Kevinkent

To right it is Dave. When I've got a few I'm thinking of buying I bundle them together on your Soulclub jukebox and play 'em - the ones I find myself dancin' to are the ones I buy. Cheers mate for providing an invaluable service

Agreed. It's just a label - one with a damn fine pedigree, but just a label. Some Motown is Northern, some isn't. How many great "Northern" tunes are there which were recorded by Motown artistes or backing musicians who were moonlighting on smaller labels. How many great "Northern" tunes are there from other labels that were attempting to emulate Motown and cash in on the success of that label in the early/mid 6T's. ............HUNDREDS! It's just a label, but sadly seems to get billed nowadays alongside Northern, as though to say "Oh, and a bit of music you'll all know, and that the girls can dance around their handbags to". Not the Motown that I play, they can't!

Early 7T's used to read it all the time, and visit their "sales office" in Hanway St. Used to search for vinyl purely on the names of artists listed in the ads for events up north. Bumped into Dave Godin in a Berwick St record shop once (ony recognised him from his litte stamp sized pic in B&S) and still got the vinyl he pulled out the box for me. Happy days. Off thread Baz, but is that Masutatsu Oyama on your avatar?

Struggling now Steve. Recently had a bit of self indulgence by paying an entirely instrumental early doors set - and wish I could remember what they were! Not too many from the very early days I reckon. You've already picked the best and most memorable three IMO, but what about: You Can't Sit Down - Phil Upchurch Combo Black Is Black - Paul Mauriat Orchestra That Driving Beat - Willie Mitchell Fife Piper - Dynatones Cigarette Ashes - Jimmy Conwell and just about anything from San Remo Strings. I'm probably about to learn that my memory has embarrassed me again! -Kevin

WELCOME ABOARD TIM. Hope you can type faster than me or you're in for some late nights. A finely considered and well written piece Mark! If you lived a lot further south you might appreciate just how many scooterists enter the scene, not through the avenue which you and I took, but by being exposed to sounds such as Frank Popp (makes a change from the constant Edwin Starr!). Some of these guys will always want to hear instant dancers and not give a damn about history or pedigree. Some enter through this route and become fanatical and very knowledgeable collectors. It's not always just down to the age of the audience either, just sometimes a lack of exposure to the music. For me, Frank Popp works and musically I like it. I have played it out and would again, though it would depend on the venue and the crowd. I am still dismayed that some of the stuff heard in my youth is recognised by some as having been part of our scene, Polk Salad Annie being a prime example! Some of the 7T's crossover type stuff we used to leave to the kids at the YMCA disco while we went elsewhere to listen to something we deemed better. Truth is, there's always been stuff on the scene which I don't like and which, to me, doesn't belong. But like they keep telling me at work - diversity and tolerance is important, so plenty of room for the likes of Mr Popp I reckon. Personally,I'm just glad I came into the scene via the Stax/Motown route in the early days.

I tried to set up a 2007 weekender in that area, but was let down. I also went out to spin some for an expat scooter club but was let down again. I'm sure they're decent lads though, and do put on their own small scale Northern nights. Their website is www.orihuelascooterclub.com I have also heard that a very recent expat has the intentions of getting something going in that area. Apparently a September do in a 900 capacity venue, with 400 locals and expats already showing interest. Who knows what may follow. If I get more definate news I'll post it up on this site. Good Luck.

Surely that would have been the other way around!

Dunno Mate. But if you search and find the thread on here re the Valencia Allnighter you'll find that a couple of DJ's from Barcelona are playing there. I'm sure that they can be contacted and could answer your question. Good Luck

Yes, the fast version did come out on Jay Boy, credited to "Bob & Earl" though it is so obviously a Jackie Lee solo - Jackie Lee a.k.a Earl Nelson (being one half of Bob & Earl, "Bob" being Bob Relf and I think a 3rd vocalist took the place of one or t'other at some stage, but don't recall who it was)

You've only got rid of them 'cos we thought they were like Nicotine patches - sticking one on your arm helps you avoid listening to Modern .

