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Conniseures Weekender Spring 2004
Competition Aint Nothing at Bar Italia Scooter Club All-dayer
However, turning the street corner at 11:55 Sunday morning left me in no doubt I was at the right place. Patch was looking more Patrick Swayze than traffic warden, shuffling road cones in an arabesque fashion as one side of the street was cordoned off (legitimately, I may add!) for 14 hours of free scooter parking.
Having experienced my fair share of promoting all-dayers, I expected to walk into at least a bit of chaos … no DJs, sound system playing up etc … but Al, Patch and Paul had been there since day break working their magic so everything was bang on schedule with the doors opening at midday.
If you’ve never checked it out before, the smooth concrete floors, steel girders and ‘corrugated’ MDF interior make Herbal one of the freshest venue's around. And thus, this was a perfect choice for Bar Italia Scooter Club’s first all-dayer.
The infusion of the day was a fine blend of scooters and all things soulful. Music was given a kick-start in the upstairs room by Kev Moore and downstairs by Mr Mischief.
Trickster and Estu, in fine style, were first up on the floor …much to the bewildered looks from the bar staff who didn’t have a clue what “all the white stuff” was covering the floor. Like all good Sundays, the pace was slow to start off with, but by late afternoon (according to Andy’s deluxe clicker) the number through the door passed the 100 mark. Eddie did the BISC proud in the promotions department, wearing down good shoe leather luring in people out for a sunday stroll in Shoreditch.
Although a precedent for 6Ts northern was set, the promoters worked hard to make this dayer unique – scattering a generous handful of ska, reggae, funk and modern into the proceedings.
The customers were definitely kept satisfied - with a great mix of DJs from across the board including Colin G, Frankie, Jean-Paul Séculare, Keb Darge, Kev Moore, Mr Mischief, Paul St John, Stephane Yver, Tef, Tim Finch, Tony Smith and Trafford.
Besides the BISC themselves, scooter clubs lending their support included Chelmsford, Mr.Men, Maidenhead, Solos and the CC Riders. From a scooterist’s point of view, there are two great advantages to this venue. Firstly, the secure scooter parking directly across the road and, if the bouncers keeping a watchful eye over the bikes didn’t reassure you enough, secondly the fact you could sit comfortably and get a perfect view of your scooter all day long, through the window that makes up one entire wall of the upstair’s room. Thankfully no one found that necessary, mind!
The day brought together an eclectic mix of people, not only scooterists, and as a mod that spends most of her time on the northern soul scene it was refreshing to see so many young people there (or that could have just been a trick of the atmospheric lighting!).
With an attendance of over 250 people come 1am, both floors were packed and the atmosphere was sparkling. With one hour left, a difficult decision had to be made – which room to spend it in. In the ‘loft’, Mr Séculare handed the decks over to Keb one last time, closing the night with a nice smelting of funk and northern. For those demanding grittier soul, Tony Smith was on board to bring the night to a hand-clapping close downstairs.
My only complaint is that the 14 hours went far too quickly but hey, the girl can’t have everything.
View the Bar Italia Scooter Club All-dayer PHOTO ALBUM
Some of the DJs have kindly provided a their playlists below. The records are listed in no apparent order and as each DJ played at least a couple of one hour sets each, I’ve only listed a small selection from each playlist.
DJ Playlists:
Jean – Paul
Maureen – Roy Richards, Baba Brooks & His Recording Band (Gay Feet)
Man Alone – The Deacons (Doctor Bird)
Gun Fever – Baba Brooks (Treasure Isle)
One Note Samba – Blossom Dearie (Fontana)
Run To You – Miss Lavell (Duke)
Running Back And Forth – Edwin Starr (Gordy)
West Indies Ska – Lester Lanin (Philips)
I'm Coming Through – Sounds Incorporated (Columbia)
The Queen – Big Ella (Rush)
Think It Over – B. B. King (Bluesway)
(I Wonder Why) Nobody Loves Me – Billy Eckstine (Motown)
Put It On – The Wailers (Island)
Come Back Baby – Deon Jackson (Atlantic)
King Of Kings – Ezz Reco (Columbia)
Since You’ve Been Gone – Roosevelt Grier (Rik)
I'm Gonna Use What I Got To Get What I Need – The Explosive (President)
Madness – Prince Buster (Blue Beat)
Dumplins – Byron Lee (Blue Beat)
Quicksand – Martha Reeves & The Vandellas (Tamla Motown)
Check Yourself – Gene Chandler (Vee Jay)
One Man Went To Mow – Sugar and Dandy (Carnival)
I'm The Man – The Dynamics (Big Top)
Am I The Same Girl – Dusty Springfield (Philips)
Carcare – Nara (Philips)
One Night Affair – The O'Jays (Neptune)
Paul St John
Darrow Fletcher – The pain gets a little deeper
Brenda Holloway – Starting the hurt all over again
Lovelites – My conscience
The Exceptional Three – Unlucky girl
Johnny Bartell – If this isn’t love
Soul – Teasers – On a hot summer day in the big city
Jean DuShon – As I watch you walk away
Frankie Valli – You ready now
Jackie Wilson – A lovely way to die
Linda Lewis – You turned my bitter into sweet
Mr Mischief
Somebody I Know – Wales Wallace (BRC)
Sister James – Nino Tempo (A&M)
Who Wouldn't Love A Man Like That (Mable John – Tamla)
Keep On Keeping On – Ruby Johnson (Volt)
Come A Little Closer – Romance Wallace (Coral)
While It Lasted – Little Ester (Lenox)
River Of Tears – Barbara Banks (Veep)
Haunted – Azie Mortimer (Number One)
If This Is Love – The Precisions (Drew)
You Busted My Mind – Judy Clay (Septer)
Tony Smith
Forris Woods – Stoned On Love (Abbott)
Darrow Fletcher – What Have I Got Now (Jacklyn)
California Rock Choir – Whoever You Are (Cyclone)
Ray Agee – I'm Losing Again (Soultown)
Tamala Lewis – You Wont Say Nothing (Marton)
Little Stanley – Out Of Sight Lovin' (Vance)
Darrell Banks – I've Got That Feeling (Atco)
Charlie Rich – Don't Tear Me Down (Hi)
Andrea Henry – I Need You Like A Baby (MGM)
Bob & Fred – I'll Be On My Way (Big Mack)
Err.. and Keb was too happy on life to remember anything.
More playlists to follow.
