harpo1

Harpo here another great day, i ended up on first 'n' last AGAin!!!! Listed both spots to give you a feel i'm sure the others will also A venue trying to get less well bashed tunes out to the local punters, provided by some of our older, and respected soulies, as well as promising new arrivals, awaiting confirmation of next guest....i tell you Nidge was awesome yesterday, and thats the standard we are hoping to set asa norm If you got the ear for it give us a go....its soul but not as some know it.....join us on the train of love Warm up Lou Courtney I'ts love now Scientists of Soul Be's that way sometimes Turn of the Century Money can't Ernie Johnson Youv'e gotta be faithful and true Little Sherman and the Mod Swigers The price of love McKinley Travis Get yourself together Remarkables Easily mislead Mary Wells Use your head Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles Trustin' in you Honey and the Bee's Help me(get over my used to be lover) Don Gardner Tighten up your love bone Monclairs Wait for me Fabulous Four If i knew M M and the Peanuts The phillie Thee Chekkers Lack of love Fred Hughes I understand Soulville All Stars I'm gonna get to you Mighty Marvellos I'm so confused Charades You better believe it Robert Tanner Sweet memories Leon Haywood Youve got to be mellow Esquires My sweet baby Imaginations I love you more(than anyone) Magictones Together, we shall overcome Brothers of Soul Hurry don't linger Superlatives Lonley in a crowd Enticers Calling for your love Ballads Butterfli Main spot OK here we go again....Tighten up pt2...if you can't think what the lines from Impressions Love me Winstons Aint nothin like a little loving Anne Sexton I still love you Emanuel Lasky Don't lead me on baby Metros Since i found my baby September Jones I'm with you New Sounds feat R Tanner Don't take your love Walter Jenkins Back in my life 125th Street Candy Store Loving you baby is so very hard to do TST Tornadoes What good am i Continental Four The way i love you baby Bobby Womack Tried and convicted 21st Century Shadow of a memory Don Gardner Is this really love Showmen Take it baby Darrow Fletcher My young misery Cliff Nobles Judge baby, i'm back Jimmy Lewis Let me know Five Stairsteps Playgirls love Luther Don't want to be a fool Invitations Look on the good side Wilson Williams I think it's gonna work out fine Thanks to the ones who stayed , see you next month

Here's my playlist.....nice to play oldies to the best turn out yet Mighty Marvellos.....Talkin' 'bout ya baby Dynamics.....I need your love Milton Wright....I belong to you Art Freeman....Slipping around Jackie Wilson.....You bought about a change in e Fred Hughes....Baby boy Dean Courtney....I'll always need you Otis Smith....Let her go Anne Sexton.......I still love you Don Gardner....We're gonna ake it, big Benny Troy.....I wanna give you tomorrow Frankie Loveman Crocker.....Ton of dynamite Bobby Hutton.....Lend a hand O'Jays.....I dig your act Percy Wiggins......It didn't take much for me to fall in love Incredibles......There's nothing else to say Garnett Mimms.....Looking for you Spellbinders.....Help me Darrow Fletcher......My young misery Four Tops.....Don't bring back the memories Robert Tanner/New Sounds.......Tell me your name Harpo

Love from Sandi and me....get well soon

The madness of things, last time i saw Libby was at Lifeline, in the morning he made a point of coming over ans saying, "Harpo tek your meds, promise me you will" Months on both of them gone, and me right as rain, gaining weight and not yellow even in the eyes, Les kept taking me under the exit light looking for that, . In the middle of his spot, Sam as he does threw a curve, Spinning Top The Orlons, only Libby danced it through and on the beat , not the backbeat, proper!! Love n miss you, we had that link from bad times in the past, but i know he was a gent, and im trying Love Harpo n Sandi

Have you still got Bobby Dukes if so ill have it harpo

is the Mandrill still available??

I would go in there on Saturday nights, when the quality of stuff played in the big room went through that dire few years, never other than to see mates at the oldies. In those last 2 years when the 60's and early modern sounds were being played, and the quality of the music was at its amazing zenith, i don't remember even the thought of M's ever entered my head, and i spent my nights either dancing, or in the little room behind the stage.

