Sean Hampsey

Think I understand your frustration Russ, but I guess we all really need to accept that there are TWO very separate ‘Northern’ scenes nowadays (probably more). At least these are my observations. There are a myriad of offshoots, born out of ‘Northern Soul’ (Crossover, Modern etc.) but we might classify the two main factions as the ‘Progressive Northern’ scene and the ‘Nostalgia Northern' scene. They are related but they are not the same. They’re probably cousins and certainly not twins. They have the same genes… but not the same jeans… lol. They are different. 1. ‘Progressive Northern’ The ‘Progressive Northern’ scene is frequented by folks who want to hear, play and discover tracks that are ‘new to them’. The crowd at these events want to ‘hear something different’ on a regular basis, to keep them stimulated and to ‘keep them coming back for more’ — ‘Just like it was in the old days’… seeking out the next big tune, being true to the ‘ethos’ and ‘Keeping The Faith’. The DJ’s on this ‘Progressive Northern’ scene tend to play new and more recent discoveries. They are as conscious of the 40+ year history as anyone else- they need to be, to ensure that what they are ‘breaking’ is truly ‘new’ or exclusive - but it is these DJ’s - and those who eagerly attend wherever they play - that keeps that particular scene going. They work hard at it, are dedicated, some might say fanatical about their chosen path. They constantly seek those elusive sounds (some of which actually become popular) and are generally the most passionate people you could ever wish to meet when it comes to talking about the music. And good luck to ‘em. If you or they have got the energy, mental capacity, knowledge, drive, enthusiasm, resources, lifestyle, contacts and (I hate to say it) finances it’s a noble and enjoyable pursuit. In this scene, and there are numerous exceptions, many discovered the music in the latter days of Wigan or sometime after it closed its doors. They found ‘Northern Soul’ at such places as Stafford, 100 Club, Rotherham, Bradford, Warrington, Keele and in later years Lifeline, Burnley etc. all venues with a culture of ‘progression’ coupled with something of a ‘siege mentality’ as defenders of a dying faith (remember when the black gloves came out again?). 2. ‘Nostalgia Northern’ The ‘Nostalgia Northern’ scene is a different animal. This particular scene is frequented by people who want to hear and play tracks that are familiar to them, to keep them stimulated and to ‘keep them coming back for more’ — ‘Just like it was in the old days’… reminiscing about their youth, being true to the old tunes and ‘Keeping The Faith’. They probably left the scene sometime before Wigan closed its doors, missed the 80’s and 90’s, spent the decades, between then and now, growing up, getting married, having kids, living and working to pay the mortgage, getting divorced, being made redundant, retraining for a new career, paying off the Mortgage, remarrying and then rediscovering their youth… at the working men’s club… at the bottom of the road, where on the weekend, they play a bit of ‘Northern Soul’. They don’t want, or need, to travel around the country each and every weekend in pursuit of the ‘next big thing’ or new discovery. Why should they? Those days are long gone for these folk. Northern Soul (as they always knew it) is right on the doorstep. In many Northern Clubs, the dominoes, bingo and ‘turn’ have been replaced by some chap with a box of records. And these old ‘sounds’ remind our typical male of his youth. He has a few Beers with his mates, he might even shake a leg to ‘Landslide’ or ‘Freddie Chavez’ — the wife likes it too — nowt wrong with a bit o’ Motown — and as he leaves he picks up a flyer for an upcoming Weekender. Fancy that our lass? Sunshine, Fish & Chips & Northern Soul? And the rest is ‘a life based on’ history or ‘instant nostalgia’ as Dave Withers once said! Nothing new there. Old folk have been looking in the rear-view mirror for thousands of years. But, unlike previous generations, these 50 or 60 something’s won’t have to rely on the British Legion, or grow old alone. Thank God. They can grow old disgracefully if they choose to, at the seaside, two or three times a year, or at any number of events across the north that might take their fancy; enjoying a beer or two, catching up with old faces and making new friends, to incredible music that takes them back a bit, keeps the pulse racing, raises a smile and keeps the heartbeat turned up! And good luck to ‘em. If they have ‘still’ got the energy, enthusiasm, resources, lifestyle and finances it’s a noble and enjoyable pursuit. And it sure beats crown green bowling! As it happens, the ‘Nostalgia Northern’ scene has taken to playing and enjoying more ‘post Wigan’ sounds in recent years. The NS Top 500 has recently been revised to reflect this. Not too very long ago ‘I’m So Happy’ and ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’ were considered ‘Modern’ by many, whereas now some of these are considered passé, by those more ‘adventurous’ down at the club! Probably a separate thread entirely, but there's a lot more to this than can be explained in a simple post, on a thread, in a forum about whether a DJ should or shouldn’t risk clearing a dancefloor, by playing something out of the ordinary, but I do tend to think there’s also an element of demographic and regional differences (North and South) involved here. Up North there are literally tens of thousands of folk who went to Wigan, Samanthas and Cleggy... etc. Let’s face it; Northern Soul hasn’t been an ‘underground’ scene up here for nearly 40 years. That genie flew out of the lamp a very long time ago. Northern Soul was actually ‘a way of life’ for most young people, in the towns and villages of the north. They might not have all been hard-core nighter goers (although many of them certainly were) but your Postman, the village Bobby, the Butcher, the Landlord at the local all bought a copy of Tami Lynn ‘Run Away’ and the Tams ‘Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me’ in the early 70’s followed by a Judy Street, a copy of ‘Out On The Floor’ and a Mike Post Coalition during the Casino years! — I imagine it’s not quite like that south of Watford, where there have always been many alternative entertainment opportunities vying for attention and where ‘Northern Soul’ was and is still seen as an ‘exclusive’ club that has to be ‘travelled’ for. I know it’s probably a separate subject all on its own, but the reality is that the heritage (Nostalgia) side of things and the ‘legacy’ of the Northern Scene, at its absolute zenith in the 70’s, in the North of England, is still seen as one of the things that many Northerners feel quite proud of. And (even though many got busy doing other things, some 30 odd years ago) just like a prodigal son, it seems somehow more valuable to them now. Middle age brings greater lifestyle choice and ‘Northern Soul’ is something many want to celebrate and enjoy, free of someone else’s ‘rules’ and ‘pressures’, and they might just want to relive a bit of it all over again. One bloke I spoke to recently said that, since he retired, he and the Mrs now take all their holidays literally ‘on the scene’. There are enough weekenders throughout the year to be able to have 2-3 mini-breaks a year without having to leave the country (but for the more adventurous, there’s plenty going on abroad also). It’s inevitable that for my generation at least, the trip to Blackpool to ‘see the lights’ will have soon been completely eclipsed by the Northern Soul Weekender, which, in the main, tends to be a ‘Nostalgia Northern’ pursuit. I’ve seen you at venues all over the country Russ, over the years. Few people are as knowledgeable, dedicated and as passionate as you are. You have great taste for all things ‘soulful’ and you know and frequent the places I’m referring to that might be considered more ‘progressive’. I said at the start of the thread, I’ve made a bit of a career of clearing floors to ‘different’ records, but I’m more than happy to live and let live and recognise that not everyone is as up to their neck in ‘Soul’ as some of us might like to be. It’s a broad church and we shouldn’t be at all surprised that some people just want to have ‘fun’ to the soundtrack from the Gods; that is Soul music. Given these two separate scenes have common Grandparents, it’s important not to enter into a ‘family feud’ of sorts. We all have more in common with each other than we have differences and it’s therefore incongruous to disparage the family from either side. The ‘Progressive’ scene will just keep on ‘progressing’ just so long as those that are on it ‘want’ to do it. The ‘Nostalgia’ scene will also just keep on doing what it wants to do. Enjoying the music, the friendships and even creating new memories, in our twilight years. Often, people cross over from one ‘scene’ to ‘feed’ the other. At my time of life, I like to think I can enjoy it all, regardless, because the MUSIC is important to me and because (even though I might not want to hear it all the time) the Tomangoes, Jimmy Burns and Sam Williams sound every bit as good to me now as they did 40 years ago. Life is far too short, for Soul fans, or anyone else, to be perturbed by other people’s choices. We should perhaps be more pragmatic and embrace the differences. We’ll all be looking in the rear-view mirror before we know it! Sean

