me for the next and here comes the first one and its :-

Betty boo Say it isn't so - Richards kicks off with his monster unreleased track Betty Boo which already has already gained cult status. This would have been released around this time and the 'wiganites' would soon have access to a sound you could only hear on a saturday night.

Lou roberts You fooled me - Next on the deck is Lou Roberts other biggie on MGM and the heart rendering You fooled me . More country and western than northern but this one just enough of a 'northern ' beat for it to fill the casino floor.

Vicki Baines Country girl - Next comes one of Richards biggest ever Wigan Floor fillers covered up as Christine Cooper - I'm just a country girl , this was played before the 5th anniversary but spun to a maximum audience on this night. On Parkway records it still remains ultra rare on original and would be the highlight of any oldies collection.

Cobblestone Trick me treat me - On the decks next comes ' Tempos and love me like a man ' . Another cover up from Mr Searling. Turned out to be Cobblestone on Mercury . Only available on issue and still goes for over £100 .

Paula Durante If he were mine - On the GJM label comes Paula Durante.Driving drums and horns in the opening bars set you up for a great dance beat but then Paula hits you with her dulcit tones . One of Richards biggies for the year but long forgotten now and rarely played. An original copy would set you back around £75 ,beware of those awful green bootlegs Yuk!

Benny Sigler Who you gonna turn to - Cover up time again with 'Randolph Walker' and 'Who you gonna turn to' . Great and instant opening few bars and then you're on your way to a great northern tune, with stop starts and handclap breaks galore. Must surely be Bunny Sigler but pressed as Benny! Quite rare on original Parkway Records.

Yvonne Vernee Just like you did me - Wigan does rare soul with the next one with this detroit belter on Sonbert. Always remained rare with copies seldom coming up for sale. Brilliant dancer and one of Richards finest discoveries .

Del Capris Hey little way out girl - Hitting the turntables for the next tune which was one of the most popular oldies to come out of Wigan . Covered as the Del Capris its actually the Construction on Sync 6 records which is extremely rare and never turns up. Instant floor filler with catchy vocals and skip along beat. Came out on UK Grapevine with the classic picture sleeve with the two dancers on it.

Rita the Tiaras Gone with the wind - Putting the rare 'soul' into rare soul comes Richards next 45. 'First time out for this one and here comes the Velvelettes and Our love is gone with the wind'. Another 45 that was hammered and soon became one of the most popular records around. Uk copies became available via Destiny complete with Picture sleeve. Original copies on Dore have become major collectors pieces after being hammered by Ginger and the like over the last few years.. Still sounds good and is as popular as ever.

Jimmy Burns I really love you - Another rare outing and a 'Grapevine' special comes the ultra rare US Erica recording from Jimmy Burns.Storming uptempo with the instant hookline with the title in the chorus. I really love you is a super northern 45.

Gerri Thomas Look what i've got - On World Artists comes the more traditional 'Wigan' sound from Richard comes Gerry Thomas' haunting tune 'Look what I got'. I cant eat- who ooh I cant sleep who ooh, those unforgettable opening lines make this a classic Wigan sound for many. White demos of this would set you back around £50 or more,was booted on a horrible yellow pressing which should be avoided at all costs.

J.C.Messina Time wont let me - Covered as the Bob Seger system comes a version of the Outsiders 60's hit .This version is a much rawer vocal on this obscure Tom King label I think Tom King may have been a member of the Outsiders or is related to them somehow. I think this sounds even better today and has crept up in price over the years. Beware of the cheap bootleg that looks exactly like the original.

Paul Anka When we get there - Back to the classic oldies of Wigan Casino, after his monster 'I cant help loving you' filled the floors everywhere it was only a matter of time before someone checked out his other material on RCA for northern soul related items and this is what we got This is much slower than 'I cant help loving you ' but this still packs a punch is just a beautiful northern soul tune. Got a UK release on RCA which is very collectable.

Twans I can't see him again - Back to ultra rarities and on the Dade label is the Twans , this was spun earlier in the Wigan days as Richard announces back to the oldies. . Uptempo girlie oldie that never lets up.Twans has always been rare, although it was booted in the mid 80's , to get an original you're talking anything over £500.

