Mark Bicknell

Why has Moses Dillard been reissued??? thought it was an easy original to find...lol still gotta pay the price for that one...oh i'm so funny these days...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

'I'm singing and dancing in the rain'.........doo do doo doo do......!!!!! Regards - Mark Bicknell

I never clear the floor...sweep it these day's.......i'm a professional...lol Mark Bicknell.

Gee shucks Del.....you are so kind......nice seeing you again at the Northampton Weekend. Regards - Mark Bicknell

It's impossible to explain this weird and wonderful scene to non soulies, the times i've been asked to explain it to family members,work mates etc.is alway's too much like hard work, they don't understand nor can they grasp what we are all about which makes me wonder we are part of a special scene, you tell them £20.00 for a record reaction wow!!! £50.00 you are mad is the reply, £100.00 plus you must have more money than sense, £300.00 and up they start talking about fishing or football, look at you like you just landed from Mars shake their heads and the conversation ends.I reply well i don't do normal things like go down the pub every night, or spend a fortune watching 22 young men kicking a ball about, or hitting the hell out of a small ball paying a thousand pounds to join a golf club, gambel or too many other vices or hobbies, be honest if you are into this music you don't often do anything else do we?...lol. My uncle Roy once asked me 'What's all this Northern Soul then'? i spent a good half hour trying to explain... which went 'well you know groups like The Temptations, Four Tops, Motown etc. well it's like that but different, the records were commercial flops, made by small record companies who tried to copy the Motown sound'.......glazed look from Uncle Roy, i lost interest as it was like i was speaking German or something.......' well Roy it's based on rare records, non hits'.........'yeh i like Motown Roy'....what you drinking? Chelsea did well last week!!!!! Regarding partners, girlfriends etc. i suggest you find a diamond like my Jacqui been on the scene longer than me, understands the addiction, bollocks me when i do spend our money on tunes, even put's up with my mindless conversation when we are watching television at night as from out of nowhere i ramble on about something to do with Northern Soul, oh and i tell her they all cost a fiver until the bank statement arrives.Personally i rather like being part of this almost secret society, how lucky we all are to get that magical buzz out of a vocal or harmony......some people go through their lives not really liking or understanding music as it's simply a back drop to their lives, the difference with us is the music is our lives......like Jacqui once said when interviewed...'Soul it's a feeling'...i guess that's why she puts up with me. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

If you would like to come on the Soul Shack as a guest then please contact me bicknellmark@aol.com for requests,mentions,dedications contact bicknellmark@aol.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Brett looking forward to it mate, get your soulful Sheffield hammer going....lol see you soon - Mark Bicknell.