I was sent an FOC box full, of Blue and Orange copies (about half dozen of each) plus full Press Kit, from the label owner, 30 years ago, Wayne. Owzat! Sean

Yep - That was my ender for Cleethorpes Winter Gardens Nighters, early 80's. Nice one! Sean

Very few DJ's with Rob Hurcomb's taste on the planet. Sean

I posted it Dave. It's on the Capitol album 'The Soul View Now' and can be obrained for upwards of £30 generally! Has met with massive approval from the Just soul crowd every time I've played it. Wonder if we can get her to do it at Cleggy next year? :0) https://www.discogs.com/Bettye-Swann-The-Soul-View-Now/release/3013115 Sean

I used to always end Clifton Hall, Rotherham, AllNighters with this one; More recently, we've finished Just Soul with one or all of these beauties! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O_pGuuHW2A Sean

Wanted Dorothy Moore & Maxine Brown 45's on AVCO AVCO 45's 4590 - Dorothy Moore - See How They've Done My Love (Issue only) 4599 - Dorothy Moore - Same Old Feeling (Issue only) 4585 - Maxine Brown - Always And Forever / Make Love To Me 4604 - Maxine Brown - Treat Me Like A Lady / I.O.U. 4612 - Maxine Brown - Picked Up, Packed Up And Went Away / Bella Mia Must be Stock Issues (Not Promo's - got those already). Happy to pay your reasonable price. Please pm me with what you have stating price and condition. Many thanks, Sean

Geeeeeeeeenius! :0)

