Tomangoes

Very Sad, her 'stranger' record is an instant pick me up. Was the lady aware of her 'fame' on the scene? Ed

The thing is that everybody will dislike some records that the majority like. In the same way everybody will like some records that the majority dislike. There lies the greatness of this scene, where musical preference opinions 'should' be respected. This particular song did open the door to a change in style from the traditional 60s Detroit / Motown / Stax sound, in a similar way that today some of the stuff played at a Northern Soul event is way too slow or too rock and roll to have been considered 30 years ago. In any case, like it or not, it will always be an important part of the scenes history. Personally as long as I only hear it 2 or 3 time a year, its always welcome. Ed

How long has this been played for ? Got to admit its only in the last couple of months I have come across this vocal. Always something turning up that makes you realise theres a long way to go before youve heard em all. No doubt its been about years and its played all over, but its only just come to my attention. Ed

D oes this sum up someones opinion. I ts got more lovers than haters. V ery often an icon to crossover music. Over played maybe, but never over estimated. Ed

Ahhh Scarboro, the ORIGINAL 'Soul in the Sun' (and rain sometimes) town. Four Seasons, Tiffanies, Rudies, Salsbury, Pickwick. Glad to hear its alive and kicking. Ed

Just an observation Malc. I was in the RUFC suite (Old Tivoli/Windmill) at the weekend and it looks better than ever for a soul night. Not sure if this info is any good, but it was an easy venue to get to and the Sunday dayers and soul nights with Derek Sheldon used to be well attended as you will remember. Good luck anyway. Ed

Malc You can only do your best. Youve been there before. If you look at the area and a 10 mile radious, there must have been 100 'venues' (including the venue, conisbro). On your last night, I was in Tenerife for the Soul in the Sun do, packed out solid (about 280). As you say, too much competition. Maybe time for all the promoters to pool the resources and go for a monthly 'biggie'. I think you have been trying to reach your goal too long to give up on your journey now. Ed

First 2 (memory cannot split them) The flasher, Reaching for the best. Latest 'Shes my beauty queen' BUT GOING TO SOUL IN THE SUN (RIFE) ON FRIDAY, SO IT COULD WELL BE CHANGED. Ed

Swampdog - If you ask me. Unless you count the do do do do do do do (I think theres seven). Ed

Does it count if you are good for the opening 30 seconds of something like 'Ton of Dynamite' or have you got to complete it all. If if it has to be to the whole record, let alone 5 or 6, Im out. Now if you go back to 1976!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Id throw my hat in the ring. Ed

Whoose got my copy with 'Edy Carter' scratched into the run out grooves. Another soul pack tune from Kings Lynn @ 10P EACH. Ed

There are at least 2 copies of Frank Wilson. I think there are a few 'one offs' to compete with it, not counting the ones left to be discovered. The owner of one has to buy the other copy and break it so indeed it becomes 'as rare' as possible. Most rare or Most Valuable? I understood Reggae tunes from the 60s brought the most money when sold. The sex pistols vinyl should be recycled as thats all it was fit for then and it still is now. Ed

In terms of commercial success out of the Nothern Soul scene, Wigan Casino must have been 10 times more than any other venue past or present. I would say that Wigan is as famous amongst 40 to 60 years olds for it Casino above anything else. In fact to the general public of the 70s, if you asked them to add a name to compliment Northern Soul, I am sure it would be Wigan Casino. A cafe with hints of that history seems logical. As I recall in the running battles outside the casino, as many youths hated it and what it stood for, as loved it, so it may turn some old Punks and Greabos off calling in for a cup of tea and shoot itself in the foot. In any case, the exploitation of Nothern Soul music for financial gain started as soon as the scene stopped being an underground movement, and in some justification, I would not have been aware of it and hence not enjoyed 33 years of the greatest proactive music scene the world has ever known. As a comparison for the cafe. The Motown cafe in Universal Studios, Orlando is spectacular having motown, gordy, and tamla vinyl 45s fitted into the stair treads etc. Lets see what memorabilia is designed into the layout. I hope the music is 100% casino for all the hours its open (good and bad). Ed

Come on you blighters, help the girl. You are now instructed to name all the Northern Soul vocal/instrumentals that we are aware of. How can I forget - Joey Dee Boogie with your baby - Willie J & Co Lady Lady Lady - Boogie Man Orch Crying over you - Duke Browner Festival Time - San Remo Hundreds at Least. In fact there are loads on Compilation CD that get right up my nose without the vocals attached. Ed

Are there any Northern/Rare soul tracks that have not been reproduced on a CD (or MP3 I suppose). Of course there will be super obsure played once at an all nighter type track, although some of the latest CDs have a fair share of these also (Millionaire series etc), but I mean generally accepted as a played track at sometime in the last 40 years. I saw someone recently offering around 8000 tracks on about 9 DVDs for less than a full priced double CD. Ed

