Markw

Flash McClimax??

It is still there but there's a big eff off Tesco's in front of it where the big car park used to be. You can still see the steps that went up the side. When I was in the area a couple of years back I had a peek and it was then a nightclub called, I think, Time. Polly Palmer told me he'd looked at the venue a few years back with a view to promoting a revival nighter or dayer but the place was unrecognisable. It had been divided up into smaller units and the nightclub was your typical 90s maze of bars and small dancefloor areas. Funnily enough, I came across a couple from Bristol who knew little about the Northern scene but fondly remembered the Stars & Stripes as a Jazz Funk venue in the late 70s/early 80s. Though not involved with such altercations, they also recalled the occasional punch-ups between the local wildlife and the Northern crowd waiting in the early hours of Sunday morning to go into the venue. Small world........but I wouldn't want to paint it.

Marc Copage? No, Darrow Fletcher - Pain Gets A Little Deeper. Still love that tune.

Think again.........then don't bother! They'll moan about the music policy ("too many oldies"/"too obscure"/"too much 70s"/"not enough 70s"), the venue, the admission price and accuse you of making money off it when, in reality it's cost you to put it on. Then, when you get pissed off and stop running it because they stop turning up, they'll all ask you why you closed it and moan that there's nothing to go to. Sorry for the negativity, but that was my experience in Cardiff.

Yeah. Nige Mayfield was plugging this a few years back.

Frank Foster used to get fairly regular spins at the Dome - think it was Carl, might have been Greg.

Baja Marimba Band - Along Comes Mary??? DOH!!! I'll get me coat again!

Mike Vickers - On the Brink!!! Fandabadozy!!!.....................(cue tumbleweed moment).......................I'll get me coat...

Mark, I couldn't agree more mate. I still find it fascinating how much attention the man attracts on this site. Incredible.

Can we bring Paul Weller into this thread as well?(LOL) After all, I have just put a post on that thread describing him as the greatest British soulful singer!!

I love it when everyone gets het up about Weller! I repeat what I said on a previous thread about him, the fact that he attracts so much attention on a SOUL MUSIC forum reinforces his importance to and influence on so many people associated with the scene. Let's get something straight, Paul has never tried to appropriate soul music for himself, bathe himself in its light or use its icons in any way to promote himself or his music, unlike some other acts. He draws on a vast range of musical influences and styles just as many soul artists have always done. Personally, I think Paul is the dogs bollocks and to have carved out 2 hugely successful careers, from angry young man to mature singer/songwriter is ample testimony to his talent. A supremely gifted song writer, a soulful voice and a fantastic live performer. His latest album is patchy - he hasn't just covered soul songs by the way - but I think as one of the most recognised names in the UK music business, he's got more right than most to bring his own stamp to songs he admires and acknowledges as major influences on him. I don't like his version of the Bottle but I wouldn't want him to try doing a straight copy of the original. It's interesting that people here always choose to debate Weller's soul covers. How about a discussion on the relative merits of Kylie's version of Chairman of the Board's "Give Me Just A Little More Time" or that outfit that covered Mel Wynn a while back? How about Soft Cell's contribution to soul music? As for the idea that he should log on here and justify his work.....get a life!! I think he's happy enough to let the fans vote with their wallets and feet. Quite right too. I shall certainly be there at Cardiff International Arena in 3 weeks to have a great time and see another stirring performance from Britain's greatest white soulful singer. Live long and prosper. Mark White

Thanks Buey mate! We did have some great nights at Townfield House and Elgiva Hall. Was chatting with Mark Bicknell recently about those do's and some of the tunes we were spinning back then. Do you also remember Tom Halvey's bashes over Aylesbury FC and other hidey holes? Bumped into Tom in January at one of Jon Buck's nights.

Neil, I was watching your youthful frame, chewing gum and trying to dance, only the other day - the Leicester 2nd Anniversary video. Sean Chapman's good lady, Michelle, having only started on the scene since meeting Sean a couple of years ago, was amazed at the youthful bodies gracing the dancefloor instead of the now common array of middle-aged baldies propping up the bar!!

My good friend Scouse (Chris French) is very much alive and well, living in Swindon and attending the occasional do (there is a picture of him @ 100 Club a few months ago somewhere on this site). I would very much expect him to be @ Stoke this Saturday, most likely to be found to the right of the stage with the rest of the West Country Massive. Scouse can also be found on the old Stafford TV footage sporting an unruly moustache, ridiculous 80s hairdo, a variety of hideous tattoos, all whilst dancing in a rather gay looking pair of very tight shorts!

Does Keb Darge count?

Were you dancing round Carol's handbag with the rest of us Janine?

Willie Hutch - Love Runs Out

Saw the Jam at the Nags Head in High Wycome in March 1977. I was wearing a white t-shirt with a question mark sprayed on it. Paul Weller came up and said "like your t-shirt mate"........I bet he still tells his mates about it now. Oh, by the way, got backstage and met Smokey Robinson. A charming man.

Andy, I agree with you entirely mate. My point really is that a lot of the people chasing sounds like this will be the ones who glazed over when you played it to them years ago and then told them its cheap.

I'll echo points made by Mark Bicknell. I too had this many years ago and used to play it out - nobody gave a shit about the tune then. Funny how they all jump on the bandwagon when the price escalates. Like I've said before, lot of people on soul scene know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Excuse me, there's a herd of sheep passing my way...................baaaaaaahhhhhhh

Did anyone spot Rob in the line-up round of Never Mind The Buzzcocks last night? Or I am being slow?

Kiki Dee - On A Magic Carpet Ride was c/u as Chris Clarke - Touch The Sky.................. so there poppickers.

A few I can remember (I've always had trouble remembering the actual titles and artists!) - for some reason these stick in the head: Tempests - Someday - c/u as Bobby Paris Big Frank & The Essence - c/u as Big Joe Ivory's Brass Sam Fletcher - c/u as George Kirby Mellow Souls - c/u as Del Larks William Powell - Heartached Souvenirs - c/u as Bobby Powell (I think) and what was that horrid BBC TV instrumental Guy played in the early 80s? Didn't Dave Flynn compile some sterling research on this subject for the benefit and betterment of mankind!!!?

If it moves, boot it! For crying out loud, they even booted the Four Scandals and that was a fake boot!!! This is Northern Soul after all.

Tim Tam & The Turn Ons? A piece of sh*te but a venerable classic compared to the likes of Bobby Day "pretty girl next door" and numerous others of that ilk. Oh no, here we go again!!