Ian Dewhirst

OK, we were working with a recaltrant microphone this week but hey, it's all about the music and boy is there some music on this show! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show with Ian Dewhirst & Alan Champ - Sunday 1st June 2008 on www.Starpointradio.com. To download the show simply hit the link below! Or for this and all archived shows please pay a visit to www.sixmillionsteps.com where you can get the last 4 weeks worth of all Six Million Steps produced shows. That's 16 hours of free music over the last 4 weeks alone! Plus, loads of new fully downloadable KILLER mixes in a variety of styles. 1st Hour Opening Mix:- Main Street - That Music Cerrone feat Jocelyn Brown - Hooked On You - Close Mix MLS - Extra Careful Metropole - Miss Manhattan Fifth Avenue - Got To Take A Chance Leonard Lidell - Fallen Out Of Love Sargeant & Malone - Love Message Johnnie & Joe - Double Dealing Enchantment - Somebody's Loving You Rojas - With Your Love 2nd Hour The Salvadores - Stick By Me Baby Herb Ward - Honest To Goodness The Tomangoes - I Really Love You Sam Ward - Sister Lee Ronnie McNeir - Sitting In My Class Mother Fox - Fallen Into Love Nicky Newmarkers - Woman Curtis - How Can I Tell Her Peace Of Mind - Heaven In Your Eyes Helen Baylor - Oasis Impromp2 - Summer Night Larry Hancock - Sweet Persuasion Sherrick - Call Me Brainstorm - We're On Our Way Home https://www.sixmillionsteps.com/6MS-2008-06-01-Starpoint.mp3 Best, Ian D

It's not Clarence Carter from '76 on MCA is it? There's several pages of "Come Back Baby"'s but as I say I'm not a Southern fan........ Ian D

OK, I've done searches on MCPS/PRS/ASCAP & BMI databases and there's nothing for "Let Me Come Back Home To You" so I guess that's not the title dammit! Blimey, I'd be embarassed if I was a Southern Soul expert LOL! I just know it's on Malaco, I.C.A. or one of those type of labels, but I normally hate that stuff so I don't have much of it. The stupid thing is I'm sure I should know it - it just sounds so familiar............ Ian D

Yep. Agree. Too each their own...... Ian D

Yep, could you explain that again in idiot-proof bullet points please Barry? I'm very concious that I may go off-thread if I'm not careful! Ian D

Good point Rog. Gimme 2+ hours behind the decks anytime. That way you can actually work the music better and construct a more interesting set rather than cramming everything into an hour. However, with Northern, the whole 1 hour spot thing still meant you could squeeze a good 25 records in as they're all two and a half minutes long! Also I think there could be more imaginative ways of programming sets. For instance, I think it would be fascinating to do a themed Northern set where you could go from New York to Philly to Memphis to the South to Chicago to Detroit and close up with L.A. - it'd probably take 3 hours but it would be a fascinating educational journey for many people and help them to appreciate the sheer bredth of the music at the same time. Lively debate this........ Ian D

