Ian Levine, Motorcity, Centre City, Blackpool Mecca, And Swons

[Sean Hampsey]

Think Flashlight & QWO where the same group? Anyone confirm?

Cheers

Steve

Confirmed, Steve!

Same group indeed.

Sean

[Davetay]

I thought he wasn't with Angela any more.

Neil was going out with a girl from Hull called Myiea (spelling could be wrong)

[Pete S]

And the best quote of all, from the best episode of all.

"Why not ?????

During the entire Earth/Minbari War, only one Earthman ever destroyed a Minbari Warship. He is behind me. You are in front of me. If you value your lives, BE SOMEWHERE ELSE".

Most exciting moment in the entire history of television.

You've obviously never heard of a program called Life On Mars then?

[Steve G]

GREAT scan posted above of the WB issue of Quadraphonics!

I'm including it in this post as well so those who can't view BMPs can see it as well.

It has got the "early" number though (7826, not 8019).

Wonder if it came out on WB as 8019 as well?

The WB issue is the FIRST issue as is Innovation II - as Innovation II used the Warner numbering system at this time it is fair to say these came out at the same time.....8019 on Innovation 2 is the 2nd issue,,,,,7826 coming before 8019 (sorry Plumby). It was only issued once on Warners (7826), but twice on Innovation II (7826 and 8019).

Hope that clears that up.

[Guest]

gquote name='Ian Levine' post='858040' date='Sep 2 08, 02:39 PM']Wow - that was The Dalton Boys ??

Remember we met forty years ago as kids because we both collected Motown.

Edited September 2, 2008 by Malc Burton

[Guest Gavin Page]

The WB issue is the FIRST issue as is Innovation II - as Innovation II used the Warner numbering system at this time it is fair to say these came out at the same time.....8019 on Innovation 2 is the 2nd issue,,,,,7826 coming before 8019 (sorry Plumby). It was only issued once on Warners (7826), but twice on Innovation II (7826 and 8019).

Hope that clears that up.

[Steve G]

Ha ha!

You poppin in for some northern at Benfleet on 13th?

[Guest Gavin Page]

Ha ha!

You poppin in for some northern at Benfleet on 13th?

Benfleet or Tuscany ? As much as I love what you play and would love to have a long overdue catch up. Tuscany won I am afraid

[Mike Lofthouse]

Get that ball! what a quirky sound was it played anywhere up north? i know i played it at Yate wasn´t it released in England?

PS Andy, i ended up with a copy of Fine young girl with your name AA over the lable!

Steve

Came out UK CBS. Colin Curtis mentioned it in - I think Dave Godin's column - in an issue of B&S. i remember picking up 3 copies in the cheap box in Alan Fearnley's in Middlesbrough. Sold two to John Vincent at wigan.

Mike

[Guest moggy]

Well I've read from page 37 to 43 and then thought I'd read from the start, so now Im at page 12, and what a thread its turning out to be, Im lovin it.

Ian

Mel Britt, my all time top tune

whats the story behind it, ie, how did you track Mel down, what was his reaction etc.

[Ted Massey]

Well I've read from page 37 to 43 and then thought I'd read from the start, so now Im at page 12, and what a thread its turning out to be, Im lovin it.

Ian

Mel Britt, my all time top tune

whats the story behind it, ie, how did you track Mel down, what was his reaction etc.

see you back in about 5 hours then Moggy

[Steve G]

Benfleet or Tuscany ? As much as I love what you play and would love to have a long overdue catch up. Tuscany won I am afraid

I understand - Tuscany is nice at this time of year.

[Davetay]

Benfleet or Tuscany ? As much as I love what you play and would love to have a long overdue catch up. Tuscany won I am afraid

Hi Gavin, have a good en again, we,re not going this year.

Hope the weather is like sunday was last year and not like the friday.

Edited September 2, 2008 by davetay

[Guest]

You've obviously never heard of a program called Life On Mars then?

Yes it bored me to tears and the last episode was just a joke.

Besides which, I thought you hated Seventies.

[Guest Gavin Page]

Hi Gavin, have a good en again, we,re not going this year.

Hope the weather is like sun was last year and not like the fri.

Really looking forward to it, forcast is really good. So the whale will be seen in the swimming pool again

Sorry Ian a little off topic

[Guest Gavin Page]

Besides which, I thought you hated Seventies.

[paup-ine]

Hello everyone,

There may be some confusion because some of the Innovation II releases were distributed by Warner Bros who had funded the label.

The label was owned by Carl Davis and E Rodney Jones. I think Marshall Thompson of The Chi-Lites was involved in A&R.

