Before Northern Soul Was Invented

[Steve Brown]

Here's one for us older soul fans. What are your top sounds that you remember from the clubs etc of the mid to late 60's that have gone on to be established Northern classics. Here's a few that I grew up with around Northants and Beds in the late 60's,

Girls are out to get you Fascinations

Right track Billy Butler

She blew a good thing Poets

Going to a happening Tommy Neal

Tightrope Charlie & Inez Fox

Washed ashore Platters

Driving beat Willie Mitchell

Walking up a one way street Willie Tee

Mr bang bang man Little Hank

Whats wrong with me baby? Invitations

There's a quick 10 tunes from this area. How does that compare with other parts of the country?

Also, is it just nostalgia or do these tunes still sound good today however many times you've heard them?

Cheers, Steve.

[Davebanks]

when I were a lad in Liverpool the top club sounds in the late 60's would have included;

Sharpees - do the 45 and tired of being lonely

JJ Barnes - Real humdinger

Newbeats - Run Baby run (oh the shame of buying that on import from the Cavern DJ as my top want of the time)

Bob and Earl - Harlem Shuffle people forget how big a tune this was in the 60's

Temptations - get ready

Incredibles - Nothing else to say

Impressions - cant satisfy and youve been cheatin

gene latter - sign on the dotted line

homer banks - lot a love and 60 mins

jimmy holiday and clydie king - ready willing and able

mel and tim - backfield in motion

platters - most of the in detroit album

and I seem to recall quite a bit of blues stuff, in fact as late as 70/71 BB Kings the thrill is gone was played at a few clubs around Merseyside. In those days the bar shut the lights went on and during drinking up there was no dancing so "odd" sounds like this would be played.

Dave Banks

[Jerry Hipkiss]

I seem to recall quite a bit of blues stuff, in fact as late as 70/71 BB Kings the thrill is gone was played at a few clubs around Merseyside.

Dave Banks

Slim Harpo's "Baby scratch my back" on Stateside was a big tune at one time...and going back even earlier, when I first started clubbing my local club always used to start the evening by playing a Sue white label promo LP with Homesick James, Elmore James, Bobby Parker etc....when they refitted the place in '68 I rescued it, battered and scratched, from the top of a cupboard. Still got it and wouldn't part with it!

[Steve Brown]

when I were a lad in Liverpool the top club sounds in the late 60's would have included;

Sharpees - do the 45 and tired of being lonely

JJ Barnes - Real humdinger

Newbeats - Run Baby run (oh the shame of buying that on import from the Cavern DJ as my top want of the time)

Bob and Earl - Harlem Shuffle people forget how big a tune this was in the 60's

Temptations - get ready

Incredibles - Nothing else to say

Impressions - cant satisfy and youve been cheatin

gene latter - sign on the dotted line

homer banks - lot a love and 60 mins

jimmy holiday and clydie king - ready willing and able

mel and tim - backfield in motion

platters - most of the in detroit album

and I seem to recall quite a bit of blues stuff, in fact as late as 70/71 BB Kings the thrill is gone was played at a few clubs around Merseyside. In those days the bar shut the lights went on and during drinking up there was no dancing so "odd" sounds like this would be played.

Dave Banks

Great list Dave. Used to listen to all of those although we didn't get The Incredibles and JJ Barnes until a bit later. Interesting comments about the blues stuff. Can't say that I remember much of that being played around here.

Cheers, Steve.

[Tomangoes]

If it was Northern Soul after Dave Godin (RIP) it must have been Northern Soul before.

My older Sister's used to play: Harlem shuffle, Baby make your own sweet music, Lovers Concerto, Where did our love go, and Sitting on the dock of the bay, what seemed like all the time as I was growing up in the 60's, so I assume they were played at clubs like the Top Rank etc.

Ed

[Mark B]

6 X 6 earl van dyke

a man like me jimmy james

funky street arthur connly

just 3 that spring to mind

sorry didnt read thread properly

mark

Edited July 26, 2007 by mark.b

[Steve Brown]

If it was Northern Soul after Dave Godin (RIP) it must have been Northern Soul before.

My older Sister's used to play: Harlem shuffle, Baby make your own sweet music, Lovers Concerto, Where did our love go, and Sitting on the dock of the bay, what seemed like all the time as I was growing up in the 60's, so I assume they were played at clubs like the Top Rank etc.

Ed

All of those would be played Ed, along with a load of tunes that would later be regarded as 'Northern Soul classics'. At the time the term Northern Soul had not caught on and these tunes happily blended in alongside traditional Tamla, Stax, Atlantic etc. These early years are of particular interest as they built the foundations for all that we follow thirty years on.