Call me old fashioned, but when I go into Starbucks - I just want a good old cup of coffee !!! The funk has sunk it for me - just ain't my cup of tea

Status Quo was a pretty dire example but I used it to prove a point. Perhaps your three examples are better! Funny how some successful "ordinary" venues, that used to play a bit of everything, have re-written their history to become Soul venues from a past era. "Shades" in Northampton is a prime example. I used to practically live there at one stage, and have many fond memories (far more accurate than Mr P Grady's too!). It was often a meeting place from which to set off for a proper soul nite elsewhere. Re That Driving Beat - Yes...MASSIVE! Sure it's been mentioned on this thread already. Kent - No Sean, I'm from Northampton originally but am now "in Kent" - Kev.

No, but there will be one on the Costa Blanca in Spain within the next couple of years. You'll be more likely to order a nice cold beer though!

Even more incredible is that my hair used to stand up listening to these! - Then it fell out.

I remember 3 great double siders that used to get regular plays of both sides in the late 6T's at The George in Wilby: Darrel Banks - Open The Door and Our Love Is In The Pocket Contours - Just A Little Misunderstanding / First I Look At The Purse Impressions - Can't Satisfy / You've Been Cheating Used to hear the flip of Washed Ashore played a bit too - With This Ring. Still got the copy that I took along to my own wedding in '74 to get it played as our first dance. Drifters used to be really big in Northants too - Down At The Club, Up On The Roof, Under The Boardwalk, Saturday Night At The Movies, all getting constant plays everywhere. Recently played the Artistics - I'm Gonna Miss You, as an ender to evoke some happy memories. The flip, Hope We Have, didn't get a look in till much later. -Kevin

The Darrow Fletcher is a good choice Steve. Had another listen and went and bought it today after reading this. Soon be on my playlist! - Kevin

Jo, I reckon that the next time there's an RSME open day or any big squaddie/matelot reunion, we should put on an all-dayer the same weekend. King Charles Hotel, Brompton? What do you think? Be good to see some of the faces posting, or mentioned, on this thread. - Kevin

Hi Jo, Well that explains why I didn't go to Bogarts - why didn't Graham tell me it didn't start 'till the 8T's? You're right about The Avenue, I went when it was the Central but I'd forgotten the name. Don't ask why but I always remember seeing the Fantastics there. Also saw Jackie Wilson at the Tudor House at Bearstead, that was a cracking night, and another good venue.

Well I was Jo - I thought you looked familiar. Was it the Brompton Stomp? Sadly, I wasn't aware of "Bogarts" in those days - it must have been a closely guarded secret amongst the civvie locals. -Kevin

I knew Dave Gelling when I was stationed at Maidstone '71 - '74 and still got some of the vinyl I swopped with him. Used to knock around a bit with him and a couple of other army soulies - Steve Dartnell from Preston, and Glen Chambers (a Londoner I think), both RE's. Didn't get up to much down South, stride around Maidstone in our Skinners and Parallels, drink in the "Wig & Gown, occasional nights at The Avenue in Gillingham, or trips to Camberley. There was also a short lived Northern club above a pub in Canterbury St, Gillingham, about '72 - bloody brilliant too. Also new Stevie Walsh very well, but can't remember if it was at Maidstone or Germany. Haven't seen any of them since the old days though. I've always reckoned it was the lads in the services who were responsible for spreading Northern Soul throughout the UK

Same county Steve so I'll go along with all of those plus a few more: Mchael - C.O.D.'s Hey Girl Don't Bother Me - Tams Twine Time - Alvin Cash..........................How about this one Jemco? I've Been Hurt - Bil Deal & Rhondells Hooked By Love - Homer Banks I Got What It Takes - Brooks & Jerry The Horse - Cliff Nobles Moody Woman - Jerry Butler And 3 that really got me hooked on what was to become known as "Northern"........ Open The Door To Your Heart - Darrel Banks Just A Little Misunderstanding - Contours Help Me - Spellbinders And no it's not just nostalgia. Most of these tunes still get a good reception from those youngsters who weren't around in the early days. Quality shines through.

I'm in agreement with that, and how's this for a positive experience: I'm DJ'ing 45 miles away at Ramsgate on Saturday and both our family cars are unexpectedly in for repair. I put a shout on the "Stolen Hours" events thread in the hope that someone might give me a lift. I GET OFFERED THE LOAN OF A CAR from someone I know only through the soul scene - he's DJ'ing elsewhere that night and doesn't want to see me stuck. I've only known him for a couple of years, and like I say only from the soul scene. Now that's what I call camaraderie! Take a bow BEARSY!.......TOP MAN - Kevin