Barry

May I add that I will be taking any negatives that you may have to task.

I've just spent 40 minutes banging out a post that I lost as someone sent me a PM (sorry Mike ), so on the back of that.... I'd like your views about a man who is a part of our/your history.

Next time I suggest you go with a brand along the lines of something like 'SOUL CITY' for example. You know, something that is that original, that other like-minded forward thinking people, like yourself obviously, whom have actually taken note of over-used stereo-typical poorly thought out, 'Nah we'll give it a miss' 'headlining', punter grabbing, promotional killers such as that a go. It may save you the odd post or two....maybe!?

...I mean after all, what is that meant to convey at all?

I'll respond to your post in a manner befitting an adult - a f*cking lovely track to me, holding good memories. I got battered by my elders and betters (you know who you are. How's life these days? Got new curtains lately?) for liking it as a lad, a bit girly for some it seemed. Just an observation but it's funny how many people are quick off the mark to show the board that they think that someone has over-priced a track isn't it? I'm sick of seeing thinly veiled prods covered as reasonable responses....but they keep me coming back don't they?

Mate I was, am, and will continue to be a nobody on this scene. I was the kid in my group, the whipping boy, no doubt there are a lot like me on here too. The only reason I feel the need to exert my opinions and wonderings are simply based on the fact that I haven't had a week, since 1978 (Maleady'll back that up), that my life hasn't revolved around going to venues and learning my trade. I may talk a good game, but I would hope that you never see me as a worthy recipient of a remark like the one you made above.

The majority of music-based youth movements tend to be borne of 100 mile an hour audio assaults (see rock n roll, punk, Northern etc). The longevity of the Northern scene and it's heroic devotees' have obviously took it way beyond those heady days. Nowadays tempo's in general have dropped, people have obviously learned to appreciate real quality, tastes have diversified etc. Has the scene got a hope in hell in attracting todays youth to it, given the way the scene has gone? Does it really matter? Will the scene just play itself out to the contented strains of our memories?

Oh bugger, yeah!! I'll get round to it. I must say that I'm flattered you took notice.

Have you seen the furore over Rick Astley being honoured in the same way btw?

My point exactly.

Apologies if I come on a bit hard sometimes but to me it's the only way to get out of people what they really feel, when your danders up you tend to speak sense . There is so much twaddle spoke on message boards it's laughable, it's the only reason message boards are successful (no doubt certain others would see my input on here as twaddle, proving my point to a degree). I don't think I have a go in my posts, I just seek truths - and I wouldn't at all say my posts are patronising, as in this case I would say of course 'word of mouth is a major factor in how people get to know any event is worth a visit' and of course a strong dj line up speaks volumes. I could have argued that you were patronising toward me, as you obviously thought that I am daft enough not to have the mental capacity to realise that 'word of mouth' and 'dj line ups' contribute to a nights success - but I didn't. My initial post was to do with how people, these days, brand their efforts and nothing more. Don't get the hump with me please, try and read between my tough love lines, as I would like to think there is generally a modicom of sense in them somewhere.

Thanks for the replies chaps - I think a realistic price is £80/£100 for a decent copy, that is what I have seen 'em go for - and you know how it is with your collecting sickness, if it's not The Q, it's summat else that you'll spend your wedge on - there's always too many and always 'another', which is why I'll stick at me oner offer. I'll check your responses out, ta.

Bump! £100 quid for a clean 7"?

Really!?

I know 'word of mouth' will work, obviously mate. But it'll take half an hour of thought to put together a half decent, deserving of today, flyer - as apposed to five minutes in WORD typing out a shite, unworthy of your efforts, sheet - surely? It's not hard to give your flyer a bit of thought, what's the problem. It just strikes me that if you appear to have a downer on well-thought out flyers, you can't have bothered yourself.

Can anyone actually say they are not touched by any other form of music? I see some posts on here, as regards white people singing for example, that if turned the other way round would read as something else. Save me the obvious, 'of course we are' posts - I don't see those posts when certain views as regards 'what is soul' are brought up on here. I think I'm asking the impossible of people on here - which is to open up, in full view of their peers. It's a big old quilt 'music', made up from a patchwork of many styles, colours and passion. Does 'Soul Music' have to be put forward as a form of expression by its devotees as a form of music only able to be delivered by black vocalists?

Isn't that very obvious though Malc? If you see a good flyer, or a different musical policy as a nowt but a 'gimmick' - as our lad obviously does - how does the scene grow?

A classic memory for myself, one of those records that suits my dancing feet, also a beautiful if short epiphany of a track in my life - yet, I'm amazed at the amount of people that don't have my view.

Should I bother posting the story behind this record or not?

'Wrapping it up' is a poor view of peoples efforts, people who try their utmost to get something off the ground (from nowt, no mean feat), a something that they so obviously believe in Andy. Have you attempted to start a night on the back of your belief in this (or whatever for that fact) music? I look at fledgling nights, like Longys Cully nights, and I see the playlists (much of which I don't know) and it lights my fire. F*cking great - just what being into Soul is all about - 'learning'. But what I take from your effort is that you seem only willing to give your time and money over to a night (due to the line up) that will obviously deliver on the numbers (fair do's in the majority of peoples mindset, the big names deliver scarce, quality tunes that will no doubt, due to the exposure by said 'big name jock' will go on to be a stalwart Nighter record). We all like a busy night after all - guaranteed if the Big Guns are on ay? Not a bad thing at all - big line ups = big numbers after all. On experience though, you will probably expand your 'real' knowledge (if it is the music that you are in reality chasing) by attending the home grown fledgling nights that push the boundaries, by sticking their necks on the line and chance their arm. Again, I'm playing Devils Advocate, as I too spent my youth attending the bigger venues of the time - but surely how the the scene is today (years on), your age, and your mindset must have changed by now?

The only times I come across Smokey recently have been the times he and his mates have turned up for do's that Kev (Edwards), ex-Carlton, Smiths et al, have put on - still a very charismatic fella, it's funny how people with a history on this scene tend to have that.

I remember the kit he used to bring with him in the 'back of the van' to nighters - a broom handle and a Fairy Liquid bottle full of emulsion. It mystified me too, until we passed a poor bloke on the motorway who had the misfortune to be on a motorbike and alongside our van. Smokey opened the sliding window on the van, sprayed the poor c*nt with emulsion and proceeded to prod him with the broom handle.

Not seen Smokey for a couple of years, he still at it?

Interesting to hear that some people are put off by 'glossy' flyers. I asked mainly because, in todays world it can't be that difficult for someone within your group to brand your event in what I would deem, as a professional manner. Surely if it looks like you have put some effort into the bottom level of the promotion, the bottom level generally is your flyer, then it must tell people that you are taking it seriously. Obviously the jock line up is what matters, but how can someone putting a little effort into their branding put people off? Or is it the norm that certain, smaller, promotions have to put a little more work into the bottom end (a bad thing?) as they don't have the connections to have the big draw jocks play at their event? And should that put you off anyway? That kind of talk seems to go against the ethic of a lot of the 'well done for starting your own night' topics I read on here. Views?