Mark Bicknell

Big shame that Sheridans has gone,hope another venue can be found soon to capture what the northern scene is really all about. regards - mark bicknell

This is spot on honest and true, normal blokes with a few good records, it's not the DJ's who hype themselves it's often the scene and situation that plays it's part. Kudos is created by others and not directly by the DJ or collector and i agree the true heroes are the people who made the records in the first place. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Northern Soul folk law, rumour and speculation ain't it great!!!! I know where this copy came from infact there were two copies sourced one of which was totally unplayable yet still sold the other was in superb shape, i could go into detail of who sourced them and where they came from but it ain't my place to say sorry. Again Northern Soul folk law and friends in high places...lol thank you Mr Ashford is all i will say............ Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Here!Here! Regards - Mark Bicknell

# Dread to think the number of big ticket items i have had through my hands over the years, still thats the nature of record collecting and this wonderful scene of ours, yes i did pay £40.00 for a Gene Toones stock copy which has turned out to be one of only two blue issues out there, i sold it on about 16 years ago for £300.00 alongside The Empires - Candi think it was £805.00 for the two, oh well if we had known then what we know now then we would have kept everything...lol Also what you have to take into account is that sought of price then was a shit load of money for records say's the man who sold Eric Mercury at Stafford for £100.00........i'll get my coat! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Interesting this......mines an issue, sourced it from Mick Smith at a record fair in Manchester only a couple of years back and i think it was only £25.00, best we get this one played out there a little more, great record. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

For what it's worth i don't think Ben Zine is a group more the guys name first name Ben, surname Zine, yes massive at Yate etc. i even had a copy twenty years ago infact had about three or four over the years all of which i've sold on, yes there are better records around and also i've heard a lot worse over the years, harmless pop music with a beat that worked way back but not one to be given a second chance on today's scene..still whatever floats your boat!!! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Must be worth £25/30.00 of anyones money, trouble is this type of record is so right for now so supply may not meet demand, has so much play in it a fantastic record from 1971 aint it????? Awesome record and not big money, should be pretty easy to locate via the major dealers. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Top ooh there Derek, all your points are spot on and so was that set. Regards - Mark Bicknell. PS Can you remember what we played in Italy last year coz i'm buggered if i can?

The Vondells - Hey Girl - Airtown, apart from the intro this record is over priced, over played,over rated and sadly over here, vocally a real mess and if anyone can understand the lyrics then please tell me what it's all about, not only that but there are more copies around than it's rare status would suggest and should not be a big ticket item. I'll get my coat - Mark Bicknell

Rated this for years also 'Lost Love' not a big priced trophy record but pure class. regards - Mark Bicknell.

The Festivals - Hey Girl B/W Checkin' Out - Blue Rock DJ, two fantastic sides but can't stop playing Checkin' Out, simply a quality tune so right for now, if you see this pick it up now as i think this could prove a popular record and will soon be on hundreds of wants lists, good solid semi known oldie, a beautiful record worth £50.00 of anyones money.