Regards, Steve.

[Citizen P]

yeah all of the above (except for the Blues Tunes) are all examples of what I call youth club music, the stuff that first got us interested.

Little Piece Of Leather

I'm gonna run away from you

At the Top of the Stairs

I got what it takes

Karate Boogaloo

Funky Street

You're Ready now

Love, Love ,Love

and more Motown than you could shake a party seven at.

what seemed to happen round our way was that the lads who's big brother or sister went to The Wheel brought the tunes to the club to show off

ATB

Tony

[Guest Dirk Tiggler]

The Duck - Jackie Lee & I spy for the FBI - Jamo Thomas spring to mind plus a thousand Gene Chandler records that I never bothered to get the names of - Ade

[Ezzie Brown]

sam cooke was my main man , lots of stuff listed played out were classica eg al kent platters etc who listened to the broadcasts by us forces radio all over europe? plenty of soul on then,mostly motown, atlantic stuff.

[Guest mel brat]

All of those would be played Ed, along with a load of tunes that would later be regarded as 'Northern Soul classics'. At the time the term Northern Soul had not caught on and these tunes happily blended in alongside traditional Tamla, Stax, Atlantic etc. These early years are of particular interest as they built the foundations for all that we follow thirty years on.

Regards, Steve.

...and they STILL sound great don't they? I'm pretty sure the expression "Northern Soul" took several years to gain wider currency as I don't remember hearing the expression used until quite some time after Dave Godin's 1970 article. I recall a mobile DJ playing The Sapphires "Gotta Have Your Love" and Fifth Dimension's "Train Keep On Movin" (initially released here in 1970, I think) at a local pub disco and announcing them as "...great R&B sounds". I remember thinking "Oh!, So THAT'S what they mean by "R&B" then? - I like that!"

[Wiganer1]

...and they STILL sound great don't they? I'm pretty sure the expression "Northern Soul" took several years to gain wider currency as I don't remember hearing the expression used until quite some time after Dave Godin's 1970 article. I recall a mobile DJ playing The Sapphires "Gotta Have Your Love" and Fifth Dimension's "Train Keep On Movin" (initially released here in 1970, I think) at a local pub disco and announcing them as "...great R&B sounds". I remember thinking "Oh!, So THAT'S what they mean by "R&B" then? - I like that!"

=====

what about otis leavill - boomerang!

what a great tune and cheap too!

[Guest]

Here's one for us older soul fans. What are your top sounds that you remember from the clubs etc of the mid to late 60's that have gone on to be established Northern classics. Here's a few that I grew up with around Northants and Beds in the late 60's,

Girls are out to get you Fascinations

Right track Billy Butler

She blew a good thing Poets

Going to a happening Tommy Neal

Tightrope Charlie & Inez Fox

Washed ashore Platters

Driving beat Willie Mitchell

Walking up a one way street Willie Tee

Mr bang bang man Little Hank

Whats wrong with me baby? Invitations

There's a quick 10 tunes from this area. How does that compare with other parts of the country?

Also, is it just nostalgia or do these tunes still sound good today however many times you've heard them?

Cheers, Steve.

Hi mate , all these tunes before my time by a mile you old git ....when i got into the music circa 1975 it had already been coined Northern Soul and i remember a lot of the Mecca style sounds being popular..however got to know Glenn Bellamy a few years later....who introduced me to a lot of these kind of oldies. which to me sounded so fresh then as they werent getting played also got me interested in collecting british label releases at the time...and i must confess to having a soft spot for some of these club classics that get sadly overlooked these days !

[Guest]

Lets not leave Stateside out!!!

Expressway To Your Heart - Soul Survivors

Be Young,Foolish,Happy - Tams

You Get Your Kicks - Mitch Ryder

Lovers Concerto - Toys

AND

Open The Door - Darrell Banks (yes I know original was LondonAmerican!)

All good stuff AND still getting requested

[Guest]

oops!!....misread the thread didn't I......after all that typing an' all

Edited July 27, 2007 by DelTee

[Pauldonnelly]

SPINNING WHEEL P'BORO was my 1st real haunt so

Bobby Wells-Lets Copp a Grove

JJ Jackson-- But its allright

Little Ole man? the artist has gone?

Have you ever had the Blues ..the artist has gone?

