Rich B

Yet another track I forgot to record/should never have let go when I sold the 'northern'! I don't know about "Cooking with Nixon" being a backing track to something else but I used to have the same track issued as "Cookin'" by Don Gardner (?) on Spectactular if I remember rightly. Was it the flip of "I can't help myself"? best, RB

After reading that I really wish I hadn't forgottent to record the Joey Dee track when I sold up! Always on of my favourites from that time. best RB

Don't forget the version on the LP 'Uptown' on Maple credited to Gloria Barnes, slightly different, but a really nice version - some other tracks on there worth having too. While I'm on can someone remind what track was used as the flip of the 45? best, RB

I know it's an old Poke spin from the early 90's, haven't heard it for years though. best, RB

Never heard Andy play out,though I occasionally talk to him becaue of work., He is a really nice guy, a great collector, hugely knowledgable and is a gifted detective. Ady is also a very nice chap - and clearly his work with Kent is of considerable benefit to us all - a top three dj? now possibly, I'll let you be the judge of that. But not in my top three. As for Dave, I have bought records off him, never heard him play. Is he any good? But if you wanted me to generalise? Yes, we would. best, RB.

Without wishing to be disrepectful (yeah, you're right, I am going to be....) only dj's from about 20+ years ago (Butch and Searling excluded, really count. So; Searling Curtis Poke Why because? they knew which way was up, they knew what a soul record sounded like and they knew you didn't have to play pop (Poke's Joan Moody cover up aside). There were many other exceptional dj's over the years, but they were my favourites. Can't say as I have heard a 'northern' dj in 20 years that I would have paid in washers. Obviously a personal point of view, and one that I don't expect everyone to agree with. best, RB.

I used to be tee total & celibate- I'm not now. So what? best, RB.

Was it to promote the LP on Lost Nite? Which I think is a 'live' LP - I have it somewhere and I am sure the version of 'Can't do without you' is definitely a live recording. Top tune whatever the story is. best, RB.

Heard Robert Thomas 'out' for the first time at Cleethorpes in '75 and the dj clearly announced that "Levine is desperate to get hold of this one!" to which my mate heckled "he can have mine for a tenner!". Then he remembered he had bought two soul packs, both of which had a copy of RT in, and he had already given me his spare...something he reminded me of just last week oddly enough. He was more irritated by the fact he also gave me a Four Voices from the same soul packs. That's when soul packs were soul packs! best, RB ps always loved Pic & Bill "Talk about love" too.

I was always under the impression that the ones with the yellow label and green print were the originals - Pic & Bill "Talk about love is yellow green also, for instance. The white labels with different colour printing all turned up at the same time and were sold everywhere that sold 'northern'. Along with Edie Robin' "There must be a love somewhere". I always figured Major Bill had been persuaded to reress a bunch of them. My Men from Macon & Cresa Watson were straight off a dj and were still covered along with a Phyllis Brown on LeCam (also seemingly put out again at the same time as the rest). The Robert Thomas version turned up in quantity in Record Corner soul packs just prior to it being played out. All that said, I have never noticed the '6 feet under' part of the credit before - Robert Thomas & the Men from Macon (covered as the Insights) take the honours for me. best, RB.

Wasn't there a Flo Ballard track on ABC with a title something like that - not that I am suggesting she was really HB Barnum or anything! best, RB.

Wasn't the Outriders one of the Godin's recomendations? best, RB

Sadly I only have the Expansion re issue - which doesn't have "All my lovin'" on. Sorry, just needed to share my disappointment with someone.... best, RB.

Though I prefer the Jackson Sisters, the Marc Capani isn't at all bad, I thinks its got something going for it at any rate. I think it is the passing of time and your 'taste buds' maturing or something. I would like to hear his version of "A day in the blu" though as I am rather fond of the Jackson Sisters version, so if anyone can post it in refo or point the way to a youtube it would be appreciated. Best, RB

I had never heard it until I came across a bootleg years later. Was it one of those tracks that suffered because it was booted too soon? RB

Carstairs "It really hurts me girl" vs Mike & Ike "Sax on the track"? And both played at more or less the same time. best, RB

That just doesn't add up....

I had one, got it off Rob Smith for the same price as a Boogie Man Orch copy (75p). I had bought the BMO copy some years before, but when I saw that different credit/title it really intrigued me. Rob didn't seem too concerned that it might be an unusual/original copy as it was 'only' the BMO. I like the sound of the RCA copy though, I've never seen one of those. best, RB

Listed in the countries top sounds is the Volcanoes "I've got to have your love" - anyone know what it turned out to be? best, RB

Speaking of cracked records and the lengths people are prepared to go to own some tunes, there was a cracked and unplayable Bernie Williams in my collection when I sold it. I heard some interesting stories later about how it had been used, anyone one know anything? It was taped on the flipside, and would have had my name on the runout. best, RB

Top tune Rob, well done for having the cojones to play it out. I had both a dj and the blue and white issue and I think the issue is much harder. I've only ever seen the one I owned. As someone said the Goldspot copies generally tainted by Soussans list. For me, the only way to own it is GAR, because that was the played version. Just call me old fashioned. best, RB ps must get together soon.

Is the Bo Fowler version a finished version? or is it him doing a demo of the song like a lot of the Phillip Mitchell things? and, is it any good? Candi Staton was one of my big faves back in the day, and I would certainly like to hear a male version. Could you let us know if you get it uploaded Cheryl? best, RB

Isn't it an entirely different release (Gloria someone or other?) that they mistakenly thought was an unreleased take of Tender Loving Care when the sleeve notes/tracklist were written? It is by fart the better version though. I have to agree with you though, the whole cd is a corker! best, RB

I don't know if it was played at the Mecca I'm afraid, though it does have that sound to it doesn't it? I would like it on my ipod though, fantastic New York, 'fake' philly at a guess... best, RB

A few interesting points there Barney; 1. No, I never have worn naff clothes - though I remeber being heckled by 'townies for wearing flat shoes. In the early 1970's the northern scene really was at the cutting edge of fashion. You watch those programmes set in the 70's where everyone is in flares and platforms and wonder why you don't recall 1975 that way - it's because by then you (well I wasn't) weren't even buying clothes on the high street you were having them made. And due to spending as much on records and nighters as I could I wasn't the most fashionably dressed. I say with some pride, I have never sewn patches all over my clothes, never wore those riciculously high waistbanded trousers that became a parody. Closest I have ever been to a bar towel is in a bar. 2. You seem to have taken my mention of retro clothing (by the way it isn't retro if you dress as you did when you were 17, I called it reproduction) very personally, don't, it wasn't aimed at anyone in particular. 3. Without all the searching for the holy grail as you call it, there wouldn't be any wealth of soul music - where do you think it came from? the Stork didn't bring it you know. And incidentally, the very last time I was in a northern room they played "The love I lost" and slagged off modern soul. I don't get that at all. 4. I don't know if Dave Godin was the be all and end all of soul music. He was then, and he still has my respect. 5. A scene that stagnates dies. best, RB