jocko

I've got this Clive, just got to make a few phone calls and will record it then and send it over, Only thing is my USB turntable is recording at crap quality, if its no good happy to send you record for loan. PM if you dont hear by tomorrow am, I will just have forgotten

I am slightly bemused on this also on a number of levels, reading betweenthe lines this could be deemed as a thinly veiled attack on the 2 DJ's in question, however anyone that knows Kenny knows that is just not his style nor his nature. I would question the use of Funk here, I doubt whether anyone would advocate playing out and out Funk of any sorts at Northern all-nighter, and I am assuming our Australian SS member is showing his wicked sense of humour, which was quite funny actually, all the more so because I have heard his choice dropped into House sets by some of the more adventurous and soul biased House DJ's. The track he chose is not the best in its genre but a reasonably toe tapping effort, however not really one that many would equate with a full dance floor at a Northern all-nighter I suspect. Knowing the two DJ's in question as well as I do, I seriously doubt whether they played Deep Funk all night, both are at the forefront of cutting edge stuff that lots of us like, not for everyone obviously, but realistically it comes back to that old adage of if the dancefloor takes to it really is Northern, whether we like it or not is obviously a different question. Reading Gareth's post seems to confirm that and also knowing Gareth as I do his word does it for me, as always the most insightful post on here from Gareth. Surely people like Mr Santucci as the youngish (although dont look too closely at the lines around his eyes early in the morning) Buck and Butch as the wise, if grumpy, old master are exactly what the progressive Northern scene is all about, I sometime get the impression on here that people just don't appreciate Butch which saddens me greatly. I am not sure about this stand of Northern always being only standard 4/4, I still say this really depends on when you started and when you attended. I would suggest, as someone who only really started going regularly in mid 79, this would not apply. I was as likely to hear 70's then 80's new sounds, as well as some slower stuff at almost any venue I attended, certainly not all night, but would suggest it was the norm for me until well into the 80's, this was just Northern to me then, so why should it be any different now. Ironically it changed thanks to people like Mr Shard and Mr Withers and the other 60's Mafia who followed them who produced significant amounts of new 60's that were not only good, they were great. But then the tempos and even style changed, and would say soul with a funky edge started to make its way, howabout stuff like Buddy Connor Rod, one of yours and Dave's was it not, and wouldn't say that's traditional style. To be honest I am most bemused by the drive to take all-nighters back to uptempo only that seems to be growing out there. Despite it being implied here, I would say that is really a relatively recently innovation (or backwards step depending on your view). As said above from 79 to mid 90's there was a generally mix of genre's and tempos that encompassed the SWWWONS ( © JOC Strange & Wacky, but Wide reaching World of Northern Soul) of those days. I would agree that mid 90's it got too wide for me, and too early for my dancing styles, but like everything that was my personal taste, it seemed to suit some, particularly the returning hordes! It seems to be far more single tracked now than ever, with all nighters now advocating Uptempo 60';s only, so not only is it decade specific it has to be one style within that style, very limiting and I tend to find this impacts on quality and reduces the amount of soul records that are used, not for me personally but it obviously works for lots these days, I hear Burnley is completely the exception to my assumptions above, but I suspect that is the exception and the majority of other such venues are geared towards the Nostalgia crowd, rapidly returning to the fold, their faith renewed. Don't get me wrong, in my rare ventures out these days I would actually not mind a night of good uptempo 60's unkown soul all night, as I do tend to dance much more than I used to, however I suspect very few venues can actually deliver this I would suggest and the quality of music generally ebbs and flows during night. Having been watching this debate rage for nearly 30 years it is somewhat ironic that the 100 club, that bastion of 6ts soul is at the heart of debate, I for one am glad it is, don't change it Ady, the place is still unique. I am glad places like Lifeline and Middleton that seem to offer a selection of styles are still leading the way in progressive all-nighter world along with the 100 Club, so surely its not just the keyboard warriors (before Mr McCabe says it) like me think like this, ..... is it?