Inspires me guy's basically what it's all about this scene of ours sharing the music...love it, anyone else interested in coming into the Soul Shack to play a few please get in contact bicknellmark@aol.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I'm sure he will, fact is many great records came out on yellow labels...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Almost forgot if you have any events coming up it's alway's a pleasure to give them a mention send all information to bicknellmark @aol.com - please send well in advance, list as many confirmed dates as possible, full details, DJ's booked, contact number/email etc. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Future guests confirmed to join me in The Soul Shack over the next few coming Sunday's between 8pm - 10pm UK time and between 9pm - 11pm Central Europe - www.solarradio.com CHANNEL 879 SKY DIGITAL As Follows - Sunday October 9th - Normal show no guest. Sunday October 16th - Neil Jones leading up to the big 7th Anniversary North Manchester Soul Club event which is a three room allnighter on Friday October 21st. Sunday 23rd October - Brian Flanders AKA Flanny Collector DJ form the Orwell Wigan events. Sunday 30th October - Normal show no guest. Sunday November 6th - Alan Darker Collector DJ from Manchester. Sunday November 13th - Normal show no guest. Sunday November 20th - Chalky Collector DJ from Life Line events. Sunday November 27th - Special 5th Anniversary show celebrating five years on the station - no guest. Sunday December 3rd - Brett Franklin Sheffield's finest. More guests to follow which will include Jo Wallace, Sister Dawn, Rich Buckley & Jamie Hartford 'Soulsville' Leeds, Nige Brown when i can get hold of him.....lol Steve Cato 'Soul Or Nothing' Manchester, Alison Holden and many others. For any requests,mentions,dedications please send to markbicknell@solarradio.com - many thanks for everyones support over the past five years, big thanks to all show sponsors including Soultown Promotions, New Century Soul Club, Tyne Side Soul Promotions, North Manchester Soul Club. Thanks to the likes of Ace/Kent, Goldmine Soul Supply, Grapevine, Universal etc. for some superb quality product which is always a pleasure to review and preview long may it continue. Lastly thanks to everyone who listens to the show every Sunday it's an honour to be invited into your front rooms for two hours, without an audience i would not have lasted five years, so thanks. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I think i played both of them....lol, i've not kept many albums but this one ain't going nowhere, what's it worth now ? possibly one of the hardest albums to find, there are some star albums i think every collection should hold the two good Artistics albums on Okeh and 'I'm Gonna Miss You' Brunswick, The Metros RCA, Hesitations Kapp, Spellbinders on Columbia fantastic LP, Garland Green Uni, Darrell Banks Atco, Williams And Watson Okeh, Baby Wahington Veep, Reflections on Golden World, Esquires on Bunky brilliant album, Tempests Smash......... Good thread this and inspired a future show thanks. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Ok here's my contribution...... Larry Williams and Johnny Watson - Takin' No Chances - Okeh From 'Two For The Price Of One' LP Shades Of Blue - A Way To Love You - Impact From 'Happiness Is Shades Of Blue' LP The Magnificent Men - I Got News - Capitol 'The Magnificent Men' LP The Magnificent Men - Keep On Climbing - Capitol As Above Clyde McPhatter - Please Give Me One More Chance - Decca 'Welcome Home LP Baby Washington - It's All Over But The Crying - Veep 'With You In Mind' LP The Platters - Why You Wanna Make Me Blue - Musicor 'Going Back To Detroit' LP Deon Jackson - The Reason Why - Solid Smoke 'His Greatest Recordings' LP never issued as a 45 on no other format to my knowledge. The Tempests - I Cried For You - Smash 'Would You Believe!' LP The Hesitations - That's What Love Is - Kapp 'Soul Superman LP The Platters - Doesn't Ring A Bell - Stateside UK 'Sweet Sweet Lovin' LP Baby Washington - Get A Hold Of Yourself - Veep 'With You In Mind' LP The Artistics - It's Gonna Be Alright - Brunswick 'I'm Gonna Miss You LP Betty Everett - You're Falling In Love - Uni 'There'll Come A Time' LP The Metros - I'm With You All The Way - RCA Victor 'Sweetest One'LP The Tempests - I Don't Wan't To Lose Her - Smash 'Would You Believe' LP Four Tops - Teahouse In China Town - Motown 'Four Tops' LP The Artistics - Why, Why, Why - Brunswick 'I'm Gonna Miss You LP Freddy Butler - That's When I Need You - Kapp 'With A Dab Of Soul' LP The Metros - I'll Never Forget You - RCA Victor 'Sweetest One' LP Smokey Robinson And The Miracles - My Baby Changes Like The Weather - Tamla 'Going To A Go-Go LP Gloria Barnes - Gotta Get Away - Maple 'Uptown' LP YES I HAVE THIS AND NO IT'S NOT FOR SALE...LOL Jnr Parker - I'm Gonna Take A Chance - Bluesway / ABC 'Sometimes Tomorrow My Broken Heart Will Die' LP Jimmy McCrackin - That's The Way It Goes - Imperial 'Every Night, Every Day LP The Righteous Brothers - It's Up To You - Verve ' Souled Out' LP 25 TRACKS good one hour set just me thinks...lol ok a few tracks from the same albums but i trust this does not break the rules.....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Do you mean album tracks that were never issued on 45's or is that cheating...lol Mark Bicknell

My mistake...sorry. Mark Bicknell.

