Geoff

My sympathy goes out to Pete, to hear our music and be unable to dance is awful. I don't know him but send him my best wishes.

I played some CDs last night (in a mainly Modern mood): We The People - Making My Daydreams Real Jerry Butler - The Best Love I Ever Had (imo absolutely brilliant) Marvin Gaye - I'm Gonna Give You Respect Chanel - My Life Sandra Wright - I'll Come Running Back To You Bobby Reed - Time Is Right For Love Essex IV - My Heart Just Can't Take It The Mark IV - If You Can't Say Something Good About My Baby Almeta Latimore - These Memories Back to Northern for: Sapphires - Gonna Be A Big Thing (danced to this at Blue Skies last Friday, forgot how fast it is, lol) Karmello Brooks - Tell Me Baby Martha Reeves - No One There and ended up with: James Brown - Lost Someone There were others but can't remember as I type this, memory failing these days.

Great thread this. In the first instance I guess you'd pick out the faster tracks for the Northern scene, e.g. Same Old Song, Why You Wanna Make Me Blue, Dance To Keep From Crying, Take Me In Your Arms And Rock Me (Kim Weston), You Lost The Sweetest Boy. But with the acceptance of medium tempo and slower sounds almost any Motown track would be regarded as a classic. I am surprised that some of the earlier stuff isn't played more anyway. Would love to hear the Miracles' What's So Good About Goodbye or I'll Try Something New out sometime. And moving away from Motown there are plenty of soul records that were reasonably successful on issue, or sometimes on re-issue that would be regarded as brilliant if they were unknowns nowadays. Quite a lot of stuff that is regarded now as club soul I think.

While I am not sure if Aretha is the greatest female soul singer, she is definitely up there at or near the top. I saw her at the Finsbury Park Astoria (later the Rainbow) when she first came to the UK in about 67 or 68. Absolutely brilliant performer and band. And those of us in the audience lapped it up. Is the reason many don't rate her is that most of her records don't get played on the Northern scene? As for Billy Preston, Billy's Bag used to be one of my favourite records when it came out on Sue, memories of Bluesville, Manor House and Mike Raven playing it on a Wednesday night while we used to dance to it. Loved the bongo bit in the middle. Oh happy days! I do like the Darryl Nullisch record. If you like it try Lonnie Givens' Hang On To The Blues.

I would like to thank all my friends on the soul scene who attended my wife Lesley's funeral on Monday 1 August at 2.30 pm at Enfield Crematorium. Your presence and kindness, along with that of my family, Lesley's relatives, our colleagues, neighbours and friends is very much appreciiated. I would also like to thank everyone who sent cards and emails and other forms of condolence. I'd like to think she was able to see how much people cared about her.

It's an okay record and I have danced to it in the past, but it always makes me think of the Everly Brothers. But it would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing.

[For years now. He was just infant Murvin when he began. Do I really need a coat in this weather?] Nice to see your sense of humour hasn't changed since you moved from London. I hope all is well with you, miss your email about what was on. Lesley sends her best.

How Can We Find The Love ... Hadn't heard this one before, just a great bit of soul music. Thanks for bringing it to the list's attention. They are the sort of group that you take for granted, and then you hear something like this and you realise how great they are. Had the same feeling the first time I heard Make Sure (at Martin and Audra's reception). How long has Junior Murvin been lead singer?

[pleasent shuffler , but doesnt hit the ankles must be gettin old] Have to disagree, lovely for gliding around the dance floor. Was played last year at the CSC. I've heard the Arcades one more out, Arthur Fenn at SHS, seem to remember it was played at Whitby, which seems wrong, but sure I danced to it. Hadn't noticed the similarity to I'm The One Who Loves You.

Extremely hard to pick a favourite Womack track, just so many to choose from. One I particularly like is from Womagic, The Things We Do (When We Get Lonely). Also in the Modern vein I like one he did with Lulu on Dome titled I'm Back For More, not sure if there was another version of that one. And of course the Poet 1 and 2 are both great albums.