Actually Tabs thats actually the point I am making, I really don't think it does hold its own with most of the subsequent discoveries. Compare it to Larry Clinton or Eddie Parker (IG) - it just doesn't exist in the same stratosphere, its peoples memories of the time that makes it the classic in their opinion, I feel, and that may be the same for the above two for me, but as a piece of dance music do you think it even comes close to above, or more recently the Parliaments or Mello Souls? I just cant hear it myself and thats the key for me, I really think people are protecting it as a remnant of their time, and I get that, rather than actually objectively listening to it now. I really dont think it would raise much interest as a new discovery now (other than that there isn't that many new ones coming along! )

I would suggest your view of this as a classic depends on when you arrived on the scene, and dare I say it how long you stayed on the scene. I didn't start going properly till later half of 79 and can honestly say it was dead by then, dont remember it getting played much at all, and the quality of the stuff then and for the next 16 years meant it was hardly mentioned. It was only once it sold for lots of money and the vast amount of returnees came along with their memories of it that it seemed to gain this status, therefore would suggest its been seen as a classic for a lot less time than it wasn't. Rod you obviously don't fit any of the above so maybe I am just generalising too much, surprised to even here it being held as a Northern Motown classic, can off top of my head think of LP tracks by Gladys Knight, Spinners and Monitors that blow it out of the water, put your mind to it and surely their are hundreds better. Its not a bad record, but the fact he is not a very good singer surely stops it being a great one! I will stick my neck out and say if This Old Heart Of Mine by Isleys was on Obscure label it would have been one of the top Northern tunes ever! Discuss. PS Can't believe on Motown's 50th we haven't had a media thread dedicated to it, Im not around a lot at the moment to start but think this would be good idea for some point this week. Any volunteers?

Assuming you mean Soul and not northern or just soulful music, think these two together will give you the definitive picture! The rest is just us repeating (or more commonly re-writing!) history! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sweet-Soul-Music-S...7890&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Right-Blues-Soul-B...8072&sr=1-2

Great spot Phil just signed on to show my other half this while opening her pressies, tapping feet along. Merry Xmas to all (or maybe I should say most ) people out there.

Agreed Dave, lovely sentiments. Some fantastic music on here, and for me its what it has always been about, sharing music with like minded souls, cuts through all the cynicism on here, and reminds us just how special the music actually is, easy to forget just how blessed (in a non religous way obviously!) we are to have found this music. Very best wishes to all the like minded souls out there, and very especially to you and yours for all the people I enjoy spending time with, heres to another new year!

It got a fair bit of action back in Allanton as well I think Ted, Alan Walls or Andy Dennison being the likely culprits I seem to remember, am I the only one in liking this side better (despite me playing the other side) due to Monique just being so much better than TL for me.

Are you sure, Nelson George didn't comment on jazz, ditto re the Soulful House thread! PS Mr Sutton you should know better than to be helpful, Merry Xmas to you and Jay, Mr Bear, it didn't actually say Northern, you should know better than to attempt a sensible debate on here, Merry Xmas to you too, and maybe see you somewhere next year?

Thats when the Northern scene lost it's way, when they let those women types join in!

Hi Dave, have you ever seen a copy of the Duke/Peacock book? Something in the back of my mind tells me I read somewhere that it was either a scam or just that no-one had seen it. However there are a lot of strange things in the back of my mind so can't guarantee my memory is right! Might be worth dropping David Cole at ITB a line as sure he has a pretty comprehensive book collection. If it does exist I would love a copy, after Dave off course, but would like it considerable cheaper than above! ANd thanks for tip on book on this thread, just bought it off Amazon.co.uk, cheers.

