Steve G

That's interesting, I was talking to Soul Sam the other week and he said that of all the Radio 1 DJs that came to the clubs he was DJing in in the 1970's, there was only one who had a genuine interest in trying to understand Northern soul and sepnt time trying to hear about it. Guess who? Annie Nightingale.

Interesting I was a Casino fan as a teenager, absolutely loved it until mid 78. I am open minded and am not expecting "the history of rare and underplayed soul music". As long as it doesn't feature odd-bods dancing to Judy Street in Kebab shops I am sure it will be fine. Encouraging that Richard is involved.

Wigan Wigan Wigan....What about St Ives, Cleethorpes etc? Two sides of the country in the 1970's....and it wasn't all about Wigan.

Scotty Bray a Detroit garage record, and the Tru Soul and Pioneer labels were owned by the same guy - hence The Gambrells appeared on both records....

Yes I agree but most people are musically "blinkered" in all musical genres, not just soul. You should see em all wetting themselves and clambering to get tickets when Genesis or Quo "do" a gig! I do agree though Judy Street - absolute garbage, and youngsters should be open minded to hear anything. Certainly the younger crowds I've seen have no blinkers and are willing to dance to anything that's good....but you wouldn't catch them prancing about in a Kebab shop either eh?

Two words for ya Chalky......Two scenes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSIzzwvbAuI&feature=share

Maryann Farra is OK but Tony Drake Tom Moulton mix is easily the best.....

Please remind us nearer the date, liable to forget.....

There is a far better Tom Moulton mix by Tony Drake which I got on acetate in the early 1990's from Pat Brady for £15. It was a bit of a Soul essence record that decade. The version that Tony eventually put out isn't anywhere near as good. Moulton zinged it up....as only Moulton can!

Tony Drake also recorded it.

Nice post brought some memories back......

Yes now I think of it, it was Cleethorpes / Clifton Hall and pre Stafford......Still crap tho Anyone got a photo of them? Might well have been a DJ Hampster spin, if so a million miles away from Just Soul eh?

Now heard it Peter, and it's WORSE than I remember it. Utter shite. Wasn't this part of the anti-rare "It's less than £1 it must be good" fight back that some of the modern scene "toads" were championing in the 80's?

Who has a "Buddy Causey" cover up? He's a friend of mine on Facebook Simon :-) David Cassidy ROFL! More likely to be a real David Cassidy record played on the northern scene....

I need to have another listen then......Always thought it was a poor Hi NRG record......Haven't heard it for years, ever since finding one in Swansea for 10p in the early 80's....hold on....

Hmmmm Gawd! Honestly does anyone still like this?

Wasn't the Unfinished Business re-issued as well as part of the Seattle soul pack along with Patrinel Staten etc?

Ady, I get the point you are making but The Intruders only ever had one Top 20 hit, and The Diplomats none at all ......Surely The Hesitations had their commercial sights set a little higher when they did "Born free"....more towards The Temps I'd have thought......

Yes, and other polydor's had a small hole (Inspirations, Holidays etc.). Maybe around 68/9 was when a lot of records came without centres. It's not a dumb question at all, I am expecting when I next look there will be about 50 replies

Bob is right, having hit records is what it was all about. When I was researching my book I did a piece (and interview) on The Constellations (the later version after they left Chicago) who of course had those fabulous productions on Gemini Star. Whether you are bored with the records or not they are great productions to listen to and stand up well on a good system, there isn't a note out of place. Later they ended up opening up shows for Dionne for about 3 years, and their repetoire usually started with "The age of Aquarius" followed by several other equally bland popular songs. But it was great for them, regular work, TV apps, money in their pockets, touring the world, meeting other stars etc. Who would want to eat grits in the ghetto and wondering where the new check is coming from when you can have all that?

Hi Bob a lot of UK records didn't have centres. I am thinking Mercury, Philips and associated labels that I can recall for instance. They came with a "spider" plastic three legged thing in the middle to adapt to turntables. I also think some Sue Records may have come minus centres but I am sure one of the British experts can confirm..... Companies like EMI, RCA and Decca always had centres though as far as I know and I think your Fat Larry would originally have had one too. I think the final question should be the other way round (i.e. why do US 45's have a large hole). Since all 33s and 78s have a small hole......so it is logical (to me) that 45s would follow. Is it something to do with shipping weight and the amount of jukeboxes in the USA which played 45's?

George, plenty of copies are not off centre......

Well done Mike......Great site.

Another promotors view who I was talking to recently. "Later a bunch of people came in from the bar and they were dancing and having a whale of a time and enjoying the music we were playing"......

Like Dave, Elaine also showed it to me at Peebles.....looks great!