Big Boris - Devils Drive

The Carstairs- He Who Picks a rose

Here's one for us older soul fans. What are your top sounds that you remember from the clubs etc of the mid to late 60's that have gone on to be established Northern classics. Here's a few that I grew up with around Northants and Beds in the late 60's,

Girls are out to get you Fascinations

Right track Billy Butler

She blew a good thing Poets

Going to a happening Tommy Neal

Tightrope Charlie & Inez Fox

Washed ashore Platters

Driving beat Willie Mitchell

Walking up a one way street Willie Tee

Mr bang bang man Little Hank

Whats wrong with me baby? Invitations

There's a quick 10 tunes from this area. How does that compare with other parts of the country?

Also, is it just nostalgia or do these tunes still sound good today however many times you've heard them?

Cheers, Steve.

[Wiganer1]

SPINNING WHEEL P'BORO was my 1st real haunt so

Little Ole man? the artist has gone? = Bill Cosby

Have you ever had the Blues ..the artist has gone? = travis womack

[Guest]

That track by Bill Cosby.........wasn't it???

On Warner Bros

&

Used same backing track as SW's Uptight

Ithink..................

[Sean Hampsey]

That track by Bill Cosby.........wasn't it???

On Warner Bros

&

Used same backing track as SW's Uptight

Ithink..................

Come on then Ash.... lets have a few that were big in our village, when we were lads....

Spellbinders Help Me

Bobby Sheen Doctor Love

Bobby Wells Lets Cop A Groove

Impressions You've Been Cheating

Bob Brady Everybodys Going to a Love In

Chubby Checker At The Discotheque

Bob Kuban & The Inmen The Cheater

Tommy Neal Going to a Happening

Rodger Collins She's Looking Good

Brooks & Jerry I Got What It Takes

Gene Chandler Nothing Can Stop Me

Chuck Jackson Girls Girls Girls

Fascinations Girls Are Out To Get You

Impressions Can't Satisfy

Flamingos Boogaloo Party

Bobby Marchan Aint No Reason For Girls To Be Lonely For Love

Homer Banks 60 Minutes Of Your Love

Tommy Duncan Dance, Dance, Dance

Donie Gray The In Crowd

Sam Cooke Another Saturday Night

Marv Johnson I Miss You Baby How I Miss You

Miracles Going To a GoGo

And many more Motown & Stax/Atlantic monsters!

Remember 1812 - Snide - Melly Parker (RIP) - The Mighty 'Elf' - Stu Newman (first pair of Levis in South Yorkshire) - Les Hall (Big Temps Fan) - Steve King (Big Tops Fan).... Great days Ashley.

Great Tunes!

I'd never heard the term 'Northern Soul' until some years later. They were all just Soul records to me (and still are!).

Sean Hampsey

Edited July 28, 2007 by Sean Hampsey

[Stillsoulin]

Reading this thread looks like our playlists from our charity soul nights,(raised nearly £11,000 in just under 3 years), great nights with great people, if you want some of this our next one is on November 17th (cheap plug)see our web site for more details. www.soulstuff.com and click on Abbeysoul for pictures etc.

Scratchy by Travis Wammack was always a popular tune around our way too.

cheers rob h.

[Guest mel brat]

Come on then Ash.... lets have a few that were big in our village, when we were lads....

Spellbinders Help Me

Bobby Sheen Doctor Love

Bobby Wells Lets Cop A Groove

Impressions You've Been Cheating

Bob Brady Everybodys Going to a Love In

Chubby Checker At The Discotheque

Bob Kuban & The Inmen The Cheater

Tommy Neal Going to a Happening

Rodger Collins She's Looking Good

Brooks & Jerry I Got What It Takes

Gene Chandler Nothing Can Stop Me

Chuck Jackson Girls Girls Girls

Fascinations Girls Are Out To Get You

Impressions Can't Satisfy

Flamingos Boogaloo Party

Bobby Marchan Aint No Reason For Girls To Be Lonely For Love

Homer Banks 60 Minutes Of Your Love

Tommy Duncan Dance, Dance, Dance

Donie Gray The In Crowd

Sam Cooke Another Saturday Night

Marv Johnson I Miss You Baby How I Miss You

Miracles Going To a GoGo

And many more Motown & Stax/Atlantic monsters!

Remember 1812 - Snide - Melly Parker (RIP) - The Mighty 'Elf' - Stu Newman (first pair of Levis in South Yorkshire) - Les Hall (Big Temps Fan) - Steve King (Big Tops Fan).... Great days Ashley.

Great Tunes!

I'd never heard the term 'Northern Soul' until some years later. They were all just Soul records to me (and still are!).

Sean Hampsey

You were dead lucky to hear such a range of stuff at that "Impression-able" age! (groan!)

