Ian Dewhirst

All bold choices whether we like 'em or not. Didn't like "Shake N Bump", "Ladies Choice", "You're The Cream Of The Crop" but curiously I do like "Music Maker" and "Do What You Feel". And it's fair to say that nowhere other than the Mecca would have played these at the time.......... Ian D

Ian D

I don't recall ANY records sounding like the Carstairs and Montclairs @ the Torch and Va-Va's. What I heard were monster frenetic stompers and hardly any mid-tempo floaty things.......... Also disagree totally on "My Baby's Coming Back To Me" which I always saw as a 60's mid-tempo good-time tune but I wouldn't put it anywhere near the Carstairs or Montclairs production-wise. Different decades for a start surely? I agree that Bobby Franklin was ground-breaking - I never particularly liked it though - too funky for me LOL.... Ian D

I'd go as far to say that it's extremely unlikely that any other DJ would have played a record like "Hung Up On Your Love" at the time, crazy as it sounds. The Montclairs even more than the Carstairs was not a immediate hit, as I can remember it clearing the floor the first few times Ian played it. Once people got used to the intro and the song it caught on but it wasn't an easy sell at the time when it was competing with traditional stompers. It was a bold record to play and just one of many that the Mecca used to play which probably wouldn't have worked elsewhere at the time. Not arse licking here, just wanted to put some of these records in perspective in light of their popularity these days. The Montclairs was a floor-clearer on the wider scene until it's sheer brilliance overcame the objectors......... Ian D

Yep, that's what I meant really. The scene was almost the complete opposite of what it is these days, in terms of the fact that there were really only a handfull - say a couple of dozen key DJ's and the same amount of big-tune/unknown collectors. So generally we knew who had what and where it came from. If another copy turned up then it was big news back then..... Ian D

For posterity mate. Also it might save me a bit of time in terms of arguing with people where I heard something first or who discovered what etc, etc. Usually it was the Mecca and I know that most readers of this thread would be fascinated by that sort of info. It seemed that every week would throw up a bunch of great records, most of which are selling for £100's and £1000's these days as they're so cherished. Also there was a grapevine back then where as soon as you got back from a U.S. trip the word would circulate about what you'd found and the buzz before even hearing the record would be huge. Obvious contenders would be "Landslide", "Stick By Me Baby", "There's A Ghost In My House" etc, etc right through to "Seven Day Lover", "It Really Hurts Me Girl" and "I Can See Him Loving You". And all the rest LOL...... Also, it would be for the benefit of younger SS readers who may not realise the sheer amount of records you found. It would probably put thing's in perspective for many people! Ian D

Didja forget Emperor Rosko as well? At one point, the only bright spark on Radio One..... Also I think it's fair to say that the Northern towns and cities had a real affinity for Motown. There'd always be a few Motown records at friends houses, the youth clubs of the day used to hammer Motown and the BBC Light Programme (pre Radio One) was heavily playing stuff like "Where Did Our Love Go" - The Supremes ('64), "I Can't Help Myself" - The Four Tops ('65) and "My Guy" - Mary Wells ('64), - I can even remember my mum singing along to that! Ian and myself were obviously hearing these songs on the radio at a young age and identifying with something which made us want to go out and find more of it, which we both did in our respective areas for many years before eventually meeting. I think we were probably a product of the times. The UK was an incredibly exciting place to be musically in that period. We were watching the Beatles and the Stones conquer the world at the same time as the Motown acts were conquering the UK. 'Ready, Steady, Go' was a 'must-watch' in those days, even for a 9 year old and that was probably our first glimpse of black american acts, who were generally better than the home-grown ones in most cases. Dusty Springfield was also incredibly supportive of the Motown acts especially. All these thing had a huge influence on the youngsters who were seeing this unfold at the time and it obviously sustained the interest otherwise we wouldn't be writing about it some 45 years later. Co-incidentaly, Felice Taylor was the first record I bought with my own pocket money. Best money I ever spent as it's still one of my favourite records and really pure Northern Soul. It was also a No.11 Pop hit on 25th October 1967 which, I believe, was Barry White's first success as a producer. I think it's fair to say that if "I Feel Coming On" was unreleased and only just discovered, it would be hailed as one of the greatest Northern discoveries ever. As it is, it gets ignored as it was a pop hit at the time, but it was certainly a massively influential record for me and kind-of provided the sort of template that I wanted in music. In fact I'm listening to it now and it still sounds brilliant........ Ian D

There's a few campaigns being waged on here Davie! The funniest thing is I've heard, is exactly the same description being applied to both Ian Levine and James Trouble, i.e. "He's an arrogant prick". Could they both be cast from the same die I wonder....? It's a lively thread though innit? Ian D

Make it a long lunch then Steve! I don't know why you two don't get along. The pool of knowledge between the two of you must be awesome. Maybe you should pop along to one of Ian's pool parties LOL....... Ian D

