Your First Northern Record You Bought,do You Still Have It

[Sheldonsoul]

What was your first northern record you ever bought,do you still have it all these years on. Mine was Lou Ragland I travel alone on an Eric pressing, which I still have to this day

Edited December 17, 2011 by sheldonsoul

[Guest MrC]

I really can't remember! Can remember the 1st 2 records I ever sold at Wigan though, Sister Sledge - Love Don't you go through no changes on me import on ATCO (?) and the Younghearts - A Little Togetherness on yellow Canterbury - both of which I had out of the sale box in the the local TV shop!!

[hullsoul]

Blanch Carter-Halos Are For Angels GSF Pressing

Bought at Doncaster all-dayer 1976...........yes still got it it's in a box somewhere.

Cheers

Martyn

[Pete S]

I really can't remember! Can remember the 1st 2 records I ever sold at Wigan though, Sister Sledge - Love Don't you go through no changes on me import on ATCO (?) and the Younghearts - A Little Togetherness on yellow Canterbury - both of which I had out of the sale box in the the local TV shop!!

Paul, many years later I discovered that Graham, the Selectavision owner, and Sid, his engineer, were both Cats regulars. You should have seen some of the records I got off Sid, well no doubt you did see them, everything I asked him for he seemed to have; april stevens on black mgm, when they started playing Bella Dalena he bought out an unplayed UK copy, ditto Flirtations little darling, Mirwood things, all sorts. Apparently he moved to Scotland but still has the records. Every time I walk past that shop (closed in 1981) I get a lump in my throat.

As for first ever Northern records. Difficult because I had Northern records before I knew what Northern was. I had In Orbit and Festival Time in 1972 (somehow went home with them from a party ) but the one that put me on the road was the Cherub pressing of Butch Baker - The Jocker (sic) I played that til it nearly wore out, I just could not believe the intensity of the beat...and when some lads came to our youth club and gave the dj Tim Nightingale some records to play, then did an amazing dancing display, that was it, I got a pressing of Tainted Love the following friday from Ruby Red, this would be late 74, the time of Ghost In My House, Javells and Wayne Gibson charting.

Funny that I can remember stuff like that but literally nothing from 1978 onwards...

[Petedillon]

Knowing it was a 'northern' tune or just a soul record buy which happened to be 'northern' ?

If its the last option, then God knows..probably a Temptations or 4Tops 45 bought as a Motown tune..if its the first, then 3 bought together via mail order from Contempo...Barbara Randolph-I Got A Feeling on Soul/Willie Tee-Walking up a One Way Street on UK(red) Atlantic & Gladys Knight-Just Walk in My Shoes on Soul.

Edited December 17, 2011 by PeteDillon

[Zed1]

The usual 'Footsee' for me. Interesting the stick this track gets yet it's probably responsible for introducing more people to the music than any other.....

Anyone know if the missing TOTP footage was ever found?.

[Guest Glawsters Best]

Back in 1972 Tempos - Countdown here I come sold it and really regret it, second was Dotty Cambridge - Cry your eyes out still got this never get rid of it

Edited December 17, 2011 by Glawsters Best

[Patto]

My first was Willie Mitchell's The Champion bought at Doncaster market around 78 and still got the London copy to this day

[Ik001]

Darkest Days : Jackie Lee along with Mitch Ryder : You Get Your Kicks £1 each (1973). Still have them and not in bad condition either , which is more than can said of yours truly.

Edited December 17, 2011 by ik001

[Guest]

Had been buying soul records for about 3 years but the first ''serious'' northwern record I heard, and had to have was The Poets - She Blew a good thing, ''aquired'' from FL Moores on the Symbol label, when he was in Leighton Buzzard (1969), could'nt afford the asking price of 25 shillings (£1.25), and I still have it.

Edited December 20, 2011 by DanDare

[Britishbarry]

It was either Darrell Banks - Open the door to your heart or the Four Tops - Shake me wake me , can't remember for sure which , bought as a soul record in 1966 long before the term Northern Soul was invented , so does this count ?