FURTHER PLAYLISTS FROM THE ALL-DAYER:-
Tim Finch
Drums of Fu Man Chu - Rolando Al (Studio One)
Dr. Ring Ding - Rolando Al (Studio One)
Special Event - Baba Brooks (Treasure Isle)
Country Town - Baba Brooks (Duchess)
Ska Jerk - Wailers (Studio One)
Dancing Mood - Delroy Wilson (All Stars)
Love Kiss Blue - Johnny Moore (Matador)
It's You I Love - Techniques (Treasure Isle)
Race Track - Soul Vendors(Studio One)
Queen of the Minstrel - Eternals(Studio One)
Stephane Yver
FIRST SET
The Squires Don't Accuse Me GEE
The Ascots Anytime MIR-A-DON
Gil Blanding Rules READY
Village Sound These Windows ONYX
The Adventurers Easy Baby COMPASS
The Ringleaders Baby, What Has Happened To Our Love M-PAC
The Ideals The Mighty Lover BOO-GA-LOO
David And Ruben (I Love Her So Much) It Hurts Me WARNER BROS
The Magnificents My Heart Is Calling DEE GEE
Sunlover's You'll never Make The Grade MUTT & JEFF
The Four Sonics Easier Said Than Done SPORT
Jimmy Gilford Nobody Loves Me Like My Baby THELMA
Little Carl Carlton Bad For Each Other BACKBEAT
The Epitome Of Sound You Don't Love Me SANDBAG
Doni Burdick I Have Faith In You SIR
Dusty Wilson Can't Do Without You BRONSE
Wade Flemons Jeanette RAMSEL
Lavern Baker Wrapped, Tied And Tangled BRUNSWICK
Susan Coleman The Age Of The Wolf REMMIX
The Tempos (Countdown) Here I Come CANTERBURY
The New Wanderers This Man In Love READY
Frank Beverly & The Butlers If That's What You Wanted SASSY
Linda Queen I Feel The Pain ROD
Rufus Wonder & The Additions Under The Moon LENDO
Johnny Robinson Gone But Not Forgotten OKEH
The Trends Thanks For A Little Lovin'ABC
The Invincibles Wonders Of Love CIRAY
The Pentagons Gonna Wait For You SUTTER
SECOND SET
Eddie Foster Closer Together OCAMPO
Jo Ann Garrett A Whole New Plan CHESS
The O'Jays I'll Never Forget You IMPERIAL
Sam Fletcher I'd Think It Over TOLLIE
The Blue Jays (It Depends On The) Point Of View JAY
The Velvet's Lovin-On Borrowed Time NUMBER ONE
The People's Choice Savin' My Lovin' For You PALMER
Herb Ward Strange Change ARGO
The Masqueraders How LA BEAT
Clifford Curry Ain't No Danger ELF
Ivorys Please Stay DESPENZA
Christine Cooper Heartaches Away My Boy PARKWAY
Marion Stewart I Must Be Losing You R
The Sheppards Stubborn Heart MIRWOOD
Dena Barnes If You Ever Walk Out Of My Life INFERNO
Patti Young Head And Shoulders (Above The Rest) ERNSTRAT
Poets I've Got Two Hearts SYMBOL
The Cavaliers Hold To My Baby RCA VICTOR
Ritchie Adams I Can't Escape From You Congress
Ollie Jackson The Day My Heart Stood Still MAGNUM
Ann Heywood Crook His Little Finger HONDO
Ruby Feminine Ingenuity GOLD TOKEN
Ray Marchand Your Ship Of Fools DORE
The Chandlers Your Love Makes Me Lonely COLSOUL
Jimmy "soul" Clark (I'll Be Your Champion) I'll Be Your Winner SOULHAWK
And a finally playlist which came through today:-
Trafford
1. latin strut-joe bataan
2. we got more soul-dyke and the blazers
3. another star-stevie wonder
4. red light spells danger-billy ocean
5. groovin with Mr bloe-Mr bloe
6. low rider-war
7. brazilian love affair-george duke
8. hercules-aaron neville
9. you can get it if you realy want-jimmy clif
10. that lady-isley brothers
*in no special order just the ones in Trafford's box he remember people liked..,.
Notes
1.The Bar Italia Scooter Club meet every Sunday, 6pm at Bar Italia, Frith Street, Soho, London W1 with full club meetings the last Sunday in the month. All Geared Scoots welcome
2.The next BISC all-dayer will be held on 23rd November 2003. For details on all future events, and to subscribe to the BISC e-mailing list, contact Paul at...
Southern Soul Movement - This Saturday - a new regular event
Sat 09 Aug Last Ever Yorkshire Riders Halifax Soul Nite
K Roberts Radio Top Ten and krl news
Last night at the Plinston
Thanks again for a great welcome and a great night.
We will be back for the Anniversary.
Hope that all who received the Soulgate video enjoyed watching it, as i had a great time filming them.
As for neil calling Tony the Honey MOnster(cheeky git) he,s been called alot worst.
Keep smiling through the pain
Jackie and Tony Wildmanxxxxxxxxxxxx :-D :-
This Thing Of Ours 2003 Photos up
Up in the Gallery good quality and well worth a look
Barry White RIP
The singer died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, at around 2pm British time yesterday, said his manager, Ned Shankman. White had suffered kidney failure from years of high blood pressure.
http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/entertainment.cfm?id=732662003]Scotsman report
Own personal view on Barry White, while more famous for his 70s classics, that to me have quietly stood the test of time. His contribution to Soul Music is much greater. Only in recent years have been aware of just what things in the 1960s he was involved with. From record labels, 45s under his own and assumed names and much more. Will post up more 60s info later hopefully as am sure the rest of the media will concetrate on his 70s onwards stuff.
If are aware of worthwhile resources or have any info, sure be of interest if you posted up
New Releases for JULY 2003 from Ace Records
New Releases for JULY 2003 from Ace Records
FUNK SOUL SISTERS - CDBGPD 154 (Also on vinyl BGP2 154)
There is sometimes an element of giggling and laughing involved in putting together an Ace compilation. Not condescending or rude laughter, but more the sort that you get when you are young and Santa Claus has been with a large pile of presents. Its an uncontrollable urge forced onto you by the sheer joy of being given so much good music to play with.
CLASS&RENDEZVOUS VOCAL GROUPS - CDCHD 892
Aces tour de force of vocal group compilations from West Coast labels continues and now the spotlight is turned on the Class&Rendevous marques. The Class label was started by Leon RenÃÆ’© in 1951 and ran for some fifteen years, with its associated Rendezvous logo appearing in 1958. Leons son Rafael-Leon (nicknamed Googie) was a major force at the labels, doing both A&R work and appearing as an artist.
