Mark Bicknell

This is really coming together now with a few more record dealers booking table space, still looking for further dealers to join us for what promises to be a cracking event, contact bicknellmark@aol.com or PM here for further information and details. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sorry just read this back and basically my comments have little or nothing to do with the original thread starters question about scene split so sorry to ramble on like a twat but as with many threads on here things develop and people pick up on points which is what I've done here, guess my comments and points are more to do with attitude than anything else. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Here, here and that was the fundimental reason if I'm honest why I basically packed in the DJ thing because sometimes no matter how hard you try, how much money you part with for records, how much passion, dedication and love you have for the craft of DJ'ing because that's what it is a craft someone somewhere alway's has an opinion or can do it bigger and better than you, kudos and reputation based on how rare and how much your records are worth is and alway's will be total bollocks and very shallow in my opinion and for that very reason it basically killed it for me a few years ago, it became very much a case of going through the motions resulting in pretty much playing the same type of set which in the end bored the shit out of me was unfair on the scene and myself, this is the first time I've actually come clean regarding all this as it's made me feel a little bitter towards a scene that gave me so much pretty much all my adult life. Depsite all this, despite moving on many of my so called big trophy records this soul thing is still there inside me and will alway's be the case I've just got it into perspective and if Tony Clarke - Landslide, Ike And Tina Turner - Dust My Broom etc. still does it for me, still floats my boat then who has the right to dispute that fact, same goes for what other people get off on I have no place to force my opinion or taste on anyone. Northern Soul as a scene for me has become a little like watching something on television if you don't like what you are watching either turn it over or turn it off, if you like watching repeats and still find them enjoyable then what's the problem? I'm happy to dip my toe now and again, do the odd guest spot but even then I heard through the grapevine that one or two critics out there thought I should not have guested at Heywood recently because I've got rid of all my records and should leave it to someone who has them, I was asked to do this as a favour and certainly held my own with what was being played by the other DJ's on the night so don't judge me on a one off spot, you don't know me and you certainly don't know what records I may or may not still have or own, again far too much opinion which has no substance and totally not the case but to be honest it's so typical of this scene and water off a ducks back as I could'nt really care less. Bobby Kline, Majestics, Cashmeres, Troy Dodds etc. yes were off the menu but the nature of that gig even if they were still in the box I would have pretty much played the chosen set of records anyway. Is there a split on the scene I would say yes, is there too many events on yes, is there too many DJ's out there yes, has the scene been milked dry in certain areas yes, is the younger crowd moving it forward no it's two totally seperate scenes and good luck to them. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

'Inspiration' has to be their hidden gem. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I have contacted dealers directly Chalky mate some are a little slow in coming forward but I'm sure it will all come together. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Record dealer space available for this one, please contact me as soon as possible if you want a table. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Perhaps Ian but I'm affraid it has sod all to do with the music. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Can all record dealers who wish to book a sales table please contact me as soon as possible please. Regarads - Mark Bicknell.

Why you bought one lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Don't worry too much Dave they only go up to a 46" chest so that narrows their market a little if it's directed a fat bastards on the Northern scene, on a more serious note this just about sums up what it has become in the eyes of outsiders to the scene, basically a total piss take and not to mention a rip off judging by the price, go well though with those retro Northern Soul sports bags, clocks, coasters, watches, badges, teddy bears and did I see Golly Wogs out there for sale as well? total rubbish the lot of it makes the very fabric of the scene all a little cheap and tacky. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Start digging people Mr Manship is on a mission lol thanks will certainly help the day go with a swing. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Can all record dealers who have shown an interest to attend this event who wish to secure a table please contact me as soon as possible please. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Don't get out to soul do's much anymore but totally with you on that one, pure class and well worth a 45 release...over to you Mr Mooney lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I suggest if you were not already aware of this previously unissued track recorded September 1967 to get on it as soon as it's released, I first became aware of it when it appeared on the 1989 Charly LP - Rare Soul From The Quinvy/Broadway Sound Studio Volume Five "Rainbow Road" - CRB1225 which featured recordings by Don Varner, Ruby Winters, Tony Borders, Bill Brandon and Joe Perkins, another stunning Don Varner unissued track also features on Volume One - Tear Stained Soul - CRB1219 'When It's Over' which would also be well worth putting out as a 45? Just wondered if this is also in the pipeline for release Paul? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Fantastic simply fantastic. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Taking shape now this one, certainly plenty of flyers out there and will be really pushing this along from now on, record dealers please get in touch to reserve a space as soon as possible. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Lorraine, I've let go many records over the years but never the real special ones like these three RCA Victor Demos which you signed at Stafford all those years ago, also loved what you wrote on the Johnny Dixon record which you supervised on, you may remember the Triple 'B' Four Sonics version of 'Were Are You' which you produced and Co wrote with Jack Ashford and their version of 'Tell Me You're Mine' which you were executive producer on and the beautiful 'Crying Clown' by Eddie Parker which you Co wrote and produced, you must have been a very busy lady which we thank you for. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Dave, wonderful mate, I did have a beautiful photograph at Stafford with Lorraine but it got lost over time....that's me Lorraine in the background now I know why my wife Jacqui married me lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I reckon we should as a matter of duty see that Lorraine get's a copy of each of her wonderful records, does not seem right to me that she does not own her own records, remember a similar situation when Gil Blanding came on here a few years ago and we sourced him a copy of 'Rules', so what do you reckon gang? I'll get onto JM and see what he has in stock. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Wall to wall heartaches sooner have them in a box to play lol

Wow welcome to Soul Source Lorraine, I've still got my three RCA Victor Demos you kindly signed for me at the Stafford gig with Eddie Parker way back in 1983, love you to bits. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Sounds like a plan Joan lol, we will be offering some nice food at the event, Bacon Butties etc. in the morning and Burgers, Hot Dogs and so on allday, Ed Battin is putting in a sound system so dealers/sellers can play their sales stuff so we have everything covered. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Thanks for that. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Record dealers already booked so far include - Joe Dutton Mace Des Parker Johnny Beggs Geoff Claxton Mark Speakman And Chico John Manship Steve Plumb Andy Dyson Still plenty of space avaiable so please get in touch as soon as possible, anyone wishing to help promote this I will gladly send some flyers on request again please get in touch. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

CAN ALL RECORD DEALERS WHO HAVE SHOWN AN INTEREST IN BOOKING A TABLE FOR THIS EVENT PLEASE GET IN TOUCH AS I NEED TO START WORKING OUT THE ROOM LAYOUT ETC. THANKS - MARK BICKNELL.