Drewtg

Ray Charles was a massive influence on all our heroes and his country blues helped to define our music. I like Country, but I hate Western. Good post.

If I were you I'd get me coat mate. No offence

Go join the band Don. RIP.

Cheers mate. Humble opinion, etc.

So it's like a spade with two new heads and three new handles? Love is knowing when to let go!

Sorry about that. By way of apologies here is a great book about the Chess brothers, and it's cheap as chips for Kindle. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spinning-Blues-Into-Gold-Legendary-ebook/dp/B0081XE4LO

Thanks again, but what a terrible book. Really disappointed. Who the hell let him write his own book?

Surely Dr Buzzard on Oriole!

That's a bit unfair Paul..............they have identified James Brown as a soul singer. Research, research, verify, verify

Cheers mate, don't usually pay for my e-books but will make an exception here

If you play it, they will come! Lost count of the number of venues I tried to get going as a yung'un. Be your own promoter. Stop whinging, make it happen.

Cheers mate, not as bad as I expected. Mind you, I have very low expectations. Don't forget, this is the channel that gave Omid Djalili his own show. The clowns and weirdo's always show up for a camera so that was always going to happen. It's such a shame the Beeb doesn't have any journalists anymore

Can someone put it on youtube so I can cringe in solidarity out here in Malta?

........and this song is called Do I love You and it is worth squillions, yawn.

They used to have a midweek night for the locals and kids. I think they did some shooting for "This England" and spliced it in with the footage of the actual nighter. Seem to remember some shots not from the nighter in the footage. They could do anything they wanted with Mike Walker up their arse.

Michael McDonald! Are they serious?

Don't remember smoking on the dance floor, apart from the odd tourists. Bit difficult clapping with a fag in your hand!.

*Note to self* Never assume a 'smiley' indicates a sense of humour

As if? I was fifteen when I started going in late '73 and I'd say about 10% were about the same. A lot of my mates were a bit older, either working in the factories or apprentices with a bit more cash than me. I think Dave Withers had just finished his apprenticeship in an engineering firm when he did the "This England" documentary. I thought Winstanley was ancient, and Elson and Godin had beards ffs! The oldest guy I remember on the floor was called Les (I think), he was always smashed off his box and had a sort of jerky dance style, always wore a vest with a 'Twisted Wheel' badge on it. Ellis and Evison both seemed old, in fact most of the dj's did come to think of it. Growing up around Manchester, with soul in our blood so to speak, it didn't strike me as odd in any way that there were older people there. The Beachcomber was very scary because it was smaller and a lot of deals were being done, but any 'squad' would stand out a mile not because of their age but just because they were so bleeding obviously not "one of us".

I'm with you Scal. A dj puts on records and some people either like them or don't, it's not like painting the Sistine Chapel is it? I know a lot of the posters here have probably stood behind the decks but seriously, "inspired"? Let's get real.

I've still got this record somewhere, white SWAN with maroon print Tallahassie Lassie. I always assumed it was some cock-up at the pressing plant. Quite liked the track, had some energy.

I er...........I mean, I...........I sort of..............oh fuck-it. I had one of these

As I never took drugs at T'Casino, I'm thinking of taking some for the film so I can see what all the fuss was about

No. Not exactly an art form is it? Egos eh?

Few years since I lived in London. I used to like Hanway Place W1, runs behind Oxford St (about three shops). Also check this out. https://www.timeout.com/london/music/londons-best-music-shops