Mr. Mark Dobson Aka Butch

[Godzilla]

All this reminds me of that film with Peter Sellars as a gardener who says makes simple comments about nature, the weather and seasons that are seized upon by the folks in posh society as having fantastic meaning.

 

That's it - please carry on now...

 

[Frankie Crocker]

He's ok, but got a long way to go before he reaches legendary status like Soul Sam!

Disagree Nev. Butch has the best set of exclusive, one-off, up-tempo 60's records plus a considerable range of rare, medium-pace sounds. Sam has rotated rare sounds down the decades leaning heavily towards the crossover period, an era of plentiful records, many of dubious composition. Mark has a sales box that beats Sam's playbox any Saturday night.

[Wiganer1]

i would like to see butch at more oldies dos....would have him at the Coop like tomorrow....brill bloke known him from the stafford days -always been pleasant even when i was a newbie 30 years in the stafford days.

[Chalky]

Butch achieved legendary status on this scene a long time ago.  He has done more for the rare soul scene than any other DJ IMO simply because of the length of time he has been at the top and for the amount of records he has discovered and introduced to the scene, both for himself and for others.  There is probably only Andy Dyson who has come close the last few years in terms of discoveries, both for himself and for others, including what he has sold to Butch.  The rest are simply sourcing what the likes of Butch and more recently Andy have turned up, if they play something exclusive it is more often than not because Butch or Andy sold it them and deemed it not good enough for them

 

Butch can do everything all the rest can do and far more besides, oldies if he chooses, 60's and 70's.  To say he hasn't reach the status of the likes of Sam is ridiculous.  Anywhere else he is treated like a god, he is given the respect he deserves not like some in this country who simply like to put those who stand head and shoulders above others down.  That is the trouble with the backward looking scene in this country, always ready to knock someone who achieves something more than them.

 

Don't get me wrong Sam is a legend, much loved but he trails like the rest when it comes to the quality and quantity of Butch's discoveries.

[Pete S]

All this reminds me of that film with Peter Sellars as a gardener who says makes simple comments about nature, the weather and seasons that are seized upon by the folks in posh society as having fantastic meaning.

 

That's it - please carry on now...

 

 

Being There.  Love that film.  He's called Chance The Gardener but they think it's Chauncey Gardner.

[Pete S]

Butch achieved legendary status on this scene a long time ago.  He has done more for the rare soul scene than any other DJ IMO simply because of the length of time he has been at the top and for the amount of records he has discovered and introduced to the scene, both for himself and for others.  There is probably only Andy Dyson who has come close the last few years in terms of discoveries, both for himself and for others, including what he has sold to Butch.  The rest are simply sourcing what the likes of Butch and more recently Andy have turned up, if they play something exclusive it is more often than not because Butch or Andy sold it them and deemed it not good enough for them

 

Butch can do everything all the rest can do and far more besides, oldies if he chooses, 60's and 70's.  To say he hasn't reach the status of the likes of Sam is ridiculous.  Anywhere else he is treated like a god, he is given the respect he deserves not like some in this country who simply like to put those who stand head and shoulders above others down.  That is the trouble with the backward looking scene in this country, always ready to knock someone who achieves something more than them.

 

Don't get me wrong Sam is a legend, much loved but he trails like the rest when it comes to the quality and quantity of Butch's discoveries.

 

Agree with everything you say, but I think Nev was being very tongue in cheek with his Soul Sam comment.

[Guest Bearsy]

Not just an amazing collection but a propa dj who is great on the mic and sets that never dissapoint.   Setting the standards no one else could ever reach IMHO 

[Chalky]

Agree with everything you say, but I think Nev was being very tongue in cheek with his Soul Sam comment.

 

I realise Nev was being tongue in cheek. I was just giving an opinion why Butch is up there with the best there has been.

[Godzilla]

Being There.  Love that film.  He's called Chance The Gardener but they think it's Chauncey Gardner.

 

That's the one! Think I saw it when it came out but not since - really enjoyed it at the time. One of Barry Norman's recommendations if I remember correctly.

