Mark Bicknell

I really did not fancy the trip to the supermarkey today as my foot still hurts like hell but to avoid any grief i went and i'm so glad i did, walking around the music section of our local Asda as my boy wanted another '50 Cent' CD, i was drawn to this display named 'The Solid Gold Selection' just for a look as you do, then i noticed this well packaged gold box double CD - Northern Soul - 36 Stomping Floor Shakers, at the first glance i thought oh no not another dodgy selection of re - records as at £4.97 it has to be crap.......wrong! On picking this CD up it was in the trolly within seconds, it's as i say a double package of some 36 tracks most of which are taken from the One- Derful, M-Pac, Midas and Mar-V-Lus group of companies out of Chicago plus a selection of other labels, now most of this stuff as been out on CD before via Charly and Goldmine but for it's money under a fiver this is a pretty good selection to leave in the car and enjoy, includes a couple of down tempo fillers but all in all superb stuff, very good quality recordings, well packaged , comprehensive notes on the artists and tracks featured compiled by a guy called Bill Baker? Ok 'The Snake' is included but that's about as average as this dynamite packed gets..........here's the track listing, one or two of the tracks i'm sure have not been out on CD before but will have to check...quick Asda closes at 4pm on a Sunday....lol - Please this is not a wind up honest IN ASDA NOW AT £4.97 Stand out tracks for me are in bold print. CD 1. BETTY EVERETT - GETTING MIGHTY CROWDED OTIS CLAY - I'M SATISFIED THE SHARPEES - DO THE 45 MARY SILVERS - THE POWER OF LOVE RINGLEADERS - BABY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR LOVE AL WILSON - THE SNAKE LIZ LANDS - DON'T SHUT ME OUT OTIS CLAY - A FLAME IN MY HEART THE ACCENTS - WHO YOU GONNA LOVE LUCKY LAWS - WHO IS SHE THE SHARPEES - JUST TO PLEASE YOU BETTY EVERETT - YOUR LOVE IS IMPORTANT TO ME OTIS CLAY - I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO DENISE CHANDLER - I'M WALKING AWAY THE FASCINATIONS - GIRLS ARE OUT TO GET YOU INSPIRATIONS - YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND BETTY EVERETT - PLEASE LOVE ME BEVERLEY SHAFFER - WHERE WILL YOU BE BOY? CD 2. THE ADMIRATIONS - DON'T LEAVE ME JERRY FULLER - DOUBLE LIFE OTIS CLAY - GOT TO FIND A WAY BETTY EVERETT - I'VE GOT A CLAIM ON YOU THE SHARPEES - I GOT A SECRET THE SKULLSNAPS - I'M YOUR PIMP OTIS CLAY - SHOW PLACE BETTY EVERETT - I'LL BE THERE CICERO BLAKE - SAD FEELING LIZ LANDS - ONE MAN'S POISION THE ACCENTS - YOU BETTER THINK AGAIN OTIS CLAY - I TESTIFY THE ADMIRATIONS - WAIT TILL I GET TO KNOW YOU BEVERLEY SHAFFER - EVEN THE SCORE JOE & MACK - DON'T YOU WORRY THE ACCENTS - NEW GIRL THE SHARPEES - TIRED OF BEING LONLEY OTIS CLAY - THATS - HOW IT IS WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE This package has been put out by a company called Union Square Music Ltd and the number of the CD is SGDCD 2006. Don't you just love food shopping....lol. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Cheers Christian, thinking about it i'm pretty sure i had it on Claytown years back and got rid when i found the Brunswick Demo, oh well my fault, nice Demo though Mr Moore and i'm doing your reviews for Hitsville..........like you say Christian nice record though it matters very little how rare it is or how much it's worth as i guess more people can buy a copy if it's cheap and just enjoy the record as a quality tune. Mark Bicknell.

You bet Dave give me a call during the week or drop me an email bicknellmark@aol.com Have a good night in London town wish Ady a happy birthday from me..lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Dave, open invite to you as well if you fancy guesting on the show, then we can both go for a pint in the Rovers afterwards....lol Mark Bicknell.

Yeh and i could finally get to play pissed fat bloke at the bar......lol Hot Pot please Betty!!!!! Mark Bicknell.

Go there on your own then Mrs.....lol Mark Bicknell.