DION / Inside Job + Its Only Jesus - CDCHD 895
Theres a picture in his autobiography The Wanderer of a young Dion hanging out in shades on the corner of Crotona and 183rd Street. It is captioned "Here I am looking cool..." and it serves as a reminder of the Bronx neighbourhood that formed the backdrop to his early success in 1958. It was an area of gangs and posing where image mattered, and it was hardly surprising that the sudden huge hit I Wonder Why took Dion&the Belmonts to fame and fortune way beyond what the hood could offer
JIMMY WITHERSPOON / Sings The Blues Sessions - CDCHD 896
In case you hadnt noticed, Ace has been getting thoroughly stuck into its owned repertoire of late. Our extensive-bordering-on-exhaustive campaign to digitise every important RPM/Kent recording by B.B. King is well under way, the still-relatively new 10 inch series is coming on nicely and the long-awaited Modern Downhome series has been garnering all the critical plaudits it obviously merits. Next month will see the first volume proper in our "Central Avenue Scene" series, which will initially draw its repertoire from Jake Porters Combo imprint and eventually spread out to incorporate Modern and Recorded In Hollywood/Cash/Money recordings. And as well as all this, were also about to give the Ace treatment to the Modern and Kent recordings of another acclaimed blues legend who fully deserves it, the great Jimmy Witherspoon.
THE DIAL RECORDS SOUTHERN SOUL STORY - CDKEN2 223
There were two entirely different US indie record companies named Dial, both most often remembered for one major artist apiece. The first, owned by Ross Russell, operated from 1945 to the early 50s, initially out of Los Angeles, latterly New York City, and is renowned for its recordings of the colossus of bebop sax artistry, Charlie Parker, who Russell managed for a while. The second, owned by William "Buddy" Killen, operated between 1961 to the early 80s from Nashville and is most famous for its recordings of one of the most original and successful southern soul singers of the era, Joe Tex. Killen was Texs mentor from the early chitlin circuit days and on to international stardom. The subject of this 51-track double CD, authoritatively annotated and compiled by John Broven and John Ridley is Buddy Killens Dial Records.
IN PERFECT HARMONY / Sweet Soul Groups 1968-77 - CDKEND 219
Group soul harmony has been dear to the hearts of soul fans and collectors for more than three decades now and, for almost as long as there has been such a thing, has been a prominent feature of the Ace catalogue. Down the years we have featured - and continue to feature - wonderful single-CD sets devoted to the Manhattans, Mad Lads, Impressions, Chi-Lites, Detroit Emeralds, Delfonics and many others who, for those of us who are aficionados, are pretty much the be-all and end-all of sweet soul harmony.
FATBACK / Remixed - CDSEWD 139 (Also on vinyl SEW2 139)
Its not often that Tony Rounce and myself are taken back to our younger days, just over a decade ago, when DJ chart returns, what was played on KISS, or Choice, or, God forbid in Ibiza, was a central part of our lives. Banging tunes have these days taken a back seat in our lives as we discuss for days on end whether Cropper or Young is the better guitarist (an honourable draw), or if the window in the office should be left open or closed (that one might yet come to blows). But, suddenly, we are back in that world thanks to the wonderful, influential and often sampled music of Fatback.
THE COUNT FIVE / Psychotic Revelation - CDWIKD 230
San Jose, California, 1964. Local rocknroll band the Squires has the good fortune of hooking up with Irish native John "Sean" Byrne, fresh from playing with Dublin beat group, the Scorpions. Though Byrne has written a song that the group, now renamed Count Five, completely believes in, it is to be rejected over the course of the next couple of years by several record labels, including Capitol and Fantasy.
SOUL IN SPAIN Hot Soul in Spain 02 Nov
DMSC Soul At The Social at Bangor This Friday
A regular event held monthly at Bangor Citys social club run by Johnny J and offering a nite of all styles good time northern, missed last months one (first one missed in two years) but been told it was a cracker with a larger turnout inc many travellers.
Guests this time are
Chico and Karl Rhodes
along with regulars Johnny J and meself
should be a good one
know I always enjoy them, £3 in 8 - late, all styles northern on offer
100 Club - Mick H Playlists 28 Jul 03
Here you go:
set one johnny honnycutt im coming on over -triode
the videls-aint gonna do you no good- capricorn
johnny rogers-make a change -amon
cautions-no other way- shrine
appointments-i saw you there- de-lite
damon fox-packen up - fairmount
youngbrothers -whats your game- soulpower
anthony &delsonics -everytime-emerge
devotions -do do da da -nation
nurons -all of my life - nu-ron
set two
camaros -were not to young -darcha
passions -if you see my baby -elvirtrue &satilite
monique - if you love me -maurci
sensations-demanding man -way out
walter & admirations -man o man -la-cindy
shaddows -pretty baby- cover up
winfeild parker -i love you just the same-ru-jac
soundmasters-lonely lonely - julet
proffesionals-thats why i love you -grove city
jackie day -naughty boy-pheletron
trannells-blessed with a love-flo-jo
homer banks-swettie pie-genie
eric mercury-lonely girl -sac
springers -nothings to good for my baby-whale
four tracks like my love for you-mandingo
aspirations -you left me-peeches
al williams -i am nothing -palmer
al scot -what happend to yesterday-genuine
grand prix -i see her pretty face -big mack
imperial cs -someone tel her-phil-a-soul
buddy smith -when you lose the one you love -brute
Plinston Hall Anniversary 5th September + Soulgate thanks
SOULGATE N14 OH HAPPY DAY - THE REVIEW
Jane and I arrived at the ‘Rising Sun’ for 11.30am to be greeted by the collective mugging of the rest of Letchworth’s 6T’s Mafia, bedecked in the memorial T-shirts, and more than a little banter of a very dubious nature!
12pm and the doors opened and Trickster and his new lovely wife, Etsu graced the decks for the first set, spinning some stomping Northern monsters from across the eras. The standard had been set with a cracking start. Many of us were quite concerned about Tricksters memory problem. He obviously has one as he can’t seem to remember who he is and what he looks like, judging by the number of flyers, stickers and magazines that adorned his record box with his face and fine dancing moves plastered all over it!!!!!!! Remember if you see him, remind him who he is as he may be a little confused. ? From here on the numbers started to rise and the DJ’s began to gather (although as usual it was the normal scrum, fighting for prime times etc). The list of DJ’s for the early sessions up to 8pm included the lovely Jo Wallace (who spun a great West Hampstead memories set that saw me trying for my first cardiac arrest of the day); Ivor Jones, Steve Gaunori, Teff, Buey (a man with mad facial hair and an even madder sense of dancing style), Mike Ritson amongst others. (apologises for anyone I’ve left out but my youngest has chewed the list!)
The sets ranged from classic 6T’s to current Modern Soul movers that kept the crowd shuffling away throughout the day. This being Soulgate there was a fantastic atmosphere as usual with the accent not only on the quality soul being spun but also on the social side, with many new friendships being forged and many old ones being saluted over many many MANY drinks at the packed bar (can someone tell my wife Jane as she can’t remember a thing past 3pm-hmmmmm). This to me is one of the reasons why Randys alldayers have always been a ‘Must’ on the London calendar. He never lost sight of the fact that ‘This Thing Of Ours’ should be about, not only great music, but also having fun with great mates and building what can only be described as a ‘Soulful Family’.