Sorry it's taken me 3 weeks to post been ill, and also a little lazy apologies to all Milton Wright "I belong to you" Duke Browner "Crying over you" Andre Williams "You got it and i want it" Billy Sharae "Do it" Eddie Parker "I need a true love" 125th Street Candy Store "Loving you baby is so very hard to do" Al Hudson and the Soul Partners "I'm about loving you" Don Gardner "We're gonna make it, big" Millie Jackson "Breakaway" Lovelites "Get it off my conscience" Jodi Mathis "Don't you care anymore" Johhny Baker "Shy guy" Earl Connelly "Make up your mind" Bileo "You can win" Lucky Davis "I'ts not where you start it's where you finish" Edward Hamilton "Call me" Darrow Fletcher "Infatuation" Lee Williams and the Cymbals "Lost love" Monroe Taylor "Proud guy" Ronnie Savoy "Loving you" Masqueraders "I ain't gonna stop" Deon Jackson "On a sunny day" Thee Chekkers "Lack of love" Ambers "I love you baby" Eddie Parker "Crying clown" Magnificent 7 "Never will i make my baby cry" A great little venue with the promoters looking to provide a musical treat, with guests given licence to play from the heart. Check it out if you get the chance , it deserves to take off, and the club are supportive due to a fellow soulie being involved in its running Cheers ph

Sean i would never deny Chris's ability, or the records he had, and as a friend if i helped him through a period of uncertainty then great, certaily by 1980 he was well past that and all his popularity was hisown doing, he had records that needed playing at nighters or quality events, and he achieved that. We will never know how far he could of gone, leaving as he did, is far beter than to become a dinosaur unable to respond to new challenges, we still see them all around, wallowing in mediocrity , Chris was good, no doubt

We heard that a red van was going to the oldies from Willenhall, so we piled down there, me Neil Russell, Mac Pitt, Shelton possibly, and Dave Lewis, didn't recognise anyone there, perhaps the trousers should have told us what we wanted to know, they certaily convey the same message loud and clear these days!!! "In we get, alright lads what you got for tonight, i got 4 pint can of Bank's mild an me moms done some brawn sandwiches for us all, " well were fron Ashmore Park you dont mind us i said, Phil i think was a bit worse for wear and went spark out with his head on this lads shoulder. But we were all aware of the situation , and went about our business quietly and left them to sleep, it appeared that they seemed a litle bit quiet and got further into the one corner. al night, got to thhe van they were asleep inside, ok we said were ready now, the driver set off out of Wigan Neil opposite me started coughing and heaving, he grabbed this empty botle and started gobing phlegm in it, i dected out of the corner of my eye more movement inyo that corner, Niel you cant do that i said its alright and i grabbewd some rag, or possibly a towel and wiped it off i detected a move deeper into that corne, Phil's in the toilet at the services, we are running wild on the car park with the Stoke lot, then Phil collapses into the van , its ok travel sickness i say, i assume they didny worry as they never spoke again. We drag Phil out of the van, cheers lads , you going next month ? Yeah we am said the spokesman, on the train from Walsall...i never saw any of them again, the nightmare of a journey with us probably had them heading to Hmv for some grebo albums leaving a trail of soggy bread n brawn on the path behind them. Told you we should of gone from Wolverhampton i said, these lot are wierd round here!!!

Final story for today, everything else comes with great affection and memories but i will make one observation that i saw as a bit of a problem for Chris. He had great oldies, was shown the ropes by classy guys, and bought great records, but he just could not put records together. Chris new it more than anyone i suppose, his lack of confidence led me to go on stage with him if he asked, it soon became apparent that he believed he needed some one to give him advice, shall i put this on next? well id say i think i would play that one, , i was just pleased to help out, and at the time, and still today have no idea where i got the ability to put records together, and even more to talk on a mike, when without one i could not face talking to anyone, but there you go,. I loved helping out, nd it led to some interesting things the most remembered being on stage as Chris finished at the Fleet , to see Kev Draper play Richards top sound uncovered, Cecil Washington, not a good career move for Kev for a while but a still talked about event, how daft looking back, but it was part of that scene for years . Another Fleet classic was arriving at the anniversary, Ken Cox's woven badges had every dj's name on but Chris, bit of a tantrum there, as for the Blacpool Mecca car park debacle, i think its best left only for those who saw it to remember, yes mr plant could be of a tit at times, but lets remember his records eh"

