Mark Bicknell

Well done Mike we had every faith in you mate and knew there must have been a major problem. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I think some of you are missing the point here, as a form of entertainment the show was good for what it was, as for Mr Charles being a true blue Northern Soul fan and collector then he's simply not and I would suggest if he was asked he would confirm that. Speaking from someone who has been around radio for a good few years now I wonder if you realise how difficult it is to present a show? and how much work goes into it? ok my show's come across as being slung together and they often are but I record and produce myself, one thing that does get me through and other's who present on the specialist stations is a passion and knowledge of the subject and the music, pretty much any professional actor, presenter or media type could string a show together of some broadcastable quality given a script and a producer and I think this is the case with Craig Charles, the music was good, his presentation was first class but where it fell down for me were the links and it was very obvious to me that he was reading the information rather than actually knowing anything about it first hand, nothing wrong with that as it padded the show out, pretty much all mainstream radio is scripted it has to be it's the way they work however the edge specialist stations have is the freedom to let the presenters express themselves with a non scripted approach and a free hand to play what they want having faith in the presenters, knowledge, passion, collection etc. Very easy to big up the scene and the music with links saying this is worth a grand, two grand etc. quote the record labels etc. but a very different thing to actually understand the feeling of owning such records and being part of the scene. Mr Charles is however a professional actor/entertainer and he and others at the BBC and other companies perhaps have the edge over the specialist stations in terms of presentation and application of presenting first class quality radio but they lack any real passion, understanding of the subject, yes they may include it on their shows and yes they may have a genuine like of the music but the rare/northern soul scene is as we all know a very complex animal and to really do it justice you need to let the people who know it's workings, history etc. to be in control and perhaps given the chance to present such a show? as a few hours entertainment Craig Charles did the scene proud on New Years Eve but I wager all the tracks were taken from CD and not from his own personal collection but it was still fantastic to hear Elbie Parker, Earl Jackson, Jimmie Raye etc. played on BBC national radio so well done to Mr Charles I say. As it's already been said here fantastic for Northern Soul to be even played on mainstream radio and the BBC at that, he played numerous requests so people it would seem responded to the show in advance of the broadcast, I would imagine that the audience was pretty impressive...so how about a national weekly specialist show BBC? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

As I don't play Ebay anymore infact the last time I sold anything on there would have been March/April/May 2006? just to clear up a couple of points....lol Bigd66soul here...lol firstly it was a little longer than a year ago possibly closer to two or maybe even three years ago that I sold this, when I asked around the general opinion was that it was a rare record and two grand was the suggested asking price? I think I offered it 'set sale' at the two grand first asking price? then maybe £1500.00 however I actually ended up selling it for £1300.00 directly to a collector not a bad return on a record I paid £50.00 for around 1990/91 from Bradford based DJ/Collector Nigel Parker, swings and slides this record collecting lark, prices move, increase, decrease etc. hope this helps and good luck to whoever wins this one from Pat, two decent R'n'B sides but one I don't miss anymore as I moved away from that R'n'B hard edge sound a bit back and put the money into other tunes. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Gonna have to try me some of that Lucozade....lol have you ever heard such a quote in your life, rose tinted glasses or what?....lol, credit to Paul Sadot for telling it like it was. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Best wishes for 2008. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Bumped 30th December 2007. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I started this soul journey back in 1976 and many people around my age 47 now started their involvement around that time with a few exceptions most of us have been around this scene for thirty plus years, for me 1976 - 1980/81 was a huge learning curve simply taking it all in, I wager when we all first started out we did'nt know a Detroit record from a Chicago one? were very much guided and influenced by the top DJ's of the day, as time passed my knowledge and desire to collect the records grew so from my own personal perspective the rare soul scene was born around 1980/81, the desire to chase records, to hear new records was paramount and something I've alway's thought the scene was about? Stafford was a huge influence to many people and certainly opened my ears to some wonderful records which have now become classics and certainly cemented the style and quality of records I collect and desire, Sam Fletcher, Sam Dees, Freddie Houston, Empires, Larry Davis etc. etc. the list is endless, progression of the scenes music is above all the single most important fundemental point of it all to me, thank the Lord Ady discovered all those wonderful masters, thank the Lord Keb, Guy, Pat, Dave did their thing at Stafford and Richard at Wigan before them, to Mr Levine and Mr Curtis and all the maverick DJ's and collectors who have all done their bit to further the enjoyment and entertainment for everyone connected to this scene of ours. Without question the 80's was IMO the most influential decade musically on the scene, all styles and tempos were given the chance to shine and be enjoyed and collected oh and for what it's worth it matters very little to me what tempo a record is just as long as it's soulful, yes the scene is dance floor driven but that does not mean that we should dismiss a gut wrenching slab of down tempo emotion just because 'Sammy Stomper' don't like it or he simply does not get it? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I'll leave that to you professionals if it's all the same....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Not so much tumbleweed moments but more 'why do we bother sometimes moments' at a couple of event's recently I've had firstly "can you play something more commercial please we like that here" and "any chance of cranking it up a bit mate"? "sorry do you mean turn up the volume"? "no can you play some faster records" when Ty Karim - 'You Really Made It Good To Me' was banging out of the speakers, it's not the comments or requests so much but the way some people talk to you like it's their devine right to be rude to you. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Gloria Barnes - Uptown - Maple - Rare Lp, possibly one of the rarest soul albums ever, vinyl in superb clean condition, cover a little worn, includes 'You Don't Mean It' Serious offers around £300.00 (Reserve Price) contact bicknellmark@aol.com or telephone 0161 330 6267. All offers to bicknellmark@aol.com the auction will run for five day's, highest bidder will be contacted directly.