[Britishbarry]

Forgot to mention I still have them both

[Robbk]

What was the first record to go "Northern",-I probably bought it. I was buying almost every uptempo Soul Record put out that I came across. I suppose it would have been obscure Motown release. I bought them ALL (including The Andantes on VIP). It was only Soul 35019 that I didn't own personally. But wwe had it in our office for about 7 years (and I played it a lot).

[Wilxy]

To think my first "Northern" 45 bought back in 1973/4 from one of those "cut out" racks in a newsagent in Newport would be a pre-cursor for my current collecting Habit"!.....All turned on by the San Remo strings on the legendary Ric-Tic label .....seems I was destined to find Detroit and its vinyl riches.....and so glad I did

Edited December 17, 2011 by wilxy

[St James]

Remember being given a beat up copy of Footsee as a 14 yr old. Northern was talked about at school and remember the docu with those dancers in the gym doing some effortless back drops, splits etc. About the same time a school mates elder sister who was well into it did me a tape (Dave Mitchell - The Trip, Jackie Wilson -Soul Galore, Jackie Ross - I Cant Help Myself, April Stevens - Wanting You, to mention a few, were on it) That was me hooked. Although I bought a few records from lads at school (I'm sure they were nicking em off older brothers, sisters!) my first official purchase was from a dealer listing on the back page of Black Echoes. Hadn't got a clue what to buy but decided that the £1.50 records must be good as most were £1.25! Gil Scott Heron The Bottle arrived (probably a boot!) and obviously I'd never heard it before! Blew me away. Must have been around 77/78. Don't have it now as everything went in the big mistake of 98! I'm sure a few others have done the same.

Ric F

[Autumnstoned]

Bought Darrell Banks Our Love/Open The Door pressing off Sean Burke Norwich (Spinney) All Nighter 1976. He did advise me to buy Darrell Banks Is Here album off him instead but there was no persuading me! Still got it!

[Guest sharmo 1]

The first real northern thing that I bought through desire and intent knowing it to be a northern spin and a want was The Valentines "Breakaway " this baby still cut's the mustard for me regards Simon.

[Nige Brown]

IMPORT ,,,, Jay & The Tecniques ,, Apples , Peaches , Pumkin Pie,,, Smash from FL Moore's Dunstable

BRITISH Human Beinz - Nobody But Me - Capitol UK From AS Records Wolverhapton,,( Bob Crocker & Alan Smith's Record Shop)

I still have the Jay & Techs ,, but sold the Human Beinz for mass profit ,,, but now own a Prestine Uk demo

From around 1970-71 ,,,,,, used to love AS Records in Wolvo on a Sat,,,, also looking throu their sales in the little DJ Booth at the Catacombs,,, Alan S was a man of few words,,,, lol mind u the music was ALWAYS Banging out!!

Wonderful Happy memories

Nige B

Edited December 20, 2011 by Nige Brown

[grant]

'Weak Spot' Evelyn Thomas 1st heard at Skeggy Butlins 1976 - well I thought it was Northern back then.

[Pete S]

IMPORT ,,,, Jay & The Tecniques ,, Apples , Peaches , Pumkin Pie,,, Smash from FL Moore's Dunstable

BRITISH Human Beinz - Nobody But Me - Capitol UK From AS Records Wolverhapton,,( Bob Crocker & Alan Smith's Record Shop)

I still have the Jay & Techs ,, but sold the Human Beinz for mass profit ,,, but now own a Prestine Uk demo

From around 1970-71 ,,,,,, used to love AS Records in Wolvo on a Sat,,,, also looking throu their sales in the little DJ Booth at the Catacombs,,, Alan S was a man of few words,,,, lol mind u the music was ALWAYS Banging out!!

Wonderful Happy memories

Nige B

Where abouts was that shop NIge, I don't remember it.