 

Don't suppose Chance the Gardener will stick as Butch's new nickname

 

[Simsy]

Not just an amazing collection but a propa dj who is great on the mic and sets that never dissapoint.   Setting the standards no one else could ever reach IMHO 

 

Yep spot on mate and so on the money with the plays. Many a time I've stepped on the stage for a "can you spin such & such" - only to find it's the next record! 

[Guest gordon russell]

Butch achieved legendary status on this scene a long time ago.  He has done more for the rare soul scene than any other DJ IMO simply because of the length of time he has been at the top and for the amount of records he has discovered and introduced to the scene, both for himself and for others.  There is probably only Andy Dyson who has come close the last few years in terms of discoveries, both for himself and for others, including what he has sold to Butch.  The rest are simply sourcing what the likes of Butch and more recently Andy have turned up, if they play something exclusive it is more often than not because Butch or Andy sold it them and deemed it not good enough for them

 

Butch can do everything all the rest can do and far more besides, oldies if he chooses, 60's and 70's.  To say he hasn't reach the status of the likes of Sam is ridiculous.  Anywhere else he is treated like a god, he is given the respect he deserves not like some in this country who simply like to put those who stand head and shoulders above others down.  That is the trouble with the backward looking scene in this country, always ready to knock someone who achieves something more than them.

 

Don't get me wrong Sam is a legend, much loved but he trails like the rest when it comes to the quality and quantity of Butch's discoveries.

Sorry can,t agree with this......smacks of pure arogance......people playing tunes because two fellas deem them not good enough...a thought l doubt butch or Andy would have......there are people out there been around records longer .....and to say that only these fellas can find the playable stuff ....is plainly rude and inaccurate.....agree both Butch and Andy have found some quality,but so have many others.......you can only really play a set that you FEEL.....playing stuff just because you have it    is not the same

[Staceys Dad]

He's ok, but got a long way to go before he reaches legendary status like Soul Sam!

 

. ...both of them up there as 2 of the main guys on the scene ...

[Chalky]

Sorry can,t agree with this......smacks of pure arogance......people playing tunes because two fellas deem them not good enough...a thought l doubt butch or Andy would have......there are people out there been around records longer .....and to say that only these fellas can find the playable stuff ....is plainly rude and inaccurate.....agree both Butch and Andy have found some quality,but so have many others.......you can only really play a set that you FEEL.....playing stuff just because you have it    is not the same

 

 

Whatever.  I doubt very much either Butch or Andy, or many others play records because only they have them, they also play them for the love of the music and because they feel and have faith in the music.  They wouldn't spend all the hours they do and have down seeking out these records if they didn't "feel" the music. Neither would they be where they are if they didn't have exclusives, and quality exclusives at that.  Neither of them are simply about exclusives either, both play cheap records, well they aren't cheap for much longer as the price of many of the cheapies Butch has played haven't stayed cheap for long.

 

P.S.  Not good enough maybe the wrong choice of words, maybe should have said not to their taste or fit in with what they believe?

 

Edited March 1, 2014 by chalky

[NEV]

Disagree Nev. Butch has the best set of exclusive, one-off, up-tempo 60's records plus a considerable range of rare, medium-pace sounds. Sam has rotated rare sounds down the decades leaning heavily towards the crossover period, an era of plentiful records, many of dubious composition. Mark has a sales box that beats Sam's playbox any Saturday night.

I am of course, like a few others on here, just posting tongue in cheek comments, lol

[Frankie Crocker]

I am of course, like a few others on here, just posting tongue in cheek comments, lol

Oh Neville, you are a naughty tease...now get up to your bedroom and make sure you keep the volume down...

[Nz Soul]

he was once spotted in boots buying just for men for johnny beggs

[Dave Thorley]

I had a bloke once come and stay with me for a weekend called Butch. All he wanted to do was go for long walks, look for real ale pubs and plain refused to talk about soul. Found out some months later he was an imposter.

