Paul R

I also remember people sitting around piles of holdalls, looking like bonfires about to be lit. It was a long night. Paul

When you think that this was pre Footsie & Wickams Ovation, it was still a pretty much underground scene, so 6-7,000 punters turning up was pretty good. What a pity it was so sh*it. But I agree, Mel & Tim were pretty good. Paul

Not really it was surreal. Just totally crap from what I remember. A lot of people left & went to Wigan at about midnight. I remember being in the crowd dancing & clapping to the Major & JJ, that was good,. But the whole night was strange. better gear may have helped though . Generally it was better being at the casino. Paul

This must be missing the point. The last thing on most peoples minds at the Casino was eating. And as for a drink, if you didn't help, yourself to a pint at the top bar in Mr Ms(the pumps were always on, and no one was at the bar. Then the only real drink you had was to take an empty coke bottle into the waterlogged toilets and fill it up at the tap. Not much money to be made there. Paul

Just nipped up to find the advertised promises. Coupled with the "All our Yesterdays" Thread about being 16, my sister bought me the tickets for this for my 16th birthday. I believe Chris Burton, Who organised this did a couple more, featuring The Detroit Emeralds, and Maybe Jr Walker, and shipped in portable dance floors, etc, but the chance had gone. Paul

Leeds Queens hall 1974. Can't remember the actual date, but the Eurovision song contest was the same night!!!!! It was feckin' awful apart from Major Lance, JJ Barnes, Mel & Tim, and The Hearts of Soul?????. The Funky Sisters were billed, but didn't turn up. There was no dance floor. just concrete. The sound system was abysmal. the gear was crap! By 5 am the condensation was dripping from the glass roof covering you with yellow crap. So you were covered with concrete dust at the bottom & tar/nicotine at the top. could have been awsome. It wasn't. Paul

You were just spoilt! are you sure you bought those records from Rumbelows Paul

I don't know how true it was, but years ago I heard that Richard Searling had a cat called Mirwood. When I got married & got a cat, I copied. It was a white demo as well. Not a pet, But my oldest son is called Lee David. MY wife protested so I said how about Otis Levi. Lee david it was . Paul PS He hasn't spoken to me for about 15 years

Did you ever go to the Ritz in the '70s?. Paul

Just checked, it wasn't on the B&C album, but was on Keep The Faith Vol 3 which was on JOY Paul

OOps deleted double, post. Is there a Delete post facility on here? Paul

Of course there's the "What About the Music" Instrumental. Isn't that 1:20 something. Paul

I always rated Richard in the early days, possibly because my first nighter was Vavas, but I was talking to him one evening walking down to the Casino for a Friday early session, and he was really enthusiastic about a couple of new versions of "Blowing My Mind To Pieces" plus the instrumental!!. After I heard Paula Rousell, Bob Relf(New version) & the inst. He really went down in My estimation. A bit later he went very '70s, doing things like Angels in Burnley. Happily he returned to the fold properly towards the end of Wigan and made it all better. Paul

Maybe out of touch today but at the time absolutely massive. Wasn't Bubblegum Breakthrough the first track played just pre Wigan. & Rhino, the more obvious track was a bit later though still early Wigan '73? Anyone PM me an mp3 of bubblegum breakthrough. I hadn't heard it for years. Paul

And Stuart Maccaroni on radio 2 had just played It'll never be Over For me and stated that asdan starts "soon", but didn't say whether that is days, or weeks. paul

Sounds remarkably like the Sandy Nelson Version on Imperial?/UA Paul

& I thought the angels "pluck their harps"? Paul Did I hear that Pete Lawson had the words Tattooed?

There was one album I had with a great version of "You Keep Me Hanging On". I covered that one up as Madeline Bell. The thing is, it probably was her being a session singer . There was also the Donnie Elbert LP on Contour that was I think, all Otis Redding Covers. Mmmmm, Donnie Elbert sings Otis, Not the most exciting prospect. Paul

I got one of these through my work email. Very odd! Paul

I remember this version being played in about '73 as some people have said, a cheapo LP. Clip below. (I will get used to this system by the time it changes) Fluff, Ill swap the album for a cd/dvd of early live Wigan Tapes. Paul

As i usually prefer sixties type stuff it will be no suprise which way I will vote. The thing is, the sixties track was actually a B side(over here anyway), and therefore was probably regarded as not quite being up to scratch by the Motown. Always been a favoutite of mine though. Paul

I couldn't place it until I played the clip. Definately a blast from the past & a fantastic record. That's what I love about this site. Paul

As I said, 4-6 weeks delivery? I've just watched a documantary about the bermuda traingle, perhaps it's something to do with that. Paul

As my birthday is coming up, and I'm asked the usual questions, I pre empted them by saying. "Get me the new CD Talcum Soul 6". My daughter has been told it's not released until 19 April(HMV). Virgin Recon 19 march, and Amazon say February, but wil be delivered in 4-6 weeks!. Anyone know the truth? Paul