I also had Apples Peaches etc but not as a Northern record as I didn't know what Northern was when I got it

[Guest Rich]

First soul record I ever bought was Al Green's 'Greatest Hits' LP. First 'Northern' records I bought were Mikki Farrow 'Set my heart at ease' Karate, Major Lance 'Investigate' Okeh PS and JJ Barnes 'Real Humdinger' Ric Tic WD - all in a oner.

Still have them all - although the AG LP is all but worn out

[Nige Brown]

Where abouts was that shop NIge, I don't remember it.

I also had Apples Peaches etc but not as a Northern record as I didn't know what Northern was when I got it

Hi Pete

Coming from Stafford it was just as you come into Wolverhampon Town centre it was on Stafford Street just before you turned into Broad Street!! where im sure later Graduate records was !!!

A couple of doors up from it was a Sleezy looking Sex Shop ,,,, which as young lads we yoused to dare each other to go in but non of us had the bottle

Alan S shop was a very sparce affair ,,, with just a counter, there was a smaller record player on the counter and a few posters on the wall ,, and in the winter it was always bloody freezing in there,,,

It was a bit different to Max millards shop!! lol

Nige

PS Totally agree Pete ,,,, when i bought Jay & the Techs ,,,, it wasnt Northern as you say ,,, the term wasnt even thoght of then was it,,,, i was just generally answering the thread,,,, but back then Tony Blackburn had played as a new realease in its day, we just called it Rare Soul back then and i saw it on a list from FL Moore which a Stafford collector who was older than me Barry morgan had lent me,,,,,

Edited December 20, 2011 by Nige Brown

[Guest giant]

Condition red--- red & white demo ' at the Casino October 73

[Theothertosspot]

Mike Post Coalition - Don't need ask title, however, knew lots more records beforehand, just werent collecting at the time.

TOTP

[Guest JIM BARRY]

FIRST SOUL RECORD WAS CLOUD NINE ....TEMPS ON UK TAMLA MOTOWN

THE FIRST NORTHERN I HAD WAS DON COVAY ....SEE SAW ON BLACK ATLANTIC...GIVEN TO ME BY GIRL FRIEND AT THE TIME.....SHE PINCHED IT FROM HER ELDER BROTHER WHO WENT TO THE WHEEL......AFTER THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LOVE ON A MOUNTAIN TOP

AND I DIG YOUR ACT

why is every thing underlined?

Edited December 20, 2011 by JIM BARRY

[Theothertosspot]

Back in 1972 Tempos - Countdown here I come sold it and really regret it, second was Dotty Cambridge - Cry your eyes out still got this never get rid of it

What a great record, too cheap to play nowadays I suppose, but as good, if not better than some.

TOTP

[Swifty]

Had loads of Youth Club sounds like Donnie Elbert , Tammi Lynn etc early 70's , even had Major Lance - Everybody Loves A good time - uk Columbia when I was at school and played them a couple of times a week in the Art Classes. Also remember buying the Ric-Tic relics lp , can't remember what year that was though.

Swifty

Oh , remember buying The Artistics - Hope we Have - MCA ? from a little shop in Grimsby when I was still at School (left in 74)

Edited December 20, 2011 by SWIFTY

[Nige Brown]

What a great record, too cheap to play nowadays I suppose, but as good, if not better than some.

TOTP

Whats does that mean " too cheap to play nowdays" not heard that one before!

intrigued of Stafford

[Ian Williams]

"Smokey Joes La La" - by Googie Rene Combo

Got from Tony Clarke who DJ'd at The Mayfair Suite in Bristol in about 1985 for £7 - I think he got it from a dealer up north somewhere.

Its not really Northern but was my first 45 that got me into it and I think that chart singles were about a pound at the time so it was a lot of money for me to spend on a 45. I still have it to this day. Then I got "Cigarette Ashes by Jimmy Conwell off John Manship and was off at the start of building a collection of Soul.

