Geoff

Thanks for posting these, what a great singer and great songs. Always loved Any Day Now since I first heard it in 1965 at an allnighter, just after being dumped by a girl I was crazy about. Went and bought it the following week. Pity the first YouTube one has been removed.

Is there actually a song on it called Jamaica Ska? If so, who is it by? It used to be played in the clubs I frequented as a youth in about 64/65. I think it may have been a hit in the USA, I've heard a cover version by Annette Funicello.

Perhaps someone could explain to me why they couldn't be played at a do. I was under the impression that it was etiquette / rules of NS DJing that original issues were played, either US or UK, or maybe foreign. Therefore if these are first UK issues of these on vinyl it must be okay to play them. Or have I got it totally wrong? On the very rare occasions I have got to DJ at primarily NS do's (open to invitations, lol) I've generally used my original UK issue 45s that I bought back in the 60s, e.g. Stateside Invitations's What's wrong with me baby; Pye Int Hand it over (original b side of Since I don't have you), etc plus some American originals I've recently bought. Surely if there was someone there with American issues does it mean they would have precedence to play them? And if they did, how would I know, apart from looking through their record box? Bet they'd like that I don't think. What about the people who go to Vinyl Carvers and get LP tracks put on 45, or dare I say it, get MP3s of rare tracks? We could all do that I imagine. I am not trying to be contentious, I am asking a genuine question.

I'm no expert on sound files but the advantage of MP3s over Wav files is size. Usually the latter are enormous and take ages to download, even on broadband. However when I do a CD I try to use MP3s of 256 kbps or 320 kbps. I was under the impression that the MP3s you purchase from the likes of iTunes, etc are 128 kbps, which is not that good really, a bit of a cheek to charge for these, I would expect high quality MP3s if money is involved. Perhaps someone who has used iTunes could confirm this. On the subject of record companies selling CDs of MP3s, what price would they sell them for? They'd want more than the current price of CDs I'd imagine. And that is one of the possible problems of falling sales of CDs. If you go to the likes of HMV, etc their prices seem high to me. I know you can get some on the net cheaper but many can't be bothered or may not trust site security. I know copying and downloading has probably affected sales, but not all CDs are good value, some good stuff and some fillers, and not always good quality sound.

How many people do the management expect to get in there (Smersh or whatever it is called now)? I think the top 500 thing mentioned was in Highbury somewhere.

They were certainly memorable. I was caught short one night and eventually found a cubicle that wasn't too bad. Sitting on the pot trying to hold my trousers off the floor. Funny in retrospect, but never to be forgotten. The things we do for soul music.

I'd be lost without Soul Source, it is my home page on any computer I work on. Absolutely essential, brilliant source of information, etc. You know if you've got a soul related question you are sure to get it answered on here. Also good way to keep in touch with friends. Plus of course the Events calendar, the sounds, etc. Thanks to Mike for running it, and the moderators of course.

The Dome was the first club I went to when I started going out again (in 2002). I was quite scared when I got there, although I was going to meet some people off KTF group there was no one I knew there at first. A big place, dark, music like I'd never heard before. I was expecting NS of the tinkling vibes style. What was this strange stuff they are playing? Made me realise how little I really knew about soul music. I met the guys I was expecting, Andy Faulkner, Alan Gibbins, Martin Thomson, Tom Wood, and Sue Parker who had encouraged me to go, when I thought I was too old to go out to a soul night. Think I met Matt Male that night too. I think it was about 3 hours before they played a record I knew (Yes I'm In Love) and I took it from there, went out on the dance floor, feeling really nervous, all these people, fantastic dancers. But I must have got back into the swing of it, because I'm still doing it now. Through the Dome, and SITC and TOS and others I've met so many good friends. And it has been a musical education. I think the first post in this thread said they hadn't seen any of the regulars since then. Well they are about, but it is true, there are many people I've not seen since then, perhaps they are on the Mod scene, as when, on the odd occasion, I've been to a Mod club, I've seen various people who I used to see there. Also at the Va Va Voom events some Domers were present whom I hadn't seen since then. Also at Solid Hit Soul. I have to agree with Simon, it was great with the Dome, Scenesville and TOS all on in London. But of course everyone tells me I missed their great days. Don't know about that but the ones I went to were great. I've got a DVD of the last Dome, often look at it, brings back a great night. Thanks to the guys who run it and the DJs, they changed my life.

RCA tried 7 inch EPs that played at 33 1/3 in the very early 60s. One was Elvis Presley's Elvis By Request EP, had 4 tracks, It's Now Or Never, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Flaming Star, and Summer Kisses Winter Tears. According to the Billboard Book of US Top 40 Hits it got to number 14 in the American singles chart in 1961. Quite good bearing in mind that the first 2 tracks had only recently been number one hits there. At the time the EP wasn't issued in the UK for some reason. I don't know if it was ever issued at that speed over here. There must have been a reason for manufacturing 7 inch records at that speed, but for the life of me, I don't know, or if I did I've forgotten. Oh dear, the joys of age. But don't think it was the length of the song. Were any 12 inch singles in the "disco" era 33 1/3 rpm?

Please Don't Go used to be played by Martin Thomson (I'm sure it was him) at Soul In The City and I danced to it. Think it may have been played at the Dome, surprised if there weren't some dancers to it, good dance record, imo.