Sorry to be late contributing to this. Interesting thread, had this discussion over drinks with my friends at many clubs. Don't know what the answer is, just can't believe all the soul lovers have moved away. SITC has been fairly quiet for the last couple of months, but quite busy the previous month. Can't see any reason musically, I reckon the 2 guests did superb spots on Wednesday, sorry I am not dancing at the moment Andy, you know the situation. The regulars were excellent as usual. Obviously if the dance floor is empty the atmosphere does suffer. Although TOS had slightly lower attendances in the last year, to me the atmosphere there was always great, it was the nearest to an old 60s club I've been to since starting to go to soul clubs again. I, too, noticed the number of people on the last night who hadn't been seen there for some time, to a certain extent the same with the CSC. The loss of those 2 clubs is a warning to us all, use 'em or lose 'em. I've only missed one SHS, hope to get to the next one, again a good mix of music. Absolute tragedy when Arthur Fenn's appearance attracted such a small audience, but it was the night after the last TOS. Didn't go to Scenesville's last do, same reason as I've not been to the new Dome, if you have an injured foot, and dancing is unwise, it is not much fun sitting there, despite great music being played, and wanting to get up and dance, but knowing you will pay a heavy price the next day, not helped by having the car, and not being able to drink alcohol. Getting home from late nights can be a problem, my last train from Liverpool Street is 11.55pm, absolutely ridiculous. Personally don't fancy night buses, heard some bad stories. Also parking can be a right pain, I know at least 2 people who didn't like leaving their car near the Dome. I have been to New Chapter a couple of times and enjoyed the evening, but it depends on the type of Modern being played, the term covers a multitude of sins, prefer 70s type tracks in that genre, but open to others as well. Not been to Monumental Soul, but intend to go to hear Steve Plumb from the Orwell's set. The Valatone seems to have got the music policy right, nice mix of danceable Modern and Northern. I like R&B, but it depends on the songs played. What I found interesting was when I went with Lesley to Blue Skies a couple of weeks ago, and Yogi played some classic oldies as requests, e.g. You've Been Away, If That's What You Wanted, Run For Cover, Gonna Find Me Somebody, The Champion, etc. the floor was very busy. It was busy earlier for Dave Greenhill and Stuart Tyler, who both played great sets, but this made me wonder if perhaps on occasional oldies night might pull in the crowds. This may be heresy to some, and I do say occasionally, but it may be worth a try. Of course if there is one that I've missed I apologise. I don't want any clubs to close down, because I write about London clubs for a certain magazine and need things to write about, lol. I'd like to thank all promoters of soul events, old and new, I appreciate it is a tough and thankless task. I could see RBman getting gradually stressed over Blue Skies, but in the end it turned out okay. Apologies for verbal diarrhoea, but to me this is an important subject, where would my social life be with the soul nights?

Love his version of Hurt So Bad, was it a 45, and was it ever played out?

[At the mo, Ive a bad foot - ankle/heel, of course told the 'norm' - 'to rest & put it up as pos.'! So of course, Ive put a support sports bandage on - like you do - so I can carry on dancing! The only time I will give up is when my legs give up on me completely, which I hope is not just yet!] I'm in the same situation as you Karen, torn ligaments, twisted muscle, etc. When I've been out and hear the music it just gets right inside me and I just have to get up and dance. Support bandage hasn't really helped much. Now I'm trying to limit the places I go to, avoiding long evenings like the Dome or Scenesville, etc. Watching other people dancing just makes me frustrated, and then they play a track I love, and what can you do? The thought of giving up going out to soul clubs and dancing is just too horrible to contemplate for whatever reason, age, health, etc. Guess I am just a sad obsessive.

I've always been under the impression it was Honey the drummer who sang on Have I The Right. As for a favourite 60s pop record, that is almost as hard as picking your favourite soul record, entirely depends on your mood. I'll go for Roy Orbison's Crying, majestic piece of pop music, but may change my mind in the next half hour.

I've got a track by her called You Baby, not the Len Barry song I think.

Rob Messer played it at These Old Shoes last year, along with a John Lee Hooker track, hadn't danced to JLH since the old Mod days. Are any other LWJ tracks played anywhere? He was a great singer, one of the fathers of soul music, imo.

