Chris Turnbull

Can you give some examples Kev?

Just been listening to Richard Searling's excellent Mecca podcast from a couple of years ago in which he talks about travelling up to Blackpool with Simon Soussan Interestingly he says 'Simon Soussan made Wigan Casino, sent loads of records over, a lot of them exclusives - created Wigan' I was only 3 or 4 years old around 1974 so obviously have no first hand knowledge, but struck me as interesting that he was so clear about Soussan's involvement, influence, etc. I always assumed SS was just a record dealer type who got lucky with few home made versions or backing tracks but no more than that Was it felt at the time by the general crowd i.e. you lot that Soussan was pulling a lot of strings at Wigan?

Surprised JM hasn't written a book by now, tells a good Youth Club story

Lovely, really enjoyed that

Very interesting that, thanks for sharing - could you just go inside and have a wander round?

Tried to get a copy but sold out really quickly - anyone read and wouldn't mind selling it? Or lending

I've had Jazz Cafe tickets from pre covid, now end May this year - really looking forward to seeing him, total class and criminally under recognised Got a flyer from 1988 advertising my band at York Arts Centre with him on the next week, when he was Howlin' Wilf

Great stuff, what an interesting project - I'd love to see a Wigan one

Looks great Didn't it have a balcony? I'm too young to have gone but thought I remember reading it had a balcony

Just remembered this version from Willie Hutch - again a decent effort, though to be fair he could sing the phone book and make it sound great:-

Got to be Little Anthony for me, though Cathy Carlson a good effort, new to me My second favourite version probably this one:-

Thanks for all the contributions so far, great info Was going to suggest Irma Thomas 'Don't mess with my man' on Ron (1959), but while it's a tune I've known for years I actually can't recall ever having heard it out anywhere?

Fair point, though I was meaning the traditional northern scene I suppose

1957 Nina Simone according to Wikipedia Where would that have been?

Just been playing Richard Berry ‘Have love will travel’ and remember Roger Banks playing it out regularly late 90’s or so, Wilton etc Got me thinking there can’t have been too many 1950’s records played on the northern scene - Nina Simone ‘my baby just cares for me’ one that springs to mind - any other examples?

Interesting record Walter 'Flowers', context is everything I guess - remember Derek Howe in Manchester telling me years ago it was a Wheel sound as well but I didn't get it and still don't really Great thread by the way - anyone know if the old sign is still around?

Lovely Esther Phillips same for me at Hyde

Seemed to be everywhere around 1990 / 91 - big R. Searling plays on his Sunset Radio show, Blackburn, Droysleden, etc - of course she appeared at Droylseden a year or so later on the back of it I guess, along with Barbara Acklin Was certainly one of Mark Bicknell's big tunes at Droylesden around 1991/2, probably him at Keele as well? Don't recall hearing anyone else play it

1988 to early 1991 I think

Hyde was a great night, Mark a good guy as well, don't know whatever happened to him? Was on regularly in the NW for a while, great taste in tunes Me too E Williams from Roger, totally blown away by that one

I loved Paul Sindab I was a fool - first heard via Roger Banks at Hyde Botanical Thur nights, Mark Robertson also at the same time around Manchester- sounded awesome out loud, if less impressive at home

Good info thanks

That's interesting, was assuming Donna Coleman eg would have had big plays much earlier Terry Callier I know from Blackbeat etc was getting played early 80's but maybe didn't go big until late 80's / early 90's? Jimmey Soul Clark 'Winner' heard out much before late 80's?