I've told on here before how I badgered the same pub DJ who played "Train Keep On Movin" to sell me Tommy Neal on UK Vocalion. (I eventually handed over something like 80p for it I think!) He used to play Jackie Wilson, "Boogaloo Party", Bobby Wells etc. and some nice Reggae too. I bought Tony Scott "What Am I To Do" (same intro as "The Liquidator") on Escort from him also, which I still have. He said that I may as well have them as I was usually the only one who danced to them there anyhow! (they were both probably still on catalogue at the time at a regular price, but what did I know aged 15 or 16?)

Sam Cook "Another Saturday Night" reminds me very much of the local "Throstles Club" which was where all the suedeheads used to go C.1970/71. It was there that I once asked another mobile DJ named "Woody" (whom I'd heard went to the Wheel) to play Candy & The Kisses "The 81" 'cos I'd read about it in Blues & Soul! "Bloody hell! - How do you know THAT one?" he asked. "I DON'T know it!" I replied, "That's why I want you to play it for me!"

According to Mickey Nold, Brooks & Jerry could be heard played in many Birmingham pubs in the late 60s, and he says he also remembers hearing Barbara Randolph's "I Got A Feeling" being played on the radio a lot the first time around!

[Steve Brown]

Thanks guys for making this a great little thread! Great memories and a lot of good tunes mentioned. I really think that a lot of these should be revisited as I'm sure a lot of soulies have missed out on this very early stuff!

Keep em coming, Steve.

[Guest]

Thanks guys for making this a great little thread! Great memories and a lot of good tunes mentioned. I really think that a lot of these should be revisited as I'm sure a lot of soulies have missed out on this very early stuff!

Keep em coming, Steve.

Yep as already mentioned a lot of these tunes are overlooked but looking at the ones mentioned on this thread i think some would fit todays scene others maybe not..like to know others view on this or maybe slightly obscure or rarely heard tunes from way back that would fit the bill today?

Edited July 29, 2007 by Jemco

[Kevinkent]

Here's one for us older soul fans. What are your top sounds that you remember from the clubs etc of the mid to late 60's that have gone on to be established Northern classics. Here's a few that I grew up with around Northants and Beds in the late 60's,

Girls are out to get you Fascinations

Right track Billy Butler

She blew a good thing Poets

Going to a happening Tommy Neal

Tightrope Charlie & Inez Fox

Washed ashore Platters

Driving beat Willie Mitchell

Walking up a one way street Willie Tee

Mr bang bang man Little Hank

Whats wrong with me baby? Invitations

There's a quick 10 tunes from this area. How does that compare with other parts of the country?

Also, is it just nostalgia or do these tunes still sound good today however many times you've heard them?

Cheers, Steve.

Same county Steve so I'll go along with all of those plus a few more:

Mchael - C.O.D.'s

Hey Girl Don't Bother Me - Tams

Twine Time - Alvin Cash..........................How about this one Jemco?

I've Been Hurt - Bil Deal & Rhondells

Hooked By Love - Homer Banks

I Got What It Takes - Brooks & Jerry

The Horse - Cliff Nobles

Moody Woman - Jerry Butler

And 3 that really got me hooked on what was to become known as "Northern"........

Open The Door To Your Heart - Darrel Banks

Just A Little Misunderstanding - Contours

Help Me - Spellbinders

And no it's not just nostalgia. Most of these tunes still get a good reception from those youngsters who weren't around in the early days. Quality shines through.

[FrankM]

in some of Glasgow's clubs the following were fairly popular.

Clarence Carter Looking for a Fox.

Soul Brothers Six Some kind of wonderful

Four Tops Wake me Shake me

Chuck Woods Seven days is too long

Bruce Channel Mr Bus Driver

[Steve Brown]

Some more intersting stuff! I had Soul Bros Six, Some kinda wonderful, for years without knowing that the flip was 'I'll be loving you '. Spellbinders 'Help me' just has to be an all time great. As for an oldie to play today, how about Darrow Fletcher 'The pain just gets a little deeper' ?

Maybe we should run a thread of what to put on a CD limited to say 24 tracks.

Cheers, Steve.

[Kevinkent]

Some more intersting stuff! I had Soul Bros Six, Some kinda wonderful, for years without knowing that the flip was 'I'll be loving you '. Spellbinders 'Help me' just has to be an all time great. As for an oldie to play today, how about Darrow Fletcher 'The pain just gets a little deeper' ?

Maybe we should run a thread of what to put on a CD limited to say 24 tracks.

Cheers, Steve.