It was a mini cooper s apparently very fast, was to me anyway i cant even ride a push bike. But Chris had that sort of personality had to have the best, he hated me geting a Proffesionals, it was so bad that when Pep said heres something else worth having, Let nobody love you Virginia Blakley, as i was not that familiar with it i told him he could have it to stop me feeling bad about getting my no.1 want, he drove me mad 'cause his Brice Coefield had a 1/2 inch dink out of the centre to swop mine, til i gave in finally got the Johnny Vanelli, dont think he ever played it and wouln't let me have it back, was so angry 'cause Swoz said you like detroit records and gave me Art Posey and the Bejays on Prime foc, he day get them. But wqrst of all the night he bought his Admirations "You left me" off Pat at Clifton Hall, my mate rung me posh bastard he said when he went on the services i lifted the label told me the group but forgot the label. that week my mate always rung me when he gogt the list off the bowl, as he read it out he said Aspirations You lest me played by Gary Rushbrook £7, I SAID I THINK ILL TAKE A PUNT ON THAT ORDER IT...how you got this he said, ask Rover he read it to me i just chanced my arm...he hee naughty but a little revenge is sweet One final tale the famous transaction with Arthur Fenn at Todmorden all dayer, £300 for 3 records Greater Experience, Ramona Collins and Eric Mercury on Sac, arthur threw in a lou edwards grey issue as a sweetner...f me i thought. It worked well cause he got the Pages and Cheryl Berdell plus Lonley Lover for me but i turned down Daybreay(but theres another story Paul Hargrove will no doubt tell. Well i was stunned at the very first Cavendish when he sold one of 'em to a mate of Kimbo's, there were two i wouldn't have had in the house, what did he sell Eric Mercury, the proper record in my opinion, left me somewhat non plussed, and yet more so every time the record, its as good as ever and we never hear the other two

