Larry Semmins

The pennies dropped now Nev, the Sly,the Slick and the Wicked !!! duh.

PM'd you

Bobby Taylor !"Don't be afraid"

I watched the show last night, thought Raphael was ok but Ithought Jools spoilt Taj Mahal's spot the old boogie woogie piano malarky it seems they picked his song to suit Holland.He did the same with Alain Toussaint when he sang "working in a coal mine" would of thought their was better material.

Hi Dave some good points there especialy the success factor,as somebody paved the way.Teddy's "you don't need a heart" is a blast,I know there where producers using techniques like layering the sound,Igot intrigued by how some of these monster sounds came about on some of the small labels and unheard of artists.

Was listening to Roy Hamiltons "Panic is on" yesterday and got to thinking about the big productions on some of these tunes,I can understand why Roy would have big productions that kind of singer I know he worked with Neil Hefti who had his own orchestra and the Basie connection.I know motown built up its own production outfit,Chicago is world famous for orchestras Sol Bobrov's orchestra is on loads of album credits but its the lesser lights.How did they get these big productions e.g.George Smith"I've had it" George Freeman "Down and out world" and one of my faves I know the lyrics a bit dippy Roosevelt Grier "Pizza pie man" they threw the kitchen sink at this.Orchestras and studios cost money, the bigger the production the more money I presume was it good fortune just hanging about someone does'nt show ok George or Roosevelt in you go.I heard recently some of these tunes had to be done in one take because of costs amazing, I suspect the truth lies some where between luck and connections what do y'all think.

Bit late with this but I like her version of Walters "Welcome Home"

Hi Bob,what a wonderful set of gospel songs great idea and the best of its type i've ever heard loved it.Good luck with the fund raising Steve.

Chris Churm was there every week and usually had a sales box got some good stuff off him like Beloyd for a £10 amongst others. The Mrs and her mates had nowhere to go when Hyde Botanical shut another brilliant night B T W called into the Birch and say's to Tommy not got any northern have you mate!!! I guess he had.Also remember Steve Birtwhistle selling his records there The Blue Jays Point of view went quick I recall, Derek and Janet Whatmough also came along yep great nights great people.

Was gonna say Dusty Springfield she ain't but thought stating the bl**din obvious Belleruche on Tru-thoughts a UK label

It does'nt press the soul button for me,but along the same kinda sounds a track the Groove Junkies have played Belleruche "Anything you want" sounds better to me.To each his own

Yep Wayne Skeffington and Chris both Rochdale fans,and of course Mick not seen him since his 50th and Carl and Maria who I saw at Prestatyn.

Some more names have come to me Mark Bicknel who will be giddy today,Les & Shirley Pyatt,Phil Etchells,Bob Hinsley,Bob Scott,Jimmy Hamnet,Les Hare,Mark Tobin,Dave Slater the Macc lads, Matchy yep lots of peeps the original landlord was called Ken nice guy. Oh yeah Phil Dunne and Dave Steele.

Plenty of people must remember the Birch in Ashton-under-lyne,run for most of it's 10 plus years on a weekly basis every Thursday night by Tom Smith. Once a year on Maundy Thursday Richard Searling would guest and the place was rammed, the Birch has since been pulled down and is flats.Tom now works at Beat n Ryhthm in Manchester,people I remember were Greg Pollitt,big Scotty,Robbo,Ian Cunliffe all the local guys Chris Churm,Steve Dearden,John Hillel,Charlie and Eileen Taylor and of course the girls Julie,Alma,Barbara and Lesley who I married and loads more people too numerous to mention. Have a wonderful weekend folks, Steve

I've seen Phil Perry twice remember saying to the guy next to me what a voice he replied which one! yep Phil can warble a bit. my desert Island choice