The Darrow Fletcher is a good choice Steve. Had another listen and went and bought it today after reading this. Soon be on my playlist!

- Kevin

[Guest]

Same county Steve so I'll go along with all of those plus a few more:

Mchael - C.O.D.'s

Hey Girl Don't Bother Me - Tams

Twine Time - Alvin Cash..........................How about this one Jemco?

I've Been Hurt - Bil Deal & Rhondells

Hooked By Love - Homer Banks

I Got What It Takes - Brooks & Jerry

The Horse - Cliff Nobles

Moody Woman - Jerry Butler

And 3 that really got me hooked on what was to become known as "Northern"........

Open The Door To Your Heart - Darrel Banks

Just A Little Misunderstanding - Contours

Help Me - Spellbinders

And no it's not just nostalgia. Most of these tunes still get a good reception from those youngsters who weren't around in the early days. Quality shines through.

Alvin Cash...nice one , Spellbinders often play that out great tune ! ref. Darrel Banks , funny how eras change i got to know "Open the Door" because i bought it way back in 1976 at the age of 14 for the other side "Our love is in the pocket" which is still one of my favourite oldies....but me old mucker Luther told me that "Pocket " was not the side getting the plays in the early days and was probably considered a bit fast for the time...at least in Northants anyway ...A couple i really like and i think are from that time are "What would i do" the Tymes and Shalimars "Stop and take a look at yourself" but i may have got the era slightly wrong ....anyone?

Edited July 30, 2007 by Jemco

[Guest mel brat]

...A couple i really like and i think are from that time are "What would i do" the Tymes and Shalimars "Stop and take a look at yourself" but i may have got the era slightly wrong ....anyone?

Yup 'fraid so, I'd regard those two items as 'Torch' period myself, ie: C.1972, but if you'd said the Tymes "Here She Comes" on UK Cameo Parkway (of course) - now THAT'S what I call an eternally lasting and excellent tune with added nostalgia!

Some others that haven't faded at all to my ears include the Platters' "Sweet Sweet Lovin" and "Washed Ashore" (Stateside), Nella Dodds "Finders Keepers" (Pye Int.), Esquires "Get On Up" (Stateside), and (played a little later I think, but still one of my all-time faves) Dee Dee Sharp "Standing In The Need Of Love" (Cameo Parkway). Meanwhile Mary Wells' "Can't You See You're Losing Me" and the Drifters' "Baby What I Mean" (Atlantic) sound "Northern" to this day, and I could imagine them both fitting the playlists of any later era - unlike say the Marvelows' "I Do" on HMV (but which I also still love!)

Edited July 30, 2007 by mel brat

[Guest]

Yup 'fraid so, I'd regard those two items as 'Torch' period myself, ie: C.1972, but if you'd said the Tymes "Here She Comes" on UK Cameo Parkway (of course) - now THAT'S what I call an eternally lasting and excellent tune with added nostalgia!

Some others that haven't faded at all to my ears include the Platters' "Sweet Sweet Lovin" and "Washed Ashore" (Stateside), Nella Dodds "Finders Keepers" (Pye Int.), Esquires "Get On Up" (Stateside), and (played a little later I think, but still one of my all-time faves) Dee Dee Sharp "Standing In The Need Of Love" (Cameo Parkway). Meanwhile Mary Wells' "Can't You See You're Losing Me" and the Drifters' "Baby What I Mean" (Atlantic) sound "Northern" to this day, and I could imagine them both fitting the playlists of any later era - unlike say the Marvelows' "I Do" on HMV (but which I also still love!)

Sorry Mel , i am a mere youngster compared to some ....remember the Platters being quite popular round Northants when i started getting out and about in the mid seventies...great tune and funnily enough was only saying to Luther the other day that we should give it a spin at our next do....also love Dee Dee Sharp ....a true underplayed oldie and always in me record box

[Steve Brown]

Mel's bang on the money with his comments. Agree as well about 'Here she comes', cracking tune. Jem, thats dead right about Darrel Banks. Isn't funny how the early music was quite mid paced, moved to a much faster tempo when regarded as 'Northern', and has now gone full circle back to mid pace.

Couple of gentle Motown shufflers from that era, Mary Wells 'What two can easily do' and Brenda Holloway 'When I'm gone'

Cheers, Steve.

[Pauldonnelly]

Mel's bang on the money with his comments. Agree as well about 'Here she comes', cracking tune. Jem, thats dead right about Darrel Banks. Isn't funny how the early music was quite mid paced, moved to a much faster tempo when regarded as 'Northern', and has now gone full circle back to mid pace.

