Touch Of Velvet

[scunnyjack]

I know one version was played at the Wheel in 1967 and it was also a Wigan Casino sound. I must admit that it is one of my all time favorites and I never get tired of hearing its haunting melancholy tune, I love it.

Mood Mosaic - A Touch Of Velvet A Sting Of Brass

This was diffeno the one that was played at the Wheel in Whitworth St, was very big at the time, top tune, when I hear it it reminds me of 1967/1968.

Willie

The Mood Mosaic version was played regular at the Riddings Soul Scene in Scunthorpe around 67/8 when Wheel goer Fred Benson was the main DJ. Going from memory i think this followed the three closing records which were It's So Hard Being A Loser, I want to go back there again and I'm Gonna Miss You.

I actually played this at a fund raising night this last saturday and introduced this as DLT's theme tune which it was many years ago.

[Northern Soul Uk]

Staying with theme tunes, does anyone remember the AWESOME theme tune for 'Gordons Gin' that was played iat the cinemas in the 80s I think, BIG epic tune. i remember writing to 'Gordons' asking if they were gonna release it, and they wrote back saying there were no plans. Anyone have a sound clip, I'd love to here it again?

[Guest Black Gold of the Sun]

Staying with theme tunes, does anyone remember the AWESOME theme tune for 'Gordons Gin' that was played iat the cinemas in the 80s I think, BIG epic tune. i remember writing to 'Gordons' asking if they were gonna release it, and they wrote back saying there were no plans. Anyone have a sound clip, I'd love to here it again?

All the above posts very interesting but WHAT THE F**K is it doing on a site called SOUL SOURCE ? Think its time for a seperate forum for northern related POP music

Edited November 29, 2007 by Black Gold of the Sun

[Northern Soul Uk]

All the above posts very interesting but WHAT THE F**K is it doing on a site called SOUL SOURCE ? Think its time for a seperate forum for northern related POP music

Touch of velvet....., was played on the Northern soul scene, and the Gordons gin theme tune could have easily been passed of as a Northern track had it have been descovered by one of the top jocks back in the day, and if it had not been a theme tune for Gordons gin. Many tracks that are regarded as Northern bear little resemblence to the classic tracks that we all regard as Northern soul, especially some of the 'Blue eyed' soul tracks.

[Pete S]

Touch of velvet....., was played on the Northern soul scene, and the Gordons gin theme tune could have easily been passed of as a Northern track had it have been descovered by one of the top jocks back in the day, and if it had not been a theme tune for Gordons gin. Many tracks that are regarded as Northern bear little resemblence to the classic tracks that we all regard as Northern soul, especially some of the 'Blue eyed' soul tracks.

It came out on a promo record with a picture sleeve but unfortunately was only about a minute long. Great bit of music though.

p.s. it was circa 1976

Edited November 30, 2007 by Pete S

[Northern Soul Uk]

It came out on a promo record with a picture sleeve but unfortunately was only about a minute long. Great bit of music though.

p.s. it was circa 1976

Nice one Pete, thanks for the info.

[Barry]

Love it, like the majority that will bother to post on this thread, I was a kid and it is locked into my childhood memories - listening to it now, it sounds so French/Belgian/European - think Channel 4's 'Eurotrash' or the 'Lounge' comps that Dimitri From Paris' has done.

I'll possibly make a public faux pas here, but thinking of 'Casino Classic' released instrumentals, I still come over all young when I hear Ron Grainers 'When Love Grows Cold'.

[Guest]

A good nights sleep then Dave? Okey Dokey, anyone ready for a Black & White Minstrel Show thread yet LOL.....

Ian D

Tut tut young Foggy ; you know that mentioning the B & W M is politically incorrect ......

The images of Dai Francis and Tony Mercer prancing around singing in psuedo Al Jolson voices , still freaks me ......

But not as bad as the time I caught Paul Rowan trouserless in the dressing room behing the stage at Wakefield Unity .....

Now that did freak me .

Malc Burton

Edited November 30, 2007 by Malc Burton

[Guest Black Gold of the Sun]

Touch of velvet....., was played on the Northern soul scene, and the Gordons gin theme tune could have easily been passed of as a Northern track had it have been descovered by one of the top jocks back in the day, and if it had not been a theme tune for Gordons gin. Many tracks that are regarded as Northern bear little resemblence to the classic tracks that we all regard as Northern soul, especially some of the 'Blue eyed' soul tracks.

