Wigan Casino 6/2/81 5Th Oldies Anniversary Live Tape

[Pete S]

Sorry there's been no podcasts lately, I've still got no proper broadband, if anyone knows how I can sue BT please let me know, anyway I have a few meg left on a dongle so thought I'd upload a classic Casino tape for you, great oldies anniversary night towards the end of Wigan Casino, brilliant atmosphere, dj's are Keith Minshull and Brian Rae - 90 minutes long - I know you'll enjoy this one.

 

BRICE COEFIELD — AIN’T THAT RIGHT

BOBBY HEBB — LOVE LOVE LOVE

ISLEY BROTHERS — TELL ME IT’S JUST A RUMOUR BABY

MARVIN & TAMMI — TWO CAN HAVE A PARTY

MEL BRITT — SHE’LL COME RUNNING BACK

CHARLES THOMAS — THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TOUCH

TAMS — HEY GIRL DON’T BOTHER ME

HOWARD GUYTON — I WATCHED YOU SLOWLY SLIP AWAY

FATS DOMINO — IT KEEPS RAINING

LUTHER INGRAM ORCHESTRA — EXUS TREK

HERB WARD — HONEST TO GOODNESS

JERRY COOK — I HURT ON THE OTHER SIDE

PAT POWDRILL — DO IT

WILLIAMS & WATSON — TOO LATE

REFLECTIONS — LIKE ADAM AND EVE

EDWARD HAMILTON — BABY DON’T YOU WEEP

RITCHIE ADAMS — I CAN’T ESCAPE FROM YOU

ROBBY LAWSON — BURNING SENSATION

CHARLIE ROMANS — 24 HOUR SERVICE

CHAPTER FIVE — YOU CAN’T MEAN IT

EDWIN STARR — BACK STREET

DEBBIE DEAN — WHY AM I LOVING YOU

JR. WALKER — ROAD RUNNER

BRENDA HOLLOWAY — STARTING THE HURT ALL OVER AGAIN

LAURA LEE — TO WIN YOUR HEART

RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS BAND — RAT RACE

PRESENT — MANY’S THE SLIP

TOMANGOES — I REALLY LOVE YOU

IKE & TINA TURNER — DUST MY BROOM

NINA SIMONE — MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME

BENNY SPELLMAN — FORTUNE TELLER

CHARLIE RICH — LOVE IS AFTER ME

DYNATONES — THE FIFE PIPER

DEL LARKS — JOB OPENING

SAXY RUSSELL — PSYCHEDELIC SOUL

MAURICE WILLIAMS — BEING WITHOUT YOU

CAPREEZ — HOW TO MAKE A SAD MAN GLAD

RITA DACOSTA — DON’T BRING ME DOWN

 

https://www.mixcloud.com/mayfairmenthol/wigan-casino-5th-oldies-anniversary-6the-february-1981/

[Pete S]

Of all the records to make the hairs on my arms stand up - The Tams "Hey girl don't bother me" - oh my God, the clapping, the atmosphere, almost had me in tears - not played this tape for over 15 years

[Wiganer1]

marvin and tammi - still a brilliant oldie...played it last week and still  a floor filler ,,,,feel good oldie..

[Wiganer1]

how good does Charles Thomas sound too - must dig my copy out...

[Iancsloft]

The Tams I believe was the first 45 spun at the Golden Torch by Barmy Barry the DJ I agree Pete it's always been a huge fav of mine since the 1960,s

[Winsford Soul]

Pete. OMG Goosebumps or what  BIG THANKS

 

Steve

[Guest manusf3a]

The biz! and more besides

[Staceys Dad]

now that took me back...

[Ian Parker]

I remember (vividly) "hey girl don't bother me" being played that night. I was standing in the arch between main hall and record bar and thinking to myself , how good it sounded........ I can picture it now, wonderful

[Zed1]

I wonder if there's any of us left who could still dance to Pat Powerdrill?.......

