Russ Vickers

Thank you & goodnight......... Russ

Bollox....need to add Sean Hamster to my list deffo

Good well thought out post mate Russ

Pretty much agree with all the selections so far: Then: Richard Searling Now: Butch, Terry Jones Others then: Soul Sam, Gary Rushbrooke, Ian Clark, Keb n Guy, Rob Marriot, Carl Fortnum, Gary Spencer, Dave Greet, Pat Brady, Nev Wherry, Robin Salter, Adam, Poke. Others Now: Karl Heard, Soul Sam, Dave Abbott, Mick H, Mick Smith (best oldies DJ in the country bar non), Ady Croasdell, Stu Cheetham, Andy Taylor, Dean Anderson, Kitch, Andy Dyson, Steve Plum, phewwwwwwwwwww plus more too

Sorry I think you may have misunderstood the initial post title 'What Is NS & How Did You Get Into the Scene', also you may not have seen the part that asked for an informed discussion & to try & avoid a bun fight.........cant remember seeing any where anyone deciding what level of involvement anyone should have ???.......any way Mr Pot, care to share your story/opinion & try to be NICE . If you cant contribute anything positive, go & spoil someone eles thread

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far.......... Russ

I'm not that keen on the retro NS look these days to be honest, but even though I didnt start going Nighters seriously until 77/78 the crowd I travelled with were a bit older initially & were really cool........smart suits to travel in, with shiny brogues & button down shirts with slim ties.......I had a suit made to measure every few months, the trousers were baggies, but not 40 inch bottom Spencers........once there you would change & yes I wore 40 inch bottom spencers & pasties & a vest & I thought I was the dogs.....washed n changed in the morning & back into the whistle, splash o Brut & down or up for a dayer some where.......& pretty much all about hearing new exciting sounds & still is for me..........honestly thought that was the point. Seems a lot of people have forgotten what made them get into the NS in the first place. Russ

Very perceptive of you Joan......did kinda make me think that I have had it wrong all these years lol. Russ

This a genuine question & I am extremely interested to hear different peoples perceptions, I hope this can be an informed discussion, with out it degenerating into a bun fight. To me NS is is about the search for & appreciation (through dance) of, generally black American soul music from the 6ts & 7ts, although not exclusively (if it has the X factor, then who cares what the release date was), that was usually totally under appreciated & dismissed in its country of origin by virtually all other than a few. Thousands of kids travelling hundreds of miles every weekend in the UK to hear the latest discoveries from a scene driven by the punters & DJ's & not the recording industry............ under the radar & under ground.....the scene was special & fuelled by exciting new discoveries & amphetamines........ At first I was attracted by the seriously cool people, who were dressed super sharp & danced like I had never seen before, perfect timing & grace, every move on the beat.........& the music OMG, I had never heard anything like it, I knew I liked it, but what was it.........there started a journey that continues to this day. Lets hear it from you lot then.......... Russ

I just wanna curl up & die of embarrassment.......is this really what this once great scene has become, I truly dispair. Can we pse re - name the scene for those that are actually genuinely in to what 'was' NS, to disassociate our selves from this kinda toe curling dross......there are proper 'soulies' no longer with us, who will be spinning in thier graves at this, we once had something to be proud of, we're now a laughing stock to anyone who has even a passing interest & you know what, the vast majority of the punters these days, dont care & have no perception of why this kinda thing is soooooo wrong. It makes we wanna weep........ Russ

Thanks guys Russ

Great release, but I have the flip on a 12, is this a different mix ?, in Iraq right now so cant check, but think the label is Henceforth (could be wrong though). Any info ????? Best Russ

My mate has a bigger one than me............does size matter........(collection that is) lol Russ

Dear Auntie Soul I have collected records for over 20 years, I'm actually well into my third collection, but no matter how many records I own its never enough & the pursuit of even more Rare Soul Vinyl is a daily obsession. I have searched for certain records for years, but even if I eventually get lucky it s never enough to satisfy my thirst, in fact I have even sold certain records, only to find that when I dont have them any more I gotta get it back. My wife thinks I'm sick..............am I ???. Will the illness ever stop ?........ Your advise & comments welcomed. Russ

Waddaya mean would you.................. my closest Nighter is a two hour drive & last year it took me 8 hours to drive to Burnley on a Friday, normally it would be a relatively cushy 5 hours.........you travel to where its at, always have, always will, thats part of it innit............when I dont get excited getting in the car at the weekend & the prospect of a journey full of tunes & the crack with ya mates, not forgetting the unbeleivably random homeward bound journeys, which have on occasion taken twice as long or more than they rightly should then I'll knock it on the head, & that aint gonna be any time soon........ Russ

I certainly had never heard the record before 2003, but was one I had to have & I have always had faith that it would eventually become better known, hope I had a small part in that along the way........ Russ

Disregarding FW for a moment what is the definitive Wigan Casino NS record, that is the one 45 that sums it up. Epitome of Sound maybe ???? Russ

The 'Sheepherders Ft Bubba Bailey' is brilliant, I have hammered away with this for some years (although I'm sure someone mentioned to me once that this had limited plays at Stafford TOTW ?), it took me a while to get my copy, whilst living in Virginia & it was sourced via my friend who does the Ole Va Soul comps (must get in touch), I think it may have even come via a group member. The Sheepherders also recorded as the Royalle VII on Windmill & the Newport News on RCA. The Sheepherders track is of course the only 'black' lead vocal with Bubba Bailey, the line up was very transcient & was a college band I believe. Its a real belter of a dancer & I'm very pleased, that it is eventually getting some recognition. Virginia has some brilliant out put soul wise & the VA comps helped get some of the lesser known Funk n Soul gems a wider appreciation. Well, done Brent my man, I know they were a labour of love, but hey, they were worth it buddy. Russ

Unfortunatly I'm in Baghdad buddy, so that will be a no I'm afraid............have a good un & say hi to everyone. Russ

Great little bags, but you do need 'stiffeners' at either end when using em IMO. Daft Q but have you tried Daptone ???. Russ

Always danced on the balcony in M's on that bit of hard board, bits of ceiling falling off below !. Russ

Hi Vince, Remember the Soul Power Nighters very well, used to hammer it up to Mansfield from Pompey in the back of Ray Gillens work van with a mattress in the back with Dicky. Happy days. Hope you are well mate, happy new year. Russ

'Kinell Bully, thats the most I've laughed in days............. Happy New Year buddy Russ

Anyone ???

A superb record that I have been thinking for some time could do with a revival, especially as that funky soul thang has come back into vogue, as i remember, this was a fave of the late Nev Wherry & that man had taste.........this deserves to be huge again & big props to Rob for dusting it off. Regards Russ