By the way, the Barbara Hall tracks were actually recorded down in Atlanta, not in Chicago as most people assume. Tommy Stewart played on those tracks.

Best regards,

Paul Mooney

Hi,

P

Edited September 2, 2008 by paup-ine

[Mark B]

The other side of mine was equally awesome. So is yours called "Restless" or not ???

hi ian i put the title in one of my earlier posts it is "whats the fuss" other side "we should fall in love.

so thet had 2 singles and an alum

mark

[Guest]

hi ian i put the title in one of my earlier posts it is "whats the fuss" other side "we should fall in love.

so thet had 2 singles and an alum

mark

Neither side of mine was either of those two titles, and "Restless" was mindblowing.

[Guest]

Well I've read from page 37 to 43 and then thought I'd read from the start, so now Im at page 12, and what a thread its turning out to be, Im lovin it.

Ian

Mel Britt, my all time top tune

whats the story behind it, ie, how did you track Mel down, what was his reaction etc.

You'll come to the bit where someone else asked that same question and I answered it already.

[Guest]

hi ian i put the title in one of my earlier posts it is "whats the fuss" other side "we should fall in love.

so thet had 2 singles and an alum

mark

Steve Guarnori, if you bought my single off me, what was the other side please ???

[boba]

GREAT scan posted above of the WB issue of Quadraphonics!

I'm including it in this post as well so those who can't view BMPs can see it as well.

It has got the "early" number though (7826, not 8019).

Wonder if it came out on WB as 8019 as well?

this was just on ebay a month or two ago as a promo with the same song on both sides on warner brothers, I was surprised because I had never seen it on WB before... I was wondering if it came as a stock copy with both sides. Then like a day later there was another innovation II title on warner brothers that I had never seen on WB before, I can't remember what it is now. The quadraphonics are actually from Milwaukee, by the way, Harvey Scales was their manager.

[Sean Hampsey]

Then like a day later there was another innovation II title on warner brothers that I had never seen on WB before, I can't remember what it is now. The quadraphonics are actually from Milwaukee, by the way, Harvey Scales was their manager.

Bet it was Windy City's "Hey It's Over, Bob.

WB 7804

Innervision 7804

Sean

Edited September 3, 2008 by Sean Hampsey

[Sean Hampsey]

Pssssst!

Wonder if anyone else ever noticed that sometimes this Logo / Label is typeset as 'Innervision' and other times it's 'Innovation'.

More confusion... for those who are easily confused!

Sean

[boba]

Bet it was Windy City's "Hey It's Over, Bob.

WB 7804

Innervision 7804

Sean

that was it, thanks a lot.

[Guest]

that was it, thanks a lot.

Was the Other side "If by chance" a lovely slowie?

Cheers

Andy.

[Guest]

Thankyou for yet another confirmation.

Andy Simpson, also known as "The Pittance", you will apologise please, as your memory has become like swiss cheese.

I apologise

Andy.

[Pete S]

Yes it bored me to tears and the last episode was just a joke.

Besides which, I thought you hated Seventies.

Of course not, I grew up in the 70's, I'd gladly go back there now!

Life On Mars is the best British tv program ever made.

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Life On Mars is the best British tv program ever made.

...and, as Sourcers might expect, I agree wholeheartedly...

Edited September 3, 2008 by TONY ROUNCE

[Guest]

I apologise

Andy.

That's one for the books.

[Guest]

Of course not, I grew up in the 70's, I'd gladly go back there now!

Life On Mars is the best British tv program ever made.

SACRILEGE

[Paul-s]

I'm not running for bleedin' Prime Minister

NO, your RUNNING a soul business.

Sheeesh !!!!!

The bloody Soul Police again. And you wonder why I used the term "fascists".

You certainly have more self publicity than mussolini on his great campaigns and you you make speeches on here that make Hitlers seem short! So you must be using the term 'fascist' for self identification Ian. Accurate and astute , well done Good campaign

[Pete S]

SACRILEGE

TRUTH

[Paul-s]

IAN LEVINE CURRICULUM VITAE

NAME: Ian Geoffrey Levine

BORN: June 22, 1953 in Blackpool

PARENTS: Began in business with a dress shop in the 1950's, then a chain of shops in the1960's, then bought the Lemon Tree casino and nightclub in Blackpool in the 1970's. 'They made an awful lot of money and moved to Miami.' Father died in 1996. Mother runs the finances for Ian's companies.