Those that attend will understand completely what I mean, those that have never been can only imagine what it is like to be stood in the middle of a jam packed room, singing at the top of your lungs to Annette Snell, Teddy Pendergrass or the Soul Brothers Six ‘I’ll Be Loving You’ (all Southgate anthems), arm in arm with people who before this day were complete strangers to you but who now, at this time and in this place, were your brothers and sisters. This is the magic of Soulgate, this is Randy’s legacy. The sun shone all day and the numbers started to get bigger by 5pm.
A special mention to Paul from Dublin who made the journey for the event and who came up to the decks to express just how good he thought it was. Top bunny. Many people chose to sit outside, watching the world go by to a soundtrack supplied by some of Detroit’s, Philadelphia’s and New York’s finest. The atmosphere was building and many commented that they felt the evening was going to be one to remember. The shout of ‘Free Food’s Up!!’ put that anticipation on hold as the need for nourishment of an unsoulful kind took over. The raffle tickets were going fast and many a loving look was passed over the table stacked full of prizes and auction items donated by Richard Searling, Dave Rimmer, Bee Cool Publishing, Keith Hammond, KRL Promotions, Dave Godin, Scenesvile, Drunken Monkey, Kolla, Ady Croasdell and both myself and Taffy. (Our eternal thanks and gratitude to you all for your support.)
The evening came and saw the Rising Sun packed to the rafters with an atmosphere to die for. Mick Smith, Roger Stewart, Ion The Greek (not Colin The Greek as Seabrook called him), Tony Smith and Terry Jones all had the honour of getting the crowd moving and boy did they do a great job! Stomping Soul mixed with upfront Modern and a generous dollop of West Hampstead Rhythm ‘n’ Soul, Deep Soul and mid-tempo gems that Randy had introduced to the scene first (including Bobby Kline, Soul Brothers 6, Jerry Ganey, Theola Kilgore, Lou Johnson…the list is endless.) I admit that there were more than a few of us with tears in our eyes when these were being played. Terry’s set was fantastic and there were many comments saying the same. Top man-top set!
The raffle draw took place at 9pm with yours truly behind the mike and being heckled at every stage by not only the bunch of reprobate girlies down the front (hi ladies) but also my wife! Taffy, who was still able to stand upright at this stage quite surprisingly, did his best to keep things moving along but kept getting engaged in deep chat with just about every winner — Muppet! Next was the auction and Taffy took over for this. I feel that he may not have quite grasped the job description of what is required for an auctioneer as on the very first item, the rather wonderful James Brown Rubber Duck (I kid you not!!!) donated by me and that he said wouldn’t raise 10p, we had an opening bid of £5 on. Taffy’s jaw dropped as he uttered those memorable words ‘WHAT! For this piece of shit!!!!???’ His jaw was positively Bob Cratchett like when the final price of £26 was reached. I of course gloated at every opportunity at my superior ability to know what will raise money and what will not. (Note: It transpires that the lady who won was actually using a friend’s wallet and money that had fallen asleep I believe. Top woman!)
The other items included a set of Stax UK picture cards that went for £55, signed copies of Casino’ (by Maxine Brown & Dean Parrish) and Dennis Coffey’s book (signed by him obviously — DOH!) £50, a James Brown doll that was donated by Darcy I think and who won it back in the raffle and then asked for it to be auctioned off that raised £55, a picture of Ady looking more dodgy than usual that Kolla paid £30 for and our star item….Dave Godin’s own copy of the ‘Greetings to the UK Motown Appreciation Society..’ 45, complete with Dave’s ‘The Detroit Report’ booklet that raised £150. However, I feel I should point out here that Toby was winning the bids at £120 but sadly was outbid by someone else in the room at £150. His face dropped, his heart sank, a tear made it’s lonely way down his ashen cheek….but not as much as it did 30 seconds later when he realised that the person who had outbid him was none other than his wife who hadn’t realised he was the winning bidder at that stage when she placed her bid on his behalf! There are some things that money can’t buy — for everything else there is Toby’s missus. Priceless. I have to say the whole auction was a good laugh and everyone there entered into the spirit of the event. Even Ian Seabrook who was happily bidding on a few items and who it was pointed out over the mike was obviously there without his wife Kay as he was bidding quite openly and without a hint of fear that we have come to associate with him when out with the lovely Mrs Seabrook.
It was then a return to the music right up to the close. Mick Smith and Roger Stewart did the honours playing a mainly West Hampstead memories set mixed with 100 Club toons that really set the seal on what had been an already fantastic night up to then. The place was dripping sweat and every available space was utilised for dancing, including the wall outside (and I hope someone got a photo of the little girl and her dad giving it some soulful welly on it.) Taff and I were doing the last hour but sadly the Noise Police moved in at 12.15am and shut us down an hour early, allowing us only the chance to spin Flame N King ‘Oh Happy Day’, Ann Sexton’s ‘You’ve Been Gone Too Long’ and the Tyrell Corporation’s ‘6,O, Clock’. Then it was all over, the end of an era and the close of what had been a very emotional day for everyone.
Over £1400 had been raised (with Johnny T and all at the Valatone adding another £400+ the following day from their door sales that night) and the end saw many hugs and emotional goodbyes. I think all that were there would agree that it was a memorable day and a fitting farewell to one of London’s TOP Faces. The scene is never going to be the same again and he will be missed by all his friends but we know that somewhere out there, at a dancehall ‘up there’, he’s stood at the bar, tape in hand, complete with his usual comments on each track, waiting for us to arrive and kick of his latest event: Soul(heaven)gate. You know it! God bless you mate. Your gonna be missed more than words can say. TheBigO - Best line of the day has to go to Jon Buck commenting on our money raising ideas: Oi! Having heard you were holding a raffle, auction, collection and charity T-shirts and posters I was half expecting to see a Northern Soul Charity Car Wash being held outside the pub!!!! If only we’d have thought of that sooner!
Embarrassing moment (Jesus there were loads throughout the day so I’ll go with mine): Me running up to Mick on the decks and raving over the Motown record he just played that sounded absolutely brilliant, obviously some rare acetate he’d just got from Mr Anderson in Kings Lynn I was thinking. Then having to suffer Mick’s gloating grin under that ‘Saddam’ tash of his as he gleefully pointed out it was ‘Anit no mountain high enough’ by Marvin & Tammi — a record that I own just to compound my misery! SHAME! SHAME! OH THE SHAMEEEEEEEEEEE!
The Big O (Neil O)
Weekend View Jun 2003 100 Club and This Thing Of Ours
A rushed view on weekend, 8.10am on a Saturday and got out of door only 10 mins late, picked up Ritchie and Ann, no sign of Dick John ( found out later hadnt finished Friday nite off yet) and set off. Was going to be a special one, the alldayer "This Thing Of Ours" due to the recent sad news, being a "Celebration of Randys Life and Music" and along with the 100 Club being on after as well it was one of those must gos. As Ritchie was making a return to scene of some of his past going ons, involving tales of vinyl, shoeshops and all-sorts, and for me a first visit to that far off capitol since last year it seemed was going to be a break from the old routine. As always things got off to a good start, set off , 1 hour later was back in Llandudno doing a quick car swap. Dont ask.
