Tomangoes

Back in about 1975 there was a craze in Doncaster that you had to have your suit made to measure with multiple pleats, super fancy back pockets designs, rows of pockets on the jacket etc etc. All the older soul freaks had them so as young ens we had to copy. The cost was massive and it took about 6 weeks to pick up the suit. Jackson and Burtons were the main Tailors and on a Saturday afternoon there would be dozens of kids hanging around. Where and when did this craze start? You only got respect if you had a different design/colour etc from everybody else. At todays rates it must have worked out at about a grand a suit. Great times. Ed

Several of the perception singles turned up in the Doncaster area about 1980 including Brand new game, Let her Go, and a great track by Dizzie Gillespie called 'Soul Kiss'. Another track by a 'Little Gary Ferguson', sorry forgot the title, but the vocals sound the same as the lead singer in the Eight Minutes. Ed

Just hope she was aware of her Stature in our world. 'Ectasy' is as good as it gets. A Queen has left us. RIP. Ed

Just browsing events over the last couple of years on this site has thrown up loads of these type of events. Any of you readers go to them all, or is it just 'as and when'. Considering the frequency in the UK and overseas, it must be a full time occupation to get em all in, on top of a need for a few bob to spare. Is this the style for big Northern/Rare soul events in the future? Ed

I got a signed CD of this track and more. Nice Guy. Ed

As the Metros said 'Time changes things' including my memory. Yes the Mont Hall. Biggest record as I remember was Sliced Tomatoes, as there were a few mod/parka boys in. I worked for Johns Dad (Ray RIP) and bought and sold a few tunes with John (I sold him SITTING IN MY CLASS for £50. Good price 25 years ago, bad price today I think). Not seen him since the Earl of Doncaster/Waggy events. Reg Williams was the name I remember with you now you mentioned it. Thanks for the update. Ed

Considering this clip was in the background and only on for a few seconds, well done if you recognised it straight away. Until I read this thread today, I was lost as to its identity. Was it ever a big 'toon' as I dont know it from the title alone. Its a pity the other geezer was ill, or the two old codgers might have shown us how to dance. Ed

As daft as it sounds, the Virgin record shop on Times Square has a huge list of soul cds and also those scanner machines that lets you listen to the first 10 seconds or so of every track on a cd. Ed

Malc Burton - promoter/dj. I remember buying Ko Ko Taylor - (Fire), and Mel Torme from you at 10 bob each on your say so that they were good. (WATH alldayer about 76) Who was the other guy you used to share the platform with? If I remember right wasn't Johnny Bruce your brother in law? Hope is still doing OK. Ed

Why did the majority of UK 45s have fixed middles with the small hole, but US and other overseas 45's have a larger hole? Obviously it did not apply to Lps. I remember the old UK record players having the 'stacking system' that allowed about 6 singles to play one after the other. Was that unique to us? Ed

The story about offering for the records to go on the seat and the owner going in the hold is a tribute to true collectors. Could it work with wives and dogs, if you get the drift. Ed

I think Tower records building is close bye also. When I was last in LA at Easter, my son (16) wanted to visit Crenshaw, Compton, Inglewood, and Long beach where lots of todays Gansta Rappers originate. One mans ghetto is another mans mecca, so to speak. Ed

Eighth Avenue Band - The whole thing. Just love the 'your like a pig ralph' bit. Ed

For example the first ding in Eddie Parkers Love you baby makes it easy to 'name it in one' and another would be Bird Walking. What could you name in one. Ed

30 YEARS AGO: VIBRATIONS-CAUSE YOUR MINE NOW: VIBRATIONS-CAUSE YOUR MINE ED

$3 BILL MAGIC POTION NUMBER*** 90 DAYS IN THE COUNTY JAIL CAL BRANDONS 24 HOUR LOVE MAN 24 HOURS A DAY 24 HOUR SERVICE 7 DAYS 52 WEEKS 1 YEAR 100LBS OF PAIN 1 TON AND A FEATHER NOT A CHANCE IN A MILLION 7 DWARFS ITS GETTING DAFT NOW OH OK THEN ONE MORE HURT AND TEN TO ONE. ED

SOUL IN THE SUN - TOMMY HUNT - TENERIFE DJ LABEL. QUALITY ED

What a flyer. Can you imagine being there knowing what you know now. Any body who went MUST have danced. 'I cant see your love' is as good a definitive Northern Soul sound as any from a big group, so there must have been fans who realised all this uptempo stuff stood out, especially if Terrible Tom followed up with 'made for each other'. Its a massive part of the jigsaw to know what the local youth did at gigs like this. Ed

You are right about instrumentals once being very popular. What about Double Cookin, must have launched a thousand 'soulies'. At the same time FLASHER, FALBALA, READY FOR THIS, STRUT IN TIME, OVERTURE, SIDRAS THEME, TOUGH GIRL, FIGHT THE POWER, INTERPLAY, LADY LADY LADY, BOOGIE WITH YOUR BABY, MAINTAIN, GALLOP, ALL TURNED ON, etc etc. Most (not all) of the instrumentals are fast, and maybe too much for todays dance floor, where stuff like 'Its an uphill climb to the bottom, or 'some things are better left unsaid' fit the bill. By the way, THE TRIP is a fantastic tune and great to DRIVE to as are all the old fast tunes I cant keep up with on a dancefloor any more. Ed

My brother in law still goes to a few soul nights, has a dance, and enjoys himself. He is 54. I am sure he is not the oldest, anyone going for the title?? Ed

Another great clip. Great track this and way ahead of its time. Unique lead voice. Is there advd out of all this stuff yet? Its much better to see the footage from the time of making than the 'made for northern soul story type' although if it never got filmed theres not much choice. Ed

I had a copy of Ronnie Mcain about 1980 and swopped it for 'Free Angela LP' Dont tell me I dropped one 26 years later. Ed

Has any collector actually got a copy of everything known and recognised that there is to collect? or is it impossible to reach that point? Ed

This story goes from bad to worse. In my experience there must be a shed load of money at risk for all this trouble. The promoters are are risk of a very large boycott of all future events if they dont clear up the mess. The fact is that loads of genuine folks got shafted, have not had a proper answer to their questions, and feel cheated. The explanation in NSOUL mag, from what I read is a one sided whitewash that a mountain was made out of a molehill. Well reading all the various views, thats not correct. Max Clifford could not sort this mess out, and it lends itself to retribution. Sorry must be a word not in some folks vocabulary. Ed

Amazing how stuff like that gets through. (I Bought Love O Love on a curtom demo in the 70s by Leroy and liked it as a 'floater'. One of the buyers must be a soulie, as I dont recall Leroy ever charting in the UK. Ed