Amsterdam Russ

Great, but I'd have to get one first!

Thanks for that...

Wanted: Faye Adams - The Hammer - Herald. Minimum condition VG+, preferably better. PM's please.

The song was written in support of the then presidential candidate Jimmy Carter. He was elected to the White House in 1976. The label of the Bareback release gives a year of 1977, when Carter was already in office, so I would be inclined to believe that the APO release came first. Also, I'm presuming that the name APO is contrived from the initials and letters of one of the songwriters, Art Polhemus (although I'm aware that as an acronym APO stands for Army Post Office!).

I think it would be a marvellous idea (although I suspect you would be better served by asking the question in a fresh post).

An excellent soul travelogue. Looking forward to the second instalment.

Parka was her husband's label. Isn't there a third release as well - on Expo?

It's not so much that it's a sore point, Leeham, it's more a reflection of the undefined nature of 'Northern Soul' scene as a whole. There are and never will be any clear cut definitions of what 'Northern Soul' is (or any supposed genres or sub genres associated with it and everyone has a unique point of view). My own definition of 'crossover' is very simple: to me it's just soul music that 'crosses over' decades, styles or genres. Soul recorded in the 60s that has a feel of the 70s to it, for example. Or early 70s recordings that sound as if they might have been recorded in the late 60s, but you just can't be sure which side of the 60s/70s divide it comes from. The thing is, when referring to Northern Soul, people often use the terms 60s and 70s as if they were clearly defined and entirely separate musical forms. Of course, the reality is completely different. When the clock ticked from 1969 to 1970, the musical styles of the old decade did not just stop. On the 1st of January 1970, musicians didn't just say "Hey, we better stop with that old 60s shit and start playing 70s now." On the contrary, many aspects prominent in 70s soul can first be heard in the recordings of the late 60s. Music evolves & styles evolve, but it happens more slowly than people sometimes realise. Styles and influences cross over - from one record label to another; from one year to the next; from one city to another; from one decade to the next. To me that's true 'crossover'. Relative to the 'Northern Soul' scene, the term applies more specifically to the blending late 60s and early 70s styles and flavours. And that is all... Note: the opinions expressed here are merely those of the poster and should not be taken as binding, conclusive or legal in any way. If in doubt, consult a qualified Northern Soul expert. No, on the other hand, don't. It's far better to make up your own mind.

As you say Kev, I'm perfectly entitled to my opinion. Neither are great, but both are definitely grating.

A very good write-up, Dave. I have to say it really was a top night. Quality tunes all round and a crowd that lapped it all up. As one of the 'expats on a bicycle', I have to tell you that the first leg of the 16 mile round trip was a rather foggy experience. On the way back home however, and cycling through the woods of Amsterdam at 4:30 in the morning, the fog was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Visibility was down to about 10-20 metres. Mind you, the ride back home is always an experience after a good few beers! From what you say, it's apparent that you really enjoyed it 'over here'. That's great, as we're already lobbying Jos to bring you back again soon. The punters demand it!

Agreed, Mark. Horses for courses. We can't all like the same things. But at least now you've managed to get rid of it

Dreadful earache of a record.Thought it was so bad I gave my copy away to a mate. It's almost as painful to listen to as The Emotions "I can't stand no more heartaches"/"You better get pushed to it" on Brainstorm!

And similar views from a Ceroc forum here... https://forum.cerocscotland.com/showthread.php?16151-Talc-or-No-Talc

Who says they have to be leather? I don't like leather soles for dancing and have been wearing smooth, resin-soled and slip-on shoes for years. Thing is, even these are increasingly hard to find nowadays because of the fashion for chunky tread soles.

That clears that one up then - thanks both

If that was aimed at me - sorry, but I was actually taking the piss!

It might seem ok to just use a little bit on dance floors, but the problem is that talc doesn't stay in one place. Put a little down and soon the immediate area around the initial dose is contaminated with it. This brings it into contact with more people who then become unwitting carriers, thus enabling it to spread virus-like over the whole floor! One person's talc soon becomes everyone else's unwanted problem. If you were out running for the sake of fitness and experienced problems with feet, legs or knees, the first thing you would look at is getting a new pair of trainers. After that you'd look at the way you run and consider altering your technique. Sure, many dance floors can be tough on the legs and knees, especially ageing ones. Ever though of changing your dance steps or adapting your footwork instead of shuffling around in a patch of white powder?

Is it known whether this track was written with 'Long Tall Lean Larry Dean' in mind?

There is also a fourth in the series - "The American Folk Blues Festival - The British Tours 1963-1966".

Talk about taking the name of the 'Lord' in vain! In just a few short skips we go from 'He who must not be mentioned' to Popeye (my fault admittedly) and then plummet headlong into a vat of yams, olives, bread and prunes (oh, and a fox and a goose)! Bet you're glad you started this one now, Pete!

Having read a couple of books about the supposed Bible Code some years ago, I'm happy to smugly admit I knew that. According to Jewish lore, the letters actually mean "I will be" and/or "I am that I am". Interestingly, one of Popeye's catchphrases was "I yam what I yam". His creators were Jewish and I've wondered before now if the words they chose to put in Popeye's mouth were chosen knowingly...

Great tune - "Come to yourself" Not quite sure what to make of the Emidisc. To the best of my knowledge this wasn't released as a UK 45 (or was it?). Maybe though, someone went to the trouble of having this carved for home/dj use when Emidiscs were commonly used for such purposes. The sound quality on both sides is as loud and clear as the US release, which is easy find and so hardly worth carving.

Using Photoshop to play around with labels scans, you soon realise that quite often they are not perfectly circular. So, I wouldn't necessarily take their lack of perfect form as an indication of authenticity or not.