Any Book(S) I`ve Missed?

[Orotava]

Hi,

 

I love reading about the Northern Soul `scene` in the 70s / 80s and wondered whether I`ve missed any books of this ilk.  So far I`ve read:

 

Northern Soul Stories - Neil Rushton

The Wigan Casino Years - Tim Brown

Too Darn Soulful - David Nowell

The In Crowd Vol 1 - Mike Ritson/ Stuart Russell

CENtral 1179 - Keith Rylatt/ Phil Scott

Casino - Dave Shaw

On The Right Track - Rob MvKeever

The Story Of Northern Soul - David Nowell

Night Shift - Pete McKenna

Soul Survivors - Russ Winstanley/ David Nowell

Searching For Soul - Reg Stickings

Do I Love You - Paul McDonald

 

Thanks in advance

 

Pete

[Tobytyke]

that beatin rhythm- Paddy Grady.great read and foreword by Ady Croasdell

Edited April 17, 2013 by tobytyke

[Garswood]

Hi,

 

I love reading about the Northern Soul `scene` in the 70s / 80s and wondered whether I`ve missed any books of this ilk.  So far I`ve read:

 

Northern Soul Stories - Neil Rushton

The Wigan Casino Years - Tim Brown

Too Darn Soulful - David Nowell

The In Crowd Vol 1 - Mike Ritson/ Stuart Russell

CENtral 1179 - Keith Rylatt/ Phil Scott

Casino - Dave Shaw

On The Right Track - Rob MvKeever

The Story Of Northern Soul - David Nowell

Night Shift - Pete McKenna

Soul Survivors - Russ Winstanley/ David Nowell

Searching For Soul - Reg Stickings

Do I Love You - Paul McDonald

 

Thanks in advance

 

Pete

"do i love you" is hilarious

[jocko]

that beatin rhythm- Paddy Grady.great read and forwarded by Ady Croasdell

 

Really? 

[Dennisoul]

It's Better To Cry - by Mark Windell

Super duper book - 1960s book on beach bands and black vocal groups from the south eastern states.

Available on Amazon...great read and loads of label scans of tunes played on the northern scene...quotes from Butch, Keb and Guy

[Windlesoul]

'Blurb' not Amazon Andy, but thanks for the compliment - and your contribution to and support of the book!

 

"It's Better to Cry" is more about the records and artists history, rather than a yarn about the northern scene per se, although they are all relevant to the northern scene, and many chapters are placed in the context of it (mainly late Wigan / Stafford and to the present) 

 

 

Mark.

Edited April 18, 2013 by Windlesoul

[Ralf Mehnert]

Crackin` Up - A tale of sex and drugs and Northern Soul (Mexwell Murray)

+

Heart & Soul - A celebration of Black Music style in America 1930 - 1975 (Bob Merlis/David Seay)

They all sang on the corner (Philip Groia)

The world of Soul. Black America`s Contribution to the Pop Music Scene (Arnold Shaw)

Nowhere to run (Gerri Hirshey)

Edited April 18, 2013 by Ralf Mehnert

[Pete S]

Crackin` Up - A tale of sex and drugs and Northern Soul (Mexwell Murray)

 

 

That was great book, very funny read, only when I got to the end I thought someone had pulled the last page out because it just seemed to stop with no proper ending.

I forget the chaps real name but he came to the KTF weekender at Llandudno, there's a picture I posted up of several of us and he's on the photo, never saw him again..

[Davetay]

Going Back (Memories Of A Soulboy) by Brian Waterhouse.

 

The story of Brain and his friends in the 70's.

Both the Highs and Lows of life on the Soul Scene.

 

 

P.S. Ginger has done one as well, can't remember what it is called at the moment.

Edited April 18, 2013 by davetay

[Orotava]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys - Amazon here I come...

[Souledtrafford]

If it is simply books about soul music, try Chicago Soul - Robert Pruter, The sound of Philadelphia by Tony Cummings, Making Tracks by Charlie Gillett (the Atlantic story) or Sweet Soul Music by Peter Guralnick, if you do not already have them.