On the subject of overplayed tracks, I must admit I am getting a bit tired of the Majestics' I Love You So Much It Hurts. Always got me on to the dance floor, but now I look forward to the next record. Doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it, just heard it too much.

I still love the Joseph Webster track, only hear it out if Soul Sam's DJing. MP3s are fine, but not the same as hearing it out in a club. I've got it as my ringtone on my phone, but that isn't the same. Suppose that makes me a bit sad, lol.

For sentimental reasons I am sorry to hear it is closing down. But like many others I haven't looked at it for years. I suppose the problem is that soul music covers a wide variety of styles, not that many who like current records who also like, for example, proper R&B; and vice versa. The Northern and 70s Modern scenes are probably fairly small compared to more recent styles that fit into current night clubs as well. It appears NSoul has finished, Manifesto is still being published, In The Basement is a well produced and readable magazine, but covers most areas, certainly not exclusively Northern. I know there are other magazines available, but it would be helpful if someone could list them, and how to get them. I used to have loads of Blues and Soul's from the 60s, think they got lost when I got married and moved out of my Mum and Dad's house. Wish I still had them, certainly would be an interesting read. Do they ever appear in auctions, and what do they go for?

I'm sorry that you are finishing the Soul Shack Mark. I haven't listened to it as often as I should have done, Sunday evening always finds me trying to catch up with things. But the ones I've heard have been great. A friend sent me a CD with MP3s of some of the shows, and I've been listening on my MP3 player going to work. The one you did some time ago featuring beat ballads, mid tempo records was just sensational, loved everything on it. Pity you can't get a show on Radio 2, that's where the Soul Shack should be imo.

With the exception of looking after my dog, soul music and the scene is definitely the most important thing in my life. Since I lost my wife it has kept me going, that includes of course all my friends on the scene who have been so kind to me. Although I like many other kinds of music, I rarely listen to anything other than soul in its many forms now. I spend a lot of time looking at this forum and others I belong to that are based around soul music. I try to get out to a do every week, feel frustrated if unable to do so. Soul music is a refuge from the horrors of modern day life. I listen to the news, read things on the Internet, etc and feel depressed. There are so many horrible things happening but soul music is a beacon of hope for me; always makes me feel better. I've generally found most people on the scene decent. One of the best things I ever did was to start going out again to clubs. Sometimes the politics, chinstroking, etc can be irritating, but that is so trivial compared to the pleasure I get from the music. Such deep emotion in the songs, such variety. I've even started buying vinyl again, something I swore I'd never do, but it just gets you doesn't it? So is it an obsession? Yes I suppose it is, more like a religion maybe. As Mark said, once it is in you it never leaves. The day I stop loving soul music will be the day I die.

Magic Night - If You And I Had Never Met Jeannie Reynolds - The Fruit Song Both off a CD I received from a friend some time ago.

Soul Source is my home page, both at home and work. Hope my boss didn't realise how many times I checked if it was back. Absolutely lost without it.

Hi Tony, I'm here. Did you get my email the other week? Geoff

PMSL

I hadn't heard this before, it is okay of its type, imo. But definitely should not be played at a night advertised as Northern Soul. There are enough arguments when an proper R&B track is played, or something that is vaguely 70ish Modern, so this is a no no. Might be okay in a Modern room, but would have to be in the right set. I spent about half my time in the Modern room at Cleethorpes, but not to anything resembling this (or house). Please don't start playing this at MonuMental.

Hey Girl, still sends shivers down my spine, lovely record. Unfortunately overshadowed in the UK by Duffy Power's version. Freddie's follow up, I Got A Woman, done as a slow song, is a good'un too.

One of my friends is looking for a copy of this. Not sure if he is on here, so if anyone has it for sale, perhaps they would kindly pm me.

Sorry, I have to disagree with Tony on the British covers, I don't think any of them are any way as good as the American originals. This just a personal opinion of course. I am probably influenced by seeing great American pop/rock'n'roll records being kept from being hits in the UK by covers when I was at school. Developed a real dislike of Craig Douglas, Marty Wilde, Ricky Valance, etc, probably very unfair, they had to make a living. I've just played the Tokens, and prefer it, but as I say above I would. To be fair to the Searchers their version of Sweets For My Sweet is quite different to the Drifters' original. They did help introduce some quite rare records to the public via their albums. Yet, despite my earlier comments, I prefer Dusty Springfield's version of I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself to Tommy Hunt and Chuck Jackson. Partly because Dusty seems to highlight the dramatic and emotional potential of the song, and because of the memories it evokes in me of a girl I was passionately in love with, as you only can be when you're 18, lol. As for Wayne Fontana, he wasn't a bad singer imo. Really liked Come On Home and Pamela Pamela, my wife used to say the sort of wimpy records you like. The latter has a real charm, haven't heard it for years though, cue for hopes of an MP3. One I vaguely remember by him was called Mind Excursion, originally done by the Tradewinds, of New York's A Lonely Town fame (probably my favourite surf record). Anyone else remember that one? Sorry to hear Wayne's got problems. Must be difficult when you stop being famous.

I can vaguely remember her putting something down on the carpet there, was it a door? So long ago now. I remember Janet changing her outfit 7 times at the Soul In The City all dayer at the place used by the Valatone, St Aloysius hall or something. Oh happy days!

This disproves the saying that any publicity is good publicity. I too will do an email to the editor of this magazine, but after I've popped out to get my suede loafers. By the way are the middle aged men weeping because of the prices of the records they want?