Couple of gentle Motown shufflers from that era, Mary Wells 'What two can easily do' and Brenda Holloway 'When I'm gone'

Cheers, Steve.

Midtempo???? 12 a quid made em sound all uptempo to me

In Orbit, The Kid, The Human Beinz and the wonderful San Remo Strings -all turned on were always popular in these parts

[Steve Brown]

Paul, you would have been dancin' to The Superlatives in your head whilst everybody was listening to 'Moody Woman' then .

[Kevinkent]

Alvin Cash...nice one , Spellbinders often play that out great tune ! ref. Darrel Banks , funny how eras change i got to know "Open the Door" because i bought it way back in 1976 at the age of 14 for the other side "Our love is in the pocket" which is still one of my favourite oldies....but me old mucker Luther told me that "Pocket " was not the side getting the plays in the early days and was probably considered a bit fast for the time...at least in Northants anyway ...A couple i really like and i think are from that time are "What would i do" the Tymes and Shalimars "Stop and take a look at yourself" but i may have got the era slightly wrong ....anyone?

I remember 3 great double siders that used to get regular plays of both sides in the late 6T's at The George in Wilby:

Darrel Banks - Open The Door and Our Love Is In The Pocket

Contours - Just A Little Misunderstanding / First I Look At The Purse

Impressions - Can't Satisfy / You've Been Cheating

Used to hear the flip of Washed Ashore played a bit too - With This Ring. Still got the copy that I took along to my own wedding in '74 to get it played as our first dance.

Drifters used to be really big in Northants too - Down At The Club, Up On The Roof, Under The Boardwalk, Saturday Night At The Movies, all getting constant plays everywhere.

Recently played the Artistics - I'm Gonna Miss You, as an ender to evoke some happy memories. The flip, Hope We Have, didn't get a look in till much later.

-Kevin

[Guest Bearsy]

Here's one for us older soul fans. What are your top sounds that you remember from the clubs etc of the mid to late 60's that have gone on to be established Northern classics. Here's a few that I grew up with around Northants and Beds in the late 60's,

Girls are out to get you Fascinations

Right track Billy Butler

She blew a good thing Poets

Going to a happening Tommy Neal

Tightrope Charlie & Inez Fox

Washed ashore Platters

Driving beat Willie Mitchell

Walking up a one way street Willie Tee

Mr bang bang man Little Hank

Whats wrong with me baby? Invitations

There's a quick 10 tunes from this area. How does that compare with other parts of the country?

Also, is it just nostalgia or do these tunes still sound good today however many times you've heard them?

Cheers, Steve.

I was born in 68 so wouldnt have a clue about back then but yes they still sound good today played at the right place and right time, just like every tune in the soul scene, no bad ones just some better than others

[Guest in town Mikey]

Threads like this I love.

It makes my hair stand up just thinking how great it must have been in the 60s hearing cracking tunes by The Drifters, The Miracles, etc etc, and in amongst them stuff like Daryll Banks, The Spellbinders, Incredibles, Fascinations etc.

Surely these took Soul to the next level for some and thats where our scene was born.

Incredible.

[Sean Hampsey]

Threads like this I love.

It makes my hair stand up just thinking how great it must have been in the 60s hearing cracking tunes by The Drifters, The Miracles, etc etc, and in amongst them stuff like Daryll Banks, The Spellbinders, Incredibles, Fascinations etc.

Surely these took Soul to the next level for some and thats where our scene was born.

Incredible.

It would take something to make my Hair stand up these days Mikey (or anything else for that matter ) but I know what you mean.

For me as a youngster these were the staple tunes at our local Disco, along with such things as "Baby Do The Philly Dog" "Backfield In Motion" "Aint Nothing But A Houseparty" "Westbound No 9" "I'm Gonna Run Away From You" "Heaven Must Have Sent You" etc.

I hadn't even realised at the time that these were Twisted Wheel & Mojo tunes, or that they'd go on to be revered classics and morph into the 'Northern Soul' scene.

It was the Backing Track to the lifestyle and fashion of the day and I guess to many, back then, it was just 'Disco Music' ... whereas to others it became a lifelong passion.

It was only when a mate of mine paid £3 for a copy of Boogaloo Party that I realised what we were getting in to.

He's been broke ever since!

Sean

[Kevinkent]

Threads like this I love.

It makes my hair stand up just thinking how great it must have been in the 60s hearing cracking tunes by The Drifters, The Miracles, etc etc, and in amongst them stuff like Daryll Banks, The Spellbinders, Incredibles, Fascinations etc.

