Sean Hampsey

I recall Sam playing it in the back room, about ten years ago, at Bretby first time out and Boy was he excited about it. Usual, 'You've Just Gotta Hear This... Fantastic' prelude. Me and Kev Briscoe just looked at each other ... vacantly... were we missing something? Since then it's grown on me... just a tad. Think you were better keeping hold of your 4 ton Steve, especially as there's a lot better stuff in your pound box. Poser Man

One on Ebay... along with Edward Hamilton and loads of other nice Detroit bits right now... https://cgi.ebay.com/Adorables-Ooh-Boy-Gold...1QQcmdZViewItem Sean Hampsey

Hi Stevie, You're right. I've got the LP too... and the 45.... neither of which are for sale. Hope you're well mate. Poser Man

Dee Dee & Dionne (of course!) Gladys & Bubba. Eddie & Gerald Levert. And Jaheim (Contemporary Soul Boy) is the nephew of the late Hoagy Lands. Sean Hampsey

Hi Rod. If you like him, I do too! Sean

And a bit like your own posting on another thread of less than an hour ago... Ivy 'Jo' Hunter - Desperate Situation Finest record to never get further than the demo (tape). Need I go on? Sean

Love it. Not Cobblers.. its just old stuff that the guy who owns the rights sent me that's not yet got a deal (if it ever does). A bit like my old Aleshure & Mighty Clouds of Joy 'unreleased' cobblers... that eventually did! OK? Sean

Yes he is on here often and goes by the name of Steve P. Top bloke Steve. Sure he'll sort you out!. Cheers Sean

And long overdue too Martin. You'll love it I'm sure. Soul Music that's truly across the board from all eras. My last playlist included: 1. Tony Love - Crying Time Is Over - Instant 2. Patreece Johnson - You're Watching Over Me - Unreleased 3. Unifics - I Want You To Have It - Somodo 4. Jean Carne - Hello Stranger - Unreleased 5. Al Green - True Love - A&M 6. Deon Jackson - When Your Love Is Gone - Carla 7. Sep - Thank You - Pre Release 8. Jimmy Scott - What Am I Gonna Do - Eastbound 9. Carl Sims - I Needed a Woman - (& Donnie Ray - I Never Dreamed! ) Ecko 10. Jimmy Burns - Can't Get Over - Dispo amongst others, so bear in mind it's not a 'Modern' gig, but a Soul Weekender. The most liberated playlist since Clifton Hall or PITCHES! Look forward to seeing you there. Can't come quick enough for me. Never missed one of 'em. Plug over... and Payrise Sorted! As for your gig tomorrow night, sorry, I've got the kids this weekend (God love 'em ). Will be along soon though. Hope its a good one for ya! Take good care. Sean

You're right Gavin. Had far too much merriment at the last Yarmouth, to be sure. Didn't quite make half the Door takings though... but no complaints on that score! Interesting thread this one's been mate. I think all contributors should be compelled to go to the next Yarmouth... if only to get a flavour of what it is I've been on about! Take good care. Sean

Agree. A good record and quite a hard one. I've had it for years and Steve Plumb has had one in his sales box for a good while but I think the only reason it's not been sold (if he's not yet sold it) is because its not particularly well known. There's also a Jimmy Helms album on Oracle which is also quite scarce and indemand on the continent. Sean Hampsey

Rod, You did mean "So Sean and Chalky we appear to be more in agreement etc....." and "As Sean said, dance music but not soul" Didn't you? Don't want to appear petty, but I only tend to use my cover up name of 'Gavin' when I'm masquerading as a Pissed up Southern Bloke and trying to take home half of the door money at Soul Essence in Yarmouth! But either way, I think I made my point that there should be room for all eras on the scene, providing it's Soulful and that should certainly include 60's Soul and everything that meets the standard thereafter! My own affair with Soul music started in the late 60's and therefore that decade's music was the foundation to my entire collection. But when the 70's came (like many of us) I kept on listening to (and buying) Soul music that I felt was of the same standard and every bit as viable as the stuff I cut my teeth on. Having carried that thinking on into the 80's, 90's and 21st Century I've amassed a collection of great records from all decades and its never been a question of foisting my views on others its just what I feel happy with - never wanting to risk cutting down my options or missing out on other great tunes. The 60's WAS the golden era of Soul Music... but certain latter day artists (though thinner on the ground) STILL have the ability to move my spirit, at least, in the same way as those from previous decades. So in answer to Stuart's original question, my own belief is.. Modern SOUL Does Not Suck.... but pretenders to the genre, from all decades, probably do.... Sean Hampsey

Good call Binsy. One of my favourite 45's from Willie... along with the gorgeous 'It's Me' Dynamite! Sean Hampsey

Hi Rod, Thanks for your comments. Taking what you've written just one bite at a time! Rather selective? True, it was not meant to be a comprehensive posting. Just my brief contribution to the question as to whether Modern Soul Sucks... or not. Mecca Disco Phase? Terrible wasn't it. Some awful stuff masquerading as Soul! Rob Marriot,Jim Wensiora, Guy, Keb,Tim Ashibende, Butch, yourself and Dave Withers - Know nothings? No, I don't think so. I've met most of these guys and found them to be very knowlegeable. Fair play to anyone who discovers and plays Good Soul music (regardless of era). Bring it on!... but yes, if we're talking about the early 80's, lots of people were very happy dancing to 'Bobby King' 'Gary Glenn' ' Melba Moore' ' Zingara' 'Tony Fox' 'Bobby Womack' etc. alongside 'Mr Soul' 'Jimmy Bo Horne' and 'Paul Thompson' etc. DJ Genesis etc. no kind of future? Totally agree. Pretty much as bad as the Salsoul Orchestra in my book. Dance music... but certainly not Soul! I just think people risk missing out on good tunes... if they're too... errr... selective! Sean Hampsey

