Frankie Crocker

But did he play it?

Thanks for this Arthur. I can imagine Kev will request it again unless you play it first. Sorry I can’t be there to shuffle along but am currently down a Soul Mine somewhere between Chicago and Detroit.

And when you know who has the records, you’ll travel to where they are DJing. That’s why I’m a fan of playlists published after a DJ has played a set - take Dave Rimmer for example, as he regularly posts lists that would encourage you to go out of your way to hear.

Fair point - like a fine wine, perhaps enjoyed in select company. Not sure you can judge the scene from analysing dancefloor reaction anyway - never before has the rare-soul scene been so multi-dimensional and catered to all sorts of people. There are similar records making gains on the scene such as Sag Warfare and United Sounds but copies are so scarce that many wil have not experienced them in public.

Thanks for posting. Is that $2 or 2K? Numbers certainly few and far between. Odd though that there was a green issue but so few have turned up? I do not think I’ve heard it played out at the venues I attend in London so can not comment on dancefloor reaction.

A great DJ with some fantastic records. His sets always reflect imagination and a willingness to innovate.

The word on the block is this is their only record. That said, the group sound so slick and professional, they surely had some local impact that could reveal other material but don’t hold your breath.

Thanks for this Rick. I am sure we will be hearing much more of this record in minor venues where OVO is of little concern after the special reissue has circulated. With an estimated 20 copies in existence, several in the hands of top DJ’s, this soulful offering is destined to be one of those records that perhaps never quite gets the acclaim it deserves. As for dance floor reaction, not every record made will be a floor-filler but that shouldn’t necessarily disqualify it from the playlists. Personally, I would like to see more dancers staying on the floor longer rather than dashing off and on for the Top 500 or the flavour of the month.

Yep Louise. Spot on. You got to shake your shoulders to this one. Maybe shimmy a bit. Adapt to the music and let it take you back to the Ritz or Mecca.

Well, the vocal sounds as good as as any top performer like Jerry or Garland or Gene or Jack...a rich voice that delivers. The intro is unique and unmistakable, boding promisingly for a well crafted crossover tune that is sure to have some twists and turns as it unravels. It certainly gives the dancers time to pick their spot on the floor. I would agree with the comment about tricky to dance to - the record requires nimble footwork and definite change of pace, so not a track for those who only ever dance the same way all the time. This is a track that requires more thought than usual but maybe that’s not a bad thing. Definitely not one for the spinners and acrobats but a nice mellow medium-pace sound that lilts along soulfully.

Well, the seller didn’t get a bargain. Neither did some of the earlier bidders. As the winning bid was a late snipe, it looks like the person came to their senses and concocted a plausible reason to welch on the commitment to pay. I suppose the quick sale was negotiated with a definite buyer in mind - if this was the earlier underbidder, then they have done well out of the deal.

Some interesting comments above suggesting the record is not an instant floorfiller. If rarely spun out, most folk will be unfamiliar with it and reluctant to dance. Then again, it may be more of a slow-burner as it is a slightly different sound. Lots of good points - please keep them coming.

So there copies around well before the days of eBay. Again, not surprised to hear Arthur has factored the record into his sets.

Thanks for this. Doesn’t surprise me to hear these two maestros were on the case early.

Has this elusive track on the Heavy Sounds Inc label been played out much? There are 12 sales listed on Popsike, 8 white DJ copies and 4 green issues. Clearly it is a rare and expensive track, but has anyone witnessed it spun in public? If it has had a public airing, I would be interested to know who the DJ was. Any and all comments on the topic would be much appreciated.

Please do Stan and let us know. Is the seller the one who turned up the Frank Wilson test press? All the records they have auctioned recently looked kosher and some were very tasty.

Advert says Excellent but this is two copies from the same seller. Has a box turned up?

A few tasty bits and pieces there, but similar to previous months with just a few big hitting Northern numbers and a range of other soul genres dominating the picture. Professionals was in nice shape so jumped 50% on previous prices. Servicemen seldom seen, but that’s two copies on eBay recently, fetched more than expected. Turley Richards issue went for a monstrously high amount as current demand remains feverish - demos are much commoner. Condition has evidently become of lesser significance to buyers with some raritiesin rough shape being snapped up to DJ with.