Spoke to Chalky on Saturday night, and i suppose along with Mick i am the most able to talk about Chris. I first became aware of him when along with Steve Porter, Eddie Hubbard, Clive Jones and Neil's Wallsall posse they took over the Laffayete, for the Heart of England Soul Club, playing some great stuff. As i became with Mick the Wolverhampton areas most active collectors, with an ear for new stuff, as well as becoming a weekly niter goer it was obvious Chris and i would get together, we both new Mick previously. Chris was as Bob said from the nice side of the tracks, and lots of my crowd couldnt grasp that, posh mini, leather trousers, no socks, not a good luck in Bilston and sourrounding areas. From this we came upon a soulution to me not driving, with Chris offering me and my g/f lifts weekly, it was good for me as i knew Dawn anyway. We embarked upon a great journey, going places hearing great stuff and aquiring tunes, Chris and Mick were far happier to aquire the big tunes , i was lucky to become the person who Pep decided to impart some of his knowledge to, so between us we got some great stuff, Ian was just bombarding me with amazing tunes, that i would reaap the benefit of in later times. Chris had the big records, and started to get spots at venues, and the records helped to elevate his status, being the West Mids areas only real owner of Richard, Gary, and Pats top plays, where as Mick was always on Sams vradar, and they really did have great stuff, but Chris was vmore high profile. With Mick and i in at the very start of the modern soul thing we were able to cover most options. I always travelled with Chris to Wigan Sheffield, Clifton Hall the Fleet etc and became his sounding post i supose. In the end you have got to say there were only two DJ'S given guest showcase spots at the Casino in those last amazing years, despite any other claims, Chris and Dave Thorley, thats gotta tell you summat!! After the doors finnnaaaalllly closed, what to do, the night in Leeds supposed to take over just didnt capture the imagination, and other nighters were just oldies wanna be's' What Kept Chris in the eye was me deciding to book the Cavendish for my birthday, with Chris and i playing, what followed was a uinbelievabklr reaction snowballing into the Cvendish soul nights, with Mick bought in along with Neil for his past experience it was great, for almost 2 years we had the only rare night in the country , with every top DJ guesting, and Chris in regard to records having what i saw as his peak, Musically it really was top drawer, with all the faces there, as well as a sudden interest from locals even Max and Pep and Helen camer back after stepping back for business reasons. Ill enclose lyers, playlists etc...Just during the last months Neil and Mick decided to persue another line related to records and decided to drop out, Chris approached Dave Thorley to join us, before this happened something beyond our control lost us the venue, Dave then looked for another, TOTW was where he chose. As a local Chris was an obvious person to involve, his role was soon to become the 2nd room with Steve Smith Nick Marshall Dave Allciock`etc...and if im honest that was where i spent the most time at Stafford , being along with the likes of Gilly, Lawton, Chacket, Gary and the other usual suspects lucy enough to be there every time. Due i think mainly to personal issues Chris just packed it in, end of story, he sold up even to the point of not leting me and a few others get back rare things we let him have, and it was many many years until i saw him again. So thats my story of events , i liked him, he introduced me to lots of Detrit records he got through Graham Hawkins and some guy called Holyman, that were amazing. If i can answer any questions ill do my best, but that really was that for our Mr Plant . yes ok maybe he was not a breaker of new stuff but he had a few nice bits as we say, and great music speaks louder than any words or actions, so why does the scene persit with those intent of buying their way in, its knowlede and passion that matters, you can see it when peoople are playing, maybe Chris best tools were knowledge and contacts, rather than obvious passion, but i though he did ok Hope this has helped to give the thread some useful info Harpo

Sorry it's a little late, but i'm just back from a weeks holiday, that started after the event. Like to say thank's to the guys for asking me to play, alongside such an illustrious set of DJ's, had a long chat with Guy, reckon its about 23/24 years ago that we last played at a venue together, Connesueirs, nighter, or Coventry probably. It may seem a bit of a mixed bag, but i tried to play summat' for all those present . Andre Williams "You got it, and i want it" The Ambers "I love you baby" Billy Sharae "Do it" Cody Black "Going, going gone" Darrow Fletcher "Infatuation" Frankie Crocker "Ton of dynamite" Lovelites "Get it off my conscience" Continental 4 "The way i love you" TSU Tornadoes "I still love you" Mixed Emotion "Am i imposing" Invitations "Whats wrong with me baby" Lou Johnson "Unsatisfied" Jamo Thomas "I'll be your fool" Jackie Wilson "It only happens when i look at you" Milton Wright "I belong to you" Deon Jackson "That's what you do to me" Duke Browner "Crying over you" The O'Jays "Hold on" The Invitations "Look on the good side" Sam Dees "Fragile, handle with care" Don Gardner "Were gonna make it, big" Darrell Banks "I'm the one who loves you" Regards Harpo

Went one Friday with Chris Plant, Dawn and Dave Shaw, Chris was a guest DJ. We asked a local for directions, he picked up a piece of wood and tried to hit the car,, what a start. When we were inside it was freezing and nobody had any fags, until during the night some enterprising locals went out and robbed some!! It want down as a night to be talked about as one of those memorable for the wrong reasons, but still unforgettable, may have been the same night my old mate Mr Warrot was there, was around that time Harpo

Thanks to my old school mate Bod for reminding me about the 100 club incident.........what can i say!!! Tried to forget it for 25 years, not that i remember the true version of events anyway, we were looked after by H and Ian, as well as them getting my works Subaru and the three stooges home safley. We all know the identity of the culprit, best forgotten I actually apologised to Ady a few years ago , he diplomatically said he couldn't recollect the circumstances, ouch!!! Harpo x