Surely these took Soul to the next level for some and thats where our scene was born.

Incredible.

Even more incredible is that my hair used to stand up listening to these!

- Then it fell out.

[Kevinkent]

It would take something to make my Hair stand up these days Mikey (or anything else for that matter ) but I know what you mean.

For me as a youngster these were the staple tunes at our local Disco, along with such things as "Baby Do The Philly Dog" "Backfield In Motion" "Aint Nothing But A Houseparty" "Westbound No 9" "I'm Gonna Run Away From You" "Heaven Must Have Sent You" etc.

I hadn't even realised at the time that these were Twisted Wheel & Mojo tunes, or that they'd go on to be revered classics and morph into the 'Northern Soul' scene.

It was the Backing Track to the lifestyle and fashion of the day and I guess to many, back then, it was just 'Disco Music' ... whereas to others it became a lifelong passion. Got to disagree with this Sean. OK, I'd hear some of these tunes sprinkled amongst the Hippy shit and the likes of Status Quo's "Pictures of Matchstick Men" at your ordinary Disco, but if you wanted a soul only night in the late 6T's there were places to go - you just had to know where.

Perhaps it was different in your neck of the woods, in which case you were a very lucky young man.

It was only when a mate of mine paid £3 for a copy of Boogaloo Party that I realised what we were getting in to.

He's been broke ever since!

Sean

[Sean Hampsey]

OK, I'd hear some of these tunes sprinkled amongst the Hippy shit and the likes of Status Quo's "Pictures of Matchstick Men" at your ordinary Disco, but if you wanted a soul only night in the late 6T's there were places to go - you just had to know where.

Perhaps it was different in your neck of the woods, in which case you were a very lucky young man.

Not from Kent are you Kevin?

Think Staus Quo would have cleared the floor quicker than a Turd in a Swimming Pool up in South Yorkshire mate.

I know what you mean though. There was the 'odd' non Soul record played around our way too, but they were the exception to the rule and were always aimed at the dancefloor.

Remember things like "Hi Ho Silver Lining" "Spirit In The Sky" in the late 60's and "Resurection Shuffle" in 71 in amongst the Motown etc.

Nobody mentioned "That Driving Beat" Willie Mitchell. That was just MASSIVE in our neck of the woods (along with Wooly Bully ) whether you were into Soul or not!

Sean

[Kevinkent]

Not from Kent are you Kevin?

Think Staus Quo would have cleared the floor quicker than a Turd in a Swimming Pool up in South Yorkshire mate.

I know what you mean though. There was the 'odd' non Soul record played around our way too, but they were the exception to the rule and were always aimed at the dancefloor.

Remember things like "Hi Ho Silver Lining" "Spirit In The Sky" in the late 60's and "Resurection Shuffle" in 71 in amongst the Motown etc.

Nobody mentioned "That Driving Beat" Willie Mitchell. That was just MASSIVE in our neck of the woods (along with Wooly Bully ) whether you were into Soul or not!

Sean

Status Quo was a pretty dire example but I used it to prove a point. Perhaps your three examples are better!

Funny how some successful "ordinary" venues, that used to play a bit of everything, have re-written their history to become Soul venues from a past era. "Shades" in Northampton is a prime example. I used to practically live there at one stage, and have many fond memories (far more accurate than Mr P Grady's too!). It was often a meeting place from which to set off for a proper soul nite elsewhere.

Re That Driving Beat - Yes...MASSIVE! Sure it's been mentioned on this thread already.

Kent - No Sean, I'm from Northampton originally but am now "in Kent" - Kev.

[Sean Hampsey]

Status Quo was a pretty dire example but I used it to prove a point. Perhaps your three examples are better!

Funny how some successful "ordinary" venues, that used to play a bit of everything, have re-written their history to become Soul venues from a past era. "Shades" in Northampton is a prime example. I used to practically live there at one stage, and have many fond memories (far more accurate than Mr P Grady's too!). It was often a meeting place from which to set off for a proper soul nite elsewhere.

Re That Driving Beat - Yes...MASSIVE! Sure it's been mentioned on this thread already.

Kent - No Sean, I'm from Northampton originally but am now "in Kent" - Kev.

Yeh, you're right Kev.

Driving Beat was mentioned in the opening Post.

Doh!

It was more of a Football chant to be honest... carving up the room for Wednesday or United!

Another from back in the day was Brenton Wood "Gimme A Little Sign". Remember as a youngst getting in trouble off my old Dad for singing it. He thought it was "Rude".