Ladies of Soul by David Freeland is a good read and having read this one, enjoying the piece on Bettye Lavette, I bought her book A Woman Like Me - what a story. This woman tried everything!

Tamla Motown - the stories behind the singles, is a good coffee table book, while I also enjoyed Berry, Motown and Me by Ranoma Gordy Singleton.

Books on the northern soul scene are numerous, some better than others and some getting more stick than others, but I found The Manchester Wheelers one of the better ones.

Like the music itself, it isall a matter of taste.

[souljoe]

That was great book, very funny read, only when I got to the end I thought someone had pulled the last page out because it just seemed to stop with no proper ending.

I forget the chaps real name but he came to the KTF weekender at Llandudno, there's a picture I posted up of several of us and he's on the photo, never saw him again..

 

Got a cheap one for sale  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111051815162?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

[De-to]

Going Back (Memories Of A Soulboy) by Brian Waterhouse.

 

The story of Brain and his friends in the 70's.

Both the Highs and Lows of life on the Soul Scene.

 

 

P.S. Ginger has done one as well, can't remember what it is called at the moment.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/On-Right-Track-Northern-Ginger/dp/0955328330   a great book...

[Back Street Blue]

Not so much about the scene as the history of RnB in Louisiana, the first one I ever read was "Walking To New Orleans" by John Broven (1974) 

and which has since been republished as "The Story of New Orleans Rythm and Blues" by Pelican.

 

The focus is gaining some recognition for the lesser known artists of the area and mentions artists such as the Montclairs, George Davis, Alvin Red Tyler, Aaron Neville, et al and labels like Parlo, as well as Fats Domino.

 

(The copy I read C'76 had been "borrowed" from Oldham Library.......wonder how much Scally's fine will be when he takes it back?)

[Dave Callard]

Hi,

Not so much a book on Northern Soul but a good read anyway is Sweet Soul Music by Peter Guralnick.A history of 60's soul music by Mojo Books ref ISBN I 84195 240 0

[Sceneman]

https://www.facebook.com/MyForthcomingBookModsTheNewReligion

 

one coming later 

[Souledtrafford]

Seeing the last link.

On what other subject(s) should a Northern Soul book be written?

[Pete S]

https://www.facebook.com/MyForthcomingBookModsTheNewReligion

 

one coming later 

 

Looks great!

[Sceneman]

smiler has been working on his book for years and has interviewed all the big names where possible ,and covered clubs all over the country ,it must be the definitive book on the mods and the 60s .

i doubt if anyone will ever beat it for facts and interviews .

[Wiggyflat]

Wonder if he will be featuring the mid seventies northern mod scene.

[Sceneman]

https://www.modculture.co.uk/mods-the-new-religion-book-by-paul-smiler-anderson/

[Pete S]

Did anyone catch that book by Garry Bushell that came out last year, Time For Action - The Mod Revival 1978-1981?  To be honest I only bought it because I know in 2 or 3 years time it'll be worth something but I read it and thought it was great, reprints all the original articles and adverts from Sound magazine for a start, great stuff.

[Wiggyflat]

Did you get the book on Immediate records Pete...was in the cut out book shops.

[Pete S]

Did you get the book on Immediate records Pete...was in the cut out book shops.

 

No, never even knew about it 

[Wiggyflat]

Immediate records by Simon Spence

[Guest Garry Huxley]

I was in waterstones about 14 yrs ago when i saw a book, more than an inch thick, Black cover, It was an A to Z of black american soul artists History &record listings etc, I think it was called SOUL It was priced at more than £30 but never had any spare cash at time when i went back it was gone, been looking for it ever since,

 

Can anybody help me with any info ?

 

Garry

[Dave Rimmer]

Most of the books mentioned are reviewed here. So all the ISBN / Publisher info is included.

 

https://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/bookreviews.htm

 

Might make it a little easier to obtain copies.