Ged, You know it son...lol on a more serious note regarding dj fee's it's a private thing between dj and promoter, yes there are certain dj's who can get more than others but the fee's don't even come close to the financial investment for records, still most of us do it because we can, because we have the records, the passion, the commitment, i always say i do my nine to five gig through the week which pays the bills etc. the dj thing is my release, my escape and my contribution to the scene and the music i love, it's for life this scene and it's a pleasure to be asked to play a few records..........it's a little harder and not as simple as that, many of the comments Ian Cunliffe made here i second, yes there are many people out there playing records yet how many are really top draw? Regarding how much dj's are worth well that's a hard one, i work on the basis that if it's a big night,packed etc. then i tend to leave it to the promoter to make an offer but i do have my own rate in my head, if i know the promoter i normally agree a bottom line and tell them let's see how it goes, long distance major venues i give a straight price, for the right people i would do it for a flat fee and if it's a bad night then forget it, however having said that if you are gonna promote an event i believe that you should go into the venture with enough money to cover all expences even if it's a lower fee to the dj's, it's about trying to cover your back and reputation. I've worked hundreds of gigs over the past twenty years and have done the freebies, worked for nothing, served my time so now for myself and many others out there dj'ing the money ain't really what it's about coz even £500.00 a spot for the likes of Soul Sam, Butch, Andy Dyson, Keith Money etc. don't even come close really, as long as we cover the expences, have a few beers (or a lot of beer in the case of Mr Rimmer and myself) we do it because we can, we do it because it's inside us, we do it because we love it it's that simple. But that does not mean that we are the last thing to be considered when it's time for a 1000 capacity packed venue to pay the wages at the end of the night, or oh lads sorry i've had a bad night, or we have only had xxxxx through the door. I've heard it all before over the years as i'm sure many other dj's have, don't have a problem if the place is empty but when it's rocking pay the entertainers i.e the dj's a decent whack. There might very well be dj's who will do it for nothing or for £15.00 and a pint but this ethic is something set in the dark ages alongside £3.00 admission for a soul night, compared to other forms of entertainment, modern day admission prices to current night clubs etc. in any city centre across the country i bet it's £10.00 if not more to get into the place, then you have £3.00 for a bottle of lager etc. etc. yet the northern scene seems to not have moved with inflation in terms of admission prices for example, crazy really when many people think nothing of spending thousands of pounds on records and other forms of weekend entertainment lol yet god forbid we have to pay £15.00 or £20.00 to get into an allnighter. The other way is simple revert back to the days when there were only three or four dj's on instead of ten or more, all do longer or more spots. which brings the best out of most dj's, to dig deep, think it out, blend the spot, take the dance floor to another level, another place, work it, enjoy it, have a feel and a passion for it. Hope you don't take my comments the wrong way i just believe if some venues are packed with 1500 people at £10.00 each admission charge then to pay a top namr dj anything less than £100.00 is a little insulting, still with the likes of myself Mr Cunliffe, Rimmer, Banks etc. etc. we would all dj in a telephone box to one person for a pint or ten........well me and Mr Rimmer perhaps two phone boxes one to play the records and and one to turn into a bar. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I said i agree with you Christian, was simply quoting an interview from liner notes via a Relic LP of Volumes Chex recordings which was an interview with Union in the mid 80's, as i said often the artists are a little cloudy of their past so what chance do we have and does it eally matter anyway. The fact is that most of The Volumes recordings are awesome no matter who sang lead and thats all we really care about is it not. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Christian, Only going off an interview Eddie Union gave in the mid 80's, i guess it's even hard for the group members to get a little cloudy after so many years, i take your point and on listening to the records i tend to agree with you. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

The Volumes Formed around 1960 made up of five Detroit teenagers which were Eddie Union lead singer on all the Chex, Jubilee, Old Town and American Arts records including 'Gotta Give Her Love' B/W 'I Can't Live Without You, 'I Just Can't Help Myself' B/W 'One Way Lover' Elijah "Teenie" Davis-first tenor, Larry Wright-second tenor (not sure if this is the 'Sweet Sweet Kisses' Larry Wright but it's possible), Joe Truvillion-baritone and Ernest Newson-bass. Eddie Union left the group in 1965 Larry Wright sang lead on the Twirl record 'Maintain You Cool' B/W ' I Got Love' - Twirl 2016, Some line up changes and shuffling followed and Gerald Mathis sang lead on their 1966 Impact release 'The Trouble I've Seen' B/W 'That Same Old Feeling' and then Jimmy Burger sang lead on the three Inferno releases between 1967 and 68. Eddie Union returned to the group in 1968 for two years in which time there were no recording sessions until hooking up with legendary producer Ollie McLaughlin where during this time they recorded the superb 'Ain't Gonna Give You Up' again i think 'Union' sang lead on this. I'm not sure if 'The Magnetics' connection is just rumour or Northern Soul folk-law were there not three Magnetics groups anyway, Sable,Bonnie and Rasel are three different outfits i thought? but the information above is i believe correct and i hope it helps at least from this you now know that there were at least three front men on 'The Volumes' records. Hope It Helps - Regards - Mark Bicknell.

The Masqueraders have just been confirmed and added to the Northampton weekender later on in the year...wow so thats The Just Brothers, Chuck Jackson, Willie Kendrick and now these guys, this should be a wonderful weekend, more details i'm sure to follow from the promoters......see you at the bar. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

The Dynamics - I Need Your Love/Love Me - RCA Ty Karim - You Really Made It Good To Me/All At Once - Senator/Romark Garland Green - Forty Days And Nights/Girl I Love You - Gamma/Revue Larry Atkins - Ain't That Love Enough/Lighten Up - Highland/Romark Vala Reegan - Fireman/Living In The Past - Atco/Atlantic Had toothy out so still in pain, i'll be back with a few more. Regards - Mark Bicknell

