Tim Richmond

As the article mentions, the author Rob Bowman was responsible for 2003’s' Soulsville, U.S.A. The Story of Stax Records' and what a great read that is! The detail is staggering. No reason the Malaco book won't have the same detail, but at 200 pages (the Stax book is 400) I'd also be concerned re value for money. I agree with Mal Cs comments, like Mal I have a few Malaco albums & 45s, also a double 'various artists' CD, all good, yep, there must be more to be discovered.

Vinyl copies seem to have sold out despite the narrative above advising there where an additional 100 available - oh well!

'Proper' soul music, no overbearing synths or drum machines that seem to blight recently recorded tunes, will be ordering immediately. Not as keen on the B side.

Sad news, Andy was knowledgeable and well respected by all who knew him. His ‘tips’ for records to look out for were always good, not just for rare/northern, he put me onto Gil Scott-Heron’s ‘Pieces Of A Man ‘ album on UK Phillips when it was available as a new release. A ‘face’ at The Highland Room and part of Ian Levine’s ‘inner circle’ at the time. If you saw him dance, you would have remembered it, those ‘spins’ with hands on hips, gave Frank Booper a run for his money! I last bumped into him at a Blackpool Tower event a few years ago, Ian Levine was behind the decks, he spotted Andy and exclaimed. ‘ hey, Andy Simpson’s here, one of the best dancers from The Highland Room ‘ - what an accolade, say no more. Rest in peace Andy. Tim.

I've enjoyed this fabulous track from the Hotlanda 2 CD for many years, can't believe I can now own it on a 45! Keep 'em. comin' Sean. Tim

Was lucky enough to see her at Manchester's "Band ON The Wall' a few years back, awesome, her daughters (I think) were on backing vocals, her brother on bass, real badass bass guy, been with her for years.What a show. Amazing output of great albums, it all started for me when Levine was playing 'Where Is The Love' , from the album all those years ago. RIP Betty.

I was a regular at The Highland Room when Levine was 'breaking' Doris Jones, LJ Johnson, Exciters ,Barbara Pennington etc, they were sensational tunes at the time! Some still sound good, it would be great to hear a few today, but it ain't gonna happen! Tim

We now have volume 5 to consider! Another amazing selection, put together posthumously, with great narratives from some knowlegable soul connoisseurs , well done guys. Anyone brave enough to to rank the tunes 1-125? Not me! Tim.

Parliament/Funkadelic at Belle Vue Manchester late 70s- oh dear. Turned out to be an 'anti tour' whatever that is.They were in army fatigues, jamming rock riffs. We were expecting the fancy stage show that was supposed to rival EW&F. Don't really know why we went, I never bought any of their records!! Tim.

Leeds Central, August 1972, age 15. Jean Carter, James Barnett, Alice Clark,Billy Kennedy, Duke Browner, Fuller Brothers....... I think I have a tape somewhere. This was a 'different world', the only tunes I knew up to that point were the re issues of the day on Mojo, Chess & Jay Boy, played in the youth clubs. First time I saw lots of folks with eyes like saucers, chewing gum- puzzled at first, but I soon caught on!! Tim.

I don’t recall the first night being much different to any other nighter. Russ’s box seemed a little ‘limited’ compared to what I was used to. Torch/Cats/Mecca tunes, I remember “Ski-ing In The Snow being absolutely ‘battered’, maybe twice per set-honest! Bobby Treetop, The Gems, Little Johnny Blair, Wally Cox all spring to mind, all great ‘pre Casino’ tunes that I never seem to hear today, it seems to be the case for the majority of ‘pre Casino’ tunes as far as I am concerned. The attendance was defo not the ‘rumoured 600’, but it certainly wasn’t quiet, well attended, but nothing like later years. I still have my membership card, a pink one, number 937, I understand that later on the girls were issued with pink, the chaps blue, but mine is defo pink. Still have the first night badge-hmmm.... not for sale. I took some pictures, we were sat with Andy Simpson and the Bradford crew, the pics have been lost, but I have the negatives, in a box, mixed in with pics from The Mecca, Cats, later Wigan and that horrendous all nighter at The Queens Hall in Leeds with The Major, Exciters, Mel & Tim etc. I got a few ‘random’ negatives developed, colour quality very poor, nothing from the first night, but a belter with Les Cockell at Wigan, Les in his satin bomber jacket, with sleeves rolled up! Remember bomber jackets??? Ha. I kinda remember the night pretty well although it was 46 years ago, because my 17th birthday was the previous day!! Who would have thought that the Casino would go on to attain ‘legendary status’, on a scene that still refuses to die!! Tim.