[Roburt]

As cut-out book shop buys have been mentioned just above ......

I got the Ace Records book a couple of years back in an Oxford everything £2 book store.

They had loads of copies & as much of what Ace puts out ain't soul, I just bought 1 copy so I could check it out.

The quality of the printing etc is great, so even though it was only the 'black music' content that interested me, I went back for more copies. 

Needless to say, it had sold out in a couple of days.

 

............ UPCOMING BOOK ....... available to buy any day now .............

God, the Devil & James Brown - Memoirs of a Funky Diva    BY   Marva Whitney (R.I.P.).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/God-Devil-James-Brown-Memoirs/dp/1904408575/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367595560&sr=1-1&keywords=marva+whitney+god+the+devil+%26+james+brown

Edited May 6, 2013 by Roburt

[Roburt]

............. Another new book ..................

Midnight Train From Georgia: A Pip's Journey ........

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Midnight-Train-Georgia-Pips-Journey/dp/0828324697/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367857836&sr=1-1&keywords=Midnight+Train+From+Georgia%3A+A+Pip%27s+Journey

 

...... an extract ............

Edited May 6, 2013 by Roburt

[Frankie Crocker]

Pete.

You've got all the best books on your list. There are a few others worth checking out:

Keeping The Faith - photography by John Barrett, a collection of black and white photos.

Groovesville USA by Keith Rylatt, the definitive Detroit book.

The Rare Soul Bible by Dave Rimmer, a reference work.

Manchester England by Dave Haslam, the history of the city's music with some Northern references.

Young Hearts Run Free by Dave Haslam, a story of the 1970's with some Northern references.

On The Right Track by Rob McKeever, Ginger's story.

Stuart Maconie's Cider With Roadies has a brilliant Chapter 6, "Out On The Floor" - this is worth the price of the book alone but it is a great book anyway.

Hope this helps.

[Pete S]

As cut-out book shop buys have been mentioned just above ......

I got the Ace Records book a couple of years back in an Oxford everything £2 book store.

 

 

I got that out of HMV same price

[Orotava]

Pete.

You've got all the best books on your list. There are a few others worth checking out:

Keeping The Faith - photography by John Barrett, a collection of black and white photos.

Groovesville USA by Keith Rylatt, the definitive Detroit book.

The Rare Soul Bible by Dave Rimmer, a reference work.

Manchester England by Dave Haslam, the history of the city's music with some Northern references.

Young Hearts Run Free by Dave Haslam, a story of the 1970's with some Northern references.

On The Right Track by Rob McKeever, Ginger's story.

Stuart Maconie's Cider With Roadies has a brilliant Chapter 6, "Out On The Floor" - this is worth the price of the book alone but it is a great book anyway.

Hope this helps.

 

 

Yeah, great stuff thanks Frankie

[Roburt]

I believe that the following book should be given a wide berth ..............

FAME WITHOUT FORTUNE, MOTOWN RECORDS —— THE AL CLEVELAND STORY by Glenn Soucy & Ron Sheffey

 

A book review I've seen states that it's a total waste of the trees utilised to make the pages that form the book.

That's a great pity as I'm sure a 'true telling' of Al's story (pre Motown, Motown & post Motown) could be interesting.

I seem to recall (though the memory is failing these days) that he ran his own (Vegas ?) based Cleveland Records some time after he left Motown.

Edited July 19, 2013 by Roburt

[Roburt]

With him over here in 4 weeks time, thought this was an appropriate question ...........

Is the John Ellison book 'Some Kind Of Wonderful' only available in Kindle format ??

.......... AN EXTRACT ............

Edited August 29, 2013 by Roburt

[Guest Paul]

Hi John,

 

I read the kindle version of John Ellison's book in July and assumed it was only available as an ebook but it had been printed in 2012 and I'm sure Kev Roberts said John would be bringing some copies with him.