Post updated 29th December 2007. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sissie Houston now sold. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

John Manship does have this on his site at £40.00. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Try Keith Williams at Soulsearcher Records or John Manship? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Post deleted. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

With all due respect James how can this be better if it's mostly an instrumental and backing singers? the vocal makes the record and the released version on Broadway IMO borders on perfection, I'm sure this acetate is very good James, perhaps the released 45 is not unique but none the less a superb record. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

List updated 26th December - Sissie Houston on hold. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

My lad was bolt upright in bed at 4am and waited until 5 to 5 before he started....lol X BOX 360 now in full operation and it's only well almost 8am, more Chelsea and football stuff than you can shake a stick at...fantastic! I got a digital video camera off the Mrs which just blew me away oh and a bottle of aftershave....lol have a brilliant day everyone now if you'll excuse me I have a meal to prepare...happy days! but I'm buggered if I'm doing the washing up....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Merry Christmas Miss Wallace, catch up soon I hope. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Good effort here everyone spreading some Christmas cheer.....have a belting Christmas. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Just a quick bit of news to let you know that the 'Soul Shack' will now be repeated every Saturday morning from 7am - 9am www.starpointradio.com and on Sky, good news if you miss the regular Sunday night slot of 10pm - Midnight, this repeat time slot may change in the future so I will keep you posted on any changes, for any requests, mentions and dedications please contact bicknellmark@aol.com Nice New Year show coming up this coming Sunday December 30th between 10pm - Midnight, thanks again to everyone for your support on the new show, Merry Christmas to one and all. Plenty of good stuff coming on the show through out 2008 which will include special guest DJ's and collectors, Venue Spotlights with examples of playlist's etc. If you have a venue and would like a mention please contact bicknellmark@aol.com - Plenty of competitions to win CD's, 45's, Magazines etc. It is my intention to make the show bigger and better in the New Year, thank you all for your support since November with the new show, Happy New Year and remember to support all Northern Soul based radio in 2008 and not just the mainstream set up's. Stay Soulful - Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Class act Roger, very festive....lol have a good one mate. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Well it's almost Christmas...have a fantastic time and good wished to everyone. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

List updated 21st December. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Hi Again , Steve Plumb has the Kim Morrison 45 in stock I think? and he sells a lot of 70's/Modern Soul www.soulmusic.co.uk Regards - Mark Bicknell.