Yep. Sign me up LOL! You made some very good points there Sunnysoul. I sometimes wonder whatever happened to the sheer excitement and glamour of the scene. A lot of it was the total exhuberance of youth, fun and the attractions of a cool underground scene with very little competition if you lived up North. I was deejaying @ 16 years old and playing nighters @ 17 years old. Every weekend was an EVENT! The quality of the music and most of the DJ's was really good. The Torch, Va-Va's, Blackpool Mecca, Sheffield Samanthas, Wigan Casino and Cleethorpes were all none-miss events really. However, the average age back then was essentially 16-25. The Northern Soul scene was really the precursor of the Rave scene which followed some 20 years later - at it's height in the mid 70's some 50,000-100,000 people would mobilize themselves and dip into the Northern scene at some point (didn't Wigan have 100,000 members at one stage?). The best EVENT I've been to in the last few years was the Kent 25th Anniversary @ The Forum in London which was the nearest thing to a 70's event that I'd been to for years and was both packed out and obviously brilliant. What a night! The Rocket in Highbury could have been one of the ultimate All-Nighter venues for the future but unfortunately too many egos got in the way IMO. But what a venue! I think there's a potentially HUGE London audience for Northern Soul but it's really got to be pitched correctly. The current scene seems to me to be too far pitched towards the conneisseurs and collectors who are old men (like me) and carry 30 years of knowledge, opinions and baggage. It seems to me to be very much deteriorating into mates who want play their records to their mates, if you see what I mean........... Which isn't necessarily that sexy to a 17 year old soul fanatic who requires ACTION, BUZZ, INVIGORATING MUSIC TO DANCE TO and at least the POSSIBILITY that he or she might get laid LOL..... Which isn't always possible at the Wheeltappers and Shunters monthly rarity appreciation do, if you see what I mean. That James Trouble gig I went to in London the other week had the right idea. A great mix of people across the ages, great atmosphere, intelligent deejaying and SEXY! A good mix all round with old and new - Soul Sam was doing it for the London crowd and they loved him so age is obviously no barrier LOL.... I'm with the kids here. I want a BUZZ about a gig when I head out, not a live collector's forum - we can get that on here. There's a potential audience of 100's of 1000's of potential Soul Music fans out there who haven't been exposed to this music under the right conditions. And whilst it may rankle a few on here, they don't necessarily want RARE, they just want GREAT. And where did that FANTASTIC 1500 capacity audience from the first Rocket nighter go I ask myself? This gig was the only occasion when I got paid to not DJ LOL - a first for me. Apparently I didn't have everything on an original pressing and this gig was all about rare originals apparently, so I reluctantly went with the apparent concensus 'cos I just couldn't be arsed with the political arguing and manouvering. I then stood back and watched the whole thing fall on it's arse. It still rankles. And it was a massive shame. The 1500 punters wanted HIGH-OCTANE TOTAL ENTERTAINMENT and CLASSIC NORTHERN SOUL and they just didn't get it. I saw the same audience a few months later at a Gaz's Rockin' Blues gig - the atmosphere was magical, the buzz was in the air, the joint rocked and everyone left happy. A world of difference. I agree with the Football analogy earlier on this thread. This music was made to be HEARD by new ears and they should be hearing it under the best possible circumstances. Promoters should take note. Do you have a diverse crowd which spans the age group? Or a solid bunch of aging but quite vocal regulars? More soulful fun-loving youngsters really wouldn't be a bad thing would it? It'd be a nice burst of youthful energy onto the scene. Which is pretty much how it started in the first place isn't it? Ian D

Bloody Hell lads! No result yet? I had it down for a Malaco typa thang but that's not really my area. Bit of a mystery ay........? If I had the title it'd help but it hasn't really got an obvious one has it? There could be several potential titles...... Ian D

That's why you need a sexy Western Digital Passport 250g or 500g External Hard-Drive which'll easily fit in your shirt pocket! That'll back up your lappy and hold 100,000+ tunes if need be. Takes up less space than the 3 rooms which are currently holding Vinyl and CD's that's for sure LOL..... Ian D

Truer words were never spake! Spot on Neil. And the Perigents is filed just before those Oscar Perry tunes isn't it? Third row down towards the left........... Ian D

Haha LOL! That's what a weekend in Birmingham and a general lack of sleep will do mate! For me I like the choice option. I can almost never have enough choice. There's always that unique mind-blowing possibility if I could just choose any record I wanted. The sort of choice which would allow me to go from, say, Ernie K. Doe's "Here Come The Girls" to T. Connection's "Do What You Wanna Do" to Dillinger's "Cocaine In My Brain" to Eddie Kendricks' "Date With The Rain" for instance LOL.... Some people may argue that it could be too much choice LOL..... But with a few thousand Northern tunes I could do some damage. When was the last time anyone played Sterling McGee's "Keep On", the Perigents "Love's On A Rampage", Peaches & Herb's "I Need Your Love So Desperately" or The Fabulous Downbeats "Life Goes On" for instance? Would they even be in the box for a gig? God, there's TONS of stuff which is surely underplayed isn't there? A lot of the time it's 'cos the DJ doesn't have them with him or her because they only have the couple of hundred tunes which they know will be generally OK. But just imagine if you had massive knowledge and unlimited choice of what to play. Incidentaly Mark, drop me a PM - I'm doing an office clearout right now with TONS of stuff which I think is right up your street - lotsa Soulful Jazzy Housy typa stuff and yer welcome to cherry pick! Best, Ian D

Good point Sutty. And food for though ay? After singing the praises of the digital revolution, I've now seen a downside to it all after reading your post. I'm thinking of my Dad and his lack of technical patience - he's only just got comfortable with the CD format LOL! At least with a physical format you have it in your hands and it can't be dictated by a credit card, hard drive or a broadband connection can it? But we seem to be hurtling into an age in which physical products are being rapidly devalued and seem to be becoming almost obselete in many areas of life. Oh baby baby it's a wild world.......... Ian D