Wakefield Sun Trypt on love - Back to the MGM outlet for Richards next cover up whcich this time was masquerading as Eddie Jason. Atmospheric and moody and still has that something that you dont get with alot of oldies. Was booted on the infamous blue vynil MGM reissues but save up for a proper yellow demo for a few quid more!. Issues of this are extremely difficult to locate. Check out his version of Harold Melvins' get out on the same label.

Dogs - Soul Step - 'First time out for this instrumental and this goes out to Soul Sam who's somewhere in the record bar' On the very rare Treasure label this 45 which went on to be a cult collectors item over the next few years of the Casino. Got re-issued very recently with a vocal version on the other side. But Richard was first to spin it a the 'Heart of soul'

Reperata & Delrons It's waiting there for you - Girlie teratory again with Reperata and the Delrons other Mala outing, Panic being their other monster from earlier on in the Casinos lifespan. There won't be many fans of this record today, but Richard must have liked it and it was popular none the less.

Newbeats Don't turn me loose - And if you couldn't believe that Richard played Reperata, you won't believe that he also spin this by the soul purist's ultimate enemy group The Newbeats. Was big enough to get issued on UK Inferno and sounds popular on the night. This would never see a turntable these days unless you were a very brave do but it was played and people danced to it (You know who you are!!) If you do like this type of oldie check out Top Secret on the same Hickory label, Stomp stomp!

Toni Basil Breakaway - Along next comes the old Lada Edmond cover up break these chains which of course turned out to be Toni Basil of 'Mickey' fame. On the A&M label this still is quite a desirable 45 for oldies fans and still popular with the dancers.

Holly St James Thats not love - Next up is one of the biggest oldies of all time and one that has stood the test of time. A total floor filler with the breaks for all the handclaps. Remained a collector's item on the ABC label, mainly seen on white demo copies but did come out on a black issue and is Super rare. Also came out on Soul Fox circa 78/79.

Frankie Beveley Because of my heart - Another rarity to hit the Wigan turnables was this one on Fairmount from the 'If that's what you wanted' man . Also released on Rouser this brilliant 45 caught the imagination the collectors as well as the acrobatic dancers. To get a copy of this would set you back a small fortune. The records that passed through this mans hand!

Bobby Paris I walked away - Back to the classic oldies and one of Bobby's best. On the Capitol record label this became a true Casino Classic!.Used to be covered as Bobby Diamond but this is true Northern Soul in every sense of the word. Seen frequently on US demo copy but the prize to get is a Capitol Issue of this monster oldie.

Lou Roberts You fooled me - Second time around for this one and still sounding good. I was told that lots of tunes were hammered at the Casino and many were played more than once in a night. Here is one example of a sound Richard must have believed in.

Tamala Lewis You wont say nothing - Another indemander that got a release on the UK Destiny label. Covered up by Richard as Sharon Scott this was another monster casino tune for him. The original is on Marton and I think is a light blue label but is obtainable on a orange reissue on the same label. May take you some time to get a proper one however, rarely turns up.

Generation Hold on - Wigan does beach music with the next one in Mr Searlings spot. Another one to come on Grapevine which suggests it was a biggie, and also was scheduled to be released on Destiny 1003 but never came out. The import of this is on the beautiful 'Mockingbird' label which you should be able to get for around £40. One for the oldies crowd this one and would be a nice one to hear now and again.

Ben Zine Village of tears - Now here is a track, this is a record I sold all my LP's to get this 45 and remember going to the Notts Palais all niter trying to get rid of the others for a £1 apiece Got there eventually and it cost me £50 way back in 85'. Ben Zine is a love it , hate it record but it was certainly a huge record for Richard in this year who had been playing this heavily in the previous summer. The issue of this was pressed in the early 2000's and until then you only saw East and West coast white demos.

Family Affair Love Hustle - Back to the shock plays for Richard when you look back at his playlists. But yes he did play this which was a monster at the time. The family Affair is a UK outfit on Pye and had something to do with Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch. There are UK Pye demos out there of this which is about desirable as it gets!