EDUCATION: Arnold Grammar School for boys, in Blackpool. Seven O' Levels, three A' Levels. Played rugby at school. Then dropped out Manchester University in 1971, 'I had no interest'

AS MR Levine is running a campaign for 'NEW SOUL EMPEROR', I feel it neccessary to remind potential voters of our esteemed candidates credentials, lest we forget.

[Guest]

You certainly have more self publicity than mussolini on his great campaigns and you you make speeches on here that make Hitlers seem short! So you must be using the term 'fascist' for self identification Ian. Accurate and astute , well done Good campaign

I was going to reply but I can't be assed.

[Pete S]

IAN LEVINE CURRICULUM VITAE

NAME: Ian Geoffrey Levine

BORN: June 22, 1953 in Blackpool

PARENTS: Began in business with a dress shop in the 1950's, then a chain of shops in the1960's, then bought the Lemon Tree casino and nightclub in Blackpool in the 1970's. 'They made an awful lot of money and moved to Miami.' Father died in 1996. Mother runs the finances for Ian's companies.

EDUCATION: Arnold Grammar School for boys, in Blackpool. Seven O' Levels, three A' Levels. Played rugby at school. Then dropped out Manchester University in 1971, 'I had no interest'

AS MR Levine is running a campaign for 'NEW SOUL EMPEROR', I feel it neccessary to remind potential voters of our esteemed candidates credentials, lest we forget.

Seven O levels, 3 A levels, beats my 7 cse's including metalwork

[Simsy]

Open question to all that were there ... Would it be a sweeping statement to say that (on the whole) the quality of the music played at the Mecca was superior to that played at Wigan?

[Prophonics 2029]

Open question to all that were there ... Would it be a sweeping statement to say that (on the whole) the quality of the music played at the Mecca was superior to that played at Wigan?

The quality of the records when 12 inch came a long drove a lot of people off the Northern scene in favour of the better sound.

Its a tuff one you have your Mecca classic backbone tunes then Wigan's newie's and more hours for records to be played at the casino.

Edited September 3, 2008 by Prophonics 2029

[Guest]

Open question to all that were there ... Would it be a sweeping statement to say that (on the whole) the quality of the music played at the Mecca was superior to that played at Wigan?

We certainly thought so, although I did enjoy Wigan in the early days, but having said that, we did mercilessly take the piss out of stuff like Gary Lewis And The Playboys, Hawaii-5-0, and Joe 90, and these were genuinely played there, and often.

[Simsy]

The quality of the records when 12 inch came a long drove a lot of people of the Northern scene in favour of the better sound.

Its a tuff one you have your Mecca classic backbone tunes then Wigan's newie's and more hours for records to be played at the casino.

Yep not a straightforward comparison I grant you.

I was thinking more of groundbreaking as opposed to actual audio quality.

I know some fab tunes were broken at Wigan and could take nothing away from Sir Richard Searling. However I'm minded of Ritson & Russell speaking on the radio one time about ascending the stairs at the Highland Room and the tunes being played being just mind blowing. Sounded a bit special. Not that Wigan wasn't you understand..

Edited September 3, 2008 by Simsy

[Prophonics 2029]

But then you can throw Mr M's into the equation that played Mecca, Torch, Wheel and Casino tunes back to back so for a night out at the time M's.

I think the answer is every club has had a hand to play in what we have today and what we will listen to tomorrow.

Edited September 3, 2008 by Prophonics 2029

[Pete S]

We certainly thought so, although I did enjoy Wigan in the early days, but having said that, we did mercilessly take the piss out of stuff like Gary Lewis And The Playboys, Hawaii-5-0, and Joe 90, and these were genuinely played there, and often.

Now, now, come on - that is utter utter BOLLOCKS about Joe 90 being played at Wigan at the same time as those other two, the first anyone knew of it at all was in 1977 when Dave McCadden mentioned in Soul Time that it had been played locally in Manchester (presumably as a joke) and it was late 78 or even 79 when someone actually did play it at Wigan and then they did that rubbish cover version.

Edited September 3, 2008 by Pete S

[Epic]

Open question to all that were there ... Would it be a sweeping statement to say that (on the whole) the quality of the music played at the Mecca was superior to that played at Wigan?

I think you have to consider the differences in the two venues - one being a a regular 8.00pm-2 .00am venue - the other an all nighter.

If you go back to 72/73 I think a lot of stuff played at The Highland Room & Torch also became popular at Wigan. It is no coincidence that when Blackpool "dropped" northern the quality of tunes being played at Wigan IMHO deteriorated.

