Jez Jones

Jayne ,Hi Yeah baffling indeed. I mentioned in my 'wheel' bit about the atmosphere being a 'draw' but as you say its probably loyalty to the venue/ethos of the place. Now you mentioned Mark b and his thoughts on too many factions. There certainly is and established venues have an ever decreasing smaller and smaller group of loyal 'fans' -----as options increase on where to go. Mentioning the atmosphere thingy again, I have been to the Greatstone a fair few times(and I'm an oldies fan )and thought the atmosphere was spot on and would go again cos its a good atmosphere. Another do that seems always to be pretty packed is that Guild hall at Stockport---been a few times(although one room does tend to be quite discoey ---is that a word) . What seems to work also(although again it may be loyalty) are nites that run to a theme. I go to Neil Rushton's soulvation nites in the west Mids and they can have nites like a 'Cats' Special or Mecca memories and so on and they are well attended. In that way the punter knows what they are going to get and can make an informed choice(if yer see wot I mean) In fact BazM on here is doing a ritz oldies special in december at Prestwich so I will try and get to that and I know what I 'm going to get. Speaking as a punter in times of credit crunch etc it may make more sense to spend yer dosh at venues what yer know is going to deliver what you want(removes the risk of wasting yer hard earned ) perhaps 6/12 months ago yer could take a risk with venues 'cos hey its only money attitude prevailed. I think nowadays some folks want more of a 'guarrantee' of having a really good night. Another one that is rammed is Brighouse---but thats another story and area!!!................. I don't think there's a magic formula I do feel sorry though for established venues (irrespective of music policy)that are feeling it a bit tight at the mo. I can't for the life of me understand why people open new venues nowadays that offer NOTHING different. Who wants another WMC whether it be the rarest of the rare or club classics --it just dilutes the scene . Choice is good but this is gluttony Jez(bored at work and thinking can I afford Brig this friday )

Yes mate was going to mention that . Can't comment on the friday night sessions but over last 6 months I have been to 2/3 of the sunday afternoon sessions and they were rammed. Does this buck the trend? I travel up from Stoke and I noticed a fair few from there and Crewe area as well as you say S. yorks. I think possibly its the atmosphere it creates. Its the old style 'dungeon' type club with loads of little alcoves and corridors that were prevalent in the 60's and 70's . You never feel as though you are 'rattling' around as in some of the newer venues There is a danger of attracting non soulie p*ss heads but I didn't see any and with the policy of 'good time old wheel sounds it creates a very friendly and welcoming venue. It perpetuates a nostalgia scene --but hey it works eg Something keeps calling me back --wayne fontana---dance floor full and rockin----takes yer back a bit dunnit? There is a fair few ex wheelites that go but also a younger element as well ---very good mix and it works imo. In short its not difficult to have good time here as long as yer don't go expecting to hear the next big thing music wise

I haven't collected since the '70's but I can relate/recall totally the above. Amazing how some things never change--- quest for demos, frowned upon 'boots', keeping an eye out for certain publishers. the tenacious pursuit of a record. Even though its a personal perspective Dave ,a lot rings true to my memory and I suspect many more also. Its about having 'pride in your box' if yer know what I mean Excellent post Dave if I may say so

Yes mate I remember lads going that either had little interest or no interest in the music. They just went for the gear,buying it selling it and dropping it. Some are still with us some sadly not--- but top lads and one thing that we all had in common --we all f*cking enjoyed it for whatever reason we were on the scene for

Yes and thats great Russ cos the punters know what to expect when they get in However some atb events can be too disjointed. Its almost as though they are trying to please everybody(a noble intention) and can end up alienating the punters. It can be used to cover up an unimaginative set where eg Williams and watson is played then a rnb, then a upfront rarity,then a cheap unknown and then a modern room smash . The poor old punter is up and down like a pair of 'whores drawers' it may be simplistic but perhaps some folk know what they want and want it advertised as such ie Northern classics all night or upfront rarities or lesser and unknown or gritty rnb all night etc etc. I think to lump everything together under the banner of atb soul night can be a bit of a cop out. Yes I know its all theoretically soul/soulful music buts its akin to getting different groups of football fans together in one room and getting them to agree Personally (if the better 'alf agrees ) I shall go to Neil Rushtons 'Soulvation tonight cos he is having a wheel special with guest dj Brian Philips and guess what I expect to hear-----yes cos its advertised as such . Our music is great but not when its watered down and then loses its quality in an effort to please everybody and then numbers dwindle . Know your product and know your target market IMO