It was me that played it Peter. Big Cleggy record for me early 80's. The topside "Without Your Love" had been a big NY Disco record. I Just flipped it over and found a track so perfect for Cleggy! :0) Never heard Richard, Sam or Robin play it, but Robin may have, later. Sean

I consider that a compliment Peter. Sean

Would never take a record off half way through because it empty's the floor. Might 'crop' it or 'fade' it early, but only after I've given everyone a good earful of the record in question. Depends on how you see the night itself and your role as a DJ: If its purely or entirely about 'dancing' then you might want to do a 'graceful early fade' but its important not to forget that, nowadays, as many people on our scene approach retirement age ;0) at least half the crowd at most nights aren't there to dance, but to socialise and 'hear new tunes' in which case you'd be doing them (and the artist) a great disservice to end the record early, as has been suggested. Just in case a record wipes out the floor completely, always be sure you've got a couple of 'winners' on standby. Nobody wants to see or hear 2-3 floor clearers in succession... except in those places with a 'Deep Room' - then its mandatory! I've had nearly 40 years, trying to break or introduce new records, clearing hundreds of floors, length and breadth of the country. Nobody ever got hurt in the incident. Yet! :0) Sean

Very good evening Peter. Hope you're well mate. It does indeed look very nice. I think this is a very special record. Played it lots, here and there, over the years but its never really taken off. The intro is infectious. The vocals are superb. The lyrics rousing and the whole production has 'anthemic' qualities. Like Gary, I'm also intrigued as to why so many promo's. Were they all done around the same time, or was this great 45 given several bites of the cherry? Obviously someone else believed in it as much as we all do. Sean

For anyone who doesn't know it, here's a link. One of the truly great underrated voices in Soul Music. Sean

Aha! Having just checked, my issue is yet another demo! So, I havent seen an issue either! The thick plotens! Wonder if your Issue is a Demo too Ady? Sean

I too have an issue (and a couple of White Demo's) as second and third ones. Bloody marvellous record! Sean

Any time Dave. Regards, Sean

The group's first recordings were on the Dionn label, owned by Gilda Woods, and the follow-up to the classic 'Dry Your Eyes' proved to be another gold record for them. "We'd cut an album after the first record took off so well and I wrote four or five of the songs on there including 'A Touch Of You' with our drummer, back then, Gerry Jones. Well, that also did well and we just continued to record and do gigs at the weekends for a few years." With the demise of Dionn Records and the birth of Top & Bottom Records, again owned by Gilda Woods in partnership with others, Brenda and co. again began to hit the charts. From an old Blues & Soul Interview... with Brenda (of the Tabulations). Not definitive, but only within a few years of the recordings.. Cheers, Sean

Did you see the Mike Boone YouTube on Mrs Woods, Dave? See it from the start but at 3:00 Mike says she owned Dionn 'with distribution by Jamie / Guyden' Elsewhere, I've seen her mentioned as 'label manager'. Don't know if that helps. Sean

That sounds plausible. We all know that artists often forget or 'choose' to forget their past. I had the Expo 'Talkin' 45 in the 70's. When Richard Searling started playing the JONZ Dispo 45 in the early 80's I had always assumed it was the same guy, with a 'jazzed up' surname. Some years later, talking to Ward, we were chatting about all the stuff he found for Richard in the late 70's / early 80's and the 'Win Your Love' came up in the conversation. He almost bit my head off when I said I'd always liked the Expo 45 - "Totally different guy!!!" he said. I quizzed him on this but he maintained it was a totally different singer... In the early 80's very few people in the UK were better connected than Mike Ward and I had no reason to doubt him. But then it wouldn't have been the first time he'd lead me on the rocks! Sean

Agreed. The Black 'A' though is definitely a boot. Sean

Great vid Mark. Takes me back to the first time I heard Sam play it at Cleggy as a new release (1983?). This was standard stuff at allnighters in the early 80's and a VERY big record. Can't imagine you could drop it in a Nighter set nowadays though. Don't you find that strange? Brand new release, acceptable (MASSIVE) at the time, but impossible (too 'modern') 30 years later! SWONS :0) Sean

That looks like the second boot (the first being pressed on the RITA label). This can be spotted at a glance as the Original has a Red 'A'. Never been on Decca though, to my knowledge. UK MCA legit 70's issue but never Decca. It was actually also booted with a Red A at some point (if my memory serves me correctly) but I'm pretty sure, in any case, that the Black 'A' is a boot. And judging by the fact the ebay item made a lot less then £250 I guess a lot of others do too! Best, Sean Sorry Dave, just seen your amendment.

Not read article mate but distinctly recall Mike Ward saying that when he 'met' Jonz he told him he was not Jones. Would make a lot of sense if they were the same person, but Mike Ward would say different. Sean

Mike Ward discovered the Bobby Jonz stuff early 80's and told me Jonz maintained he was not the Expo guy, Chalks. Sean

Sorry, no, Bobby Jonz and Bobby Jones are not the same person. Sean