Even when they were both playing northern a certain record (usually a high octane stomper) seemed to sound & fit better at 3.30am in Wigan than 11.00pm at Blackpool which I believe lent itself to a melodic, perhaps more sophisticated sound. Think those who attended both venues will know what I mean.

[Davetay]

Of course not, I grew up in the 70's, I'd gladly go back there now!

Life On Mars is the best British tv program ever made.

GREAT BRITISH TV AT IT,S BEST!

[Simsy]

We certainly thought so, although I did enjoy Wigan in the early days, but having said that, we did mercilessly take the piss out of stuff like Gary Lewis And The Playboys, Hawaii-5-0, and Joe 90, and these were genuinely played there, and often.

But then you can throw Mr M's into the equation that played Mecca, Torch, Wheel and Casino tunes back to back so for a night out at the time M's.

I think the answer is every club has had a hand to play in what we have today and what we will listen to tomorrow.

Good point detective!

[Guest moggy]

see you back in about 5 hours then Moggy

Well Ted I've done it

all choofin 44 pages, tell me young Massey

Have my beloved Birmingham gone on to win the Premiership and the Champions league since I started reading this thread

Ian

Your reply to my Mel Britt question a little earlier, you stated you had covered it and I should read on thanks for the 2 liner reply to someone elses request for more info on him, about as much use as fart in a space suite.

You do handle the flack though, I will give you that.

Edited September 3, 2008 by moggy

[Simsy]

I think you have to consider the differences in the two venues - one being a a regular 8.00pm-2 .00am venue - the other an all nighter.

If you go back to 72/73 I think a lot of stuff played at The Highland Room & Torch also became popular at Wigan. It is no coincidence that when Blackpool "dropped" northern the quality of tunes being played at Wigan IMHO deteriorated.

Even when they were both playing northern a certain record (usually a high octane stomper) seemed to sound & fit better at 3.30am in Wigan than 11.00pm at Blackpool which I believe lent itself to a melodic, perhaps more sophisticated sound. Think those who attended both venues will know what I mean.

Was aware of the differences/times etc between the two, as stated not a straightforward comparison.

Thanks for that posting though.

So Wigan for atmos - Highland Room for groundbreaking?

[SteveM]

I think you have to consider the differences in the two venues - one being a a regular 8.00pm-2 .00am venue - the other an all nighter.

If you go back to 72/73 I think a lot of stuff played at The Highland Room & Torch also became popular at Wigan. It is no coincidence that when Blackpool "dropped" northern the quality of tunes being played at Wigan IMHO deteriorated.

Even when they were both playing northern a certain record (usually a high octane stomper) seemed to sound & fit better at 3.30am in Wigan than 11.00pm at Blackpool which I believe lent itself to a melodic, perhaps more sophisticated sound. Think those who attended both venues will know what I mean.

I think there is some ( a lot) of truth in that statement, but would add the rather obvious proviso that it applied to certain dj's only. RS rarely played a bad record from 76 to the end, while certain others played dross for a good few years. Brady and Rushbrooke stand out as others with excellent playlists.

The comment about the more melodic sound is certainly correct. More than a few Mecca tunes were reactivated with great success in the early mid eighties, which had not received widespread acclaim when Ian and Colin first played them.

[Pete S]

Open question to all that were there ... Would it be a sweeping statement to say that (on the whole) the quality of the music played at the Mecca was superior to that played at Wigan?

Thats a misleading and impossible to answer question. The answer is that both had great discoveries and both played some cack.

Tony Cummings must have been having his ringpiece tickled with a feather when he wrote the Black Music investigation into the Mecca and Wigan in 1974.

"in BM's article on the Northern scene, we have another Wigan slag-off as our roving reporter visits Blackpool Mecca and describes the punters as "the connoisseurs of the Northern scene" and of their counterparts says "the black bombing, bootleg playing, dull brained brothers from Wigan". It's strange how Tony Cummings keeps contradicting himself in this piece. On one hand he's praising the Mecca for it's policy of "no white stompers allowed" but then slags off almost every record he hears: Chris Jackson-Since There's No Doubt "Pleasant but just like a thousand others": Lydia Marcelle-Its Not Like You 'A Supremes rip-off". And to end the piece, one last dig at the Wigan Casino: "My brother heard them play the pressing of Eddie Foster at Wigan, bloody pressers ripping off the artists". Question is, how did he know they were playing the pressing???"

[Pete S]

Wonder what this was?

Detroit Soul Masters-Stirrin' Up Some Soul (Jacklyn) (reported from a Black Music article - he says that he is 'yet to hear it')