Tim Richmond

We were there on Saturday, first visit for a year, we had noticed numbers declining over the previous couple of years, but there didn't seem to be less there than 12 months ago. One other observation, may seem oddball, but over recent years the the 'dancers' seemed to be outnumbered by the 'drinkers' (or those who just sit there). On Saturday, there seemed to be a higher % of attendees dancing, if that makes sense. Maybe the numbers are 'boiling down' to the remaining 'hard core' !! On a more positive note, we enjoyed the night, two big name DJs , who , in our opinion usually disappoint did great sets, avoiding overplayed and nasty pop records in the main. Need to ensure we don't leave it 12 months before we go again. Tim & Christine.

I think the first 'latin' tune I heard was Ricardo Ray's excellent Nitty Gritty. Must have been 1971/72, it was played all over at the time. A nice one to own on UK Roulette. Tim.

Rest in peace Aretha, no one can take your 'throne', no one has come near in the 51 years since the first Atlantic album. Tim.

Rest in peace Aretha, no one can take your 'throne', no one has come near in the 51 years since the first Atlantic album. Tim.

Cliff Richard, what a joke, why the hell is LD associating with a musical loser like Harry Webb? Gobsmacked. Tim.

Cliff Richard, what a joke, why the hell is LD associating with a musical loser like Harry Webb? Gobsmacked. Tim.

" Stay in Detroit". It was recorded in LA wasn't it? Much too much bolox & hot air on this topic for me now. Tim

" Stay in Detroit". It was recorded in LA wasn't it? Much too much bolox & hot air on this topic for me now. Tim

I was at the Halifax gig, hell, I must have been 14! Regarding what may, or not have been the Major's first UK gig, I recall he was due at The Wheel, but it never happened, I believe there are some posters advertising it. Could this have been on his first UK tour? Did he play elsewhere? Just a thought. Tim.

Ted Massey's 'rare & underplayed' set at last years St Ives weekender, was stunning. Tim

Really gettin' bored with this thread now, it has lost it's way.

'changed my direction in soul music', what a thought provoking angle........... the albums that did it for me, are the two Jerry Williams produced Doris Duke albums, along with his stunning 'In Between Tears' - Irma Thomas. Also, Bobby Bland's 'California Album' and Sam Dees "The Show Must Go On. Have 'run in tandem' with uptempo stuff AND classy albums ever since!! Tim.

'Trapped By A thing Called Love'- one of the great 'soul' records, rest in peace Denise. Tim.

'Trapped By A thing Called Love'- one of the great 'soul' records, rest in peace Denise. Tim.

Hmmm.... always thought this was (yet another)nasty pop record. Tim

I've always rated Martha Reeves- I Gotta Let You Go, I was well chuffed when Dave Evison played it at The Kings Hall earlier in the month- well done sir! Tim.

Lots of the George Kerr wonders, High Keys, Alice Clark, Linda Jones (Just Can't live My Life). Big orchestra, strings, percussion, brass section (as opposed to 'horn' section !) and that harp. The man himself on backing vocals. Also, Gene Chandler's 'There Was A Time'. I feel out of breath every time I hear it. If you listen carefully at the very end you hear the great man go 'ooh' , he obviously knew what he had just recorded. Tim.

Another Highland Room play for Messrs Levine & Curtis, a brave play in 1975, but that was their strength ! Pity we never hear this played out anywhere today, superb tune.

Recently found the book in question in the loft (along with 'Making Tracks' - The History Of Atlantic Records by Charlie Gillett) Interesting to hear comments on Dave Godin's review, with the book fairly fresh in my mind. Yes, there is some very good detailed information in there, but in my opinion, there is a naivety when opinions are expressed, or when the authors move away from fact, to opinion. So, I can kinda see where Dave Godin was coming from. The book is worth checking out , but being 42 years old, it may be elusive to find. On a more positive note, the final chapter ' The Future' opens with- 'soul in the late seventies seems secure in the custody of outstanding artists like Millie Jackson, Laura Lee, and Bobby Womack ,not to mention the ever consistent Bill Withers and veteran Esther Phillips' Those were the days my friends..............

Test match finished on Saturday, was looking forward to Sunday's play, so had some time to spin a few tunes. decided to give the Windy City a blast . Hi-Lites/I'm So Jealous Billy Butler/Gotta Get Away Artistics/Patty Cake Walter Jackson/My One Chance To Make It Impressions/I Loved And I Lost Jerry Butler/I've Been Trying Harold Burrage/Got To Find A Way Otis Leaville/Glad I Met You Johnny Sayles/Anything For You Marvin Smith/Love Ain't Nothing But Pain Vontastics/You Can Work It Out Impressions/You Ought To Be In Heaven Mamie Galore/I Got The Power Knight Brothers/Temptation 'Bout To Get Me Billy Stewart/Crazy 'Bout You Baby Greg Perry/Love Control June Conquest/What's This I See LeRoy Hutson/Love Oh Love Impressions/Love Me LeRoy Hutson/Ella Weez Marvin Smith/Who Will Do Your Running Now Walter Jackson/I Never Had It So Good For me, Chicago is THE city!!

Getting a heads up on what tunes I can expect to hear is becoming more important to me when choosing venues. Helps to avoid the 'top 200' and nasty pop records like Benny Troy, Micky Moonshine, Kiki Dee etc. Look forward to more playlists being posted.. Tim.

What a double header, good luck, managed to get the album from Soul Brother records before they sold out of the limited (750) re issue a couple of years ago.

Great post, totally agree with your comments re 'Almighty Fire', another belter from that era - 'Sweet Passion' 1977, produced by Lamont Dozier, arrangements by HB Barnum and Mc Kinley Jackson. Seems like Atlantic were looking to 'refresh' Aretha's career by using different producers, I wonder if George Kerr was ever considered. May get a chance to ask him at Blackpool in June!! Tim

Arrogant corporate bullies, I have e mailed my MP, also the MP for Brighouse craig.whittaker.mp@parliament.uk . May be an idea for SS members to contact their MP, copy in the chap from Brighouse. The more 'noise' the better, the 'man in the street' already has one big recent victory!!! Tim.

Arrogant corporate bullies, I have e mailed my MP, also the MP for Brighouse craig.whittaker.mp@parliament.uk . May be an idea for SS members to contact their MP, copy in the chap from Brighouse. The more 'noise' the better, the 'man in the street' already has one big recent victory!!! Tim.