Unexpectedly the rest of journey went fine, got down there quick found pub first time. Settled down for 10 hours of all-dayer, just a quick brief bit as more posted on site. Lots of catch ups, meet ups, and good to meet at lasts was going on, especially all the "online" lot who use this site. Outside the event was creeping into the high street, the southern sun was fierce (for us from more temperate climes), the beer flowed and the event was kicking.
By now right old atmosphere was going, the dancefloor inside was busy, pub packed and a constant stream of djs kept music flowing, and as beer was flowing, was most enjoyable. By now after over 8 hours of the event things were just a bit hazy, our plans to get to 100 club swung in and was time to nip down to 100. As said in other post, many thanks go out to all who were involved with this event, with the sad news of Randy departure in everyone's mind, the way event went was a credit to all involved. Thanks After the dayer it was a quick jump to central London, quick as could be if take into accounts our tour of east London, all due to a forced police detour leaving us at mercy of inner London traffic signs.
All we wanted was a sign saying London central, instead the whole city was against us, we ended up in all sorts of places, dead ends in inner London estates. Was just one of them nights, even taxi drivers and garage blokes were at it, giving us wrong directions. Eventually and I mean eventually ended up round the back of 100 parking. Been a fair while since last visit to 100 club, and have to say as soon as walking thru door realised what had been missing. Straight away could pick up that buzz. Down stairs and place was packed, quick look round and after getting over shook of first no Dave Rimmer in place (did they trade him in for air conditioning) then Johnny T greeting me in a very frightening way! Though first passed on good news that a great big wad of cash took from the Valatone event was passed on to the fund. Nice one. Had a quick stop and take it all in and it felt good.
Bumped into fellow Llandudno renegade Christian and also Dick john had made it after all. Guest djs on nite were Mick H, Marco S and Neil Jones, with regs Butch. Mick Smith and of course Ady himself. Think right in saying nite was split up into 30 min sets, Great stuff from Mick H, stuff like Imp Cs Nu-Rons Camaros etc Mick said will pass on full playlist later, Marco S started one sets off with announcement no r n b, no x-over , just stompers and did just that with great set, Neil Jones think pushed out 3 sets, never been to his Bury event so dont know how typical it was but many popular sounds being pushed out. The regs pushed out great stuff, Butch dished out likes of the always so good to hear cover up Eric Lomax, the sounds better and better each time, great Jean Carter I Want to Know, Mellow Souls, Ritchie Adams Flashback and so on
A first hear for me other version of Emanuel Laskys 1975 Dt 45 " Id rather leave on my feet (than on my knees) did get full info on 45 from him, but names gone west stuff think is 100% , its on DT as well, but only 2 copies, anyone fill in artist info or background. Mick Smith and Ady pushed out some great stuff as well, but as think hit a wall at the 20 hour mark so all details unlocked at moment As said well busy with large crowd, the air-conditioning certainly seemed to make a big difference, though not sure if on 100% of the nite as later on just could have been me getting hotter with ac saving me from full meltdown.
Always surprises me at times just how, who and how often you bump into people, loads had caried on from the dayer event, but also bumped into many from all over uk at places get to odds: few things running round in head, maybe of interest Were not too young - Mick H played Camaros one - know of 3 versions of this all Jackie Beavers related - Karen Stirland? 150 quidish and not very good imo, Jackie Beavers one and of course the Camaros one, sure once heard yet another version female group more uptempo, anyone ? Mick H (who run into recently more often than me own family) passed on that the next Union Club is a Stafford flavoured nite
Have a present passed on from Claire for Kates birthday who lives around Paul O way, if anyone meeting up with either and could pass it on please let us know, so she can get it soonest. Come 7 ish time to get home, as now at 23 hr mark it seemed a good idea. Easy journey back and was back to Llandudno.
Verdict on it all, in past the cost, time it takes and so on have meant journeys down been bit limited, often fall victim to the easy option when faced with a choice of a 5/6 hour journey or a 1 hour journey when event choosing. As found nite certainly was one of most enjoyable events been to over this year just say now getting up to speed with rail discount system. Thanks to Ady, all the djs, and everyone else involved for a great time.
Soulgate N14 = Oh Happy Day!
The auction and the raffle raised over £1400 for Cancer Research UK and Royal Marsden Hospital and the place was rocking right up until the Noise Police closed us down around 12.15am. Result!!!!
On behalf of Taffy and both Terry&Paul Cozens Id like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone who attended and donated prizes. The big man, if he was looking down, would certainly have been smiling and I guess would have been very proud.
Full report later - bath and a full recovery await.
TheBigO
SOUTHGATE PRIZE FUND DETAILS
Latest Odds
DMSC and other post weekend ramblings
Caught Out Big Style
Please note at moment any emails to soul-source.net or my bt address or thru the "contact us" due to current pc nitemare have not been recieved and thus are un-answered. This includes ought sent over last 7 days
Hopefully in a few days when finished current recovery plans will be able to sort, answer etc
ALL SHOULD BE SORTED NOW...hopefully
Out And About
Broughton - 3rd Annivesary - Full on Oldies special, a lot in, classics and revivals, regulars Soul Sam and Brian Ellis did the business as always. Kev from wxm was one of guests and dished what crowd wanted out, other guest was Pep but due to travels missed him.
Soul Heaven - Goldbourne - Missed last one which heard was a packer, this one numbers were a bit down, either due to other going ons or maybe last weekends events at joey ds mountain retreat. But as always there had a most enjoyable time, its a combination of the djs they book, the people, the feel and the fact always enjoy it.
Line up inc likes of Mick H, Andy Dyson, Pete Coulson, Kev Murphy All cracked on and what heard dished out some top sets .full on mix of all styles, which worked well thru nite, though last oldies based bit at end not exactly my full cup of tea -shrug.Lots of laughs and the standard apoligies go out here to all where needed, fair few travellers inc Northampton lot (threw me this as thought that area between brum and london was just called cambridge) and good meet ups.Enjoyable nite to me, feel free to agree, disagree, slag me off etc etc
Other Events -Well dont know how 100% these views are, some from people involved, some from quick chats etc etcFeel free to enhance!
First RnB Niter went well at Sheridans
Malcom Ws second event at other side of manchester went wellLast Lime Street at Dunkinfield was a good one Mark Bs birthday, next one coming up
Heard Northern wise at Winsford niter last sat was a bit flat, modern side had great reviews.