I,m not disputing that it was played just don,t try to pass it off ,by whatever tenuous means you can come up with as having anything to do with soul music ,northern or otherwise,and as for the Gordons Gin theme,well it was ridiculous then nevermind now.

Edited November 30, 2007 by Black Gold of the Sun

[Pete S]

I,m not disputing that it was played just don,t try to pass it off ,by whatever tenuous means you can come up with as having anything to do with soul music ,northern or otherwise,and as for the Gordons Gin theme,well it was ridiculous then nevermind now.

In your opinion...

[Guest Bogue]

What is it with some people these days ?? Seems like it has become a crusade to purge the scene of anything that isn't out & out soul ! Which is a bloody rediculous task as no one has ever come up with the definitive of "soul" anyhow !

In my opinion it was the diverse range of sounds that made the Northern soul scene so wonderful, it was about dancing & the music making you feel good, as has been said earlier. If you couldn't help but move your feet that was enough, no one stuck a lable on it !

Not saying everyone has to like every record, but they all have a place if they fill the floor.

Touch of Velvet will always have a pride of place in my collection, don't care if it's "soulful" or not ! it certainly warms my soul !!!

[Pete S]

What is it with some people these days ?? Seems like it has become a crusade to purge the scene of anything that isn't out & out soul ! Which is a bloody rediculous task as no one has ever come up with the definitive of "soul" anyhow !

In my opinion it was the diverse range of sounds that made the Northern soul scene so wonderful, it was about dancing & the music making you feel good, as has been said earlier. If you couldn't help but move your feet that was enough, no one stuck a lable on it !

Not saying everyone has to like every record, but they all have a place if they fill the floor.

Touch of Velvet will always have a pride of place in my collection, don't care if it's "soulful" or not ! it certainly warms my soul !!!

welcome back sunshine

[Guest Bogue]

Well it looks like I'm the only one on this wave length....

I know the one you mean The theme for 'Tarrant on TV' , sounds very similar but not ToVSoB

[Guest Bogue]

welcome back sunshine

Cheers Pete, i didn't realise how long i was off line to be honest, that will teach me not to tinker around with computors

or Computers !

Edited November 30, 2007 by Bogue

[Rugby Soul Club]

I know the one you mean The theme for 'Tarrant on TV' , sounds very similar but not ToVSoB

Thank god ur back, I was starting to think I was mad but you're worse.....

Edited November 30, 2007 by Rugby Soul Club

[scunnyjack]

I can remember Soul Coaxing by Raymond Lefevre played in soul venues many years ago, and i believe a radio dj used this a lot

on his show but cannot remember which one,

[Northern Soul Uk]

I,m not disputing that it was played just don,t try to pass it off ,by whatever tenuous means you can come up with as having anything to do with soul music ,northern or otherwise,and as for the Gordons Gin theme,well it was ridiculous then nevermind now.

If you read my post more closely, I didn't say that the Gordon Gin theme WAS Northern soul or even Soul. I said that i liked it and did anyone know anything about it as they were on the subject of theme tunes. I also said it COULD have been passed off as a Northern tune had it been picked up by a top Northern jock and covered up, had it not been a well known commercial theme tune. It has the right pace and instumentation. What about Mike Post Coalition - Afternoon on the rhino? I'm sure that Mike post didn't go into a studio with the intentions of making a Northern Soul track, but it was picked up and played at the Casino and was massive, and still is. So what's the difference?

[ImberBoy]

I,m not disputing that it was played just don,t try to pass it off ,by whatever tenuous means you can come up with as having anything to do with soul music ,northern or otherwise,and as for the Gordons Gin theme,well it was ridiculous then nevermind now.

Tenuous? Ridiculous? Are you honestly telling us that you have never owned, danced to, clapped to, taped your foot to' Hummed, bummed thumbed or strummed to any thing other than what you call "Real soul"? Me thinks some one is telling porky fookin pies? I mean I can't think of many "Soulies" who haven't owned a "Divvy" record or three in their time? Are you the of purest pure things? Kinell I knew I'd meet one eventually, never thought it would be on the tinternet.

Lets have a look at what you may have missed out on, now this list won't be to your taste nor will it be extensive but I believe here are some of the offending "none soul" records that have blighted our scene........

