Steve G

Hi Flynny, maybe my brain is losing too many cells but where is patti jo's version of Barry Smith? On the Best of New Soul CD? Steve

Really good article as always Mark.

Yes it is Byrney. We do need the 80sd 90s and 00s covered properly.....one day!

Is this the one Francis Tee was involved with?

I seem to recall you sold me one for a tenner some years ago Steve.

I just seen a gig that says "100% vinyl" when did this term first get used? Guess it means no CD player?

Yes all of them Chalky, will be getting them together soon, since quite a few people asking to see them.

Yep there was a high turnover at this time too. I got Guy to write a column in Blackbeat to cover the 60's newies scene (since I didn't think Keb would get round to giving me a written article on a regular basis) since we already had Soul Sam and others covering the modern scene. "Guys Goodies" was born where he'd review a handful of sides each issue (every 2 months). The one proviso I said to Guy was no cover ups (this rule also applied to the modern guys), and so it meant that Guy got to uncover at least some of the sounds on a fairly regular basis. That I think helped keep the interest going for the more casual observer - but that may have been wishful thinking on my part.

OMG is this thread still running? The Manship comment was made in the context of a rare record auction. Not a handbag weekend for three thousand Spencered soulies or a Scooterists Convention on Mudsea Island, or a local soul night playing boots in Grimeythorpe. People bidding on rare records on the JM site know exactly who he is referring to.....

Yes Jordi, agreed, there are plenty of drunken weekender sing-a-long tunes you can pick up for a tenner or less. And Bearsy, I know the other one is easier to find, but it's the far better of the two records in my opinion. I also like their funked up version of "I can't turn you loose" as well.

Their other one on the label is much better too, less of a "girly / drunken singalong weekender anthem" and fantastic production / Richie Tee arrangement with Bernard Puride's drumming, fab harmonies etc. in fact a lot of the top NY guys cooking up a storm in a teacup.

Hi Nick, Troy Dodds is a "tape swappers" type thing, not unknown but not played much and not really rare either. An issue copy with a B side is harder than a double sided demo.

Trouble is Davie half the people playing boots wouldn't know a boot from an original, and look completely blank, like they don't know......went to a "soul night" and the guy on before me finished with a boot of a £75-100 record. I said "can't you find the original of that then?" in a friendly sort of way, and he looked at me and said "Is that not an original then?" with a face full of disappointment. I honestly think he didn't know. Anyway no sign of any pre 2005 OVO ads so I reckon Dave Rimmer was the first, unless someone proves otherwise.....

Thanks Nick, to be truthful I had about another 1-2 hours worth of Ken's work so had to be selective....anyway: - Link here: https://www.mixcloud.com/steve-guarnori/sunday-morning-soul-on-solar-featuring-the-music-of-ken-williams/ Playlist 1. A J Sparks & Crew "Working on love" Ken Williams special: 2. Main Ingredient "Let me rove my love to you" 3.Diane Newby "What you're putting me through 4. Harmon Bertha "Put on your shoes and walk" 5. Bobby Treetop "Wait til I get to know ya" 6. Spellbinders "Help me {Get myself back tobgether again} 7. Fundamentals "Let me show it to you" 8. Ken Williams "Come back" 9. Ken Williams "Sweet music soft lights and you" 10.Toni Lamarr "It's too late" 11. Superiors "What would I do" 12. Big jim's Border Crossing "Love built on a strong foundation" 13. Total Eclipse "You tookm a heart that was torn to pieces" 14. Main ingredient "Everybody plays the fool" 15. Triboro Exchange "Seven lonely nights" 16. Reflections "Day after day" 17. joe Graves "Baby if you were gone" 18. Lenny Welch "I thank you love" 19. Troy Dodds "See no evil" 20. Chuck & Rita "Baby we got it" 21. Chuck Profitt "Love love love" 22. Margaret Reynolds "Today I started loving you" 23. Charles Johnson "I betcha don't know" 24. Barbara Stant "He's still your man" 25. Norfolk "Gift wrap my love" 26. Teddy Pendergrass "Keep on loving me" 27. Ike Lovely "Fools hall of fame" 28. Ace Spectrum "Keep holding on" 29. J.R.Bailey "Too far gone to turn around" 30. J.R.Bailey "That's love" 31. J.R.Bailey "Just me N You" 32. Ken Williams "Thanks for the laughs" 33 Revelation "Sweet talk and melodies" 34. Alicia Keys "You don't know my name"

Roughly how many Bluebeat, Trojan and Island records were there in the 60's?

Not so sure about that Richard, there are plenty that just go to local nights and ask for Paul (W)Anka, Mel Britt and Judy Street, dance about, work up a sweat, have a bit of a social, then go home and get on with the rest of their lives until the next one. Loads not into the record side of it, loads not into hearing anything or seeing anyone new either.

We're in danger of drifting into another "What is OV?" thread (yawn)....I'd like to see some pre 2005 posters that mention OV if there are any?

There's no such thing in reality Russell; just those that think they're "elite" or a bit special.

The numbering system they used for many of their releases was actually the release date, so based on it being 52775 shows the Jades as being released on Virtue on 27th May 1975. So def a late reissue, Steve

"E" on a Styrene 45 surely means "plays with hiss /background noise".

F.F.S mark, Hasn't Russ got bored of that frickin record yet?.....I spose it could be worse - on "3B48" with a Night Owl Picture Sleeve. Not to mention the T shirt. Indeed I don't!!!

Ha ha! We had some right humdingers going on in the letters pages. Back and forth it went.

This is true enough John. And two of the leading specialist record shops already advertise with the station so they are not likely going to sponsor shows on top of paying for regular advertising. It's also true that it's getting harder and harder to assess listening figures with any degree of accuracy with the advent of shows being posted up on Facebook, Sonos, Mixcloud, Soundcloud and the like - not everyone listens at a fixed time anymore. The world is all changing........

I may be wrong but I thought that came about in part at least because Ian L turned up at Clee one night with some EMIs of all of his latest productions and Mary sent him away? Godin "made some hay" out of it in B&S at the time I recall him quoting Mary "My DJ's only play originals". This was I am sure partly because DG was involved in a "death match" with Tony Cummings over at Black Music at the time (last seen as a gospel radio guy in Plymouth); Cummings was writing his 'exposes' about NS in BM, and having his ear bent by Ian about "what good looks like" in the process.

Hi Mikey, I can categorically confirm that as the editor of Blackbeat during the Stafford era early - mid 80s, there was relatively little chatter about OV v pressings amongst my humble readership. There were of course venues that played pressings and everyone left on the scene at that point knew that. The main venues like Stafford, some (but not all) Peterboro events, Leicester etc. and 100 Club pretty much stuck to OV - it was just a given that DJs at these main scene events didn't play boots. The BIG controversy for my lot in the early / mid 80's was around Oldies v new 60s v modern etc. (i.e. type of music more than type of format). Mostly all good fun.