Geoff

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?

I'd heard of the Long John Baldry version of The Drifter, but had never heard it till now. It would be hard to beat Ray Pollard's version, but not a bad attempt. Might be nice to hear it out for a change, although I can't remember the last time I heard The Drifter outside my front room. When LJB was in his heyday, I saw him live at Bluesville, Manor House, with Rod "the mod" Stewart. I didn't rate either at the time, possibly because I was very anti British covers of R&B. But a few years ago I saw LJB with the Blues Band at the Millfield theatre in Edmonton, he was really good, so perhaps I was just too prejudiced to appreciate him originally.

Thanks for the information Sebastian.

I am sure most of the members here know Guitar Ray's You're Gonna Wreck My Life, great crossover/Modern song. It's a 12 bar blues, and writer's credits are C Burnett, on the Goldmine CD I've got it on. I wonder if C Burnett is the guy who was Howling Wolf, the great blues singer? Could well be, I can imagine him singing it. I did ask a friend who is into that type of blues, but he didn't know. Has anyone on here got the information? It came into my mind again because Hammy played it last night at Letchworth, and I dance to it.

Thanks for uploading this one Sebastian, new to me but really good. Out of curiosity is it rare, expensive, etc?

There is a song of the above title on the b-side of Baby I Need Your Loving by the Four Tops.

I bought Love Come Down by Evelyn King on a 7 inch at Soul Essence from Steve Plumb's cheapies box. Another good one is Arthur Adams' You've Got The Floor. Was it ever played at a soul night? Reading all the tracks listed makes me want to do a disco set at Blue Skies on the 27th, but I suppose I'd get lynched. Memo to me: stick to 60s; and early 60s at that.

Perfect description of These Old Shoes Jo. I know I'm inclined to go on about how much I enjoyed TOS, but I always left it and walked back across Tower Bridge to Liverpool Street on an absolute high. To me it had everything. Especially the sloping dance floor, lol. Aside from TOS I actually like quite big dance areas, the Dome (despite the holes in the floor) and Plinston Hall spring to mind, also the Hitchin venue. Probably because I want to take up half the floor. Also decent toilets are a must. I was caught short once at the Dome, not an experience to be repeated. Karen and I had some laughs with our descriptions of toilets at soul nights on the Keeping The Faith list. I seem to remember she did an article in Manifesto on the subject, but my wife advised me not to do a male perspective, people might think you're odd talking about toilets at places you go to. As if it isn't odd enough to be travelling around to Northern Soul nights instead of being tucked up in bed by 10 pm. But on a serious note, it is the music primarily, and friends that make a night.

Just been reading these 2 quotes, and I'm having hysterics at work over it. How naive we all were when we were young.

All my friends will laugh at me but I love these records, bring back some great memories for me. Used to go bananas for Boogie Wonderland, and one I used to love was the Gibson Brothers' Cuba, don't know if it could be classed as soul, but used to get me on the dance floor. Bang goes any Northern Soul cred I've got, lol.

I never knew she was married to Frankie Lymon.

Martin Thomson played Que Sera Sera at Soul In The City, not sure if it was at Vivo's or the Ditch Bar, memory being poor these days. It was a top Mod club play in 1964. Wish I had it on a 45.

My sincere condolences.