Would you be so kind as to shed some light on the list below? I cant see many real soul records there, most are sugary sweet pop songs adopted by casino fans whilst others are RnB or evan Rock n Roll? I got bored looking for NONE SOUL records, these are Kev Roberts top 500, there aren't that many soul records on the list to be honest with you? Fook knows how this has happened but I think you have turned the northernsoul Scene up side down!

Gray, Dobie - Out on the Floor

Clarke, Tony - Landslide

Wood, Chuck - Seven Days Too Long

Williams, Larry & Johnny Watson - Too Late

Barnes, Dena - If You Ever Walk Out of My Life (Inferno)

Taylor, R. Dean - There's a Ghost in My House

Britt, Mel - She'll Come Running Back

Checkerboard Squares - Double Cookin

Barnes, JJ - Our Love is in the Pocket

Casualeers - Dance, Dance, Dance

Paris, Bobby - Night Owl

Drifters - You Got to Pay Your Dues

Turner, Ike & Tina - Dust My Broom

Ann, Beverly - You've Got Your Mind On Other Things

Mistura, featuring Lloyd Michels - The Flasher

Apollas - Mr Creator

David & the Giants - Superlove

Troy, Doris - I'll Do Anything

Soul Twins - Quick Change Artist

Valli, Frankie & the Four Seasons - The Night

Elbert, Donnie - A Little Piece of Leather

Manifesto - A Case of Tyme

Scott-Heron, Gil - The Bottle

Derek & Ray - Interplay

Shaw, Marlena - Let's Wade in the Water

Moore, Melba - Magic Touch

[ImberBoy]

Black Gold This is Simon's mother, I have sent him to bed! Black Gold do not be offended at my naughty boy please he just gets upset when he thinks some one is being a ball sack, are you allowed to say that on here? I don't go on the internet very often, too much to do and when I finish I just watch a little telly the I am off to bed.

Once again Black Gold please do not take any offence, I think Touch of velvet Sting of brass is a typical example of the dilution of rare soul music fed to an eager mass, rather like Dostoevsky the idiot, we see a classic struggle of paradoxical characters yet we are reminded of our fragile being yet we feel unsympathetic to neither. Oh simon called you a knobber as well, I will speak to him about this in the morning mark my words.

Yours Betty Cuerden (Imberboys mum)

[Godzilla]

Staying with theme tunes, does anyone remember the AWESOME theme tune for 'Gordons Gin' that was played iat the cinemas in the 80s I think, BIG epic tune. i remember writing to 'Gordons' asking if they were gonna release it, and they wrote back saying there were no plans. Anyone have a sound clip, I'd love to here it again?

It came out on a promo record with a picture sleeve but unfortunately was only about a minute long. Great bit of music though.

p.s. it was circa 1976

If you read my post more closely, I didn't say that the Gordon Gin theme WAS Northern soul or even Soul. I said that i liked it and did anyone know anything about it as they were on the subject of theme tunes. I also said it COULD have been passed off as a Northern tune had it been picked up by a top Northern jock and covered up, had it not been a well known commercial theme tune. It has the right pace and instumentation. What about Mike Post Coalition - Afternoon on the rhino? I'm sure that Mike post didn't go into a studio with the intentions of making a Northern Soul track, but it was picked up and played at the Casino and was massive, and still is. So what's the difference?

Well as much as I hate to muddy the waters

The Gordons Gin Theme was played at a Youth Club in Royton near Oldham that I used to go to when I about 14. One of the lads who DJd there wrote to Gordons prior to the realease that Pete mentioned and got sent an acetate, which I think had the Gordons logo on it. Memory is a bit shaky here but I recall it had a long version with voiceover and the shorter version at the end. It might have even had the short version with the begining passage repeated to make it a bit longer as a third track (but it's possible I'm getting mixed up with Human League's version from the 80s)

Point is it was played in a Northern Soul venue and, according to a popular definition, by default it's a Northern tune. At least as much as Pat Williams' Police Story anyway.

I don't mind as I just think of them as great pieces of theme music but I love watching it when people get all bent out of shape because they aren't soul tunes

[Northern Soul Uk]

Well as much as I hate to muddy the waters

The Gordons Gin Theme was played at a Youth Club in Royton near Oldham that I used to go to when I about 14. One of the lads who DJd there wrote to Gordons prior to the realease that Pete mentioned and got sent an acetate, which I think had the Gordons logo on it. Memory is a bit shaky here but I recall it had a long version with voiceover and the shorter version at the end. It might have even had the short version with the begining passage repeated to make it a bit longer as a third track (but it's possible I'm getting mixed up with Human League's version from the 80s)

Point is it was played in a Northern Soul venue and, according to a popular definition, by default it's a Northern tune. At least as much as Pat Williams' Police Story anyway.