With the funeral fast approaching, and reading everyones posts, i finally feel ready to share my thoughts and memories of Helen and Ian. I was not old enough to do the Cat's or Torch, so my first memories were of Helen dancing when i first started going to Wigan and other venues. As a fledgling "soulie" i was in awe of the Wigan DJ and his missus "the dancer" It was through visits to the shop that i first really had any true contact, however one particular early memory was of a rather memorable "falling out" one christmas at Newcastle Tiffs all-dayer, never seen anyone other than my mom and dad have a ding dong like that, Ian took refuge with Martyn Elllis behind the decks, yet despite it the relationship survived 35 plus years, says a lot eh!, not to mention it must have influenced me, as i had a few myself in later years! LOL Once i'd finished 6th form and Poly. and was earning my visits to the shop became more frequent, at the time i was out every weekend hearing and aquiring records, and it would appear Ian and Helen recognised that. Over the following years i was given exposure to the full benefit of Pep's amazing knowledge, and introduced to so many awesome tunes, he if anyone was my soul tutor/mentor. At the same time Helen took on the role of looking out for us, particularlly the "bad lads" like myself and Phil Shelton, to name just two. They gave me my first DJ break on Tuesdays at the Laffayette, it was through the shop i got to meet and become friends with Soul Sam, as well as many others, i was even given the chance to get my hands on some of the few tunes Ian parted with, tunes so good that they made my collection quite a good one, to say the least, ie Proffesionals, Silhouettes, Ronnie Mcneir etc...etc....Through the shop and DJing at the Laff we became involved with the early times of the modern soul scene, which was amazing, getting the chance to get to hear stuff first, along with Richard in the NW and Arthur and co. up on the east coast....great times. When i, with Chris Mick and Neil Rushton ran the Cavendish nights first time around i think what Ian saw gave him the desire to get back to commiting to the scene as well as the shop, and what followed is the basis for the whole west midlands scene right up to the current time. Two years later i was invited by Helen and Ian to co=promote the second Cavendish period, the real catalyst to the future of soul in the west midlands and probably further affield.At the time we also both DJ'd at nighters, dayers and soul nights throughout the region, further cementing the friendship. As time progressed i "sold up" while Helen and Ian pushed on with venues like the Black Horse, Royal, Swancote etc. Yet i was always in the shop, or out doing some sporty activity with Ian. During a rather low period in my life during the mid 90's the shop provided a haven for me, where i could spend time with friends, i'll always remember that. In the last few years as Helen and Ian took on parental and new business oppertunities, and moved to the mid-wales coast, contact was occasional, but my affection and respect has never wavered. I find it hard to imagine the not together, once again "soul heaven" finds its numbers swelled by the arrival of a wonderful, great lady, and my friend! Sandi and i will never forget you "H", thanks for everything, if theres anything we can possibly do to assist Ian and Ryan we'll be there, hoping in some tiny way to give just a bit of that support and strength you gave. Paul Harpin

Photo of H and me c1998 See you all on Thursday Harpo

Sandi Harpin.............Change.........The White Star.......SOT.............sAT 1st October First Spot Lloyd Price....."Feeling good" Swinging Medallions....."Here it comes again" Persuasions....."One thing on my mind" Tony Owens....."All that matters" Arthur Prysock....."I wantcha' baby" Ron Matlock....."You got the best of me" Jerry Butler....."Stop stepping on my dreams" Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose....."Big time lover" Walter Heath....."You know you're wrong don't you brother" Maxi Priest and Richie Stevens....."Stillwaters" Beres Hammond....."Don't wait too long" Billy Keene....."Wishing and hoping" Second spot Al Mason....."Good loving" Mousse T....."Brother on the run" Anthony White....."Hey baby" Invitations....."Look on the good side" Gary Toms Empire....."Love me good" Enticers....."Calling for your love" TSU Tornadoes....."Cutting the corners" Willy Wiley....."Just be glad" Skip Mahoney and the Casuals....."Running away from love" Pete Warner....."I just want to spend my life with you" John Gary Williams....."The whole damn' world is going crazy" Put these on for Sandi tonight, as i said i would while she was at work earlier but forgot, well done wife, keep on believin' Harpo