The possibilities are HUGE! This for someone like me is progress. I've got very eclectic tastes which go right across Northern, Modern, Disco, Funk, Motown, Modern, Jazz-Funk, Mellow, Boogie, 80's etc, etc, blah, blah, blah. Almost any type of music you can think of. I've got wide tastes..... To have my entire lifetime collection at my disposal in my shirt-pocket anywhere in the world at any given time, to me is just incredible. I no longer want to limit myself just by what I can physically carry. Also I want to paint from a massive canvass to the right audience. So that means I'd prefer to have my ENTIRE collection with me, so that when I get inspired I can go many different routes and play tunes which have never been heard before by much of the audience. I wrote an article about all this recently........ Manifesto___Northern_Soul_In_The_Digital_Age.doc I'm EMBRACING the possibilities that the digital age can offer! A godsend for me in terms of convenience and choice of music. Also, as Rob & Karen Whigley pointed out on another thread, this is the week when Woollies decided to discontinue CD singles. The world as we know it has changed massively in terms of music delivery and formats. Interesting times. Great thread! Ian D

"California Montage" - Young Holt Unlimited on Brunswick and available on "The Northern Soul Of Brunswick" CD. One of the all-time GREAT instrumentals! Ian D

Don't wanna be pedantic Matt, but the Aristocrats was on Warners and Mainstream and TSOP are both indies but all great records nonetheless........ Ian D

Well talking conspiracies, has anyone ever read the book "No 1 With A Bullet" by Elaine Jesmer? https://www.amazon.com/Number-Bullet-Novel-...r/dp/0374223475 "A black popular singer whose brother-in-law owns the company he records for, comes to a crossroads in his life and career. His marriage to his boss' sister is crumbling and in the concept-album oriented 70's, this former singles seller is fast becoming archaic. He is unable to get out of either contract neatly. Connections between this fictional singer and the real troubles between Marvin Gaye and Berry Gordy of Motown Records are easily seen. Sprinkled into the mix are thinly disguised portraits of Tammi Terrell and other Motown stars and a music-and-the-mob theme in which the control of the company is taken out of one family's hands and into the other "family's" hands, making it possible for the hero to exit his contract and sail happily into the sunset of the new singer-singwriter music scene. This book was bought by the movies, but never made, while "Dreamgirls" and "Sparkle" went on to explore similar material. An interesting read by an author whose insight and apparent good connections into the rhythm and blues music scene of the time gives the book significant credibility". "No 1 With A Bullet" was essentially removed from the shelves at the time apparently by Berry Gordy due to the fact that Elaine Jesmer was Marvin Gaye's west coast publicist and the story alluded to Tammi Terrell's death (or murder) and Berry Gordy considered it to be too contentious. He also apparently killed the film rights by doing a deal with Universal for "Lady Sings The Blues" and making sure that "No 1 With A Bullet" was shelved for good. How's that for a conspiracy? Ian D

It's all fascinating isn't it? I call it the eighth wonder of the world. Namely, how come the North of England developed an instaiable taste for the forgotten sounds of 60's obscure uptown soul. Betcha ass I'll write about it babes! I just love the fact that we're analysing it to the nth degree. It truly is a phenomenon and, as such, needs documenting IMO. I'm thankful that we have so many more resoiurces these days! Like this for instance. This thread is absolutely cream on the top for me. The beauty of Soul Source...... We should be so lucky......... Ian D

Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show with Ian Dewhirst & Alan Champ - Sunday 18th May 2008 on www.Starpointradio.com. To download the show simply hit the link below! Or for this and all archived shows please pay a visit to www.sixmillionsteps.com where you can get the last 4 weeks worth of all Six Million Steps produced shows. That's 16 hours of free music over the last 4 weeks alone! Plus, loads of new fully downloadable KILLER mixes in a variety of styles. 1st Hour Opening Mix:- Creative Source - Don't Be Afraid To Take My Love Cordial - Wave - Close Mix Hubert Laws - Chicago Theme (Love Loop) Change - The Glow Of Love Atlantic Starr - Circles Khemistry - Can You Feel My Love Crypton - All My Lifetime Sheila Dionn - Suddenly, Somewhere Earth, Wind & Fire feat Kenny G - I Like The Way You Move The General - Life In The Big City Passage - I See The Light B.O.F. - I've Got Your Number 2nd Hour The Mike Post Coalition - Afternoon Of The Rhino The Mylestones - The Joker Terrible Tom - We Were Made For Each Other The Coasters - Crazy Baby Vicki Nelson - Stoney Face Esther Phillips - Catch Me I'm Falling Eugene Smiley - It's You Girl Jan Jones - Independent Woman Ron Henderson & Choice Of Colour - Gemini Lady Jill Scott - I Gotta Get Up Brenda Russell - Piano In The Dark Janice McClain - Passion & Pain Manhattan Transfer - Spice Of Life Kleeer - Never Cry Again https://www.sixmillionsteps.com/6MS-2008-05-18-Starpoint.mp3 Best, Ian D

Haha LOL! You're right Tony - I never saw "Prayin'" as a two-step. Arnold Blair's "Trying To Get Next To You" is the one that springs to my mind. When I think of all the copies I left in the 70's it kills me now LOL...........It sounded horrendous back then but put it in another context and era it made perfect sense. Ian D

Oh yep, there's a few around which are usually beaten-up as they were early plays for most DJ's but I've only seen a couple of white promos in 25 years and never ever a sealed issue (which the scan is). OK, it ain't Northern and not really sexy on here but I think Chic were one of the most innovative groups ever, so nice items IMO... And I didn't know about the Ed Summers connection but WHAT A RECORD! Brilliant! And a brilliant use of the Joe Anderson backing track! Just found a clip on You Tube:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_2M9GAtENA Ian D

This is a fantastic thread for me Lisa, so thanks for kicking it off! I think a 'key' chart on some of the classics would make a lot of sense if anyone was prepared to undertake such an exercise. I know I'm drawn to weird changes and diminishing chords and other interesting tricks 'cos whenever I've had musicians analyse some of the songs I like, they'll say things like..."oh, they technically shouldn't have done that", "that's weird, you NEVER follow an E with a minor C" and "what the f*&k have they done there?" etc, etc. Some of 'em work and some of 'em don't - ever heard the out-of-key horns on Towanda Barnes for instance and her impossible pitching LOL (even though it's still a phenomenal record)? The above mentioned "I'm Gonna Change" and "The Night" (and even "Who Loves You" come to that), all have really interesting key changes and weird arrangements and I'm wondering if it's because The Four Seasons and Frankie Valli were highly focussed on vocal harmonics and their arrangers and producers could try out some innovative key changes and challenging arrangements? I'd also like to know the keys and chords used on Duke Browner's "Crying Over You" as well as many of the vintage Detroit string backed releases - Al Kent, San Remo Strings, John Rhys etc, etc.... And "Exus Trek" LOL! What the HELL was going there? Over the years I've always liked virtually anything with a great string arrangement and certainly stuff with challenging arrangements - Bobby Gentry's "Ode To Billy Joe" is a good pop example - what's the secret of that song's incredible arrangement in musical terms? Questions, questions. Please keep the analysis coming Catfish, Shorter Soul and Rachel. This could be the 'Guardian Section' of S.S. LOL.... Ian D

So what's the deal on "I'm Gonna Change" - The Four Seasons? There's some interesting stuff going on there isn't there.....? Ian D

Wow, nice to see such an eager market out there. Tell yer what, I'll do the Stanley Mitchell Dynamo reissue and the Tomangoes Washpan styrene boot for £100 the pair. How's that for a bargain? Doesn't surprise me though. I had a well-known collector here a few years ago who insisted on buying my Mel Britt boot despite me not wanting to sell it particularly. In the end he said he wouldn't leave without it and ended up paying £50 for it so I could get another one. Needless to say I've never managed to get another one, so maybe he wasn't so daft after all........ Ian D

Yeah baggy trousers and million-mile per hour dancing LOL! It'll never catch on....... Ian D

Morning Dave, Yep really slow on most but some lovely stuff when they do get round to it - Black Ivory, Melba Moore, Papa John Creach etc, etc, plus that Canadian 12" Walter Gibbons mix of Gladys Knight's "It's Better Than A Good Time" is something else and RARE! Circa £500 at the moment I think...... However, maybe not quite as rare as these:- Withdrawn immediately as the record was signed to Atlantic but not before a couple got out....... Ian D