The Cashmeres - Show Stopper/Don't Let The Door Hit You Back - Hem The Ambers - Potion Of Love/Another Love - Smash Dena Barnes - Ever Walk Out/Who Am I - Inferno The Ascots - Anytime/Sometimes I Wonder - Mir-A-Don Billy Hambric - I Found True Love/She Said Goodbye - Drum Billy Kennedy - Sweet Things/Groovy Generation - Thelma Festivals - Hey Girl/Checkin' Out - Blue Rock Tony Hestor - Watch Yourself/Just Can't Leave You - Karate Johnny Rodgers - Make A Change/Soul Food - Amon Steve Mancha - Monday Through Thursday/Friday Night - Groovesville Emanuel Laskey - Peace Loving Man/Sweet Lies - Thelma Stanley Mithchell - Get It Baby/Quit Twistin My Arm - Dynamo Falcons - Good Good Feeling/Love You Like You Never Been Loved Before - Big Wheel Volumes - I Just Can't Help Myself/One Way Lover - American Arts Volumes - Same Od Feeling/Trouble I've Seen - Impact I'll get back on this one, brain is mush due to toothy ache. Regards - Mark Bicknell

Taking this playlist topic one step further i thought it would be a nice idea if we perhaps listed our big in our record rooms or bedrooms selections, the stuff that flosts our boats in private rather than out and about at the clubs.........here's twenty that have been getting plenty of turntable action upstairs in the Soul Shack. The Metrics - Wishes ( Chadwick ) Stunning uptempo Northern Soul. The Festivals - Hey Girl B/W Checkin' Out (Blue Rock DJ) Two fantastic sides both need playing. The Sinceres - Girl. I Love You (Pzazz) How good is this, simply awesome tune. The Lovations - Heaven Told Me So B/W (I Keep Singing) La La La Ooh (Part III) Another superb double header. Jimmy Burns And The Fantastic Epics - It Use To Be (Tip Top) Just about as good as it gets. Bobby Sansom And The Maus-Marks - "Don't Leave" (Baby Don't Go) (Sublime) Simply stunning. The Exceptionals - Unlucky Girl (GRT) Love this too bits. Sunlovers - My Poor Heart (Breakthrough) Wonderful tune. The Webs - Tomorrow (Popside) Cheap as chips awesome record. The Legends - "Fear Not" (Locket) So so good. The Stratoliners - What Do You Want With My Love (Federal) Does it for me this one. Irma And The Fasinators - Lost Love (Scepter DJ) Magic record. Little Ben And The Cheers - "I'm Gonna Get Even With You" B/W Never More (Penny) Been around for years two stunning sides. Irene And The Scotts - I'm Stuck On My Baby (Smash DJ) Class Northern. Johnny Newbag - Sweet Thing B/W Little Samson (Port) Another superb double header. Tha Fantastics - That One B/W High Note (Sound Stage Seven DJ) Awesome! The Masqueraders - How Big Is Big (Bell) This is just about as good as it's gets. Little Jewel - I Want To (Tay-Ster) This needs more spins out at the venues, fantastic record. Clarence Reed And The Delmiros - Sooner Or Later (Selma DJ) Love this record. Two People - Stop, Leave My Heart Alone (Revue DJ) Far more popular second time round this one, has it all class Northern Soul. There are a few more, well loads to be honest but this bunch have been driving the neighbours mental in recent weeks. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Roger, I take your point regarding the cheap unknown becoming popular then exspensive but this is basically out of the control of the DJ rather the demand being far greater than the supply, when i sourced Curly Moore for example i was drawn to it's quality rather than value and if you have a good ear for a tune and it caputures the imagination at the venues how rewarding to turn a little unknown into a monster, perhaps a better way than trophy collecting the established big ticket items? All records started out at reasonable prices say twenty years ago but the way the collectors scene is now basically Global, price guides, E Bay etc. etc. the prices have become out of most peoples reach, so i choose to try and source records which could possibly work at the gigs if they do and increase in price again thats down to record dealers and demand not the fact it was a ten quid record to start with but it's quality,and rare aspect becomes the issue and has nothing to do with my own financial gain as that has no interest to me as i'm far more interested in the tune rather than how much it's worth, often rare and exspensive don't always mean good! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Have the best of both worlds i say, i pretty much think i have all if not many of the quality Northern CD compilations out there, ok so i get most of them on promo format prior to release for my radio show but even then i still buy the one's i miss, records are a different ball game and although my collection is all authentic original USA 45's I'm by no means complete...who is? when DJ'ng in my book at any level it has to be presented with original format 45's it's tradition and simply the way it is, i have a pretty good collection including some of the so called big ticket items but also hold many records under £100.00 and to get hold of a cheapy and turn it into a monster is fantastic and very rewarding i.e Curly Moore - You Don't Mean - Sansu was down to me basically which i picked up for £8.00 played it now it's three figures mid hundreds. Price and format should not matter really as you can still have as much passion for the music as the serious collectors, DJ'ing like i said is totally different and i reckon it will always bee vinyl driven. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Muppets, puppets.........think about are all operated by puppet masters......now think about? 'I'm Animal' without question do what i like for who i like when i like and operate on my own....lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

A Muppet is a very cheerful puppet type thingy as seen on television. Regards - Mark Bicknell.