[Louise]

I wonder if there's any of us left who could still dance to Pat Powerdrill?.......

 Might be time to strut your stuff to the less frantic original verson by The Marvellos

[Soulstu]

Thanks so much for that Pete, great to hear the clapping etc

Once again you dedicate hours of your time for us lot's enjoyment - it don't go unappreciated!!!   

Stu (who spent the best 3 years of his life in Wolves!)

[Pete S]

Thanks so much for that Pete, great to hear the clapping etc

Once again you dedicate hours of your time for us lot's enjoyment - it don't go unappreciated!!!   

Stu (who spent the best 3 years of his life in Wolves!)

 

Thanks a lot Stu, I really appreciate  that 

[Steve Foran]

Of all the records to make the hairs on my arms stand up - The Tams "Hey girl don't bother me" - oh my God, the clapping, the atmosphere, almost had me in tears - not played this tape for over 15 years

Some trivia for you. Lenny Curtis ( aka Jimmy Mack Harrison)is married to Darlene. She is a sister of one of the Tams. There you go FREE info.

[Guest Chris61]

Thanks for the great memories Pete

 

Chris

[Guest MBarrett]

Stu (who spent the best 3 years of his life in Wolves!)

 

Off topic: Stu - when were you in Wolverhampton? I was there on and off between 1970 and 1974. I did a 4 year course at the Poly - 2 terms each year and working in between (Essex, London, South Coast). Like you probably the best years of my life.

 

Back on topic: For me the very best live Wigan tape I have heard. Just sums up my take on Northern Soul. My heart was up about 20 beats a minute and that was just sitting in the chair. :D

 

Mind you I never realised they played stuff as mainstream as Two Can Have A Party and Roadrunner at Wigan. But I'm glad they did.

[AlanB]

Great listening.  Was surprised to see/hear Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me on it, but it sounds like it went down well.

[Guest Dave Ward]

Off my tits, 1981, Knew it was coming to an end for me, danced my ass off. Nina Simone....Hey we weren't Neanderthals, Jazz, Blues, Funk !

Edited August 1, 2014 by Dave Ward

[Pete S]

The problem with the Nina Simone is that it's obviously a stereo cut but it's only playing one channel so most of the vocal is missing, but yeah, it went down okay didn't it (notice he said it was a big sound down South)

[Simon T]

The problem with the Nina Simone is that it's obviously a stereo cut but it's only playing one channel so most of the vocal is missing, but yeah, it went down okay didn't it (notice he said it was a big sound down South)

It was at the Fleet

[stokesoulboy]

The Tams I believe was the first 45 spun at the Golden Torch by Barmy Barry the DJ I agree Pete it's always been a huge fav of mine since the 1960,s

[stokesoulboy]

I must have it then , I bought Barmy Barry's records about 3 years ago

[Ian Parker]

It was at the Fleet

Indeed it was!

On a side note, we do the number in my little jazz combo, popular tune

Edited August 3, 2014 by IanP

[Soulstu]

Off topic: Stu - when were you in Wolverhampton? I was there on and off between 1970 and 1974. I did a 4 year course at the Poly - 2 terms each year and working in between (Essex, London, South Coast). Like you probably the best years of my life.

 

Back on topic: For me the very best live Wigan tape I have heard. Just sums up my take on Northern Soul. My heart was up about 20 beats a minute and that was just sitting in the chair. :D

 

Mind you I never realised they played stuff as mainstream as Two Can Have A Party and Roadrunner at Wigan. But I'm glad they did.

Sorry mods - an off topic reply to an off topic question... we missed each other by about 10 years pal, I was at the poly in the early 80's. Best years... still got great memories of Wolves and the West Mids...used to drInk in the Goalpost and the Feathers (across from Molyneux).

[El Corol]

Great listening.  Was surprised to see/hear Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me on it, but it sounds like it went down well.