[Ernie Andrews]

All this reminds me of that film with Peter Sellars as a gardener who says makes simple comments about nature, the weather and seasons that are seized upon by the folks in posh society as having fantastic meaning.

 

That's it - please carry on now...

 

Its called - Being There! (The Film)

Crap Pete S beat me to it!

Edited March 5, 2014 by Ernie Andrews

[Speedlimit]

the man responsible for the best slice of northern soul the casino never found the mello souls

[Guest Mrs M]

Temptones C/U has to be my favourite but he has never failed to inspire me since the late 8t's.

Definitely ranked the highest on my list but I still give Searlimg the overall top spot. Without people like Richard we wouldn't have the true purists, driven with the passion and dedication. Both credible legends in their own right along with many other DJ/Collectors that have never failed us for many many years as well as becoming life long friends. Big respect..

[Peter99]

Mrs M, on 22 Mar 2014 - 9:11 PM, said:

Temptones C/U has to be my favourite but he has never failed to inspire me since the late 8t's.

Definitely ranked the highest on my list but I still give Searlimg the overall top spot. Without people like Richard we wouldn't have the true purists, driven with the passion and dedication. Both credible legends in their own right along with many other DJ/Collectors that have never failed us for many many years as well as becoming life long friends. Big respect..

Absolutely. Sir Dickie is up there.

 

 

Peter

Edited March 22, 2014 by Peter99

[Lenny Harkins]

BUTCH aka Mark Dobson is by far the most important and ground-breaking DJ in the last 15 years of the Northern Soul Scene. and is certainly the longest ever, reigning occupier of that position championed by many enlightened devotees of the scene as the inspiration and main driving-force behind the modern-day Northern Soul sound, someone who sets the quality control standards.

he got his musical influences during the 70s in such now legendary venues as the Blackpool Mecca & Wigan Casino and he is first and foremost a dedicated and determined collector of rare U.S. Soul. from his initial love of the Northern Soul sound, his taste broadened and developed and he now has a great appreciation of Deep, Sweet, Modern and X-over Soul.

his first foray into djing was at the now famous Stafford allnighter, where he stunned the scenes avant-garde with a set of, until then unknown and outstanding 'dancers'. He has continued to play at all the major Northern Soul venue's, including the 100 Club; the scene's longest running allnighter, and has a fanatical following of devotees who travel the length and breadth of the U.K. to listen to him. his unique ability for identifying the essential ingredients for a Northern Soul 'hit' is complimented by his vast knowlege of what is and isn't rare. Butch's playlist contains an unrivalled selection of exclusive discoveries everyone else wishes they had: the "Rare Soul Guru" and 'the World's number one Northern Soul spinner'.

SOULFUL VIENNA!

some excerpts from Butch's playlist/discoveries:

Patrinell Staten - Little Love Affair - available on Allnighter 3 /Goldmine

Inspirations - Treat Myself To A New Love - available on Ben Lee's Philadelphia Story /Kent

True Image - Im not over you - available as Grapevine 2000 reissue 7"

Tommy Ridgley - My love is getting stronger - available on Millionaires Only Vol.1 /Goldmine

ricky.

[Lenny Harkins]

G

Edited December 7, 2014 by Lenny Harkins

[Hornet]

I heard a story about two outlaws called Big Tim and Little Butch who would go to America and rob the rich to give to the poor, or was it the other way round? These bandits would bribe keepers of unwanted vinyl records to part with obscure items for sums as high as 50 cents. Hundreds of dollars changed hands with Americans retiring to live off the proceeds, yes, literally hundreds of dollars. Derelict pottery kilns in the five towns near Stoke were filled with containers full of boxes full of records - a cultural revolution in the Stafford area established these 'unwanted' records actually had two sides, one of which was actually pretty good, extremely brilliant or dazzlingly superb. Apparently these two mellow souls have been nominated for New Years Honours for services to conservation, industry and entertainment...

Remember a big Tim & a short tim but cannot  remember A butch ! 

[Paul-s]

15 years?  He has been top of the tree since 86/87 nearly twice as long.