Mean spirited and nasty. If you don't like the thread, then don't read it, OK? No one's twisting your arm...... Believe you me, I'm not Ian Levine's No.1 fan - we've had many differences of opinion over the years but if Levine never went to another Northern Soul venue again for the rest of his life, he would have still contributed 99% more to the scene than most of his detractors on here. One thing I'd like Ian to do is list his early discoveries, from '69 to '75. Once you read that list you'll realise the massive influence he had on the scene in it's formative years, where, incidentaly, he clocked up many thousands of miles playing at different venues. You may not like the fact, but for the period from 1970-75, Ian Levine was the arbitor of good taste on the Northern scene and for that he should be applauded. Plus plenty of people obviously want to hear about his experiences, so who are you to moan? Go read another thread if you don't like this one........ Ian D

Ah OK, I stand corrected ut I'm pretty sure Neil got it from Disco Bob didn't he.......? Ian D

I also remember sorting a deal with EMI on "All Over The Grapevine" which was meant to be J.J. Barnes but evolved into Steve Mancha instead..... I think J.J. just wasn't available, so Steve Mancha flew in and I seem to remember it being tough to get a decent vocal out of him and the extra overhead cost in keeping him supplied with liquor LOL..... And Ian's correct in saying that "On The House" - Midnight Sunrise was the first UK produced House record. A collaboration between Ian and Damon Rocheforte, who later went on the fame with Nomad's "I Wanna Give You (Devotion)" and who is now a scriptwriter for Coronation Street. The record came out on Crossover records which was a division of Serious Records. Ian D

The Inspirations : I think that was from 'Disco' Bob Cattaneo from Frisco if my memory serves me correctly...... Ian D

Plus I was there almost every week even when I deejayed at Wigan.......... Ian D

That's dead right Wendy. But they were thin 'needle-cord' 28 inch baggies with a 4 inch waistband which were much more practical. And yes they did come quite high up the waist. I think we were obsessed with buttons at the time. I also seem to remember 'Kickers' coming in at the time and they worked quite well with the needlecord baggies..... At least, we thought they did back then........... Ian D

LOL, that's funny Rod, but as poetically as you've put it, I don't really think that was the image I was trying to get across. Ian D

You sure this isn't a case of "irresistible force meets the immovable object" which I alluded to earlier James? We should get all the egos in a room whilst I keep Gavin in check LOL...... Ian D

I'll second that Pete, except the bit about the Carstairs LOL..... Ian is one of the most knowledgeable people about Soul Music that I've ever met too. He's ALWAYS been controversial and outspoken as long as I've known him and even his best mates will acknowledge that he can be a pain in the ass at times. Once you get past the shameless self-promotion and arrogance, there's a guy who knows more about Northern Soul then 99.99% of most people. Plus he's being remarkably well-behaved this time around IMO. A few years ago he'd have been immediately banned..... Ian D

It may be of interest for readers on here to know where you got the inspiration for The Exciters "Reaching For The Best" from? Ian D

Funny this thread came up as I was looking through Ginger Taylor's box recently and came across his copy of Lenny Curtis "Nothing Can Help You Now" and for some reason decided to check the condition and saw "A Frank Discovery" stencilled-into the dead wax! I can't remember doing it but it was deffo my old copy...... Still looked great too! Ian D

I think we were en route back from an all-dayer somewhere in the Midlands (Whitchurch possibly?). I was in the car with Sid, Smithy, Rod etc from Cleckheaton and we'd just got back in the car after stopping @ Knutsford services when another car pulled up next to us and ejected you and record box LOL.... I think you were trying to make it back to Blackpool and Andy Hanley was definitely driving. It was probably a row and he probably came back and got you eventually I guess. We were watching the whole thing wondering what was going on and we got out and talked to you. It was probably just a flare-up but actually quite funny at the time....... Ian D

Yeah, but you're easily misunderstood Ian. The people who have known you a long time have a tendency to accept you as you are since that's the way it's always been as long as I've been around. But, as you know yourself, it hasn't always been easy. The first direct experience I ever had of you up close, was seeing you being booted out of a car in the early 70's @ Knutsford services by Andy Hanley, presumably because you were driving everyone nuts at the time LOL.... The fact is that you've always made yourself an easy target in many ways. It's unfortunate really as I've always seen you as being one of the great arbitors of taste on the scene - without a doubt one of the most influential people on the Northern Soul scene period, as your track-record in discovering great records plainly demonstrates. However, I've seen much more humility in your recent postings on here and, unless I'm mistaken, I think that many of your recordings are currently receiving much more attention then they originally received which is probably a good thing. So keep with the humility angle Ian. It'll work wonders mate........ Ian D

Beautifully put Jim! I thank the lord for being born in 1955. In my opinion we just witnessed the greatest half century of musical culture ever known to man. We should be so lucky. The fact that I happened to be 15 years old living in Mirfield, Yorkshire in 1970 with an affinity for uptempo Soul music means that I was surely blessed. The Northern Soul scene was the eighth wonder of the world IMO. The greatest scene in my experience and I've been around forever. Pure magic. Ian D

That's the spirit Sarah! It's a serious thing this Northern Soul..... This film thing is a bit like the old "irresistible force meets the immovable rock" scenario, i.e., very likely to throw up some fault-lines along the way LOL..... The film better be halfway decent! That's all I can say LOL..... OK, "Family Guy" time now........I need to get a bit of distance........ Ian D