Jumpinjoan

What about Jimmy Elder! Would love to know what he's up to. Yes - was great to see you at the bar, but jeez wasn't it hot!

Hi Andy

Never went to Wigan, obviously far too young Of course I would have liked to have gone, but I can honestly say I have never really given it much thought, no point. But seeings as I love the odd dance or two, I can't help thinking that a dance floor that packed would have got on my nerves. PS: Did anyone ever get kicked in the head by all those people 'expressing' themselves via their lower limbs?

I still don't see the word vinyl there Pete. The point I am trying to make has absolutely nothing to do with vinyl - this is theatre ffs, not an all niter. I'm not talking about what format its on, I'm talking about the original soundtrack to the play, the thing the entire production is based on, being replaced by a live band. How anyone on here can think that is acceptable is beyond me.

It might be an idea to read a post before answering it. Show me where in my post I mention the word vinyl?

Will be my pleasure, at least for once it won't be total self indulgence when I play it Just wait, it sounds absolutely aswesome loud

Really? That's surprising. This was a big record at one time and everytime I've played it it's gone down really well. GREAT TUNE INDEED ps: hope you are well?

One of the best ever imo. You should have been in Seattle last November, he sang it live, was just awesome! John Manship has it listed in his third edition at 600. I paid less than half that for mine, but even at the list price it is worth every penny. It does come up, although not everyday, GREAT TUNE

Bugsy Malone? Gangster movies? What has this got to do with anything? If it was 'Once Upon a Time in Wigan - The Movie' we were talking about here, and the film makers chose to replace the original music with tracks performed by God knows who, are you implying that this would be ok? What if when you turned up at a niter and instead of hearing your favourite DJ's, you heard a house band singing Damon Fox, the Delarks and Butch's latest cover up? Imo it has absolutely nothing to do with the play itself, because that part of the show is exactly the same as the original. It is the fact that they have chosen to have a group of musicians, who aren't even a proper band ffs, (not that it would make any difference if they were) to come in and sing the songs, instead of having the original soundtrack upon which the whole play is based. I am gobsmacked how anyone can think this is acceptable.

I think one of the main bones of contention is the fact that they are using a band of 'in house' musicians to sing the songs live instead of playing the original recordings. I'm sorry but with all the will in the world there is no way they will be able to do those songs justice. You can find out when the play is on by looking at the Octagon website, should take you all of two minutes.

Jeez, I've had this for years. No idea about the going rate, but there is something awfully Hilda Ogden about her vocals, that's why I thank God for the instrumental on the other side

I must say I think this is true to a an extent. There are venues out there that do aim to provide the quality of music I like and there is good music being played elsewhere, but it's in dribs and drabs at the majority of venues. Despite good music getting played, it still has a long way to go till it catches up with the quality of music that was being played in the late 80's and early 90s. Although a lot of that is probably due to the fact that there just isn't the amount of quality unknown records that there was back then. But that's just my opinion though, and no doubt everyone feels differently. Saying that, I enjoy every night I go to, and I dance every bit as much now as I did back then, so it can't be that bad can it?

I must say I am surprised Pete. Never in a million years would I have thought you would be all for a group of in house musicians singing the music we all love instead of the real thing.

Ha ha, exactly what I thought Paul. I just posted this. Excuse me - hate campaign? Talk about dramatic - ever thought about a career on the stage Emma? Or is that Sally? The play itself might be fictitious, but the setting wasn't and neither was the music. "Sometimes you've just got to know when to let it go." Why is that then Emma? Surely you're not suggesting that only people in agreement should post their views? Tut tut, I wonder what Alan Bennett or Harold Pinter would think about that? Joan Livesey

I also replied on that blog, as did others, so why just pick out Paul's reply? The 'bitterness' as you call it is more like anger and disbelief about how they can replace all the original music (which, seeings as you obviously don't have a clue, is what the soul scene is all about) with an in house band singing the songs instead, which is sacriledge imo. The entire play is based around Wigan Casino, where people danced to RECORDS, not a live band doing their own 'take' on those records. You say the characters are fictional, the place certainly wasn't, nor was the music, and without that music those four actors on stage would not have been able to hold the interest of an audience for three hours, no matter how good they were. The music is THE most important part of the play, and when that music is such an important part of the lives of everyone on here, what did you expect?

Oi you, shouldn't you be stood on your doorstep waiting for someone?

Seashells? This is the second want posted for this in as many days. Who's been playing it out then? Great tune

Vey well put Paul. I too replied, mine hasn't been posted up either.

Me too... t'was the same night he called us all a bunch of twats over the mic for not dancing to his cover up.

Can't believe no one's snapped this up!

This is Detroit of the highest order... fantastic tune!

Do you think so John? I think Jean Carter's version is far superior... although I will admit to loving every version of this song. Great stuff

Went through a Ray Agee phase a few years back and had a fair few of his singles and lp's.. and you are bang on the money about Hard Working Man sounding similar to the Soultown 45. I do have the Celeste single somewhere... must remember to dig it out... love that label design

Thing is... its only when you stop and think about it that you realise that you never see it for sale. I can only seem to recall seeing one other for sale in all the years since I got it... which Russ so kindly pointed out was in the 80s. Thanks Russ - not So looking at it again... I reckon you got a bargain Kev... and how good did it sound on Friday night! GREAT STUFF