It’s OK and certainly a track worthy of discussion. It has enough to merit spins during a warm-up spot but is just a little too commercial Girl Group to put in the DJ box for a big venue.

Steve, look after those boards as one day they may find a fitting resting place... Were some of them used in the special museum exhibit a few years back? Sad that Wigan Pier did not establish itself as a tourist attraction but at least the council helped to preserve it. Oddly enough, the car park adjacent to the Casino is still a derelict site as it was not developed as part of the shopping centre project. Now I’m thinking about it, there could have been scope to preserve the facade and put a museum in this part of the redevelopment. Along the road of course is another council aberration, the loss of an Olympic size swimming pool to accommodate offices. Maybe one day, the museum will be re-housed in an impressive building like the new library so the Casino exhibit could receive better coverage.

Valid point. There was a considerable revenue stream and little of it appeared to be invested in the fabric of the building apart from Mr M’s that seemed to have had a facelift. That said, the Victorian ballroom complex was reaching the end of its working life and probably approaching demolition, was not worth the major investment. Much of the revenue went on staff wages - look at the poster to see the team of people involved. A lot must have been spent on publicity with adverts in Blues and Soul, posters, badges etc. We know Russ had a raw deal as he opted for a fixed fee to DJ and missed out on a cut of the weekly takings. Bottom line is nightclubs are expensive to run, involve huge hassle, and legal issues often result in premature closure like it or not.

Harsh criticism methinks. Gerry Marshall did a fine job of nursing the Casino through the twilight years. Mike Walker did a terrific job making us all welcome and ensuring the Allniters happened: not sure why he committed suicide but at this point, we all need to be grateful that he was around in the 70’s. Sure, the council were behind the ultimate demise, and maybe behind the arson that finished the grand old lady off? More recently, the council could have included a rebuilt Empress Ballroom in the shopping centre redevelopment but it probably didn’t even occur to them. My late grandmother worked at Trencherfield Mill and danced at the Casino ballroom when it was the ‘Emp’ in the 1930’s. This was the era of the big band and the dancehall would have been a magnificent sight in those days. Even in the 60’s, the venue hosted top acts such as the Beatles and many of the leading artists of the day. When we were going in the 70’s, it was still a place of awe and you could not fail to be blown away when passing through the double doors at the back of the main ballroom. Nobody in their teens or twenties regarded the venue as a ‘dump’ back in the day, and it would be more fitting if those who actually went said the Casino had seen better days and left it at that. The posters, memorabilia, patches etc evoke such nostalgia, you can't help feeling the council missed a golden opportunity to rebuild an entertainment complex plus museum for future generations.

Great piss-ups Len. You were OK though as you were wearing wellies. Bar was always six deep and the second bar was only opened once if I recall. Roger and Mick when DJing always struggled to put on a record more common than the previous one. It was always a relief to get back to street level and be barged by fewer drunks.

An interesting take on the legendary venue. As a veteran of over 100 Allniters there, I would have to say the do’s generally bordered on splendiferous and unsurpassable. Cloakroom pranks probably down to Tef or Brummie Mick, perhaps on a quiet night. Attendances recently have dipped with fewer diehards travelling from up North, but full marks for anyone who went the extra 200 miles month after month, decade after decade. Sure, there’s always been a few bewildered new faces it being the capital city and Time Out steering some unsuspecting tourists down the stairs. The Anniversary Allniters bear comparison with the best do’s ever held on planet earth, but some Saturdays struggle as the once-a-year merchants can’t be bothered to support a regular event.

There have been a few at the fabled 100 Club down the years. Going back to the 90’s, Ady put on a Modern Soul Allniter. Hardly anyone turned up and virtually none of the regulars showed up apart from myself. I left after a couple of hours as the music was so dull and uninspiring. Ady said he felt he had to put the event on as the followers had no other events to go to. Needless to say, the promotion was not repeated. Some of the 100 Club Christmas Parties were far from soulful. Dancefloor covered with beer. Toilet floor flooded. Venue packed with handbaggers, tourists and groups out on a bender. Very little rare soul played. Sound system struggling above the racket. Lots of well known Motown and commercial soul with a liberal helping of poppy Northern, some leaning towards the festive season. Largely a great piss-up for those off work the next day.