I've not got around to listening to this tape yet so I can't be certain it was on this particular night, but when I heard Brian Rae spin Nina Simone at Wigan he pretty much cleared the floor except for some who obviously were into it (Fleet goer's judging from the posts) and probably some others who liked it, and others who just danced to whatever. It sticks in my mind as I'd never seen the floor empty that much at an oldies night before.

To back up my observation a few years later Brian Rae guested at a small soul night in Walsall I used to go to and he ran a little competition in which you had answer his question "which record did I play that cleared the dancefloor at Wigan" - answer: Nina Simone.

On a side note Brian Rae was a really entertaining DJ when given free reign in a small do, well he was that night at least.

[Guest Polyvelts]

Great listening.  Was surprised to see/hear Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me on it, but it sounds like it went down well.

I remember some people storming off the floor furious saying 'what the fuck is this jazz shit '

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Amazing...never heard the first track and that key change! Top post.

[hullsoul]

Amazing...never heard the first track and that key change! Top post.

Carl

You need to get out more

Cheers

Martyn

[Guest Carl Dixon]

I am Martin as you know! So much so I have ankle ache these days. The blister I suffered at the Hull Soul Club last week was worth every second of pain!

 

Also that Howard Guyton/'I watched you...' track- what an arrangement. It never ceases to amaze me how only in the last 6 months I am hearing things discovered back in the day and still receiving applause on the dance floor now. Very inspirational music. In the last 48 hours two people have admitted they are starting to love the old stuff rather than new....a turn away from some of todays productions. 

[Sooty]

Super stuff Pete!x I do believe I have this tape...from Paul Donnelly or someone at Peterborough gave me it several years back......or I ended up with a copy! I will find it!x The Tams Hey Girl I found real interesting as I didn't know it had been played at the peak of the scene as such! As a late comer to the scene in the 90's....from an active perspective....then I classed it as 'club soul' tune so to speak! However....Max Rees from Cambridge in 1993 as I started out said buy a copy from him...for £3! I asked why...he said play the B side! I did....and played it at Winsford....Blackburn and 100 Club to mention a few....and it went down great everytime.....and many used to come ask hat the hell it was!!!x I like both sides....but can see the impact back in the day of the A side.....and hope my efforts with the B kept this terrific piece of 20p Boot Sale vinyl....alive!x Thanx for your efforts mate much appreciated....consider me stimulated!!!x

 

@@
~
LUV
SOOTY
X

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9ivKIESED0

[Guest Roddy]

I think Brain was working for Charley (?) at that time and i am sure My baby just cares for me came out on a 10 inch ep on Charley around that time

Edited August 7, 2014 by Roddy

[Steve S 60]

I've not got around to listening to this tape yet so I can't be certain it was on this particular night, but when I heard Brian Rae spin Nina Simone at Wigan he pretty much cleared the floor except for some who obviously were into it (Fleet goer's judging from the posts) and probably some others who liked it, and others who just danced to whatever. It sticks in my mind as I'd never seen the floor empty that much at an oldies night before.

To back up my observation a few years later Brian Rae guested at a small soul night in Walsall I used to go to and he ran a little competition in which you had answer his question "which record did I play that cleared the dancefloor at Wigan" - answer: Nina Simone.

On a side note Brian Rae was a really entertaining DJ when given free reign in a small do, well he was that night at least.

 

On my one and only visit to the Fleet Centre in 1981, Brian Rae played Nina Simone.  Later heard it at Wigan, so didn't come as a big shock.

[Rob Wigley]

Of all the records to make the hairs on my arms stand up - The Tams "Hey girl don't bother me" - oh my God, the clapping, the atmosphere, almost had me in tears - not played this tape for over 15 years

I was there pete, slightly  shocked it was played, but the clapping, incredible, Sounds  like Keith DJing ? Brilliant thanks for sharing 

[Rob Wigley]

Great listening.  Was surprised to see/hear Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me on it, but it sounds like it went down well.

Played it on Sunday night at Brid to a packed floor !

[sir cumference]

Nina Simone?

 

Doesn`t work for me-dare I say it has no place on ANY northern scene!Fragmented as it is.