[Markw]

Burning Bush - Contact pressing and Tony Middleton - Eric pressing. Think they were 50p each at Yate. Pleased as punch I was and thought I was so cool to have them.

[NUFCSOUL]

Had Tammi Lynn without knowing it was 'Northern' as well as those 'skinhead' Motown sounds (Northern??) Newburn Boys Club - 1973?? (The Tams - Hey Girl and any Supremes etc) Went to Callers in Newcastle and bought all the 'British' stuff - all re-issues of course!!! Also Deon Jackson- Love Makes The World Go Round on Contempo and Right On label stuff. Later bought all those Julies Nightclub sounds. But to be honest I was in a totally different world for years after Bowie in 73 and then the Clash from 76 onwards. Always loved music, but the one I really remember through the amphetimine/drink haze was Bobby Paris on Capitol. Stood in Roger Stewarts flat in Notting Hill looking at racks and fkn racks of singles and he said get this one mate it's a belter! Got that UK issue thing of it with JJ Barnes B side Got me into it again for life. Finally got an original demo many years back from an ex employee of Capitol West Coast - Mint in packet as they say.

Also found a mega basement shop in Manchester - Oxford Rd circa'79 Loads of US import Lp's Edwin Starr, Little Anthony etc still got them of course. Now balancing record collecting with following NUFC - both very expensive!

Question - Why do I spend ALL my money on records and football? Answer -What else is there to do?

[Guest dicklincoln72]

Not the first record I bought but still remember the day I went into a record store in Plymouth and asked for a copy of "The In Crowd" by Marvin Gaye, must have misheard the DJ. Probably the oldest record I still have is either "Open The Door" on Stateside or "Headline News" both bought new and still in my collection.

[Spook]

Still got my first somehow, it appeared in a box in the attic a couple of months ago.

As usual from my youth club days you put your name on it, DER !!!

Spook

[Spacehopper]

hey little way out girl the del capri...grapevine pic sleeve.....bought it in 78 aged 11...older bruv already had it which is where i heard it...bought from ace records in norwich...great little shop full of northern,punk and reggae...now no longer there,think its a sandwich shop now...and yep ive still got it...

but before that aged about 5/6 in 72/73 (because i had crazy horses/the osmonds) i would play my dads 45s...not allowed to touch the lps!...faves would be...youre not an ordinary girl...the temptations and roadrunner/shotgun...jr walker both on uk motown and little queenie...bil blacks combo on silver/black london...i think,obviously way before id heard of northern or even soul...but can remember watching the record spin round thinkin 'bill blacks combo' they sound rubbish i wonder what they look like(remember these were the days of acts called alvin stardust and gary glitter!)....but i just loved the tune

dean

[Marc Forrest]

What was your first northern record you ever bought,do you still have it all these years on. Mine was Lou Ragland I travel alone on an Eric pressing, which I still have to this day

Good fun this...Mine were Martha Reeves "Nowhere To Run", "Motoring" and "Wild One" on Gordy (if that counts)...first "real" Rare Soul 45 was Ronnie Forte "Whiskey Talking" TARX. Found it in a shop very close to our old MOD place where we used to hang around on saturday afternoons. Found the place actually by accident only, was overwhelmed by teh sheer amopunt of 45s, went back a few days later and teh place had gone...dont want to know what was in there...

[KevH]

One of the first imports that i had,while still at school, was Marke Jackson - "I'll never forget you" on Jamie.Had other UK things but not bought them as Northern,just soul.

Sold it many moons ago.

Edited December 23, 2011 by KevH

[Guest turntableterra]

i have a few of what has been mentioned but the first i bought knowing to be a northern soul record without a doubt was a pressing of jimmy radcliffe :"long after tonight is all over". bought on my first visit to the casino sept 76. prior to that i had bought major lance "investigate" english collumbia from a work colleague at tesco`s carlisle and a few from a sales rep called mike who lived in a posh house, said he went to the wheel (dont they all, but in 1975 what did i know) from him was, shirley and shirrelles "look what you done" dee irwin "satisfy my needs" (play the other side of this record, the english and usa copies are different with a similar title and both great) andre brassuer"the kid", james and bobby purify " let love come between us" the flirtations need your lovin' all british. i probably wouldnt have known they were northern but at least something different and a bit special, but then i also thought that about ralph carter "extra extra" and stylistics "funky weekend" having been introduced to the blues and soul mag before wigan, it was printed in the big "C". still have all of them to this day and played the andre brassuer last week............