Hi Dan, as a matter of course i always tend to play the flip of a new tune i get, often they are not so good, but oh what a joy to discover a hidden gem on the other side. Thanks again for the scans of Bobby Reed. Mark Bicknell.

Cheers Dan, on reflection i have seen the issue way back but i think it was in a friends collection, perhaps both the issue and demos are pretty few and far between on this perhaps overlooked quality tune. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Doug....why are we up so early on a Saturday????? Oh well back to the decorating...lol Mark Bicknell.

Confirmed guests coming up Brett Franklin, Rich And Jamie Soulsville also Alison Nightingale as well.....sorry Alison we must do it soon.....www.solarradio.com - The Soul Shack in conjunction with Tyne Side Soul Promotions, North Manchester Soul Club - For further information on Solar Radio check out the web site www.solarradio.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Just to let you know that i have invited several guests to come into the Soul Shack over the next few weeks, which include, Neil Jones - North Manchester Soul Club, Rich Buckley & Jamie Hartford - Soulsville Leeds second visit, Brett Franklin - Sheffieild's very own master of soul filled disaster second visit, Brian Flanders AKA Flanny, Alan Darker from Manchester, Jo Wallace leading up to the release of her next Soul Satisfaction CD, possibly Val Palmer yet to be confirmed, Nige Brown if i can get hold of the man, Sister Dawn - a regular here on Soul Source, Jumping Joan when she can get over and anyone else who fancies it contact bicknellmark@aol.com It's always a joy to have guests in to do a show, gives a different slant and take on things, just a reminder that the show goes out on CHANNEL 879 SKY DIGITAL - www.solarradio.com - 8pm - 10pm UK time and between 9pm - 11pm Central Europe. I will be celebrating five years on Solar at the end on November and invite any requests, mentions and dedications for the Anniversary show which will broadcast on Sunday 27th November 2005. Thanks again for your continued support of the show and please get in touch with all the venue information, news, views and comments are always welcome. Also coming up before Christmas Detroit and Chicago Specials, plus regular reviews of new CD releases as and when they drop through the letter box. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I thought it was the same group i have the A-Bet 45 but not the other one so could not compare credits etc. plus the records are upstairs...lol I just think YDEKMN sounds out of tune to my ear just might be the production..each to his own. Regards - Mark Bicknell

My neighbours think i'm very odd, a man in his mid 40's into music the same age, i often give em' George Blackwell at full volume on a Friday afternoon............lol Mark Bicknell.

Personally i think the A-Bet 45 "Bigger And Better" is a far more soulful record...that's if it's the same group which i think it is. Mark Bicknell.

Two for teatime..................and good they are too. Bobby Angelle - Living Lie - Money 125 - I did ask on here a few days ago if anyone had an idea of this superb West coast moover's value but as yet no feedback, i understand it has had a few plays at the gigs so there must be some following and interest for this Arthur Wright production which is uptempo in pace holds a very gritty pounding backbeat with an outstanding vocal, sounds the dogs bollocks at full volume and cements this powerhouse 45's quality, i found this on the bottom shelf put it on and instanly fell in love with it all over again, possibly the second time i've played it but had it a good few years, picked it up with a clutch of other records for very little money but i reckon it has a decent collectable price tag, has to be £75.00 and upwards (any ideas?????) i'm gonna give this record a spin when i'm out and about again would certainly work in the specialist rooms. The Fantastics - That One B/W High Note - Sound Stage Seven 2548/Copa 8005 Another cracking double header also can be found on two labels SS7 being the more common i think although i have a nice white demo it should set you back around £30.00 and perhaps £40/50.00 on Copa, 'That One' is the more upbeat side with oh so cool and tight harmonies, the flip is just perfection once again, this is a solid group record and needs more of a profile, used to be very cheap at around £8.00 and has been swallowed up into collections over the years i bet, i wish i could locate more records in this style as they push all the right buttons for me......Three guys on stage and when they hit the high note they mean and feel it......Fantastic from the Fantastics both sides they hit their notes perfectly. Mark Bicknell.

