georgeblackwell

This is something that we all dread happening and I hope justice is served up to these scumbags. Trying to get the police to understand that a hundred count box could be worth more than £100,000 is a tricky task in its self (I know from experience). Also, as with other great artwork thefts that would seem impossible to sell on, there is always someone who is willing to take a chance just to keep them locked away and out of sight for their own personal gratification.

Just makes you wonder what other alternative takes are still hidden away in the vaults. Maybe an Earl Jackson without the girlie chorus

Seeing Manship auctioning a copy of Jackie Lee's Darkest Days has prompted me to ask a question that has been bothering me since 1976. When the compilation album - VARIOUS ARTISTS - OUT ON THE STREETS AGAIN - ABC RECORDS - ABCL5192 came out that year it featured the aforementioned "Darkest Days". The version on this L.P. is different to the original single release that I have. Certainly the intro is different with a brass section playing over the Castanets, guitar and drums. Is this version unique to this comp L.P. or did it ever come out in some other guise. The first Compilation L.P. that it came out on in 1972 - VARIOUS ARTISTS - SOUL BIBLE - PROBE SPB 1061 has the same version as the original single. I do not have the 45'S - ABC repress or the Kent re-issue to compare with. Somewhere in the E.M.I. tape vaults there lurks this oddity. Presumably Adey Croasdell knows the answer to this mystery. Any explanation is welcomed. - Cheers Chris Frost

Having been booked as a "special guest DJ" I have been expected to bring something a little different to the venues that I have played at. Sadly however the ageing dancers are careful to limit their excursions onto the dance floor to what they can physically manage these days so they tend to walk off the floor after the first few bars of a record that they are not familiar with. There will be a lot of punters sitting down nodding and enjoying the records that I play but not necessarily leaping about on their feet. I have had promoters (who wouldn't know a decent record even if Van McCoy gave it to them) telling me my spot was crap as the dance floor was not packed all the way through. Then as I leave the DJ booth I have had a load of punters shaking my hand saying it was the best spot of the night. The nostalgia thing is so endemic now that the choice of of suitable records at most venues is getting even narrower. I am in the UK in March for a couple of "guest spots" (Isle Of Wight weekender and Wolfies in Walsall) I'll let y'all know how it goes. Probably put my playlists on my youtube channel.

John Manship`s listing of Ruperts People and mention of Procul Harum`s masterpiece reminded me of how many classical pieces of music that have been ripped off by the popular music business. Both Gary Brooker & Keith Reid with “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” and Rod Lynton with “Reflections Of Charles Brown” used Johan Sebastian Bach`s “Air on a “G” string” for their melody. Whilst on the soul front, Denny Randell and Sandy Linzer took “Minuet in G major” by Christian Petzold (via J.S. Bach) as the basis for the “Toys - A Lovers Concerto”. Similarly, when Nashville legends Billy Sherrill & Larry Butler were given The Poppies to work with they purloined Johannes Brahms “Lullaby” for their debut hit “Lullaby Of Love”. This tune was also used by former Beathovens singer Jimmy Stevens with his killer 1966 Fontana single “I Love You” A fabulous arrangement but a terrible vocal (I actually played it once at Prestatyn and got a few chin scratchers). I am sure that “The Fathers Angels – Bok To Bach must reference one of JS Bach`s tunes but my knowledge of that great man`s work doesn`t stretch that far. Anyone got a clue about that one and are there many others out there?

Now I know it has often been said that virtually every artist that was around in the 60's has made a "Northern" record but I don't think Dame Vera's 1952 offering will get many rushing to the dance floor. I've got this on a shellac and wax cylinder first press if anyone is interested - best offers only. he he. https://www.ebay.com/itm/NORTHERN-SOUL-45-VERY-LYNN-FORGET-ME-NOT-WHAT-A-DAY-45RPM-LONDON-451265/282921933667?hash=item41df761b63:g:mTkAAOSwp0paoAhT

I think this hits the spot.

Am I missing something here? Thought it was about $40 not $400 Northern Soul 45 TEDDY VANN Theme From Coloredman CAPITOL promo HEAR See original listing Item condition: Used Ended: Jan 08, 2018 , 4:58PM Winning bid: US $405.00 [ 11 bids ] Shipping: $8.00 Economy International Shipping Item location: Saint Louis, Missouri, United States Seller: funkyou! (43844 ) | Seller's other items

I think I have got the only copy in existence of the original version of this - Barbara Jean English - that actually plays all of the way through. I played it at the last Prestatyn Weekender (2017). You can find it on my Youtube playlist taken from my sets from this event. It starts at 22:25.

A simple question to those who do not rate instrumentals. Given the choice which would you prefer to listen to. An acappella, vocal only version of a northern classic or the instrumental track to the same tune. For me unless it was a brilliant vocal group like The Dells, Whispers, Hesitations etc I would take the track every time.

Just got around to listening to Ian's latest podcast and to all soulies out there, forget the politics and your prejudices and give it a play - you will not be disappointed. Of course, do not expect a rehashing of "The Northern Soul Top 500" you can listen to that stuff anywhere. What Ian brings to the party is his insightful view of a musical genre that we never tire of exploring. From the outrageous R&B bust out from Jon Thomas with his original version (one I had never heard before) of Little Willie John's - Heartbreak (it's hurting me) through the 60's finger snappers of Ramona King and Jack & Jill to the on fours stomping of George & Gwen on through the 70's with the sublime Delilah Moore and up to the present day with Lack Of Afro and Mayer Hawthorne. 3 hours plus of fabulous music with something for everyone. Ian has never been afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and it was as emotional listening to this as it was for Ian in creating it. Personal highlights for me are always the records that I have never heard before and the Betty Wright and Olivia Carmichael tunes were a revelation. Surprise for me was The Okaysions - Little Miss Flirt - which is track that I have been playing for years from the groups ABC 33rpm jukebox E.P. but I never knew there was a different version on a 45. I have posted the ABC version on youtube as part of one of my DJ spots if anyone wants to give it a blast. Link to Ian's podcast - https://www.mixcloud.com/ianlevine35/solid-soul-sensations-ian-levines-twenty-second-northern-soul-podcast/ Link to Frosties DJ spot -

Well said. Ian Levine has always been the guvnor, often imitated never equalled. Great to see him back. Love and best wishes from Chris Frost

Just watched that Culture show on Northern Soul - Thought Paul Mason was a proper presenter and pretty cool with a love of the music. It makes a change from the usual carve up you get with these types of programmes. Clearly a bit of a promo for Elaine Constantine new film but none the worse for that. Nice to hear a few different tracks played on the sound track especially the brilliant TURLEY RICHARDS - I FEEL ALRIGHT - COLUMBIA might just play it on Sunday at The Ommaroo. My only gripe is the bit when Paul asked Fran Franklin whether the dance style came from the USA and she said no and trotted out that crap about Bruce Lee and Kung Fu. That misinformation was originally put out there by ace dancer Keb Darge who admittedly put some of that into his routines but that was long after the original mods created the style in the late 60's. Those original mods were almost entirely influenced by the visiting American soul acts that performed live at clubs like The Twisted Wheel. Some of these acts like The Vibrations were legendary dancers and performers and when they appeared in the UK they just blew away the audience with their footwork and acrobatics. Just watch this clip from Hollywood a-go-go especially the last minute and a half and you will see where it all came from

Kev is absolutely right, definitely the real deal on this one. Ian (Levine) sent me a load of his stuff last year as part of a 1800 piece record swap and this was one of the records that he gave me. Chris Frost