Paul

[dthedrug]

 HI ALL.. As a collector of cult books there are so many, however it seems that you have the NORTHERN SOUL ones, avoid any book that the author mentions, when talking about WIGAN CASINO, "THE PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY...FROM LANDS END TO JON O GROATES" If there is one thing that makes me lose interest is that remark, Oh & the word SOULIE with 1 exception if you come from STOKE ON SPOON,

 

A RECOMENDED READ, from DtheDRUG,

  THE SHARPER WORD..A MOD ANTHOLOGY..REVISED & UPDATED..EDITED PAOLO HEWITT. HELTER SKELTER PUBLISHING

A pretty good book, WATERSTONES should have one (small enough to slip into your pocket) or pay at the counter  DAVE K.

[Dave Moore]

Hi John,

 

I read the kindle version of John Ellison's book in July and assumed it was only available as an ebook but it had been printed in 2012 and I'm sure Kev Roberts said John would be bringing some copies with him.

Paul

I spoke to John about his book and you can order print copies via John's website: https://johnellison.ca/autobiography/ It's distributed by a Canadian guy called Glenn Marshall. If ordering from Europe it's probably worth mentioning that fact on your order as I waited two weeks for mine before contacting him and it hadn't even been shipped yet. STILL haven't received anything, a further ten days on? If it drops soon I'll report back.

Regards,

Dave

[Kevinkent]

I spoke to John about his book and you can order print copies via John's website: https://johnellison.ca/autobiography/ It's distributed by a Canadian guy called Glenn Marshall. If ordering from Europe it's probably worth mentioning that fact on your order as I waited two weeks for mine before contacting him and it hadn't even been shipped yet. STILL haven't received anything, a further ten days on? If it drops soon I'll report back.

Regards,

Dave

 

Good job it wasn't for your Julies birthday then Dave.

 

 - Kev

[Guest Dale]

'Blurb' not Amazon Andy, but thanks for the compliment - and your contribution to and support of the book!

 

"It's Better to Cry" is more about the records and artists history, rather than a yarn about the northern scene per se, although they are all relevant to the northern scene, and many chapters are placed in the context of it (mainly late Wigan / Stafford and to the present) 

 

 

Mark.

Any plans for a follow up Mark? excellent read.. 

[Windlesoul]

Any plans for a follow up Mark? excellent read.. 

 

I'm on it already Dale, still got loads to cover from the Carolinas and Virginia but also adopted a slightly wider geographical remit.

 

Still sticking very firmly with the south though (a recent road trip across Tennessee and the Carolinas inspired me !). Currently working on Bob Marshall & the Crystals, Bernard Smith & the Jokers Wild, the Astors, Tommy Ray Tucker, TSU Toronadoes, In-Men (not Bob Kuban's guys, but the NC lot on Pyramid), and loads more planned....

Edited August 30, 2013 by Windlesoul

[Guest Paul]

I spoke to John about his book and you can order print copies via John's website: https://johnellison.ca/autobiography/ It's distributed by a Canadian guy called Glenn Marshall. If ordering from Europe it's probably worth mentioning that fact on your order as I waited two weeks for mine before contacting him and it hadn't even been shipped yet. STILL haven't received anything, a further ten days on? If it drops soon I'll report back.

Regards,

Dave

 

Thanks Dave,

 

I was happy to read it on kindle but I should get in touch with John because it's been a few years since we last spoke.

And I hope your book arrives soon.

 

Paul

 

[Chris L]

Hi,

 

I love reading about the Northern Soul `scene` in the 70s / 80s and wondered whether I`ve missed any books of this ilk.  So far I`ve read:

The In Crowd Vol 1 - Mike Ritson/ Stuart Russell

 

Thanks in advance

 

Pete

 

 

There's only 1 book you need to read

[Chalky]

Just reading the Bobby Womack biography Midnight Mover, excellent read with some cracking stories, some sad some funny.

[Guest Paul]

Just reading the Bobby Womack biography Midnight Mover, excellent read with some cracking stories, some sad some funny.