[Guest FrostyJak]

First soul "Backfield In Motion" Mel & Tim on Concord (fried egg label ) still got

First northern " Dearly Beloved/Do you believe it " Jack Montgomery Scepter Demo cost 50p Sold for £20

Edited January 6, 2012 by FrostyJak

[Guest Glawsters Best]

Mike Post Coalition - Don't need ask title, however, knew lots more records beforehand, just werent collecting at the time.

TOTP

Mike Post Coalition - Don't need ask title,

Afternoon of the Rhino

[Guest Glawsters Best]

Why not bubblegum breakthrough? was it not played before afternoon on the rhino? i think its better anyway

Steve

Could well be but surely rhino was more popular

[Barry]

Keeps On Burning - Burning Bush light blue boot along with James Lewis - Manifesto boot and Freddie Butler - That's When I need you boot from Bri & Madelane's 3 for a quid box @ Wigan...still there somewhere.

[John Parker]

Dont think I can remember the first but things like

Bonnie and Lee

Peaches and Herb on Date

Gene Chandler and Barbara Acklin ...Teacher To The Preacher

NiteLighters

All 71/72

[westrex]

one of the first records l bought was "I've been hurt" bill deal and the rhondels on UK MGM for 7/-6d seven shillings and sixpence

(37.5 p) back in 1969. Ive still got it and still love it.

westrex. a.k.a. tony warot.

[Guest Owen Conway]

i had to sell my collection years ago but i kept a dozen or so back one being the moonlight music and you instrumental by the subway riders. these past few years ive been getting stuff of fleabay that i remember,(been off the scene for years, still loved it tho). been trying to get the mirwood collection. newbie by the way so hello to you all.

[Millo]

Can't remember the first it might have been Willie Mitchell that driving beat which I was playing in 1972 just before discovering Selectadisc and all their sounds. Then some serious buying started:-)

[Guest lynnissohot]

Hi all

The first record i bought was Frankie & Classicals "What Shall i Do" on Pye Disco Demand, from Violet Mays in Sheffield for 80p with my school diner money, then as many as i could buy on the Casino Classics label all from K&D Records in The Sheffield Castle Market (it's still there as well) sadly they have all long gone all car booted by my non soul loving ex husband i had over 200 records in a wooden case (and quite a lot of sought after British and American originals that came from my sisters and parents) he let the lot go for £15, and thought he was the bees knees for doing so

Lynn xXx

Edited March 2, 2012 by lynnissohot

[Guest eddiep]

First "Northern" tune I bought was off of Dick Coombes in early 80's who was involved with many a do down this way back then before he "dissappeared" for years.

David & The Giants - Ten Miles High / Superlove on UK Capitol.

Had his name scratched in the run out and I was/ still am amazed at how good it was done. Almost perfectly a signiture.

Still have the record but can't remember the last time I played it if I'm honest.

Maybe I will today for old time sake

Eddie

[Shaunfitz]

First record i bought was Johnny Bragg - Their talking about me at Marshalls in Burnley Market about 77.Travel there every other Saturday from Sunny Todmorden then to Spencers on Halifax piece hall market the other one for some baggies.

Edited March 2, 2012 by shaunfitz

[Guest lynnissohot]

The usual 'Footsee' for me. Interesting the stick this track gets yet it's probably responsible for introducing more people to the music than any other.....

So so true.

Love lynn xXx

[Paddy Ferry]

The first record I ever bought was Shotgun Wedding, Roy C, 10 bob from Woolies.