 

I m glad you said that.

[Guest enchantedrythm]

he's a superstar---chris fletcher

 

[Arthur Fenn]

 

 

actually Patrinel was a Sam spin first ( discovered by Keb & John Manship ), Butch played/found  his copy some months later, pedantic i know but rules are rules  

[Ian Dewhirst]

actually Patrinel was a Sam spin first ( discovered by Keb & John Manship ), Butch played/found  his copy some months later, pedantic i know but rules are rules  

 

Also I'm sure that I read on another thread that Tommy Ridgely was played at Wigan wasn't it? Think it's on Pete Smith's Wigan tape isn't it....? Who would have played it first then?

 

Not that I'm decrying Butch but rules are rules......

 

Ian D  

Edited December 12, 2014 by Ian Dewhirst

[Chalky]

Also I'm sure that I read on another thread that Tommy Ridgely was played at Wigan wasn't it? Think it's on Pete Smith's Wigan tape isn't it....? Who would have played it first then?

 

Not that I'm decrying Butch but rules are rules......

 

Ian D  

 

According  to the tape it is Richard but he says he never played it.  It was then played by John Vincent early 80's, Butch was playing it  late 85 into 86, maybe earlier? 

Edited December 12, 2014 by chalky

[Arthur Fenn]

yes i hear John V played Tommy first circa 82 @ Morcombe ?, these very important facts get harder to place in the right order as the years pass 

[Modernsoulsucks]

True Image is, I believe, my discovery.

Nauseating handbag disco.

45s Butch does discover are miles better than that rubbish .

ROD

[Chalky]

yes i hear John V played Tommy first circa 82 @ Morcombe ?, these very important facts get harder to place in the right order as the years pass 

 

 

Some one played it at Wigan, it is on the tape?

[Stubbsy]

True Image is, I believe, my discovery.

Nauseating handbag disco.

45s Butch does discover are miles better than that rubbish .

ROD

 

Well thanks very much anyway Rod for discovering it   

I like it (a lot)!

[Peter99]

True Image is, I believe, my discovery.

Nauseating handbag disco.

45s Butch does discover are miles better than that rubbish .

ROD

This is as good if not better 

 

[Markw]

Some say his politics are terrifying..........and he thinks Star Wars is a documentary....................

[clevesoulie]

Butch and I corresponded by snail mail years ago...seemed like a decent guy. And let's not forget his recently uncovered cover-up, the Mello Souls!

 

Best,

 

Mark

[Chalky]

Butch and I corresponded by snail mail years ago...seemed like a decent guy. And let's not forget his recently uncovered cover-up, the Mello Souls!

 

Best,

 

Mark

 

If you call 20 years ago recent then I guess it was recently uncovered   

[KevH]

he's a superstar---chris fletcher

 

He probably is,but i've never met Chris Fletcher.Butch on the other hand would make a pretty good poker player.

[Guest enchantedrythm]

we both are then, ain't we mark?

[Guest enchantedrythm]

Some say his politics are terrifying..........and he thinks Star Wars is a documentary....................

His politics are how it should be, be terrified

[Pete S]

Some one played it at Wigan, it is on the tape?

 

Right I'm going to put this to bed now and listen to the tape again, will report back

[Steve Foran]

Right I'm going to put this to bed now and listen to the tape again, will report back

It definitely was played at Wigan. I first heard it on a Rob Marriott tape around 80/81. We used to go to WC together. I think Richard played it at WC very late days maybe 81. In fact I think he played it on Hallam Radio cos we used to tape it. Anyhow that's my recall. I stopped at the end of WC for at least 5/6 years due to work. Hope you find it Pete S.   

[Pete S]

It definitely was played at Wigan. I first heard it on a Rob Marriott tape around 80/81. We used to go to WC together. I think Richard played it at WC very late days maybe 81. In fact I think he played it on Hallam Radio cos we used to tape it. Anyhow that's my recall. I stopped at the end of WC for at least 5/6 years due to work. Hope you find it Pete S.   