 

Hated it on the advert,too!

 

It`s effin jazz-which is shite anyway.

 

Hasn`t anybody seen "The Fast Show"?

[El Corol]

I've not got around to listening to this tape yet so I can't be certain it was on this particular night, but when I heard Brian Rae spin Nina Simone at Wigan he pretty much cleared the floor except for some who obviously were into it (Fleet goer's judging from the posts) and probably some others who liked it, and others who just danced to whatever. It sticks in my mind as I'd never seen the floor empty that much at an oldies night before.

To back up my observation a few years later Brian Rae guested at a small soul night in Walsall I used to go to and he ran a little competition in which you had answer his question "which record did I play that cleared the dancefloor at Wigan" - answer: Nina Simone.

On a side note Brian Rae was a really entertaining DJ when given free reign in a small do, well he was that night at least.

Having played the tape now; that was the night Brian pretty much cleared the floor. A strange little memory from the casino! I remember standing just to the left of the entrance to the record bar as you look "out on the floor" (ahem!) when he played it.

Now if we can just work out what time it was..........

[Ian Parker]

Nina Simone?

 

Doesn`t work for me-dare I say it has no place on ANY northern scene!Fragmented as it is.

 

 

 

 

   Jazz?      what about Ramsey Lewis?       also, what about latin,  UK Pop records and late 50s RnB ?    id much prefer to hear Nina Simone than Bobby Goldsboro or Gary Lewis....   horses for courses, one mans meat etc

[Guest Polyvelts]

Nina Simone?

 

Doesn`t work for me-dare I say it has no place on ANY northern scene!Fragmented as it is.

 

Hated it on the advert,too!

 

It`s effin jazz-which is shite anyway.

 

Hasn`t anybody seen "The Fast Show"?

 

Yes, Im sure all the session musicians for motown would agree !

[jocko]

Sorry there's been no podcasts lately, I've still got no proper broadband, if anyone knows how I can sue BT please let me know, anyway I have a few meg left on a dongle so thought I'd upload a classic Casino tape for you, great oldies anniversary night towards the end of Wigan Casino, brilliant atmosphere, dj's are Keith Minshull and Brian Rae - 90 minutes long - I know you'll enjoy this one.

 

BRICE COEFIELD — AIN’T THAT RIGHT

BOBBY HEBB — LOVE LOVE LOVE

ISLEY BROTHERS — TELL ME IT’S JUST A RUMOUR BABY

MARVIN & TAMMI — TWO CAN HAVE A PARTY

MEL BRITT — SHE’LL COME RUNNING BACK

CHARLES THOMAS — THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TOUCH

TAMS — HEY GIRL DON’T BOTHER ME

HOWARD GUYTON — I WATCHED YOU SLOWLY SLIP AWAY

FATS DOMINO — IT KEEPS RAINING

LUTHER INGRAM ORCHESTRA — EXUS TREK

HERB WARD — HONEST TO GOODNESS

JERRY COOK — I HURT ON THE OTHER SIDE

PAT POWDRILL — DO IT

WILLIAMS & WATSON — TOO LATE

REFLECTIONS — LIKE ADAM AND EVE

EDWARD HAMILTON — BABY DON’T YOU WEEP

RITCHIE ADAMS — I CAN’T ESCAPE FROM YOU

ROBBY LAWSON — BURNING SENSATION

CHARLIE ROMANS — 24 HOUR SERVICE

CHAPTER FIVE — YOU CAN’T MEAN IT

EDWIN STARR — BACK STREET

DEBBIE DEAN — WHY AM I LOVING YOU

JR. WALKER — ROAD RUNNER

BRENDA HOLLOWAY — STARTING THE HURT ALL OVER AGAIN

LAURA LEE — TO WIN YOUR HEART

RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS BAND — RAT RACE

PRESENT — MANY’S THE SLIP

TOMANGOES — I REALLY LOVE YOU

IKE & TINA TURNER — DUST MY BROOM

NINA SIMONE — MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME

BENNY SPELLMAN — FORTUNE TELLER

CHARLIE RICH — LOVE IS AFTER ME

DYNATONES — THE FIFE PIPER

DEL LARKS — JOB OPENING

SAXY RUSSELL — PSYCHEDELIC SOUL

MAURICE WILLIAMS — BEING WITHOUT YOU

CAPREEZ — HOW TO MAKE A SAD MAN GLAD

RITA DACOSTA — DON’T BRING ME DOWN

 