Snack time......tasty! The Twilights - You're The One - Aqua 29301/2 - I've always been drawn to the more quirky Blue Eyed records over the years stuff like Buck Rogers - 'Take It From Me Girl', Raving Mads - 'Where Is Love', Anthony And The Aqua Lads - 'I Remember', the Lou Roberts 45's and so on, this ravershing 45 hails out of North Carolina, who says white boys can't sing?, tight harmonies throughout this three minute romp have your full attention it's almost instant with a catchy up beat tempo in a Northern style, used to be around £15.00 in the dark ages of collecting but i've seen this at anything from £50.00 to £100.00 on sales lists in recent times, perhaps not one for the hard authentic artists of afro American origin collectors but if you like the odd ball stuff non black records then this will be a welcome addition to your collection, was quite a common record to find in the early 80's but supply seems to have dried up so it might prove difficult to find, never really been a massive record as the beat is a tad too fast for the dance floor but nice and loud in your record or bedroom this is of a quality without question and very soon you will be singing along to this this one hairbrush in hand...'Listen woman you treated me right, you gave me loving both day and night'...........you get the picture! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Just back from the doctors deep joy and another sick note was issued to me for a further 4 weeks so plenty of time on my hands to develop and contribute to this it seems very popular thread, so here we go, hit em' high, hit em' low and hit em' hard...four little moovers to start the day i think! Ortheia Barnes - I've Never Loved Nobody (Like I Love You) Coral 6259 - Starting off today with this mindblowing soulful offering by J.J. Barnes's little sister if my information is correct, this 45 very much falls into the crossover flava, a record really waiting to explode onto the mainstream Northern scene and it's flip is a superb down tempo tune 'Waiting For Joey' which reminds me of Buddy Smith - When You Lose The One You Love' Brute, well the backing does anyway...lol well worth a listen and if you like it this graceful recording will set you back around £30.00 for a stock/issue and maybe £50.00 for a yellow demo. Tommy Mosley - For Her Love - Uptown 706 - This mid tempo marvel very possibly 'Blue Eyed, another record that has never really took off as big as it should, always see it listed for £40/50.00 and i bet it flys off the lists, the flip 'You Lied, Love Cried,Love Died' is also well worth a spin, big city soul production on this from Eddie Ray and a sublime arrangement by Rene Hall brings out a top notch vocal performance from Mr Mosley............I rate this record highly, well worth the hunt and small financial investment, still you can't put a price on the return of listening pleasure created by records as good as this. Bobby Joy - You Sweet Devil You - Tangerine TRC 981 / Sentry 103 This also came out on two lables and not a lot in it price wise TRC £30.00 the other £50.00 or in that bracket at least, an incredible record which did get a few spins way back by the likes of Colin Laws Scotlands finest of course! great production of this Clarence Hunter song, Bobby Joy has a great pair of pipes and really nails this sucker, i suspect this is in many collections already so may be a little difficult to find but what a treasure when you do find one, i've had mine years and have sold more exspensive records than this but certain 45's just stay with you throughout your collecting journey and this is one of those. Sonny Daye - Long Long Road To Happiness - Power 008 This one out of Hollywood is an old Stafford Top Of The World spin, written by Frank Wilson and Sherlie Matthews also produced and performed by Frank Wilson if the rumour is true that Sonny Daye is infact Frank Wilson do i believe that indeed i do....lol This is high grade traditional Northern Soul, pretty well known but another that has some turntable action left in it, i rate this around £75.00 but i've seen it listed for well over the hundred pound mark.....is it worth this?????........oh yes, indeed it is! Regards - Mrk Bicknell.

Sweet dreams for tonight......keep them coming! Bobby Reed - You Are B/W I'm Not Coming Back Bunswick 55282/Claytown 17700 - I have this superb little gem on a yellow Brunswick demo the national release in the States, never seen a Brunswick issue/stock and only ever seen it once on Claytown, the man who recorded 'The Time Is Right For Love' ( Bell 888) is alright with me, i've rated this dynamic double header for years and my copy has been with me for a long time, a mellow production on 'You Are' as soon as stylus hits vinyl it's all there another perfect love song, the flip could finish any soul session with ease, value wise you will have to part with at least £30.00 for a Brunswick and maybe £60/70.00 for a Claytown copy, like i say i've never seen a Brunswick issue of this and would be interested to know if anyone has one out there? The Inverts - Look Out Love - Tower 324 - This is feel good group soul performed with natural perfection this group make it sound so easy, this group also recorded a biggie one of my all time wants 'Time Will Change' - Broadway 406 managed to buy this several years ago but discovered a hair-line crack on it when i got home so returned it to the seller wished i'd kept it now as it played fine that must be worth £250.00 now, the review side here will set you back around £30.00, more uptempo than the Broadway 45 infact this is a sweet mid paced dancer, i'm sure many of you will know of this record and may have passed it by, well worth picking up because this one has not really been pushed at the venues, with a few more plays this would i'm sure get a few toes tapping. Thank You And Goodnight - Mark Bicknell.