This Old Heart Of Mine - The Isley Brothers This was the first record my wife bought me when we started going out, at the time it was first issued.

Hard to pick a Major favourite, but have gone for Um Um Um ... Pity you never hear Monkey Time played out nowadays, great dancer.

[Phah, just shows you don't read the postings Read my comment about Roger Stewart in the bit about who would you have deejaying (um forgotten where it was posted)........... he is a maestro of massive proportions with the deftest touch and soundest ear in the business of deejaying He is in the premier league........I'll be wearing my PVC nurses outfit and bending over quite a lot when I visit Screens, nurse Jo] I've only seen Roger DJing a couple of times (at TOS) and enjoyed his sets very much. Great one with PTP last TOS. Please give him my best wishes and hope that his feels better soon, and can get out of hospital as soon as possible.

You are probably right on that one Paul.

I'd be interested Pete, used to listen to him on pirate radio (390?) which if I recall correctly was on an old fort in the mouth of the Thames, then he was on Radio 1 when it started. On pirate radio he did a show every evening, playing R&B/soul and on Saturday it was rock'n'roll. He did a residency at Bluesville, Manor House, north London and it was always a great night. He often had American imports well before they were issued here, and usually ended the evening by playing rock'n'roll tracks and dancing with his blonde wife Mandy who always wore a rather short mini skirt. Funny what you remember when your mind is jogged by something.

Not quite sure what year this came out, 66/67?, but it was played in London clubs at the time, I am sure I heard it at Bluesville, Manor House, played by Mike Raven I think. I was a big JB fan at the time, we went to see him on his first visit early show, and went back to the next show we enjoyed it so much. But after this track he started on the funky path (if my memory isn't failing me again) and the rest is history. Quite surprised some of his earlier tracks haven't been played at R&B nights.

Just downloaded Buster Brown, not bad, could be danced to at a more R&B orientated night. I am no expert on his records but it does sound newer than the ones I know, they were much more bluesy, although uptempo. Didn't have a girl chorus, etc.

This is an interesting topic. I've always been interested in when a music style starts. When did rhythm and blues become soul? Not even sure when we started calling it soul. I started going out with my wife in 1966 and I'm certain we called the places we went to r&b clubs, but the word soul was in use then definitely. I think it was originally used in the jazz world, perhaps an LP called Genius + Soul = Jazz by Ray Charles or a similar title. What is the first recognisable soul record? Jerry Butler's For Your Precious Love, or something by Little Willie John or early Sam Cooke? Lately I've heard tracks by doo wop groups that were trying to get hits in the early 60s by going for a contemporary style, e.g. Del Vikings, etc. I came into black music via rock'n'roll while at junior school. Saw Little Richard and Chuck Berry, etc in r&r movies, and discovered that a lot of the songs by Elvis, etc were originally by black singers. Just made me interested in hearing the originals. And it is only in the last few years that I've heard some of those old tracks. I've not downloaded the Buster Brown track yet, will do it at home. Certainly used to hear his Fannie Mae track in the old days. If you like Rocket 88 there are some really good compilations around with jump blues on them. I will look forward to your CD of MP3s.

Only came back on to soul scene after spending more years away than I like to contemplate. I had wanted to start going out again, but felt I was probably too old to go to clubs, etc. To cut a long boring story short I started going out and it has changed my life completely. I've got loads of friends who share my love of soul music (none of my old friends are that keen, although they used to be), and I go out several times a month and have a brilliant time. Mind you I'm wrecked in the morning, but who cares. I don't think my wife was too keen on me going out at first, but after she met some of my friends and came to some of the clubs I go to, she has began to realise that it doesn't generally seem to be a "pulling" scene. Not full of predatory males or females on the lookout for members of the opposite or same sex. Although she has been a soul lover as long as me, she is more into Motown than Northern, but I notice since coming out with me, she is appreciating my stuff more. She often says to me that she likes a track I am playing. Most of my social life is based around going out to soul do's, it just seems to me that these are some of the best ways to spend my time. Guess I will grow up some day, but hopefully not too soon.