https://www.mixcloud.com/mayfairmenthol/wigan-casino-5th-oldies-anniversary-6the-february-1981/

 

I think that was the last Oldies I went to, or at least went inside before 4,  but it was rammed beyond belief was it not? Even more so than the previous years which was my first night at Wigan, I am pretty sure, being just a young thing. I am pretty sure I spent pretty much the whole night on stairs at this one, talking fast, and clutching my newly purchased copy of Roger K, only for it to be finally sat on and cracked (yes I know it was a lucky escape, but I was devestated on the night, £4 was a lot of dosh) when I finally made the dance floor at about 6ish! It was about this night that rumours of closure really started to take off was it not? Nostalgia can be good!

 

I know I should know answers, but its a ll a blur. And I don't like to just make things up unlike other people on some other threads

 

Re BT get on to the Ombudsman or whoever is the regulator, or threaten going public, a few work colleauges have some horror stories about their service when experiencing issues.

[Jordirip]

 

It`s effin jazz-which is shite anyway.

 

  Terry Callier, Cal T Jader, Gil Scot Heron, Lou Pride, Soulful Strings, Celeste Hardy, etc, etc etzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Pete S]

Nina Simone?

 

Doesn`t work for me-dare I say it has no place on ANY northern scene!Fragmented as it is.

 

Hated it on the advert,too!

 

It`s effin jazz-which is shite anyway.

 

Hasn`t anybody seen "The Fast Show"?

 

  Terry Callier, Cal T Jader, Gil Scot Heron, Lou Pride, Soulful Strings, Celeste Hardy, etc, etc etzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

Please, stop it - he doesn't like jazz, that's his choice, I think the world would also be a better place if jazz hadn't been invented but so what!  And the artists you quote are jazz influenced rather than jazz musicians.

[Jordirip]

Please, stop it - he doesn't like jazz, that's his choice, I think the world would also be a better place if jazz hadn't been invented but so what!  And the artists you quote are jazz influenced rather than jazz musicians.

 

Just think it's a dumb comment that sounds like something a  school kid would say. You can't write off a whole genre of music as shite, it's ridiculous.

 

As for jazz influenced artistes as opposed to actual jazz artistes, I'm not sure of the relevance. What ends up on the record is what we're talking about. Does it mean that he hates all the many northern soul records with jazz overtones? Towanda Barnes, Ramsey Lewis etc. Anyway. I'm not having an argument about it, but I do agree that Nina Simone should not have been played on the northern scene although I did have it on the 10" UK EP at the time.

[Pete S]

Just think it's a dumb comment that sounds like something a  school kid would say. You can't write off a whole genre of music as shite, it's ridiculous.

 

As for jazz influenced artistes as opposed to actual jazz artistes, I'm not sure of the relevance. What ends up on the record is what we're talking about. Does it mean that he hates all the many northern soul records with jazz overtones? Towanda Barnes, Ramsey Lewis etc. Anyway. I'm not having an argument about it, but I do agree that Nina Simone should not have been played on the northern scene although I did have it on the 10" UK EP at the time.

 

I agree with you, I like the Nina Simone record but can't really see why it was played.

But as for jazz, it's like marmite isn't it, I obviously don't "get" it because most of it sounds like people tuning up.  And I know there are many many strands of jazz going back to the 20's.  I just happen to dislike all of them 

[Guest Polyvelts]

I was there that  night  and  agree it was a totally bad call to play it, completely the wrong tempo, but Istill  think it's a beautiful record  ! Having said that I did dance to it but they could have played the blue danube and Id have tried to stomp to it - I was that smashed ! ahem, nothing to be proud of of course !