Seconded. absolutely despicable behaviour

an while we on on Mr dj have yer got 2 4 6 8 10 ---yer know shirley ellis

Still the same nowadays with some of em I would tend to agree with darcyboy especially early 70's. 3 maybe 4 venues nationwide that catered for the fanatical Northern soul bods so what maybe 2000+ I think the introduction of all dayers in the early to mid 70's opened up northern soul to lot more people(not least those that weren't allowed to stop out all night)

Not forgetting Spencer davies group also, keep on running and the awesome trampoline (tenuous link to fontana)ha ha A few others came into the same category that were mod/beat sounds

Ah success nice one mate

Put me in the half where the link doesnt work. All the others others do mate from the archive---but sadly not this

it isn't mine (wish it was ) its off a sales list I cane across today on t'internet . looking at it 2mins 34 secs---I always thought it was a lot longer. Anyway top sound in my book

I hope this attachment comes out lads. First time I've uploaded ---errr tried to upload something on here. Its the Laurie with the promo text on it Ah it has come out---thnk God for that!

Leroy Taylor Oh Linda Brunswick Jez Jones Stoke on Trent

Nice one Godzilla-----guess who I have just posted on another thread for best northern soul record by a white artist surely thats the winner. Glad I didn't argue with me mate on this one

Belated Lee david entry

I know mate ----shall have to be looking at the above average Mr DJ's then Lee david---could be David lee on the Ann Sexton. Dunno theres not much info on him. Apparently he did a cover of 'gypsy woman' on Bell. Mind you a mate of mine once said he thought it was 'blue-eyed soul' So yer never know. Class sound though---wonder if the flip stands up as good---anybody?

In the 70's we jumped trains,pinched cars(naughty )thumbed a lift and hung around M-way service stations hoping to cadge a lift from someone going to a soul nighter . They were easy to spot in them days Internet= easy to plan to go to a alnighter. No internet= just get up and go and all the risks involved ie get there whenever(if ever). get back whenever So its probably give us a comfort zone---whereas before there was no comfort zone and possibly that was part of the excitement. Nowadays you can plan 2 or 3 venues if one is no good without much planning. Nigh on impossible in yesteryear I think the internet has removed the risk on the scene. Meaning you can hear sounds on here, read reviews on events, see who is going to events--in fact you can forecast what an event is going to be like just by researching on here!!! Without the internet there were more risks and therefore possibly more ,shall we say, we are in this thing together attitude--- lets do it and enjoy it! I'm not saying internets bad just different for the soul scene---some folks like the'comfort zone' some like more of a risk---yer pays yer money Internet is the worlds biggest library

Doh Sugar pie honey------The promatics Talk about word association

that sounds suspiciously like my mate Terry Poole ----but he was from Congleton not Corby . Renowned back in the day for his'robin' . he famously visited an alnighter down south way and religiously kept to the white line in the middle of the road all the way there

yer probably right mate---the promatics. Not up on this sort of thing nowadays ---But something at the back of me mind relates it to sugar pie desanto Fcuk it I'll get me coat

Ah yes beat me to it whispers and sugar pie de santo----not too sure wasn't there another one-you'll know better than me

Agree with all the comments so far--true northern sound--and one I aint heard for absolute ages. Another few of this ilk are: Lee david----Temptations calling my name Johhny Moore---Walk like a man Have heard these 'reactivated' recently--wouldn't it be nice to hear Gwen and ray again played out again through the big speakers. Subtle plea from a punter please Mr DJ...................

Fooking outstanding clip---thanks for that. Stopped me in me tracks---brilliance