 

STEVE - LISTEN BELOW

 

tommy.mp3

Edited December 18, 2014 by Pete S

[Sean Hampsey]

STEVE - LISTEN BELOW

 

tommy.mp3

 

Pretty conclusively Richard there...

 

Sounds to me as though he referred to it with a c/u title?

 

Sean

[Garethx]

The Tommy Ridgley dilemma puts the Billy Davis thread into focus.

 

If even the pre-eminent DJ of the late 70s can't remember playing such an esteemed record at the biggest allnighter of the time what chance of unravelling the mysteries of who is responsible for resurrecting ‘Stanky (Get Funky)’.

[Sean Hampsey]

Further to the above, I've just been talking to Richard and this is what he had to say regarding Pete's recording:-

 

 

"This is becoming a bit like the Twilight Zone.....

 

I've seen the thread, which is great stuff, initiated by Pete Smith.

 

On last Sunday's Solar show I denied ever playing the song HOWEVER it is me back announcing it as 'Bobby Robinson' back on September 29th 1979 at the Casino.

 

Did I have it covered up...or was it another "Handwritings on the wall" ,ie a white test press with just a title and no artist?

 

Pete S is 100 % adamant it was played in my set that night....was it handed to be by a collector who wanted me to test it out perhaps?

 

I would not normally ever have done that though, unless the collector was well known to me for knowing what was what?

 

So, to summarise - yes I played it, but crucially I did not say it was by Tommy Ridgeley.....odd?

 

I suppose it maybe could have cleared the floor and I sold it on quickly?

 

I'm getting dizzy here with all the possibilities!!

 

Have a great Christmas everyone and remember my show on Solar Radio, Sky Channel 0129 Sundays 16:00 - 18:00"

 

 

 

So there you have it. Richard doesn't recall playing it back then, but its clear that he did.

 

He wasn't familiar with the record, it was covered up, hence the 'fade in' and back announcement.

 

Cheers,

 

 

Sean

[Pete S]

Further to the above, I've just been talking to Richard and this is what he had to say regarding Pete's recording:-

 

 

"This is becoming a bit like the Twilight Zone.....

 

I've seen the thread, which is great stuff, initiated by Pete Smith.

 

On last Sunday's Solar show I denied ever playing the song HOWEVER it is me back announcing it as 'Bobby Robinson' back on September 29th 1979 at the Casino.

 

Did I have it covered up...or was it another "Handwritings on the wall" ,ie a white test press with just a title and no artist?

 

Pete S is 100 % adamant it was played in my set that night....was it handed to be by a collector who wanted me to test it out perhaps?

 

I would not normally ever have done that though, unless the collector was well known to me for knowing what was what?

 

So, to summarise - yes I played it, but crucially I did not say it was by Tommy Ridgeley.....odd?

 

I suppose it maybe could have cleared the floor and I sold it on quickly?

 

I'm getting dizzy here with all the possibilities!!

 

Have a great Christmas everyone and remember my show on Solar Radio, Sky Channel 0129 Sundays 16:00 - 18:00"

 

 

 

So there you have it. Richard doesn't recall playing it back then, but its clear that he did.

 

He wasn't familiar with the record, it was covered up, hence the 'fade in' and back announcement.

 

Cheers,

 

 

Sean

 

Ah BUT...you can hear a few people clapping to the intro so they must have known it!

[Sean Hampsey]

Ah BUT...you can hear a few people clapping to the intro so they must have known it!

 

 

Maybe some did Pete. Do you remember it being played /covered as 'Bobby Robinson'?

[Pete S]

Maybe some did Pete. Do you remember it being played /covered as 'Bobby Robinson'?

 

No mate I'd stopped going by then!

[Sean Hampsey]

No mate I'd stopped going by then!

 

It's an interesting one.

 

Richard was playing Rotherham back then and I never heard it played there.

 

Morecambe must have been 3 years later... and I don't think I heard Sam play it until at least late 80's.

 

It's all obscured by the fog of time....