[Bo Diddley]

Sorry mods - an off topic reply to an off topic question... we missed each other by about 10 years pal, I was at the poly in the early 80's. Best years... still got great memories of Wolves and the West Mids...used to drInk in the Goalpost and the Feathers (across from Molyneux).

Thanks for putting this up Pete. This was the last but 1 night I went. I think the playlist gives a good sample of a typical "oldies" night at Wigan. Even someone who had only been into it for a week would have been familiar as some of the playlist featured in the pop charts. Usually, no room on the dance floor until late on.

 

I always get a picture in my mind of an oldies night of Keith blasting his way through the crowd with his record box on his shoulder!!

 

By the way Soulstu, I have many happy memories of the Feathers. Late 70's onwards it was run by my good mate's mom, Carol Ellitts. Paul (Beanhead) and I would on occasions be put in charge of "catering" on saturdays after an oldies night - good job health and safety hadn't been invented. Also, lot's of folks met up there 1 night before Wigan (I think) and P**l S*****n had "borrowed" a very large canister of Nitrous Oxide and attempts were made to release said gas in the Snug!!

 

 

Cheers

[Pete S]

Thanks for putting this up Pete. This was the last but 1 night I went. I think the playlist gives a good sample of a typical "oldies" night at Wigan. Even someone who had only been into it for a week would have been familiar as some of the playlist featured in the pop charts. Usually, no room on the dance floor until late on.

 

I always get a picture in my mind of an oldies night of Keith blasting his way through the crowd with his record box on his shoulder!!

 

By the way Soulstu, I have many happy memories of the Feathers. Late 70's onwards it was run by my good mate's mom, Carol Ellitts. Paul (Beanhead) and I would on occasions be put in charge of "catering" on saturdays after an oldies night - good job health and safety hadn't been invented. Also, lot's of folks met up there 1 night before Wigan (I think) and P**l S*****n had "borrowed" a very large canister of Nitrous Oxide and attempts were made to release said gas in the Snug!!

 

 

Cheers

 

I was with Phil one night on Wolverhampton station, waiting for the train to Wigan, and he gets out a replica pistol and shoots it, made a tremendous noise, 2 minutes later the platform was swarming with British Rail Police and they had him pinned on the floor and taken away in handcuffs.  Mad b'stard.

[Missing Link]

I agree with you, I like the Nina Simone record but can't really see why it was played.

 

Nina Simone was very popular at the 6Ts nights that Ady Croasdell used to put on in London at the time. Maybe someone who went to those asked for it? Not really a sound you would have expected to hear at a Wigan Oldies night though.

[Sheldonsoul]

Nice to hear chapter five

[maslar]

I went to most of the oldies nighters during 1981 - if not all of them - can't remember to be honest and I don't want to be accused of making things up . I think I've previosly mentioned the instrumental of MBJCFM as one of the records that used to really irk me. I think banal is a good word  to describe it.  I thought of it as a mediocre version and at that time I wasn't 100% sure that it was MBJCFM. Only reading Pete S' post does it make sense - the stereo tracking omitting the vocals. since most instrumentals need a different arrangement without the vocal which obviously adds melody.

 

It was played not only at this nighter but throughout 1981. I never could understand why because it didn't "fit" at all. It's a case of if you're going to play a jazzy piano instrumental then there are loads of (in this case better) to choose from. Why limit yourself to this? Same goes for the other jazzy mainstay at that time : George Benson's version of On Broadway. Loads more stuff in a similar vein. Why not play it?

[maslar]

With regard to the criticisms of "jazz". It doesn't really make much sense to say you don't like "jazz" (unless you really don't like all the sub-genres). I like some jazz and dislike others - Hard Bop, soul jazz, Fusion etc I generally like. Early 20th century stuff or avante garde I'm generally less fond of.