Probably down to the 'little sign' that we all did when dancing (and singing) to it.

[Steve Brown]

Looks like this thread has run its course so thanks guys to all that have contributed.

I would like to leave you with this thought, the same tunes were being played up and down the country at a time when transport was limited and expensive and there was no internet. Just shows the old grapevine must have been working well!

Thanks, Steve B.

[Pauldonnelly]

Looks like this thread has run its course so thanks guys to all that have contributed.

I would like to leave you with this thought, the same tunes were being played up and down the country at a time when transport was limited and expensive and there was no internet. Just shows the old grapevine must have been working well!

Thanks, Steve B.

Talk of the grapevine..Donald Height

William Bell - Happy

The Prophets - I got the fever

Eddie Floyd - Things are getting better

[Kevinkent]

Talk of the grapevine..Donald Height Nice link. This thread is too good to stop!

William Bell - Happy

The Prophets - I got the fever

Eddie Floyd - Things are getting better

[Steve Brown]

OK then Kev! Instrumentals - You Gotta pay the price Al Kent, Secret Home Willie Mitchell, Wade in the water Ramsey just for a kick off!

Cheers Steve.

[Platters 81]

it hasnt run its course...some Golden Torch faves from 1968.......will follow in the next few days ...... i cant wait.......... yes i can

[Steve Brown]

Ok, I underestimated the interest for this thread so here's another question. What sort of money was changing hands for some of the deleted UK stuff and imports around this time? In 1971 I paid £1.50 plus a Drifters record for 'The Right Track ' on Soul City. I think I earned about £12 a week at the time. This was before any 'Northern' imports were about but I remember things like The Drifters and Percy Sledge 'Baby Help Me' being around 85p from Carlows record shop in Bedford. They had a small import list which later morphed into a big list of the latest 'Northern' By todays prices they were bloody expensive! Motown etc on British were 50p.

Cheers, Steve.

[Platters 81]

Happy Days......

TORCH SOUNDS 68 (FRIDAYS)

WYNDER K FROG GREEN DOOR

DYNATONES FIFE PIPER

TOM+JERRY O BOO-GA-LOO

CHUBBY CHECKER CUM-A-LA-BE-STAY

ROBERT PARKER HAPPY FEET

EQUALS I GET SO EXCITED

SUE THOMPSON PAPER TIGER

BARBARA MILLS QUEEN OF FOOLS

DORIS TROY I'LL DO ANYTHING

BETTY EVERETT GETTING MIGHTY CROWDED

JAMES BROWN THERE WAS A TIME

DEON JACKSON OOH BABY

GUY DARRELL IVE BEEN HURT

RODGER COLLINS SHE'S LOOKING GOOD

MAX ROMEO WET DREAM

TOMMY JAMES MONY MONY

ASTORS CANDY

JAMES+BOBBY PURIFY LET LOVE COME BETWEEN US

ROY DOCKER MELLOW MOONLIGHT

LITTLE RICHARD LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING

RONNIE MILSAP AINT NO SOUL (LEFT IN THESE OLD SHOES)

MITCH RYDER BREAKOUT

PAUL KELLY CHILLS AND FEVER

ROY HEAD TREAT HER RIGHT

[shute]

Happy Days......

TORCH SOUNDS 68 (FRIDAYS)

WYNDER K FROG GREEN DOOR

DYNATONES FIFE PIPER

TOM+JERRY O BOO-GA-LOO

CHUBBY CHECKER CUM-A-LA-BE-STAY

ROBERT PARKER HAPPY FEET

EQUALS I GET SO EXCITED

SUE THOMPSON PAPER TIGER

BARBARA MILLS QUEEN OF FOOLS

DORIS TROY I'LL DO ANYTHING

BETTY EVERETT GETTING MIGHTY CROWDED

JAMES BROWN THERE WAS A TIME

DEON JACKSON OOH BABY

GUY DARRELL IVE BEEN HURT

RODGER COLLINS SHE'S LOOKING GOOD

MAX ROMEO WET DREAM

TOMMY JAMES MONY MONY

ASTORS CANDY

JAMES+BOBBY PURIFY LET LOVE COME BETWEEN US

ROY DOCKER MELLOW MOONLIGHT

LITTLE RICHARD LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING

RONNIE MILSAP AINT NO SOUL (LEFT IN THESE OLD SHOES)

MITCH RYDER BREAKOUT

PAUL KELLY CHILLS AND FEVER

ROY HEAD TREAT HER RIGHT

Jim, you still have these in your collection and play then regually LOLOLOLO

HOW ARE YA OWD BUDDY