Kevinkent

Sorry John but I've already made arrangements for this weekends soulin'. Will defo pay you a visit in the future though. If yourself and any of the other lads on here want to meet up with a bit more notice how about Margate on 24th November? Not that I'm trying to push it but "Stolen Hours" 1st Anniversary has 2 rooms, free vinyl for the first 100 tickets, is in a hotel with discounted rooms , and if enough rooms are booked an allnighter is on the cards. (See events for details.) Like you say, it would be nice to put faces to names. Failing that, or as well as, I intend to get around eventually to all events mentioned here. (Good job Dave Moore hasn't added to this thread 'cos I can't afford the flight!)

At the double? -could be embarrasing!

Be nice to see where everyone got their introduction to Soul. Then I wouldn't have to be associated with the South East - even if it is the winning team (at the moment).

I used to live in and around Northampton, and at Corby for a while when I worked at the Co-op in Kettering. I don't remember seeing any live acts at the Tin Hat, but I was more an occasional visitor than a regular. Always thought the George was really friendly too - OK you could tell if trouble was expected by the things that were stuck in waistbands and belts, and at Blisworth everyone drank Newcastle Brown so they had a bottle handy - but I took that as being par for the course in those days. Incidentally, I'm going on a nostalgia trip next friday - a County Soul Clubs Reunion at Wellingborough, with DJ's from venues such as the George; Tin Hat, Freewheelers etc, etc. The scene in Kent is pretty good mate, top 2 venues IMO are "Stolen Hours" at Ramsgate/Margate, and Kent Soul Club at Rochester. Plus it's easy travelling to Bisley, Lightwater, Farnborough etc. Recently travelled to Rothwell for the "Cream Cracker", a nite run by another ex sapper - Kev Such. In fact there were 5 or 6 others there too but I'm useless at remembering names. PM me Derek, if your ever coming back down South.

Far to many to choose from, these tunes are what it's all about for me. One I favour at the moment is: Dirty Hearts - Benny Curtis & The Dirty Hearts.

Hi Derek and welcome to SoulSource. Small world then - before joining up I used to do the Tin Hat; the George, Wilby; Nags Head, Wollaston; Blisworth Hotel; Shades; and of course the Earls Barton allnighters. Then had to settle for the Brompton Stomp for a while - not quite the same really. Give us a shout mate if you're ever back in the vicinity of the RSME.

Dean Parrish.........I'm (Not) On My Way

Three from me, and unbelievably none of them mentioned yet: Chuck Jackson..............Look Over Your Shoulder Bessie Banks................Go Now .....but way above these and anything else for me comes - Tony Michaels............I Love The Life I Live

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.