Again sorry about the balls up with The Atlantics review...... More tooooooooooooooooooooons to follow. Mark Bicknell.

I'm so sorry i really messed that up tried to link a scan of the record and messed up bigtime, i'll stick to just the written word i think. Big sorry. mark Bicknell.

Brett you say the kindest things mate, don't worry we will have a belting night out very soon at Soulsville in Leeds, Friday October 7th for some of that Russian lager and a few quality tunes....see you soon. Ok time to maybe take this thread into another dimension...it's sparkly dresses and boufont hair do time...lets go to Detroit! The Atlantics - What's So Good About Goodbye - Marquee 444- written and also recorded at Motown by the legend that is William (Smokey) Robinson published by Jobete Music this is a stunning record and a much more crisp more punchy version than The Miracles Tamla 54053, it took me years to get this record after first hearing i think Keb Darge playing it in the early 80's, i've seen a couple of copies for sale over the years prior to getting mine and they were pretty battered poor looking condition so i passed on them, winning this on dare i say the word E-Bay very late one night a couple of years ago was simply bliss, a super clean almost unplayed copy was finally mine for $300.00 approx. I'm not a big lover of Female group records normally as i find them a little lacking compared to the male group stuff, the flipside to this comment is they have to hold that something a little special as this record does, a sultry sexy performance you can just see these little girls laying this track down circa 1967/68, more of a personal record than something to play out infact i don't think i've ever played this at a venue, very selfish perhaps as this is quality through and through, one slight problem with this record is it books at at least £300.00 but i would stick another £100.00 on that figure as although there is no real big demand for this record the few copies there are of this are very firmly in collections, it never comes up for sale to often but for me personally it was worth waiting twenty years to get a copy. Regards - Mark Bicknell. Brett you say the kindest things mate, don't worry we will have a belting night out very soon at Soulsville in Leeds, Friday October 7th for some of that Russian lager and a few quality tunes....see you soon. Ok time to maybe take this thread into another dimension...it's sparkly dresses and boufont hair do time...lets go to Detroit! The Atlantics - What's So Good About Goodbye - Marquee 444- written and also recorded at Motown by the legend that is William (Smokey) Robinson published by Jobete Music this is a stunning record and a much more crisp more punchy version than The Miracles Tamla 54053, it took me years to get this record after first hearing i think Keb Darge playing it in the early 80's, i've seen a couple of copies for sale over the years prior to getting mine and they were pretty battered poor looking condition so i passed on them, winning this on dare i say the word E-Bay very late one night a couple of years ago was simply bliss, a super clean almost unplayed copy was finally mine for $300.00 approx. I'm not a big lover of Female group records normally as i find them a little lacking compared to the male group stuff, the flipside to this comment is they have to hold that something a little special as this record does, a sultry sexy performance you can just see these little girls laying this track down circa 1967/68, more of a personal record than something to play out infact i don't think i've ever played this at a venue, very selfish perhaps as this is quality through and through, one slight problem with this record is it books at at least £300.00 but i would stick another £100.00 on that figure as although there is no real big demand for this record the few copies there are of this are very firmly in collections, it never comes up for sale to often but for me personally it was worth waiting twenty years to get a copy. Regards - Mark Bicknell. Brett you say the kindest things mate, don't worry we will have a belting night out very soon at Soulsville in Leeds, Friday October 7th for some of that Russian lager and a few quality tunes....see you soon. Ok time to maybe take this thread into another dimension...it's sparkly dresses and boufont hair do time...lets go to Detroit! The Atlantics - What's So Good About Goodbye - Marquee 444- written and also recorded at Motown by the legend that is William (Smokey) Robinson published by Jobete Music this is a stunning record and a much more crisp more punchy version than The Miracles Tamla 54053, it took me years to get this record after first hearing i think Keb Darge playing it in the early 80's, i've seen a couple of copies for sale over the years prior to getting mine and they were pretty battered poor looking condition so i passed on them, winning this on dare i say the word E-Bay very late one night a couple of years ago was simply bliss, a super clean almost unplayed copy was finally mine for $300.00 approx. I'm not a big lover of Female group records normally as i find them a little lacking compared to the male group stuff, the flipside to this comment is they have to hold that something a little special as this record does, a sultry sexy performance you can just see these little girls laying this track down circa 1967/68, more of a personal record than something to play out infact i don't think i've ever played this at a venue, very selfish perhaps as this is quality through and through, one slight problem with this record is it books at at least £300.00 but i would stick another £100.00 on that figure as although there is no real big demand for this record the few copies there are of this are very firmly in collections, it never comes up for sale to often but for me personally it was worth waiting twenty years to get a copy. Regards - Mark Bicknell. Brett you say the kindest things mate, don't worry we will have a belting night out very soon at Soulsville in Leeds, Friday October 7th for some of that Russian lager and a few quality tunes....see you soon. Ok time to maybe take this thread into another dimension...it's sparkly dresses and boufont hair do time...lets go to Detroit! The Atlantics - What's So Good About Goodbye - Marquee 444- written and also recorded at Motown by the legend that is William (Smokey) Robinson published by Jobete Music this is a stunning record and a much more crisp more punchy version than The Miracles Tamla 54053, it took me years to get this record after first hearing i think Keb Darge playing it in the early 80's, i've seen a couple of copies for sale over the years prior to getting mine and they were pretty battered poor looking condition so i passed on them, winning this on dare i say the word E-Bay very late one night a couple of years ago was simply bliss, a super clean almost unplayed copy was finally mine for $300.00 approx. I'm not a big lover of Female group records normally as i find them a little lacking compared to the male group stuff, the flipside to this comment is they have to hold that something a little special as this record does, a sultry sexy performance you can just see these little girls laying this track down circa 1967/68, more of a personal record than something to play out infact i don't think i've ever played this at a venue, very selfish perhaps as this is quality through and through, one slight problem with this record is it books at at least £300.00 but i would stick another £100.00 on that figure as although there is no real big demand for this record the few copies there are of this are very firmly in collections, it never comes up for sale to often but for me personally it was worth waiting twenty years to get a copy. Regards - Mark Bicknell. SWScan00052.BMP SWScan00052.BMP SWScan00052.BMP SWScan00052.BMP