Millionaires You've got to love your baby - Another Grapevine release and was one of the two monster oldies on the Castle label. (The other being the Ellingtons) The Millionaires is a great oldie that doesn't get played enough. Beware of the reissue of this as its nearly identical to the blue original.

Wall of Sound Hang on - Wall of Sound is on the Tower label as well as the local Big Bird label. I'm sure this is the Righteous Brothers hey who knows. Again this is a great sounding northern tune with all the right beat etc. Never heard played out in over 25 years of all niters, due for a revival maybe?

Peggy March If you love me - Playing safe again,this time its Peggy March and the vocal version to Soul Coaxing. As with Russ's spot this tune must have been well in demand as it sure was popular on this night.Gained two releases in the UK on Black 60s RCA and the later 70's orange issue. US copies come in the guise of Yellow Demos and black issues.

Del Capris Hey little way out girl - Again another second time around tune, met with the same frenetic and optimistic response.

Paula Durante If he were mine - Richard finishes off his spot with another respin..

So there you go, the 5th anniversary spot from many considered god at the Casino, it was after this time in 1978 that Richards new discoveries came in by the bucket load and will be reviewed at a later date - Watch this space!

Not a good period at all music wise in 78 , but shows that Richard was still playing some class stuff ...Though to be fair most of those were being played I would associate with Sam at other venues as well

[harpo1]

There are the indications there that things were beginning to stir, with regard to march to what was, in the last two years, a relentless outpouring of wonderful records, both 60's and "modern", that still resonate through the scene today, with a rightful legendary status.

It would be a nonsense to ever think that Richards plays could be an indicator of the general quality of tunes that led to many people travelling elsewhere during the middle years, other than the "oldies, Yet even in Richards case, the following two years output was as good as it gets, add to that Sam, Gary Rushbrook, not to mention Keith really getting the bit between his teeth, and the result was the most exciting, and inspirational times i experienced, even just being on the periphery.

So sad that so many people had already gone as a result of, a need for a beat being given preference over quality and soul, never to experience those halcyon days.

Even in that list you see that, Yvonne Vernee, Frankie Beverley and Jimmy Burns stand head and shoulders above the rest, and are a musical indication of what followed (for me anyway).

Edited March 21, 2011 by harpo1

[Pete S]

So sad that so many people had already gone as a result of, a need for a beat being given preference over quality and soul, never to experience those halcyon days.

Not true in every in fact probably most cases, I packed it in because I'd just had enough, got a couple of years older, started a new relationship and didn't want to spend every saturday night travelling 80 miles to take drugs and dance to music anymore. Everyone has their own halcyon days; all of 76 and the first quarter of 77 were the best times ever for me, others will say 74-75 can't be equalled.

[macca]

my case is pretty much the same as pete's, though I'd drag 77 on to at least the autumn when st.ives closed.

a lot of those 'wigan' sounds (and girlfriend pressure) forced me in to the arms of 'funk' thereafter, though it was short-lived.

I decided to go back late 79/early 80 and was relieved to find that things had changed considerably with RS entering his much

talked about 'golden age', though by that time London was also beckoning, i.e. beered up at west hamstead. happy days!!

[Guest martyn]

my case is pretty much the same as pete's, though I'd drag 77 on to at least the autumn when st.ives closed.

a lot of those 'wigan' sounds (and girlfriend pressure) forced me in to the arms of 'funk' thereafter, though it was short-lived.

I decided to go back late 79/early 80 and was relieved to find that things had changed considerably with RS entering his much

talked about 'golden age', though by that time London was also beckoning, i.e. beered up at west hamstead. happy days!!

West Hampstead - The Railway ?

[Wiganer1]

As wigans 50th approaches something I wrote in 2011

 

Hope.u.enjoy reading 

[Happy Feet]

Hi Mark , it's funny now but I actually got a bollocking for playing , Paul Anka , When We Get There , about 82ish , at the 100 Club , the floor was heaving and Ian Clark , Yes Clarkie said I'd sold out , the funny thing was he'd sold it to me earlier on ,,,lol

[Wiganer1]

nothing surprises me on this scene