 

That was a great book, obviously because Bobby's story is fascinating, but he was also candid about some things that a lot of people would hide.

[Roburt]

Is the book on Mary Well's life ('Mary Wells: The Tumultuous Life of Motown's First Superstar')  a good read (well written) ??

[Frankie Crocker]

Pete.

There's one Northern Soul book well-worth giving a miss. It's titled 'Northern Soul: Music, Drugs and Subcultural Identity' (I kid you not) by Andrew Wilson. There is a copy on Amazon for £85, but I defy you to read beyond the first paragraph of description. There has been a copy in Foyles bookshop, London for the last two years, destined to be never sold as it is an academic tome couched in tedious, incomprehensible prose without a single picture of any drug induced sub-cultural individuals...

However, things are looking up as 'Northern Soul - An Illustrated History' by Elaine Constantine and Gareth Sweeney is released on September 5th, also available at a nice discount on Amazon. If every soulie (sorry Dave) buys this next week, it could top the book-sales charts. I for one am eagerly awaiting loads of label scans, photos of memorabilia, playlists and lots of pictures of sub-cultural activity.

[Orotava]

Pete.

There's one Northern Soul book well-worth giving a miss. It's titled 'Northern Soul: Music, Drugs and Subcultural Identity' (I kid you not) by Andrew Wilson. There is a copy on Amazon for £85, but I defy you to read beyond the first paragraph of description. There has been a copy in Foyles bookshop, London for the last two years, destined to be never sold as it is an academic tome couched in tedious, incomprehensible prose without a single picture of any drug induced sub-cultural individuals...

However, things are looking up as 'Northern Soul - An Illustrated History' by Elaine Constantine and Gareth Sweeney is released on September 5th, also available at a nice discount on Amazon. If every soulie (sorry Dave) buys this next week, it could top the book-sales charts. I for one am eagerly awaiting loads of label scans, photos of memorabilia, playlists and lots of pictures of sub-cultural activity.

 

 

Thanks for the heads up Frankie.

 

I`ve already placed my order with Amazon for "Northern Soul - An Illustrated History" - should be a great book to read.

 

Thanks

 

Pete

[Kegsy]

Pete.

There's one Northern Soul book well-worth giving a miss. It's titled 'Northern Soul: Music, Drugs and Subcultural Identity' (I kid you not) by Andrew Wilson. There is a copy on Amazon for £85, but I defy you to read beyond the first paragraph of description. There has been a copy in Foyles bookshop, London for the last two years, destined to be never sold as it is an academic tome couched in tedious, incomprehensible prose without a single picture of any drug induced sub-cultural individuals...

.

 

 

Said Mr Wilson is a member on here, he is university lecturer these days.

His book is purely an academic work and is not meant for general consumption.

However if Andy did write, a warts and all book, about his experiences on the northern scene back in the day, I can assure

you it would be well worth reading.

Kegsy

[Garethx]

Pete.

There's one Northern Soul book well-worth giving a miss. It's titled 'Northern Soul: Music, Drugs and Subcultural Identity' (I kid you not) by Andrew Wilson. There is a copy on Amazon for £85, but I defy you to read beyond the first paragraph of description. There has been a copy in Foyles bookshop, London for the last two years, destined to be never sold as it is an academic tome couched in tedious, incomprehensible prose without a single picture of any drug induced sub-cultural individuals...

However, things are looking up as 'Northern Soul - An Illustrated History' by Elaine Constantine and Gareth Sweeney is released on September 5th, also available at a nice discount on Amazon. If every soulie (sorry Dave) buys this next week, it could top the book-sales charts. I for one am eagerly awaiting loads of label scans, photos of memorabilia, playlists and lots of pictures of sub-cultural activity.

Hi

 

The book is indeed out next week. There is not a single label scan or top ten in it, I'm afraid. That kind of material is ably covered by other books.

[Mickjay33]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Northern-Soul-An-Illustrated-History/dp/0753541912

 Northern Soul: An Illustrated History

Edited August 31, 2013 by mickjay33