Denbo

Nicely put. It was only when Pat Costigan & Stan Evans instigated the re-opening of the Sink did a Soul venue in Liverpool attract visitors from outside of Merseyside. But during those short few years that it remained open, it attracted visitors from all over the country. And not to come and listen to 'Northern Soul', but proper, early Soul and R&B.

Memories of what kind of music was played, in any given city or town, are obviously based on which clubs you chose to go to. And having said that, I can now see what you were trying to get at earlier. So, as you say, let's call it quits. BUT, not on any suggestions from others that Liverpool was devoid of Soul. Plus, isn't Funk just another branch of Soul music? Anyhow, good chatting with you Barry, hope to bump into you sometime. Dennis.

Barry, I’ve NEVER said that Liverpool was a “soul hotbed”, just that it wasn’t devoid of Soul, as was being suggested. And how does “I don't remember going to any Funk clubs” translate into me talking twaddle? I think we’d best call it a day, cos this is getting a bit like a table tennis match of innuendos. And like I said at the start, I don’t want to get into any arguments, it’s not worth it.

Seem to remember one next door to Liverpool Lime Street but never went. Not sure how long it lasted, or whether it was just a one-off. Anybody else remember that one? I THINK Ian Levine was involved in some way??? Nick Cowin, yet another old pal of mine. Used to knock around with me and Frank Jackson. In fact we did the odd Radio show with Terry Lenaine. Nick was a lecturer at the Liverpool Blue Coat School up the road from Picton Clock in Wavertree. After a few slurps of Draught Bass and the odd Pub Quiz at the Coffee House pub, we'd pop back to the school and raid the kitchen for our supper. He's retired now. Haven't seen him for years. He was a great ambassador of Soul music and turned a few of his pupils onto the music over the years. Nice bloke. That's Birkenhead, not Birkinhead.

Christ knows, I don't remember going to any Funk clubs. Well, not on purpose. And if I did, they weren't necessarily known as Funk clubs but no doubt played a bit. My memory is not as good or as specific as yours, perhaps it's cos I'm older?

That's Scousers, not scoucers. I got into Northern whilst living in Liverpool and I still live on Merseyside. Went to nearly every nighter going, if only the once to see what it was like, but mostly all the usual haunts.

I used to get dragged around a few of them back in the early 70s by Dave Stubbs I think?

That's right. There used to be a cracker on the edge of Toxteth, on or just off Upper Parliament Street.

Plus, many of the ships docking in Liverpool used thousands upon thousands of old American & Jamaican imports as ballast. I've since found out that certain clued up collectors used to buy up box loads off the ships crew for buttons. Wish I'd known. Mind you, I wouldn't have had the money in those days.

A bit!!! He was bringing over live American Soul acts at the same time as the Twisted Wheel and others. Great Soul club. Another old pal of mine, mostly when he was selling me records.

There were Funk clubs in all major cities during those times, doesn't make Liverpool any more a "funk influenced" city than any others, it was generally a sign of the times.

Yes, that included myself and Frank Jackson. There were a few others that I can't remember? Brian Flynn? was another. Mainly consisted of collectors, each taking a small box and DJing on an ad-hoc basis throughout the night.

Sorry Barry, but here's the topic heading, "Soul in Liverpool?"

Absolutely yes, I can, just not Northern, which is what you're really on about.

Ey up 'Frank' Terry was an old pal of mine back in the early 70s, for a short while anyway. He played whatever he had to to pay his mortgage but he was a good Soul fan through and through. I won't argue that there weren't ANY clubs in Liverpool playing Funk, of one variety or another, just not any of those I frequented. Anyhow, I was by no means the only Scouser into Northern back then. There were quite a few before and after me, just not as 'memorable' as me. Getting back to the original point, the suggestion was that there was no Soul scene in Liverpool, which judging by this discussion, has now been blown out of the water?

I would, if it wasn't for your comment "Was always a more funk influenced town", which it wasn't. At least not at any of the venues I frequented, and there were many. But like I said, I don't want to get into any arguments and if the use of the word twoddle upset you, then I apologise. It's just that I'm fed up to the back teeth of people (not you) slagging off Liverpool, and its past Soul scene, when most of them don't know what the hell they're talking about.

I did know many black and some Chinese Soul fans from Liverpool. I'm now 62 and grew up in Liverpool when Soul music played was wide and varied, and not greatly influenced by Funk. Having said that, I guess it depends on which era you're talking about. That said, many cities around the UK were influenced by Funk, like London and Manchester, It all depended on which clubs you visited, and when.

This subject has been well covered before. So, at the risk of repeating myself, there has always been Soul music played in Liverpool, more than anybody who didn't grow up in Liverpool will ever know, just not much Northern Soul, which is what we're REALLY talking about here, right? As for it being a city influenced mainly by Funk, I've never heard so much twoddle. I'm saying no more, because I don't want to get into any pointless arguments, I'll leave it up to others to rightly correct any misinformed rubbish that might be portrayed in later postings. The Sink Soul Club was one of many clubs in Liverpool playing Soul music. But it was one of the earliest and one of the best, chronologically running in parallel with the likes of the Twisted Wheel, etc.

Wanda Jackson - Whirlpool - US Capitol - Mint now SOLD Maurice & the Radiants - I Gotta Dance To Keep My Baby / Noble The Bargain Man - US Chess - Vg now SOLD Wanda Jackson - Funnel Of Love - US Capitol - Vg now SOLD

Here's a few records for sale: P&p extra. PayPal acceptable but as a Gift. Otherwise, a good old fashioned cheque will do. Wanda Jackson - Whirlpool - US Capitol - Mint at £60 Preludes - That Would Be So Good - Octavia - Vg at £40 Maurice & the Radiants - I Gotta Dance To Keep My Baby / Noble The Bargain Man - US Chess - Vg at £25 Wanda Jackson - Funnel Of Love - US Capitol - Vg at £25 Little Willie John - Don't Play With Love - King - Ex- at £100 PM me to reserve.

Good riposte.

I've still got all three, all issues.

I've still got both! Always wondered which was the rarer, which is why I probably kept both.

Even a Billy Harner instrumental?

Yeah, I've got a few of them but please don't ask me which ones. Also seem to remember having some Coral one side Decca the other? Or Brunswick one side, Coral the other?