Paul R

I don't think anyone has mentioned this classic yet, although I have only flicked through the thread. Paul

As I walked into Vavas in about Early Sept 73 as a 15 year old, the first record I hear was Alice Clarke, You Hit me. Other massive memories of the night were Mel Williams Can It Be Me, Jackie Follett, There's A Moment, Timothy Wilson, Love Is Like An Itching, and the Rolling Stones version of Under My Thumb! which I actually thought was a bit surreal at a soul night. Paul

From the first time I heard Contact by the 3 degrees I thought it belonged in that sort of genre. Very Mike Sammes Singers!

Ordered yesterday & received today. Cheers Tone. I've read the first couple of chapters, and already i've polished up my davey lamp ready for the long trek up north to return to the fold. Is Pete Waterman still a top DJ? Paul

I remember it being in nearly every Contempo soul pack around 72. Never heard it played out. Paul

Lesley Uggams famously was a main character in the original version of Roots. Paul

The recent post talking about The Voices Of East Harlem, Cashing In, reminds me of something about many early 70s recordings, the use of metaphors to describe various relationships. Obviously Cashing In, comparing life with finance. Others include Eloise Laws, Love Factory and Lynn Vernado, Wash And Wear Love. Are there any others that spring to mind? Paul

I have a similar conversation with someone in work, and he was astounded when I played Jerry Fuller, Charlie Gracie, Little Richard, Larry Williams etc. he didn't realise they had still carried on after the 50s. Paul

I used to get lists from AJ Lewis who morphed into Soul Scene also based in Telford. I think he may have become Oldies Unlimited. I remember a Youngblood Smith Demo on his list for 25p just as it was getting played at Wigan. Unfortunately I missed it. Paul

I got a few of the 10 for a quid packs from Contempo in about 72. between me & my cousin we always got stuff like Joe Simon Whole Lot a Lovin, Dee Dee Sharp Gravy, Booker T Soul Clap 69, Little Milton Grits Ain't Groceries, Spinners Message From A Black Man, Johnny Nash You Got Soul, and anything on Stax by Albert King. After a few packs we had multiples of each! Paul

Whitchurch August 73 was my first real northern event. I was 15, and me and John Orritt got a lift there and thumbed it back to Burscough. In fact we walked most of the way to Chester overnight. a great day, and I bought Jeanette White Music, and John bought The Superlatives I Still Love You. I don't know how I remember that fact, when I can't remember what I did this morning! I started to go to Vavas and then Wigan very soon after, but still used to attend Whitchurch every bank holiday. A great alldayer. Paul

I seem to remember this being on Selectadiscs list at the same time as they started playing it. I think it was one that they got the timing wrong and started selling it before the demand had built up. Paul

I always thought Oh Baby was his best northern track. Paul

Thankfully I'd stopped attending by then! But thanks for allowing it to be introduced to the masses!!!!!! Paul

That classic soul track by Lenny Gamble!!!!! Paul

I've only owned 2 in my life. The first one I bought in 73 off a mate had Butch Baker Working At The Go Go one side, and The Promatics Sugar Pie Honey on the other. Not silly at all. I also got one about 20 years ago in a village car boot sale just outside Portsmouth. That one was International GTOs B/W Bits & Pieces Keep On Running Away . Only half silly. Paul

Pete Lawson used to get them made to order at Deroy Studios in Carnforth. I went with him a few times to get them. The good thing was, some of the top DJs used the same place, and the owner of the studio used to tape them, and let Pete pick whatever top sounds there were available from Sam etc! Keith Bradley, also from Ormskirk used to do them as well, and advertise them in Black Music classifieds. Frank Elson was always threatening them with legal action in B&S. Paul

So sad, another hero with many great tracks played on "the scene". I was once flying to the states for a job, and I was sat next to an American school teacher. We got chatting, and I don't know how the subject came up, but she mentioned that at her own school prom around 1967 there was a local Philly group called Lee Andrews & the Hearts playing. She was amazed that a 40 something year old from the UK(it was about 15 years ago) got all excited about a group most people hadn't heard of! I then bored her to tears with stories about the scene, and played her a few Lee Andrews tracks off the compilation CDs I had done. RIP Lee, Can't Do Without You, I've had it! Paul

The B side "Don't Leave Me" got plays on the northern scene in the early 70s(poss late 60s). 2 great sides. Paul

JJ Barnes Sweet Sherry. Wasn't the Contempo version different to the rare Stamps one? Paul

Len Barry Turn Off The music, is Chris Serf I think? Paul

Another minor play on the scene mid 70s was "Moments" also on UA and also a Chrysler Car advert. https://youtu.be/nphtYweg_rI Paul

Much prefer Happy People, if I had to choose! Paul

I thought the Instrumental was "What Soul Is" by Butch Baker That's what it was first introduced as at the Mecca. If my memory serves me correctly! Great sound anyway Paul

Along with "Don't Be Sore At Me", "Too Much" has IMHO some of the best lyrics of any northern soul track. I just love them. Paul Just though I'd mention it!!!!