As ever the media TV/Film/the press in general think they know it all and they simply don't, everytime there has been any television coverage over the years on the scene it's as though they have to get someone normally not connected with it who is famous to give it some street cred which is total bollocks, Nelson came across to me as a condersending no mark who is totally void of any connection, emotion or passion to Black Music of any era or style except to the era and productions he has championed or as it's already been said from which he has a professional and perhaps financial interest in, the whole series was geared towards the final episode where he could promote his own personal interests...it was a joke to be honest, they never seem to listen or take on board people who are in the know, christ if they don't give a shit why? make these watered down attempts of covering such a complex rich cult scene as the Northern scene is. There have been a couple of shows over the years which have shown a fair perspective of the scene but many have failed and missed the point totally, Nelson had the chance to produce an indepth look which should have been detailed and constructive and was the wrong person to present such an emotional very important music scene and culture, it's been said before that some people have it and some people don't SOUL that is and i'm affraid Mr Nelson did himself and his reputation no good at all, perhaps his clout and standing in the television industry sold him as being the perfect choice to front this show, yet dig under the surface and he has very little connection with SOUL music's ideals and ethos, be it Northern, Funk whatever! he was glib and had no interest in the subject at all, he even made the Funk scene which he claimed to have been a part of look like a drunken buch of wasters, i really object to people who use music cultures as a way of bettering their own goals and personal ambitions basically going along with it when they are involved at grass roots level, then when they get where they want to be with the fame and fortune bit they either totally dismiss any involvment in their scene or pull it to pieces and take the piss. In future i suggest the media either ask people with the true passions for a subject or stay the f*** away. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Lee Rogers is no longer with us Joan, Emanuel is but seem's like he won't come, not sure about Buddy Lamp but he would be the 'Next Best Thing'...lol sorry had to say that..........I'll let you all know as soon as possible but i'm not holding my breath, all i can say is i'm gonna ask the question and see what happens? Mark Bicknell.

Bugger you got me......had them all booked and ready to go.....lol Mark Bicknell.

Lol.........certainly this person is up there with the names you have mentioned, well all apart from Paul Anka Kenny....lol, I really have almost got to someone so mindblowing that if it does come off it will be awesome, i should have a phone call or email over the weekend and will let you all know i promise, i think it's more down to if this performer want's to come rather than me finding them which has taken ages, this is not a wind up i promise. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I am so close to tracking down one of the most amazing singers ever connected to the rare soul scene in this country, it's taken me ages to get a contact and lead on this person, now i'm not even sure if this person will be interested in performing anymore but believe me i'm gonna try all i can to pull this off, i hope to have full contact by the weekend and either way i will at least speak to my hero and see how the land lies, i'll keep you all guesing but think of one of the greatest voices ever and that's clue enough at this stage, this will be a massive gig if it comes off and will be hosted in a major venue in 2006 very possibly an alldayer or a late night soul session but not an allnighter or weekender it will be a seperate event as not to clash or rival the already busy calender nor do i wish to step on anyone's toes but this act will appeal to everybody from Twisted Wheel originals through all decades of the scene, the Bettye Lavette gig i helped with a few years ago in Blackpool was one of the biggest gates on the scene for a one off gig in recent years but if this comes off it will surpass that by miles. I only hope the news is good this weekend but even if it does go pear shaped i will still have made contact with one of the legendary performers of Black America...I'll do my best i promise...this is more than soul this is almost as good as it get's...............................more details to follow. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I'm pretty liberal with my condition's as all my records are clean, thanks again for all your comments. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Yes CD only...i bet Vinyl Carvers are sick of cutting this track...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Nite, Nite Jock...Nite, Nite Tony.......Nite John Boy and get off Sue Ellen...lol Mark Bicknell.

Hello Tony, Hello Jock....lol Mark Bicknell.