Russ Vickers

I'm with you on that one my friend, unfortunately I dont think many of the promoters would even consider working together on that one, altho it would be a fantastic aspiration........hope you are well buddy. Best Russ

I only mention the South Coast area specifically, but not exclusively, as traditionally it is/was a hotbed of soulful activity, not intending to leave areas out, but that was my stomping ground for Soul Nights & there was always a big following that would usually all be at the better events...... Russ

Thats right, I bought watsit on gold Peyton off you for about a tenner......thats bugged me for years who you were, do you still hear from Dickie ?. Bloody hell, you have a great memory Trev. Best Russ

The passion of the promoters & resident DJ's has to be a major factor for me, along with the obvious things like venue etc....I also think there has to be a clear music policy, even if it is very broad the punters need to have an idea what to expect & where the promoters want to take the venue musically....initially the promoter will guide this with the choice of DJ's, but when & if the punters get it, they will drive it along too & eventually if everything falls in to place the venue will take on a character all of its own....waddaya think ?..........I would also add that as importantly, its gotta be a bloody good night out..I know from old, that them South Coast Soulies, some of which rarely venture out these days no thier stuff & party hard..............what would get you back on that South Coast dancefloor again - others would sooner travel these days, albeit a few, but again what would entice you to embrace a venue on your doorstep, your presence is as essential as any & would rubber stamp the promotion maybe ? Russ

What could make an event different enough to stand out & be counted & make the most important punters, the ordinary dancers & attendees want to attend, in these days were every dancer counts is there anything that will raise your interest high enough for you to really give a promotion a fair chance....we wanna know, so spill the beans. Russ

Winnie - thank you for that, again brilliant reply & I have very similar views myself. Russ

Mick, the opinion of people like yourself are the most important IMO & thank you very much for posting. Russ

200 hits & only a handful of replies.....your constructive opinion is very important, get posting people, let the promoters know what you want, be specific, yes its your opinion & nothing can ever be everything to everyone, but it will give a broad outline of opinion. Russ

Not unusual, but Jo Armstead, as well as recording some very fine tuneage wrote some spectacular songs & produced too.... Best Russ

Thanks Ken, I really appreciate that, I remember very well the 'help' you always gave at the Newbury Nighters & I wont forget that.......... Russ

Well Ken, you would be on any guest list of mine mate........ Best Russ

Hey Trev, mine too buddy, thx for the reply.......where you from BTW Southampton by any chance ?.....what else do you want from your Soul Night out mate.....just interested. Best Russ

No Win, as stated in the original post, all positve opinions eagerly awaited, altho I'm very interested in the South Coasts contingents opinions particularly. Best Russ

Brilliant reply & just what I was after Rob, thank you for taking the trouble. Hope you are well. ATB Russ

Calling all Southern Soulies with a genuine interest & love for our music & scene (altho other opinions from across the globe appreciated). Amongst a plethora of Soul Nights right across the South Coast area from Bournemouth, thru Southampton, Portsmouth & down the coast to Brighton there are a plethora of Soul Nights, mainly oldies & so called 'Across The Board' nights, there are good, bad & indifferent, depending on your personal preference,,,,,,,,,What I am interested in is: What would make an event 'A Must Attend' promotion ? or what would stop you attending or do you just not care & you go where ever when ever depending when you go out & whats on ?. Would it be the promoter, venue, the music policy (what would be your preference ?), the DJ's & would a top national & or international DJ line up make any difference to you ?. How often should an event be held, monthly or just a few times a year, making it special. What I'm really interested in, is what would really WOW you into definitley getting behind a venue & seeing it fly, making it your preferred venue above all others....... No politics now.....just constructive opinions, I'm genuinely interested in what you think would really get the area buzzing & behind a venue & particular music policy & DJ's & its your chance to voice your choice & opinions on what would get you ot n excited !!!. Looking forward with great interest to peoples genuine thoughts Russ

I make a point of hearing new soul tunes every day...... its what makes this wonderful music so special......that after all these years you can still, each & every day hear a plethora of new & exciting sounds.......how anyone could be listening to the same tunes, with the exclusion to everything else for all of thier adult life is totally beyond my comprehension..... Keep on diggin Best Russ

Double bubble check before posting.......plenty of info out there Russ

Cracking LP.........lotsa great dancers & a good price too, someone should really snap this up quick. Best Russ

Yep, JAM was a FG release, Legrand was also one of FG labels.....the store & studio in Norfolk VA were near to Howard Biggs Shiptown studio/store set up was on Gramby Street, think it was GS, minds a bit messed up this afternoon.......all that talent on the same street !!!. When FG store closed in the early 8ts, I have it on good authority that the stock was given away on the street, what didnt go on the street was taken to the local thrift store & there was lots of it. I was told there were multiple boxes of Oliver Christian......the person I knew got a few boxes, I asked if he still had them, but they were thrown out when he moved years ago. Best Russ

Nice one mate, glad you gave it a chance.....thank you. Best Russ

Waddya ya think of DM in the clip ?. Best Russ

Slightly off topic, so apologies, but any excuse to post a cracking tune that deserves some needle time..........when I lived in VA, I went to the same dealer, at the same Flea Market nearly every weekend for 3 years, there was never anything there at all & I mean nothing, to be honest it became a routine, mainly cos my family wont get at of bed untill noon on a weekend, so it was summat to do & vey local. The very last Sunday before we flew home to the UK for good, as usual I woke early & thought I would continue my routine with the FM, but then I thought sh*t, its a waste of time I wont bother, better things to do, packing etc........,a little later, bored thought, bugger it why not ?, ................found 3 copies of Oliver Christian DM & paid less than 5 bucks for the lot.....same guy, same FM, same stock as always, but for those 3 records..........unbeleivable...........traded 2, kept one & if memory serves me right the one I kept is a slightly different font to the regular issues, they also all have a stamp saying 'free', does anyone else have this with the 'stamp' ?. Typically, the copy I kept developed a one or 2 rev tick, very slight, but annoying all the same. Anyway, sorry to go off topic & go on a bit, but thought it might be of interest. Best Russ

There you go buddy.......great floater. Best Russ

No I cant sorry, but hoped the 'Dissatisfied Man' post would be of interest . Best Russ

'Unsatisfied Man' for me, tremendous slab of funky soul, with the emphasis on the SOUL......needs playing too. Best Russ