DMSC: Monkey burn out? or the Summer of Monkey Love
Had word of some rumour going round that me and Steve have sacked the dmsc, and are now growing dreadlocks (maybe not me) and hanging round north wales town centres with dogs on bits of string.As we say if wanna know the score on ought to do with dmsc all you have to do is just ask us and we tell you!!
Next Drunken Monkey at Springfield is on SATURDAY AUG 23
Details almost sorted but due to us living the life for a bit, will push them and a couple of flyers out next month
Other DMSC stuff to come inc news of events and other stuff. DMSC Bangor Soul At Social being next upAfter reaching the one year point, we are proud to annouce our special........having a laugh, nothing planned, you know the scoreOdds: Have to mention birthdays as celebrated a few recently, and can pass on the whip round news, all were landmark ones, you can guess which ones, Steve Thomas ( was a whip round at lux to get him a years AA membership, but organiser Jonhny J changed it to record boxs, says thanks to all and all the names be on card). Paul O a partner in crime just did his and as always made the most of it. Steve Fletcher one of top North West Radio jocks and a great supporter and helper of dmsc also passed a landmark one as well. Congrats to all those old gits! Just heard its Dick Johns soon as well so congrats as wellNormal Service should be restored 2004. off to the beach
Soulgate Update
The raffle prize fund is growing (all proceeds going to the Royal Marsden Hospital as per Randys wishes) with donations coming from KRL records, Manifesto, Dave Rimmer, Dave Godin, Richard Searling, Keith Hammond to name but a few.
The prize fund includes latest CDs, back issues of Togetherness and Soulful Kinda Music fanzines, Videos of Rare Soul Acts from the 60s, Rare Soul books etc etc. There will be an auction on some of the tasty items including the Motown Greetings to the UK supplied by Dave Godin and the booklet of Daves trip to the Motor City (a lot of interest in this so far!); original Stax publicity cards and, my fave and newly arrived, the James Brown Rubber Duck (and NO I am not kidding!!!)
To maximise the money raised we will be allowing those that may be just visting the dayer for a few hours to make their bids early or they may phone in to place a phone bid. A full list of the auction items will be published here later this week. So, please dig deep and help us to raise as much money as possible. The hospital needs it and will be grateful of anything they recieve.
Laters
TheBigO
p.s: Special T shirts will be available on the day as well
More On The Dark Side Of Current Scene - Dodgy Reissues?
Well it may be close to November the 5th but no more fireworks from me I promise, well not yet anyway, I hope my Theme Park items were taken as tounge in cheek with a slight serious tinge as recently the commercial eliment has become a little too much... still the board game was a good idea and is now in production lol. However, still the Northern Soul dark side continues with yet again more abuse or so it would seem this time in the to be polite re issue field of otherwise hard to find rare Soul records being pressed, now this practice has gone hand in hand since the year dot but it dont make it right does it, some may argue that it makes rare and popular tunes available to the masses at a reasonable price which is a fair comment but again it dont make it right.
Recently I have seen several new titles out there which I suspect are basically bootlegs including Bobby Reed - Time Is Right For Love, Kurt Harris - Emperor To My Babys Heart, Baby Washington - Leave Me Alone, Carol Anderson - Sad Girl, Mel Britt, Shell Come Running Back, Constellations - I Dont Know About You B/W I Didnt Know How To and possibly the biggest pisser off for collectors Mr Soul - What Happened To Yesterday.
All of these titles have been made to look like the original in terms of label design and retail at £10.00 each now take on board that at least 1000 copies may have beed pressed of each title take out production costs of maybe £2.00 per record but I suspect its less thats possibly £8,000 per title profit x seven titles is a possible profit sold as retail of £56,000 ok some will be sold wholesale so knock off five grand still leaves a possible £50,000 hard cash to be made on these records if you can call them that! The strange thing is that all of these titles are available on compact disc so in terms of wanting to enjoy the tunes as home entertaiment is there any need to produce this batch on vinyl? Call me a purist, snob or whatever but rare Soul collecting has always been about the chase, tracking down a record,doing the deal and moving on to the next one, how can such re issues warrent any credability or have any collectable value for the future, itd true that certain big title old pressings do sell at inflated prices on ebay for example, but to destroy big collectable records in this day and age is nothing more than criminal.
Not destroying the true original value but sometimes can kill a top tune dead in the water as it no longer is exclusive. Of course if all the correct lines have been followed prior to these records being pressed then I will retract my comments here, so if the MCPS and or the BPI channel has been taken where upon you pay a fixed fee for each track which is put aside in a fund should the official ownwer or publisher of the work appear then he or she can claim basically a small payment, or if direct permission has been secured form the owner which will validate the authenticity of these so called re issues. Again this seems to me to be a direct abuse of the ideals and ethics of the Norhern Scene and is yet another way to make a fast buck at the exspence of firstly the recording artiste, producer, label and publishing owners and more importantly the Soul fan.
I feel you would be better off spending your £10.00 on a nice little cheap original at least then you are keeping it real to the scene and yourself, some people may suggest that the artistes see nothing of the huge amounts of money the top tunes go for via various dealers but thats a totally seperate issue and at least you are buying into something which is basically second hand and which has not been manufactured in modern time for financial gain, anyhow collectors and DJs have their own minds and money come to think of it, hane their own minds and do what they do as it is simply what you do, all DJs for example should play nothing less than authentic original records, sorry but if you cant stand the heat get the hell out of the kitchen as this is the finest Soul food in the world. I dont own a bootleg, would not dream of playing one at a venue and feel that is far too easy as we could all do that with the titles that currently seem to be hitting the streets, at least the likes of Grapevine 2000, Ace/Kent etc. go through the correct legal channels so these guys I salute, the other fast buck merchants well I hope they get stuck with any iffy questionable so called second issues,strange one of the labels here the Mr Soul 45 is on Genuine perhaps this word should have been researched prior to going to press, I have a pretty good idea of the source of this current batch but for legal reasons I cant really go there can I?
If this current trend continues I can see many more big titles coming out, but one good thing is it does not in anyway spoil the real deal and the original records, a bit like rare works of art like the Mona Lisa for example as there are millions of copies and prints worldwide but only one original. Im not having a go as it makes no difference to me and many others who are serious record people but it does make a nonsence out of the meaning rare hard to find and not often seen, so Mr Soul aka Al Scott is still a shit rare record on original and the fakes are just worthless and cant or rather should not be played at a venue for example as your not really playing it are you your cheating yourself and the public which can not be right? Another point is why make them look like the authentic originals, why if your going to do this just put them out on a white label then at least you know what you are dealing with.
Still something else to be sold in the Theme Park gift shop, but dont file under rare Soul please because they are not.
The comments are owned by the poster. We arent responsible for their content.