I saw them in Leeds last year, I guess it was 'just OK', but more like a tribute show. The Tops opened with that 'Acapulco' record- oh dear! All I could think of during the show was just how bloody good Messrs Stubbs, Ruffin & Kendricks were!! Not really the real deal without them. The Tops musical director/conductor was announced as 'Earl Van Dyke Junior' to a massive cheer. Tim.

I was there on the first night, my last visit was late 1974, opted for Levine/Curtis and their more refreshing approach going forward. This thread has reminded my why!! Ha. Tim.

We have relatives in Auz, for years we have 'exchanged' parcels at Xmas, a couple of years ago, we got a card from the postman telling us there was a parcel at the local sorting office, with duty to be paid before collection. The parcel was valued at about £30, containing small gifts. When I queried it at the sorting office, I was told that the PO had been relaxed over the years in 'picking up' incoming parcels (with a customs declaration/value) where duty was due. The PO add £3 (I think) as an admin fee, looks to me as though the fee is the motivation for the change in stance. Bearing in mind the PO is an inefficient/out of date/dinosaur type of organisation, who are losing customers by the day, the new stream of income must be greatly appreciated! HM Revenue & Customs must be pleased also! Be aware. Tim.

John Manship has a copy of 'Try Me' with 3 days to go- good luck!

Nolan Porter in Blackpool a couple of years ago, but the absolute worst has too be Parliament/Funkadelic at Belle Vue Manchester, late 70s- oh dear, so bad. Tim.

On Millennium eve, I played 'People Get Ready' as my first tune of the new Millennium, didn't take a lot of thought to choose it from all the tunes I had heard/owned over 40 years. He will always be 'the gentle genius' !!!

Just seen this and played the sound clip- Artist: Unkown Artist A Side: You Know You're Wrong B Side: I Am Your Leader Label: DCT Format: 10" I thought I recognised it, after some thought, it's the title track from Walter Heath's 1974 album- "You Know You're Wrong Don't You Brother' on Buddha. Maybe Mr Manship ain't heard this album!! Anyone concur? Tim.

The prospect of some unreleased Willie Tee stuff is exciting! Tim

Lots of candidates on Don Covay's brilliant 'Super Dude' album- Leave Him. I Was checkin' out as she was checkin' in. Bad mouthing. Somebody's been enjoying my home. I wonder what was on Don's mind when he cut the album!!! Ha. Tim.

It appears Lawrence Murphy was Darrell's personal manger according to Billboard's Talent Edition from 12/28/68 - Thanks for the info. Looks like individuals were credited as writers to receive royalties that were not due to them! I'm currently reading Chuck Berry's book, his first big hit "Maybelline' was written by him, but the Chess Brothers added Alan Freed , the influential New York DJ as a co writer, hmm.. can't think why they would do that! I suspect this type of exploitation was rife in those days. Tim.

Interesting find, the writers credits are also interesting, well, to me anyway! The Stateside Darrell Banks is credited to 'D Banks', the Jackie Wilson version "Darrell Banks', a (pretty poor) version by Tyrone Davis is credited to "Darrell Banks & Donnie Elbert' . I read somewhere years ago that Donnie Elbert was co writer, and there were some legal proceedings to ensure he got paid etc. So, who the hell is "Lawrence Murphy' shown as co author on the Argentinian issue? Any fellow 'anoraks' out there who can shed any light on it? Tim.

How about "Look At California' - Maze featuring someone called Frankie Beverley! From their first album in 1977. Also, Bobby Womack's version of "California Dreaming".

Each to his own etc..........

Anything by Helen Shapiro, FFS this is supposed to be a soul scene. Tim