I'm just gonna slip the odd one or two in the mix from now on, sorry missed lunch and teatime selections due to being at home with my boy, i'm the master at speg bol.......yummy. Time to get out the kleenex...this is awesome! Jimmy Gilford - Heartbreaker - Solid Hit 103 - Written by J.J.Barnes a Solid Hitbound production, this record is pure perfection, very down tempo aka a beat ballad, if Roy Hamilton - The Panic Is On (MGM) etc. is your kind of groove then Mr Gilford is up there with the best of them, his other two known records also rate up there with the Detroit biggies, Nobody Loves Me Like My Baby - Thelma, and I Wanna Be Your Baby - Wheelsville 101 which are also two worthy records, 'Heartbreaker' is just that very worthy indeed from it's haunting intro you are there with this mans pain, talk about records that have me in bit's this is one of them, i've had my white promo for years think i paid a fiver for it way back, i'm sure i've seen a demo listed on a sales list for £100.00 but i could be way off on this, stock/issues should be around £30.00 but who knows, put it this way if i did'nt have this i would gladly part with a ton to get it, his voice is velvet, his emotion creates a masterpiece of a record.......................AWESOME!!!!!!! This ain't Northern it's more than that if you understand me. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Crisp beautiful melt in your mouth type of chips here Joan, not a speck of greese in sight and not a limp greesy one listed...top tooooooooooooooooones. Mark Bicknell.

Mark, you have beautiful home made chips, chip shop chips which can be very tasty, even those burger joint chips or are they called fries????? some cost 75p a bag others a quid all can be tasty at whatever the price...lol i never mentioned there was a price cap on this thread, it's just developed into the lesser known and some cheaper inclusions, if we started on the big ticket stuff that's pretty pointless as most folk know the story behind them and somene would bound to pipe up with the 'you flash bastard comment', i posted a playlist on here once with comments on each record and because some of them were the bigger ticket stuff i was shot down in flames and sighted as showing off so best we stick with the format here, ten pound or a thousand pound if someone rates a tune then bring on the information.........chip anyone....lol Mark Bicknell.

I'm happy that Dawn and Ted are happy...lol Mark Bicknell.