frankc

Willie Hutch - Soul Portrait OV Wright - The Bottom Line

Junior Walker and the Four Tops on the same bill at the London Palladium, 1978ish - Brilliant

I think this was on last night, and yes, it pretty much summed up everyone's fears in this thread of how corny and misrepresentative it was probably going to be. However, having read this thread, apart from a few interesting contributions, the rest of the comments are the obligatory attempt to mock anything which dares to put a commentary publically on the scene - well specifically Wigan. I think if the scene is to survive it probably needs exposure of the right kind to attract and sustain a new audience which will follow and keep alive the fundamentals of the scene. I don't get out to many nights these days, at any opportunity I get I will attend a do irrespective of familiarity with venue or folk , I recently attended a venue with my partner who I have failed miserably to convert to the scene , she likes the music ,but believes the people who frequent the scene (well at least the places I have taken her!) are too clicky (that's probably being polite) . I was enjoying the set in the oldies room at this particular venue, when the geriatric Northern Soul dinosaur appeared and attempted to mock me (not sure why me, face didn't fit and all that) While I can put it down to drink etc, the guy was a real twat and deserved more than the ' I'll ignore the tosser' I eventually settled for as a plan of action. Unfortunately, this strikes me as no different an attitude to the mocking of anything that doesn't quite click into the perceived hierarchy of the scene. Of course this is all in my very humble opinion.

The Notts Palais all dayers captured both genres at the one venue, the main hall was pretty much 100% Northern, while downstairs it was pretty much a funk venue; with the odd Jazz funk tune thrown in. If memory serves (which could be dodgy!), it pretty much co existed with not too much fuss and a reasonable majority of the punters attending both rooms. On reflection it seemed pretty healthy. I remember The Isleys 'Tell me it's just a rumour' being played in the main room and walking downstairs and hearing The Isleys ' The Pride' which had just come out.

Two oldies for sale, both US release demo's. Prices are in UKP , Postage: UK and Ireland £2. 50 , elsewhere, please email. April Stevens Wanting You MGM (yellow demo) Ex £40 With original MGM sleeve T.D Valentine Love Trap Epic (White demo; red A) Mint £30 Interested, Please email frankmc_1@yahoo.co.uk

Many thanks for the replies....................

If anyone could give me the current value of this UK issued 7inch , Hudson People - Trip to your Mind - Ensign in NM condition, it would be appreciated......

Apologies if this has already been covered......................... I know a few people on here have EBAY stores set up, just wondered what the experiences of them are? There seem to be three options with the basic at $15.95 a month. Do they work, how long would you keep them, any issues? I accept that it all depends on what you are selling etc....the questions are more aimed at peoples experiences. Thanks,

Just caught up with this thread, prior to Chris Blackburn running the coach from Bedford myself and Danny used to run it, we often didn't have enough money to cover the cost and we would have to have a wipe around before the driver would go...we never generally had enough, the usual drop outs meant we were short but he'd go anyway because he'd generally have company for the night (if you not what I mean!!) caught the comment about Paul Shirley (RIP) can you PM me what happened/when? Went in his car many a time to nighters.....god knows how we got there half the time....really sad to hear he's gone....

Sad to hear, he included a review of Northern nights in Bedford( 1977via Tony Warot) in HBS (Down at the Club section) which put the venue on the soul map at the time and helped bring and convert many more soul fans in the area.....

Two for sale:Reduced TSU Tornados What good Am I Atlantic M- £20 Magic Night If you and I had never meet RouletteDEMO EX+ £25 Please PM if interested. Postage: UK/Ireland £2 / Europe £4 / Worldwide £5 Money back if your not happy with grading of any record.

Two for sale: TSU Tornados What good Am I Atlantic M- £25 Magic Night If you and I had never meet RouletteDEMO EX+ £30 Please PM if interested. Postage: UK/Ireland £2 / Europe £4 / Worldwide £5 Money back if your not happy with grading of any record.

Yep, was aware of the Alteen issue, my question is really about; anything esle on her?

Like Joy Lovejoy, ' Sunday' - Ain't got no problems' is another Chess artist I have attempted to find info on but have hit blanks everywhere.......The Chess brothers must have had a stash of mysterious ladies they wheeled out and then sent back into their day jobs. Any info would be most appreciated on this lady.

I loved this show, unfortunately the ending was a real anti climax let down, which is generally the way with this type of cult classic, the reason they become cult classics is the suspense of waiting to see what's it's all about.....anyone watching 'Lost' will probably feel the same way when it finishes.

PM'd you, let me know if still available......

On Chess US issues when did the label design colour change from the classic Black gold lettering (Jo ann Garrett whole new plan etc ) to the light blue white two tone label? I always thought that when a label design changed, it was generally on a specific release, however with Chess US issues, I've come across Billy Stewart - Do I love you (1922) on both Black and Blue issues. I know there was some different designs before the black and gold lettering labels also........but my question is specific to the black and blue changes.........apologies if this has been covered already.......

The Cali was an excellent venue, one night that springs to mind was the Three Deg, Billy Paul and Chairman of the Board (I think) .......the greatest venue down south for live soul music excellent.......plus i'm sure The Drifters were actually living there at one stage, they were on every other week, they must have been!!

I think the story of the analogy to the bingo clubs is very true, I would even go further by saying the problem is with the age profile of the scene. Just like the old R & R clubs where the diehards still turned up in drapes and greased up hair, the NS scene on the one hand is being kept alive by nostalgia and a belief that we can all experience what the scene was when the likes of Wigan or Stafford were at their prime (not possible), and while there is a genuine love and passion for collecting and dancing to the music, it's not enough and we're not getting any younger as they say. For the scene to survive, we do need to embrace and welcome any effort to attract new blood. I moved over to Ireland in the mid 80s, I've tried a couple of nights with not overall success; a little too far west of Dublin (Danny's doing great work there) and a smaller catchment area unfortunately. However, there is genuine interest from the under 30's, I started by circulating some sample tapes and received massive interest in the tunes, one total goth head asked me where did this tune come from (Del Larks Job opening) and thought it was the best thing he's heard in ages. What might be old hat to most on here, is heard for the first time by these folk....so that leaves a massive bank of tunes which can be picked from as new and fresh, there are no pre conceived notions or brainwashed dogmas, so people have no idea of the endless politics and egos doing the rounds, so it's great. We will be trying another night shortly, and the music policy will be 'whatever' as long as it's soulful (and that's modern, old, new).... And we'll define that as keeping the punters happy rather than anyone else.

She looks so like Grace Slik from Jefferson Airplane it's scary........

I would agree , but the problem is that the die hard soul police will come out and shout sacrilege at the thought of playing a tune however, soulful, worthwhile and hitting the spot due to the fact that it's on a CD.......There are so many tunes being missed because of the lack of the opportunity to air these tunes at venues due to the unwritten law of vinyl only.....where does that leave the scene in 10 years time, or even longer? Probably been covered already, however worthwhile debate...