BrianB

Hi Guys, Are we going to get the story of the KR/SS break in, and also why SS disappeared? I am going to tell my lad to read this thread, as it has taken me right back to my roots, and should be compulsory reading for all newbies. Best thread I have read on here. Brian

Hi, I know you go back a long way, but why are you so prejudiced againt local soul nights? In fact under your avatar it says something like no local shite for me. What if you can't get to the Burnley all nighter, or some other big, somehow non-local do? Do you mean I can't go the Burnley all nighter, cos to me living in Burnley, it will be local shite? Do you not recall the local nights that ran from Sunday to Thursday almost everywhere? The weekend was for the Wheel, The Torch, Up the Junction, Cats, Casino, Samanthas, Mecca, Yate, Stafford etc, but the lifeblood of the scene was people going to these local nights and then developing their knowledge and hitting the big stage. Dave Moore put a list on here of all the soul nights held in Burnley over the years, and it came to over 25, and he missed some out. Dickie Pinks, a tiny working mens club where around 12 of us turned up every month for a year, had Karl, and John Atkinson playing their hearts out, but that was no local soul night shite, it was class. Just interested as to what you mean by local shite?

Hi Paul, As someone said, my thoughts and my situation exactly. What a really well thought out reply. I do not go to all nighters, because I don't get that "what's this?" feeling too much at the "rare soul" nights, but to be honest, in my 39 years on the Northern scene, I can honestly say in response to Darcy Boys reply, I have never seen anyone go up to someone and say Right On, or Keep the Faith. Maybe that was just the way it was coming from Burnley in the 70s? Is DILY the best unissued motown ever? Probably not. Is it a good Northern sound? Of course it is. I don't like it personally, but the 1st time I heard it I thought "wow"! I put a thread up a couple of years ago about this and Mello Souls, and I still think that if the roles were reversed with these two records, that the rare soul fans would be slagging the Mello Souls and praising FW. Just my opinion, not looking for any big debate.

Hi Darryl, Name It and Claim It has been released several times over here, certainly on a vinyl LP and also on CD. Did you ever get to hear about them being released? Your comment "I would have come over". Well to back you on that, it is never too late. You would receive a fantastic welcome. Name It and Claim It, is the epitome of the music we have loved in the UK for over 40 years. It would be really interesting to learn even more about the writers, artists, musicians and producers of that time. I think you might be surprised at the depth of knowledge Soul fans in the UK have of those golden years in NYC, LA, Detroit, Chicago and so on. I am pleased you have learnt of your popularity in the UK. Your son deserves a big pat on the back. I bet he is really proud! Thanks and good luck! Brian

Hi Kev, I agree, but I think it is just edged by Its Wonderful to be Loved by You! A beautiful record and would sound brilliant today.

Some great info there. Didn't The Miracles also come out on a Music for Pleasure LP? I have heard the stories of TOHOM being intended for the 4 Tops, but they were on tour, and the Isleys got it. Is it possible they may have recorded it and it is buried somewhere? Probably just wishful thinking, but surely that would have been Motown's finest moment?

Happy birthday to the best record company the world has ever seen. Which Motown Classics would be on the playlists if Jon Anderson found them today? I'd go for : Uptight Back in My Arms Again I Can't Help Myself Going to a Go Go Heatwave. I've left hundreds out, which pays testament to just how right Berry got it. Brian B

Hi Dave, Actually he really does. If I was to compare our posts I would think yours was a little more personal than mine? All the best, Brian B

Hi Dave, You are either really friendly with Dave, or you have never met him? If it turns out to be the latter, practice your apology in case you bump into him when he is over here in the very near future. They were studied questions from someone who has the potential to be a modern day orator of the Northern Soul scene. Read Hitsville and you will know what I mean.