I don't mind as I just think of them as great pieces of theme music but I love watching it when people get all bent out of shape because they aren't soul tunes

Yes me too, Thank you for the comments and I totally agree. I mean how the hell can you call 'Hawai five 0' Northern soul? and that used to pack the floors. There is NO true definition of Northern Soul apart from it's always dancable and ususally, but not always soulful. And what about Wayne fontana 'something keeps calling me back' and Paul Anka's 'Can't help loving you'? about as soulful as Ken Dodd, but still massive tunes on the scene.

[Guest JJMMWGDuPree]

I'm a bit surprised that no one's mentioned Cliff Nobles & Co - The Horse. That was another DJ's favourite in the offshore days.

Anyone know the title of the Cliff Tarrant TV show theme?

[Anoraks Corner]

Am I the only one who remembers Chris Tarrant using it in one of his TV programmes.

I've asked others but just get "that look" from them.

Or maybe I need to take extra medication....

Someone out there must be on the same wave length as me.

The piece of music used for Tarrant on TV is, Syd Dale - Penthouse Suite. It's on one of those EMI 'Sound Gallery' compilations of incidental/theme music...superb lounge-core. (I've tried uploading it without success, as usual )

Incidentally, whilst we are waaaaaaaay off topic, may I plug my mate's CD of music from the fab TV series, The Double Deckers...he released it the other month on the Poker label. However, to get back on-topic Poker has also released the Tempests album and a Roy Hamilton compilation of MGM recordings. Phew my Soul credentials are still intact...just!

[Barry]

Every dj that made it to the stage of being able to hold court for an hour at a nighter had attained status, one way or another.

So their view, and record choices must be deemed relevant on this scene.

Times change, and in the mid 70's things were right for the dancefloor - to newer ears, they may not be now, but, hey, lighten up.

For it to be played and accepted on the floor, surely must prove that whatever particular track you want to pick on...was and is - Northen Soul.

Anything that got played at a nighter for any length of time and was danced to surely - IS - Northern Soul - be it Hawaii Five O. Afternoon Of The Rhino, Condition Red etc etc.

I haven't heard a record, really, at a nighter, that I hold in my memory (and why certain instrumentals are deemed ok and others not, I don't know? - as that is what seems to be the issue here) that I am not happy to hold there.

[soulAdequateNP]

The piece of music used for Tarrant on TV is, Syd Dale - Penthouse Suite. It's on one of those EMI 'Sound Gallery' compilations of incidental/theme music...superb lounge-core. (I've tried uploading it without success, as usual )

No need to upload it, it's here:

https://static.rawcreate.com/themes.kitjunk...rrant_On_TV.mp3

[Guest]

Mark Wirtz - the man behind Excerpt from a Teenage Opera ("Grocer Jack" for those old enough to remember) credited to singer Keith West.

Wirtz was a bit of an oddball French pop genius and the whole Teenage Opera project was ditched by EMI. I think it was to do with budget constraints and the follow up single not doing as well as "Excerpt...".

Damn fantastic arranger in my book

Godz

I have just joined this forum - my name is Rosemarie - I am Mark Wirtz's Web Designer, Friend and PR assistant

Mark is Strange but in a very nice way - he is in fact half German and half French and at the age of 64 he is now a comedian.

I am looking fowrard to getting to know some of the people from this site

Love & Hugs

Rosemarie (Barnsley UK)

[Guest]

Absolutely - did you ever hear "He's our dear old weatherman" by Mark Wirtz? Has all the grocer jack trademarks but a bit more of an edge to it as well as numerous weird special effects, a fabulous piece of late 60's psych/whimsy...

I put together this slideshow/thingy of Weatherman for Mark

">

[Godzilla]

I have just joined this forum - my name is Rosemarie - I am Mark Wirtz's Web Designer, Friend and PR assistant

Mark is Strange but in a very nice way - he is in fact half German and half French and at the age of 64 he is now a comedian.