Poster Thread Guest Posted: 2003/10/29 8:51 Updated: 2003/10/29 8:51
re: al scot Bootlegs yes.i certainley agree on this whole shambles of lookalike labels.& the profits that end up in a little villiage in worksop notts. the only way of combatting this scam is not let djs known for playing bootlegs appear behind the decks.promoters i;am taiking aboat you. stay clear of venues & promoters & there so called bootleg djs who & try con the paying punters. and if you are out & aboat and happen to hear a al scott go over to the decks & if it is a £10.00 lookalike.do what i wouid do skim it back to worksop were it belongs with the rest of them. anon
Guest Posted: 2003/10/29 10:59 Updated: 2003/10/29 10:59
re: blame the dealers also.. Interesting stuff cause i have djd with most of the so called Big DJs(WELL THEY THINK THEY ARE)LOL and 50% of them have played a booth or a dub at some stage and still do. I remember being a resident at the 100club/csc and certain Big DJs slipping in the odd dub with a scan of the original label. They might deny this but i know it to be true, christ ive played the odd dub myself of an unissued acetate. I personally dont think you should blame the DJs but hit the record dealers who are making profits from selling bootleg material. They are the worst offenders in my opinion. You here all these moans about bootleggers (rightly so) but what about the people moving the stuff? so when out over the next few weeks and looking at records maybe people should let dealers know that there not happy with them selling this kinda illegal material.
Greg (capitol Soul Club)
Guest Posted: 2003/10/29 15:22 Updated: 2003/10/29 15:22
re: blame the dealers also..
Off topic comment but I particularly liked the story of the club in the North East which has two decks spinning with a couple of bootlegs on them but plays CDs all night, is it really true? Fair enough, it doesnt really matter what format you play at many clubs because a lot of people really dont seem to want to hear a new track unless its on a CD (strange but true) but the fact they bothered spinning records they are not playing is laughable. On the above topic, good article Mark and very fair comment. I guess a lot of dealers will tell you that they have to make a living and their occupation is selling people what they want to buy, not trying to become a saint. The people who press up this stuff are the ones to blame, but I guess that this pales into insignificance against the 4 Vandals, Venetia Wilson etc frauds which were touted about by that idiot as originals and are now available at "knock down" prices. Still, they are quite expensive compared to the vastly superior tracks in this latest batch. And some record company put them on CD didnt it? Unbelievable....
Guest Posted: 2003/10/29 19:37 Updated: 2003/10/29 19:37
re: blame the dealers also.. its also seems funny how a certain auction site has one or two sellers who offer white labels of the latest bootlegs afew weeks before they become common and also they also seem to have stocks of the 4 vandels v williams etc
Guest Posted: 2003/10/30 9:32 Updated: 2003/10/30 9:32
Different Strokes...or pulling a few ? well here we go again, the old Bootleg Monster raises its head again. Love em or dispise em theyve been around since the late Sixties. You pays your money and you takes your chance as they say. Theres two things that motivate people Need & Greed. Couple this with your own Income, and the picture becomes clearer. Bootlegs are Cash generators for the Bootlegers, and a Godsend for some of our community, and just like fake Rolex Watches theres Fake records. Human nature is and always will be a good leveler of things. Promoters could if they wished "Ban boots from the decks" but would it stop Bootlegging, probably not. Its up to the Individual really whether you support it or not. Yes "Put up or Shut up". Meanwhile the bootlegging continues.
Best Wishes To All Ritchie.
Guest Posted: 2003/10/31 12:57 Updated: 2003/10/31 12:57
Re: Different Strokes...or pulling a few ? Like most collectors, I have the odd boot in my collection though they were all bought in ignorance as a young lad 20 years ago and I only hang on to them now for old times sake (eg I bought one of the off-centre Mel Britts at the Notts Oddfellows in Leicester when I was 15...I had no idea of the value of a real one so didnt realise that the £3 asking price meant it was obviously being sold as a boot. Ill never chuck or sell it because its a part of my northern history but I recognise it for what it is). I wouldnt buy a boot now and would never DJ with one if I ever DJd anywhere. Not a matter of people finding out - just wouldnt sit right with me. That said, Im not too exercised about this latest batch of bootlegs, either. If people want to waste £10-20 on a bootleg, fine by me. I agree with Mark that they would be better off buying a cheap original but it takes all sorts to make the world go round, doesnt it? Some people (most of us actually) prefer vinyl to CD and not everyone can afford four figure sums for rarities; maybe they get a nice feeling out of half owning a Masquaders or whatever? Two points really: 1) Its a shame for the original artists/writers - they are the ones who are really being ripped off 2) I guess it is, in some ways, a healthy sign for the scene - you dont see many bootlegs of old 70s disco records, 80s heavy metal or 90s house floating around, after all...
Dan
jazzyjas Posted: 2003/10/31 21:44 Updated: 2003/10/31 21:44 Joined: 2002/10/16 From: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 25
Northern Soul Bootlegs Thank you for bringing this up. I have NO idea of the purpose of these things. Every one of these shit pressings are available on high quality CDs, which are legitimate and CHEAPER! I have a really large collection of northern soul 45s and to me, the best part is finding good songs. I dont care if theyre worth big money or very little money. Good songs are good songs. Like most people, I cant afford 4 figure records. Id rather have a whole pile of original cheapies that you dont hear as often. Ive spun extremely rare and expensive records at gigs and theres really no reason for me to do it, so I bring two large books of CDs with way more songs on them. The most important part is the music. I get to play way more sounds and with better quality. As far as "cheating" on the decks, I dont grasp the whole concept because no one competes with me. I think playing legit reissues and CDs with your own 45s burnt onto them is the way to go. This way your collection stays safe at home with little wear and tear. I have no need to impress anyone when they step up to the decks. I have impressed many in the past and anyone who knows me personally knows that my collection, since 1978 is 99% originals, no matter what type of music. I have nothing to prove. If music is good, then it should be heard. Thats just for the love of the music. Now-about the money aspect: The act of making a fast buck from this junk really pisses me off! It s disgusting when top guys like Ady Croasdell, Richard Searling, Andy Rix, Kev Roberts, etc. go through all of this trouble to put these specialty items out there for us, and people want to take what they did and press up these junk 45s and then, have the nerve to turn around and demand ridiculous prices for these unauthorized inferior products. Its a big waste of time when Im scrolling through E-Bay, too! If other people want to get in on the action, why not put out things that havent been comped out, yet? Bring something else to the table and let the experts do their thing. They dont really care about the scene when they do shit like that. They take away from it. I make my own CDRs of northern soul from legit CDs that I have gladly paid for. I make these just to play in my car and every now and then I use them at gigs. If someone new to northern soul, who is a personal friend asks for a copy, Ill gladly give them one, just to get them started. From there, they can go buy their own stuff. As far as my vinyl, not yet comped out legitimately, Ill gladly trade my own CDRs with other like minded collectors, just to share music and for that reason alone. Overall, people need to only support the legitimate producers of high quality reissues and buy the real CDs/vinyl themselves. Without that support, such items as the Kent CDs, and the Goldmine Soul Supply would never exist. I guess people who really care about the scene wont buy this junk anyway.