The Funk Brothers? We all had a chance to see them in early 2004 when they toured the UK. Age is simply against them now. We saw them at the Apollo in Manchester. Stevie Winwood guested, and Isaac Hayes should have been on, but he ducked. Billy Preston replaced him, and was so poor he didn't come out for the 2nd half! The FBs were simply fantastic, they remained true to the 2 disc SINTSOM CD, which also sounds great. We also saw the UK premiere of the film in Hebden Bridge in the Art Deco cinema there. The DJs were Ginger, Terry Jones and (apologies, but forgot his name) the huge guy who started the Chatbusters mag. They played nothing but Motown before the film, and nothing but Motown for around 3 hours afterwards. We were buying beer from the supermarket and dancing at the front of the stage. Quite simply one of the best nights I have ever experienced in my 38 years on the Northern scene. What a testament to Motown that they played 5 hours of Motown and everyone danced all night, with I believe, no repeats. Also, before the last record of the night, Terry made an off the cuff speech, basically thanking Motown, and mildly admonishing the Yanks for not knowing what they had (Northern and Motown), and how we re-discovered it, and kept it alive. Can't remember exactly what he said, but at the time he got a standing ovation. I firmly believe no Motown would have meant no Northern scene for us. Bloody hell, what would we be doing? Berry, I raise my glass to you!!

I was at Wigan when Tommy recorded the Live at Wigan LP. but I have never heard it. Is it any good? I love the Kent Biggest Man CD. Just class. I was stood in the Burnley corner when the recording was made (was it 3rd Anniversary?), and we were right next to the technical people, and everyone was coughing and saying Hiya really loud to try to be heard on the recording!

I don't think this was, but Jerry Cook's version certainly was.

Hi Mel, Anyone we know on it? Brian

I have it on a 74 Blackpool Mecca Tape. Hows it going Steve. Are you happy with Big Sam? Brian

Thanks Pete, I have most of them, but the best quality CDs are without doubt from Kent, and I guess that's my real gripe, the way they have been transferred has not lead to the quality sound that the stuff like the Okeh and RCA stuff has on Kent. Brian

Hi, Some of the stuff on Phillips both here and in the States was awesome, but I've never seen a decent compilation. I know Out on The Floor 2 had Bobby Hebb, Frankie Valli, Madeline Bell, the Flamingos etc, but the quality wasn't good. I would love to hear Dusty, or Bobby Hebb Love, Love, Love in particular, just as it was recorded. I have the single on import, B side of A Satisfied Mind on original English, and the re-issue, but none seem to do this quaity track justice. Any thoughts Ady? Brian

Wow! I presume you are a soul/Northern Soul fan?

Stevie crap eh? Yet another example of collectors showing that rarity is all that matters. Uptight, I was made to Love Her, Contract on Love, Yester Me, All I do, Overjoyed, Don't Know Why I love You, Love a Go Go, SSDIY, Place in the Sun, NTGFM Baby and all the others,...these are crap????? Great thread, that once again exposes people who want to show that Northern and Motown discovered since the mid 80s is better than its predecessors.

Thank you Kev. I'm grateful. Brian

Hi Team, Can anyone post this up for me please? I haven't heard this for over 20 years! Thanking you in anticipation, Brian B

As usual, a great review Dave. Brian B

Hi Roddy, Where were You, absolute beauty of a record! I haven't heard it for 25 years, can someone post it please? Thanks Brian

Its shite? I take it you don't like Northern Soul and Motown then? Or were you lucky enough to miss the early/mid/late seventies?

For the many people who like Northern Soul but don't want to go to venues, this is a great starting compilation. Just like my niece, who hears my records and says "This is great! What is it?". She will listen to them, love them, but is not interested in going to the local all nighter, which is the Kestrel Suite incidentally. I agree with Pete S. These records are far better for her and her like, and are easier to listen to than some of today's plays, that even we have to listen to a few times before we are hooked. If you don't like it, don't buy it. I don't like funk, gospel, 70s, modern etc, so I don't listen to them, I don't buy them, and I don't go to the venues, but I defend anybody elses right to do so. Thanks, Brian