Jesters Catholic club Brickyard - Mexborough Reform Club Swinton Civic Majestic Royal Boy and Barrel - meeting point for Cleethorpes Nighters / Dayers And then some after 1985. A serious contender for 'top 10 soul town' Of course it was always on behind Conisbrough. Boylans, Welfare (Disc), Conyers, Spinkeys, etc. Ed

Make sure a DVD is obtainable to those who cannot be there. Im now humming free for all on the strengh of it. Ed

If he only sings TDS, it should be enough. Dont forget these guys probably never sang these tracks outside NS weekenders. If I was going, Id buy Moz a pint and tell him Ive sung TDS about 10,000 x more than him and still mix up the sweet, meat, neat, and charm. Let him know he is a real STAR in our world. Ed

Having heard Al Wilson's 'The Snake' at weddings, xmas parties, and loads of cd discos, I wondered how many people in the UK would recognise this tune if played to them? Obviously as soon as a request is made for some NS, the average pop DJ picks this out first. Ill guess at 1m. Ed

Bit of an insult to the Mancunians I think, wearing a wigan badge in Weatherfield. Not sure if the casino was known as a mod or modette venue for the casino badge to go with the other mod badges etc. Ed

JUMP AROUND. AS NORTHERN AS NORTHERN CAN BE. ALSO LOADS OF THE SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON BLUES STUFF HAS GREAT BAKING TRACKS. Ed

There have been a good few artists turn up over the last few years in the UK and at the various overseas events. Who is missing that you would like to see most ? Of course some readers may know if the artists put forward are still alive and kicking or not, and therefore add/eliminate them from contention. I will start with: Mickey Champion - What good am I. (only because I can sing along to the lyrics and it was a big toon in the mid 70s). This artist was playing in Los Angeles at Easter according to the local rags over there. Ed

ITS EASIER TO PICK A RECORD THAT DEFINES NORTHERN SOUL THAN IT IS TO DEFINE NORTHERN SOUL IN WORDS. FIRST OF ALL IT CANNOT BE A SOUL RECORD, SLOW, MID, OR UP TEMPO. THIS IS BECAUSE ITS A SOUL RECORD AND ACCEPTABLE AS THAT. THAT RULES OUT MOST OF THE PREVIOUS CHOICES. IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SOMETHING NOT ACCEPTED BY SOUL LOVERS/PURISTS, BUT SIMILAR SOUNDING, SO AS TO TICK MOST OF THE BOXES THAT DEFINES A SOUL RECORD. THIS MUST HAVE BEEN THE THINKING BEHIND THE DJ'S WHO PLAYED 'CLASSICS' LIKE 'YOUR READY NOW', 'RUN BABY RUN', 'TEN MILES HIGH' ETC ETC. SOME OF THESE TYPES OF TUNES ARE VERY CLOSE TO SOUL RECORDS FOR EXAMPLE HERBERT HUNTERS 'I WAS BORN TO LOVE YOU' AND SOME ARE MILES WIDE OF THE MARK, LIKE THE CROW'S YOUR AUTUMN OF TOMORROW. DONT GET ME WRONG I AM NOT SAYING ANY OF THESE TUNES ARE BAD, BUT THAT TO BE SPECIFICALLY POSTED AS NORTHERN SOUL, IT MUST BE DIFFERENT TO SOUL. NORTHERN SOUL IS ALSO DIFFERENT TO RARE SOUL, AND BACK IN THE 70'S LOTS OF DJ'S AND PUNTERS DID NOT LIKE THE TAG OF NORTHERN SOUL, AS IT INCLUDES NON SOUL RECORDS. THATS WHY TERMS LIKE RARE, OR MODERN, WERE ADDED TO THE 'SOUL' TERM. OF COURSE ITS ONLY MY OPINION, BUT IS BASED ON WHY THE SOUL SCENE SPLIT INTO VARIOUS GROUPS, LEAVING THE 'POPSOUL' OR 'NORTHERN SOUL' ELEMENT TO FADE. TODAY EVERYTHING IS 'ACROSS THE BOARD' FROM EARLY 60S CLASSIC SOUL LIKE THE TAMS, TO UP TO DATE RELEASES, AND OVERALL ITS A GOOD THING AND ENABLES BIGGER CROWDS. A SUGGESTION FOR A DEFINITIVE PURE NORTHERN SOUL RECORD WOULD BE AFTERNOON OF THE RHINO - MIKE POST. TICKS ALL THE BOXES EXCEPT SOUL. ED

Im sure I will find some soul in the sun. Got to pack now. Hope the fog clears!!!!!!!!! Ed

PROBABLY BEEN ASKED BEFORE, BUT ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR GOOD SOUL BARS IN LAS AMERICAS/CHRISTIANOS. OVER THE HOLS? ED