At risk of getting all serious, since now we are into a discussion on Molly the Woodlouse or something, I found this thread quite unsettling. Not the original post, but some of the debate that followed it. I really find it hard to accept that a true appreciation of Soul Music should be limited to an 'era'. To quote Roger Banks, in a recent conversation “If I like the voice of Jerry Butler in the 60's, should I stop appreciating his recordings from the 70's?” Personally, I just love REAL SOUL MUSIC. That’s it. Period. I don't give a toss when it was recorded. I’ve collected Soul records for well over 35 years and in that time have only found that those who are preoccupied with either/any decade (in which a record was made) are limiting their scope for enjoyment and probably missing out on a wealth of fabulous music! It applies both ways, of course. I know of 'die-hard' modern fans who believe that Sixties Soul Sucks! Where are their ears? Are they Soul fans at all? And why would anyone paint themselves into such a restrictive and discriminatory corner? During the 70’s, in the pre ‘Modern Soul’ era, there were dozens of superb quality new Soul recordings which were programmed alongside the 60's discoveries of the day, and these were seen (in the main) as having an equal and viable place on the 'Northern' Scene alongside their slightly older peers (I'm thinking of the likes of 'James Fountain' 'Ann Sexton' 'Voices of East Harlem' ‘Lyn Varnado’ ‘Fantastic Puzzles’ etc. here.) True Soul fans embraced these ‘relatively new releases’ wholeheartedly and they were Massive, right in the middle of the golden era of Northern Soul. Consequently, for almost 30 years, they’ve been very much a part of the staple Northern Oldies play list ever since – Thank the Lord! An earlier poster, (Vaultofsouler) made mention of the fact that at the ‘post wigan’ Clifton Hall, all eras of Soul Music (60’s / 70’s & 80’s) were played alongside one another – one room, one dance floor, one crowd, all under the banner of Northern Soul. Those (survivors) who were (still around) on the scene (at that time) embraced the policy without question. It was inevitable. It was logical. It was absolutely tremendous - and the UK (real) Soul scene made some progress during this rich and unfettered period. IMO It would be good to see such open mindedness fully return. Only negative and retrograde forces created the divisions which followed Clifton Hall, not those who have an appreciation of real Soul music. You know the story. The ‘Modern Scene’ was formed alongside the ‘Sixties Newies!!’ scene (beer towels & black gloves ago-go) and the sad debate (thought dead and buried by the mid 70’s) had reemerged. Fortunately, as is evident from many of the posts on these boards, I’m encouraged that there are still enough real Soul fans around to support venues that have an ‘across the board’ and truly soulful musical direction (such as ‘Soul Essence’ Yarmouth) meanwhile, along with them, I’ll continue to appreciate and enjoy real Soul music (of all tempos) from all decades and feel the richer and happier for it. See… Me being much happier for it! Sermon over. Now, get back to the Woodlouse conversation. Oh.. and favourite 'Modern' record. Too many to mention. I've got absolutely thousands of 'em. Sean Hampsey

You Got To Pay Your Dues Sound advice. Sean Hampsey

quote name='Sean Hampsey' I'll be on the sofa for that one! quote name='Ivor Jones' YEAH, ASLEEP! Wot? You doing a set down there then Ivor?

Steve, If You're Gonna Do It. Do It.. Right Now. (and get me down for a 3 Hour session while yer at it (Discounted rates 3 hours for 1)). Might get the rest of the Rotherham Boys across to Wigan if you do. Poser Man

It came out on a Charly EP in 1980, Derek. Tracks Are: Easier To Say Than Do Let Me Down Easy Piece Of My Heart Should be quite easy to obtain. And, Yes, you do need the Bobby Hill "I Wanna Be With You". Its a sublime piece of Soul Music (I have it on both Lolo and Calla). Agree, great thread you started mate. Spread the faith! Sean Hampsey

I'll be on the sofa for that one! Sean Hampsey

Another Great version is Bettye Lavette's rendering. If you listen (closely) I'd swear you could hear Sam Dees in the background, as if Bettye was singing directly over his track. When I asked her about it she said "Shit No... He was singing over MY track!" That's Bettye! Think I was right though, as Sam's came out in 69, a year prior to Lavette 'unissued' recording. The track was also issued as by Little Johnny Blair on House Of The Fox, who I believe was in fact Charles Hodges. Sean Hampsey

As per "Hawaii 5 0" the dreadful Paul Humphrey "Cochise" & Mistura "The Flasher" did serious damage (IMO). In fact, so did most instrumentals of the time. On the vocal front, Joey Hetherington and (dare i say it) even Shawn Robinson always ground my soul! (could never understand the appeal of that dirge) God awful!... But Hey, its only MO! Sean Hampsey

For Sure "Does She Have A Friend For Me" was the A Side. I played it extensively in 1980 when it was a substantial Disco and Radio hit (it made the UK charts for the "Does She" side) and then in 1981 I recognised the potential of the 'B' side "Let Me Make Love To You" which became a MASSIVE record (25 years ago) for me locally at the WIndmill in Rotherham. Love Both sides! A truly great 45. Sean Hampsey

Don't know if it was played at Wigan Derek, but have heard it played here and there since Moses were a lad. Last time though was at Worksop Town Hall, and I think played by Saus, in 1985 (circa) so well due a few more outings! Sean Hampsey

Steve, Please find my Wants List. I want all of 'em! Cheers Sean Hampsey PS: Can you tell me what I bought?