Warm up.....Harpo 20.00 to 21.00 1 Virgil Henry....."I'll be true" 2 Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose....."Big time lover" 3 Ralph Graham....."What am i to do" 4...Eddie Kendrick....."All of my love" 5 Controllers....."Pictures and memories" 6 The Girls....."The hurts still here" 7 Remarkables....."Is the feeling still there" 8 Dramatics....."Your love was strange" 9 Clifford Binns....."You've got to help me" 10 Exaveyons....."I don't love you no more" 11 O V Wright....."Love the way you love" 12 George Byrd....."I'm available" 12 Thee Chekkers....."Lack of love" 13 Al Hudson and the Soul Partners....."When youre gone" 14 Bobby Foster....."Where do you go" 15 Leon Haywood....."Consider the source" 16 Jesse Boone and the Astros....."I got to love you" 17 Willy Wiley....."Just be glad" 18 Blue Notes....."Standing by you girl" 19 Ben E King....."We got love" 20 Herbert Hunter....."My life" 21 Magnificent 7....."Never will i , make my baby cry" Thanks for all at USOS, for asking me, plus the comments and feedback from the spot....PH

There are the indications there that things were beginning to stir, with regard to march to what was, in the last two years, a relentless outpouring of wonderful records, both 60's and "modern", that still resonate through the scene today, with a rightful legendary status. It would be a nonsense to ever think that Richards plays could be an indicator of the general quality of tunes that led to many people travelling elsewhere during the middle years, other than the "oldies, Yet even in Richards case, the following two years output was as good as it gets, add to that Sam, Gary Rushbrook, not to mention Keith really getting the bit between his teeth, and the result was the most exciting, and inspirational times i experienced, even just being on the periphery. So sad that so many people had already gone as a result of, a need for a beat being given preference over quality and soul, never to experience those halcyon days. Even in that list you see that, Yvonne Vernee, Frankie Beverley and Jimmy Burns stand head and shoulders above the rest, and are a musical indication of what followed (for me anyway).

1/ Exaveyons......"I dont love you no more" 2/ JJ Barnes......"Chains of love" 3/ Fred Hughes..."Don't let me down" 4/ Fantastic Four.."Pin point it down" 5/ Clifford Binns..."You've got to help me" 6/ Al Hudson and the Soul Partners...."When your gone" 7/ Invitations...."Look on the good side" 8/ Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose....."Big time lover" 9/ TSU Tornadoes...."Cuting the corners" 10/ Deon Jackson...."I can't go on" 11/ Jimmy Soul Clark...."Tell her" 12/ O V Wright...."Love the way you love" 13/ Calvin Williams...."Lonley youll be" 14/ Sensations...."Lonley world" 15/ Darrow Fletcher...."What good am i without you" 16/ Ambers...."I love you baby" 17/ O'Jays...."Hold on" 18/ Bileo...."You can win" 19/ Blue Notes...."Standing by you girl" 20/ Eddie Kendricks...."All of my love" 21/ Bobby Foster...."Where do you go" 22/ Magnificent 7...."Never will i make my baby cry"

Got pulled at TOTW all dayer late 70's, locked up for day squad been to mom n dad's before i got home.....not charged Car load of us me. phil shelton, dave shaw, twins n mickey taylor, pulled at Sandbatch, taken to Congleton nick for search, samples, prosecuted the two they caught holdin, rest of us not, obviously not checked sample, as we had done Clifton Hall previous night.. When the biggie finally came, years later, and when not scoring from within scene, it was out of the blue, and very sobering But as for at venues , no never had a pull, but we were more cautious, and that was the reason it was not as bead as it may have been. Its a fact that it has left a mark with regard to employers, etc...., and for a while esteem, but what a journey it has been, would not change a thing, well prap's just a few little bits ph

Glad its gonna be on a Saturday mate, might finally break my duck for this one, as it doesn't fall on Friday(work night) if we ever get this "effin" back on the road. PH