I am looking fowrard to getting to know some of the people from this site

Love & Hugs

Rosemarie (Barnsley UK)

Welcome to the site Rosemarie

You may end up being asked to post topics about Mark Wirtz in the Freebasing section as his stuff isn't soul music but I think that you'll find there are quite a few people on here with an interest in 60s pop music, particularly the more leftfield stuff like MW. I'm certainly looking forward to learning more

Godz

[Guest]

Welcome to the site Rosemarie

You may end up being asked to post topics about Mark Wirtz in the Freebasing section as his stuff isn't soul music but I think that you'll find there are quite a few people on here with an interest in 60s pop music, particularly the more leftfield stuff like MW. I'm certainly looking forward to learning more

Godz

Thank you Godz - I will post anywhere that I am told - I found this forum last night when Mark sent me a link to the YouTube video that was posted on this thread - Mark & I are trying to find any Video Clips that are related to him .. I have found a few more tonight

but his discography is quite extensive and it it takeing a while to get through it.

Hugs

Rosemarie

[Pete S]

Anyone who enjoys 60's psych, especially the Mark Wirtz stuff, may well like to check out this site

https://www.marmalade-skies.co.uk/toytown1.htm

it has the top 100 or so 'toytown' psych 45's, Mark has 3 entries (Sam, Excerpt and He's Our Dear Old Weatherman)...and all the track are available to download. Some seriously strange stuff there.

[macca]

Would you be so kind as to shed some light on the list below? I cant see many real soul records there, most are sugary sweet pop songs adopted by casino fans whilst others are RnB or evan Rock n Roll? I got bored looking for NONE SOUL records, these are Kev Roberts top 500, there aren't that many soul records on the list to be honest with you? Fook knows how this has happened but I think you have turned the northernsoul Scene up side down!

Gray, Dobie - Out on the Floor

Clarke, Tony - Landslide

Wood, Chuck - Seven Days Too Long

Williams, Larry & Johnny Watson - Too Late

Barnes, Dena - If You Ever Walk Out of My Life (Inferno)

Taylor, R. Dean - There's a Ghost in My House

Britt, Mel - She'll Come Running Back

Checkerboard Squares - Double Cookin

Barnes, JJ - Our Love is in the Pocket

Casualeers - Dance, Dance, Dance

Paris, Bobby - Night Owl

Drifters - You Got to Pay Your Dues

Turner, Ike & Tina - Dust My Broom

Ann, Beverly - You've Got Your Mind On Other Things

Mistura, featuring Lloyd Michels - The Flasher

Apollas - Mr Creator

David & the Giants - Superlove

Troy, Doris - I'll Do Anything

Soul Twins - Quick Change Artist

Valli, Frankie & the Four Seasons - The Night

Elbert, Donnie - A Little Piece of Leather

Manifesto - A Case of Tyme

Scott-Heron, Gil - The Bottle

Derek & Ray - Interplay

Shaw, Marlena - Let's Wade in the Water

Moore, Melba - Magic Touch

Shine a light? I dunno, Imber, I think that's a fairly soulful list you've posted.

Franki Valli & Bobby Paris definitely fall into the blue-eyed category, no?

Lloyd Michaels is pretty difficult to define, but I would say it veers towards Jazz if pushed.

Beverly Ann is the only clunker in Soul terms, but it's a record that means a whole lot to a whole lot of people, as does He's Comin' Home.

[Guest]

Did you know that "A Touch Of Velvet A Sting Of Brass" was a audio representation of the sexual act ?

Perhaps that is why so many people enjoy it!

(Of course it was never mentioned at the time)

[Harrogatesoul]

Shine a light? I dunno, Imber, I think that's a fairly soulful list you've posted.

Franki Valli & Bobby Paris definitely fall into the blue-eyed category, no?

Lloyd Michaels is pretty difficult to define, but I would say it veers towards Jazz if pushed.

Beverly Ann is the only clunker in Soul terms, but it's a record that means a whole lot to a whole lot of people, as does He's Comin' Home.

Agreed. Don't know if your taking the pi** Imber (again) but to throw away records by Marlena Shaw / Ike & Tina Turner / Drifters / Larry Williams / Johnny Watson / Mel Britt / Tony Clarke / Dobie Gray / Donnie Elbert / Soul Twins / Gil Scott Heron and Melba Moore as not 'real soul' is a laugh. ALL those artists in my book are bloody legends and put out more 'real' soul or music than many if not most! Whats your definition of 'Real Soul' ??? JJ Barnes not 'real soul' ? Jesus...

Rich