I think it will be the very same Jock as Pam and I were best mates at Wigan, funny enough just got an email off her, having not seen her for many years. I was from Musselburgh then though, not Dundee, I just talked equally funny! Thought it was Keith, he had reddish hair, slightish fellow always wore denim jacket and jeans, was always head of the game musically then, pretty sure he came to the Wigan Tiffs do also, he went regular to Rotherham but then faded off. Although there is every chance I have the name totally wrong, it wasn't Kim, I remember Kim. Take care mate, my bump into you sometime in deep darkest Yorkshire! Jock

I think my first memory was Gary Rushbrooke, top dj, occasional plays about 80ish?? Assume it may have been played before him though

I assume this is Paul Collinson, if so good to hear from you, your name has come up in conversation a number of times over years, I am very friendly with Cheryl, originally from Selby, who you knew. You and Kieth (?) from Keighley were among my original musical mentors, long time ago mate. so thanks for that (I think!). Hope you are well. At last someone else on here who went to Wigan Tiffs instead of the Casino's extra night, do you remember that? More DJ's than people but what music. Cheers Jock O'Connor

Bloody hell, is this Shiela of the Blonde hair, lots of ear-rings and who took up large chunks of the dancefloor when dancing?? Its Jock O'Connor from Edinburgh, I was very friendly with all the Morecombe crowd you mention above, and we all hung around together then, hope you are well. I just got an email from Pam co-incidentally, which I must answer this week, what a small world this internet makes it!!

Hi Mark, really good to hear from you, I am very well indeed mate, although I am living a lot quieter, like most I suppose, Was looking for the comments you had made on Shotts and stumbled on this. Will PM you my email and we can catch up properly. 79-81 was my era too, thanks for forgetting me Mr Rigby, Colin and I were among that merry bunch of Saturday travellers, and travel we did, persil tickets in hand, niavity in head, great times, like infants taking a new world in for the first time. Fantastic music and an attititude among the people that I think drove the attitude of the scene throughout out the 80's, great great times, and in case anyone is not getting the message fantastic music. Certainly taught me the lesson that is never so prevalent today, quality not quantity matters. It was Jolly as someone has said later, who dj'd, one of main people behind the Clouds all-nighter that as someone else has said Richard named a c/u after, did really well djing their and did Stafford later too, top bloke. Its quite amazing to think back that so many Scots still travelled on Saturdays despite the oldies being favoured (even then) there were more than a few times we went down on a coach load of these scary stary people, who turned out to be some of the finest people I met. And as also said Dale and Stevie Smith, 2 of the regular Saturday crowd no longer with us, I learnt a lot about life and music from those 2, not all of it good!

For stuff like this Epic was there a quick turnover or did stuff like this get played for a while at Mecca? My understanding of the Mecca, which is pretty sparse to be honest, was turn over was frightening, so was wondering if a record had to gain some quick popularity to get a few plays or were there certain things they stucj with?

Superlatives - Come On Down To The Ghetto - Three G's Posted info: Okay last one before I retire, will be back tomorrow, Took this the other week to play out too but I bottled it a little, then you listen to it here and think this would sound fantastic played out, it would have me shaking my ass!

Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up - Curtom LP Posted info: The anthem of the political era, this is the LP version as the last few minutes of percussion is sheer magic. Another record that due to its familiarity its easy to forget how truly great this record is, Just awesome.

Curtis Mayfield - We The People Darker Than Blue - Curtom LP Posted info: Great shout from whoever mentioned this, one of the greatest of Curtis's many great moments, fantastic songwriting and just love his voice, a true genius in so many ways, and the best arranger of percussion ever!!!

Gil Scott Heron - The Klan - Arista LP Posted info: From a truly fantastic LP, and he says it all really,

Gil Scott Heron - Train From Washington - Arista LP Posted info: As requested, the master of political songs, seen him live 3 times, twice not so good but once was fantastic, just one of the best things. I am going through a real GSH phase at the moment and really revisiting what a genius he is, not a traditional soul singer but when you listen to songs by this guy you realise its more than a little arrogant of "us" to try and dictate to Black Americans what soul is.

New Sounds - Everybody Wants To Be Free - P-Vine LP Posted info: Great idea Mr Sadot, although I was going to save this for 20th January next year, gives us time to build it up. This was mentioned earlier and is becoming one of my favourite tracks on the LP, meant to play it out last Friday and forgot all about, maye the theme tune for the world today!

Can anyone who has got records from Deric PM me please. PM only, not on here Cheers Jock