Right on again Mark!
KTF Jason H. Thornton (Jazzy Jas)
Guest Posted: 2003/11/1 20:06 Updated: 2003/11/1 20:06
BOOTLEGERS WELL SAID MARK I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU,VE SAID !!! THEY HAVE NOT TRIED TO MAKE THEM LOOK LIKE YOUR AVERAGE BOOT BUT DONE THEIR BEST TO COUNTERFIET THE LABEL WHICH IS WELL OUT OF ORDER ,PEOPLE JUST INTERESTED IN MAKING ££££,S DONT GIVE A SHITE ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE ! KIND REGARDS IAN C
PaulW Posted: 2003/11/1 23:09 Updated: 2003/11/1 23:09 user Joined: 2003/10/11 From: Posts: 8 Re: Northern Soul Bootlegs
Top post Jason. Well said Mark. AGREE 100%.
Guest Posted: 2003/11/10 11:30 Updated: 2003/11/10 11:30 Legitimate Record Labels Pay Royalties?
"The act of making a fast buck from this junk really pisses me off! It s disgusting when top guys like Ady Croasdell, Richard Searling, Andy Rix, Kev Roberts, etc. go through all of this trouble to put these specialty items out there for us, and people want to take what they did and press up these junk 45s and then, have the nerve to turn around and demand ridiculous prices for these unauthorized inferior products." Err, are you sure that you meant to include ALL of these in that list? PMSL.
Guest Posted: 2003/12/24 20:05 Updated: 2003/12/24 20:05 re: al scot Bootlegs
It absolutely amazes me listening to this argument about boots.I would like the person who booted The Soul Bros Inc.Pyramid to be named and shamed.As you know Mark you have bought copies of this,and you have sold them on E-Bay.
Guest Posted: 2003/12/25 16:32 Updated: 2003/12/25 16:32 re: al scot Bootlegs
Just thought of another one you were selling. This was the dogs B*******.At the time."DOUG BANKS".Ijust kept on dancin".Another E.P with the following tracks.Jonnie Mae Mathews.Kenny Shepherd.+Another.FOUND OUT.big d33
Guest Posted: 2003/12/25 16:40 Updated: 2003/12/25 16:40
re: al scot Bootlegs Gosh, Sounds like you have been caught CHEERS@23.co.uk
Guest Posted: 2003/12/27 23:48 Updated: 2003/12/27 23:48
re: al scot Bootlegs ????? WELLL
Guest Posted: 2003/12/28 12:39 Updated: 2003/12/28 12:39
Re: Northern Soul Bootlegs OKAY.... I dont believe that "legal" reissue labels mean that the writers/artists are better off. The money tends to go to label owners... if anywhere at all, normally it goes nowhere. I dont believe that "legal" labels never do anything illegal, I know that many releases are without question no more legal than the pressings they slag off. I think lookalike bootlegs are good and there should be alot more of them, because.... 1. it will sort out the true collectors from the ego trippers. 2. it will help align original prices back to rarity driven, rather than popular indemand driven (the Constellations is a classic case of this). 3. it will give the chance to novice collectors to have lookalikes of the records they love, but can no longer afford (no fault of their own). 4. too bad for branded reissue labels let them EARN their money and TAKE SOME RISK, through digging deeper into the unissued vaults. I dont agree with playing from CD, I think rare soul means rare soul. I do think that CD singles with a scanned original label are a good idea going forward for the novice collector. Pressings are part of our scene, we should just let it be. However, counterfieting using original stamping plates, old melted vinyl and original label plates are not lookalikes they are counterfiets and should be treated in the same way as any money counterfieting operation.
Last comment, those people behind the legal reissue labels taking the higher morale ground had better do 2 things...
1. look back into their past and stop throwing stones.
2. stop trying to lobby the masses about ethics, theyre in it for purely selfish financial reasons themselves. Make no mistake about that. Now, I bloody mean it when I say those in glass houses shouldnt throw stones... Im serious!! By the way,..... I am in no way a bootlegger or a double agenda rip off dealer. I am infact a serious collector of original rare soul. But,... I do hate hypocracy, its so unsoulful !!!
A lookback at Sleepless Nites Dublin 21 Dec 2003 Chris W
Dublin "Your Too Darn Soulful"
Tuesday of this week I called Karl Rhodes to make arrangements to meet up to go to Camel on Friday, change of plans Karl said we are now going to Dublin to Sleepless Nights, got flights for twenty quid he says fancy it? Can’t wait says I, Thursday evening I get a call from Karl change of plan! Shit I’m thinking no Dublin, flights fallen through but we are now going on the boat from Holyhead, ten pound return we sail at 8.15pm, in Dublin for 10pm RESULT say I as I put the phone down and start practising the hornpipe Well Friday night we land in Dublin crossing was a breeze get taxi "Where you of to folks?" Doyle’s Bar please we reply "."Which one? Blank expressions all round "Do you know how many bars in Dublin are called feckin Doyle’s? Clam down Seamus, one quick phone call later Fleet Street please, Grand says Seamus. Up two Flights of stairs and we are in, welcomed by Danny Duggan the promoter of Sleepless Nights. Turn left to put our coats down and who do we see but the North Wales Mafia, I swear if they held a soul night on the dark side of the Moon these guys would be their an hour before the rest of us, these guys really are the foot soldiers of the soul scene they are everywhere!
Well the venue is a room above a bar in the centre of the city what struck me first was how young the crowd was more than half of them were nineteen to early twenty’s this I found a refreshing change, I stood there in awe thinking yes we can bring the younger element in to this wonderful scene of ours the proof was in front of me, all be it there was only thirty or so younger guys and girls there it’s a start. Well what about the DJ line up, well when we landed a young lad called Pip was on and I was impressed, see a bright future ahead, next up Danny Duggan this guy worked the dance floor really well with some quality tunes, he knows his stuff I think he would go down well in Manchester, well next up Steve Thomas played an awesome set, I think Steve is one of the best DJ’s in the UK at the moment and I’ve seen him play three times in the last month each time I thought he could not top the last set, how wrong I was.
By the time the last DJ came on I had taken one to many of the black stuff so I did not catch his name (sorry) the dance floor stayed busy so I can only say a job well done. Well is Sleepless Nights worth a look? Yes, because you won’t find a friendlier crowd. Yes, because the music is Quality. And Yes because its only ten quid on the boat, well worth a look Danny and the gang thanks for a good night Cheers Chris Waterman
Randy - This Thing Of Ours
To cut a long day short, our friendship was sealed over several bottles of red wine as we spent the next 16 hours discussing his four great passions - Music, Mods, Maxine and the Mafia,...oh, and arguing whose turn it was to put on the next record. A moment that seems all the more poinient now was the pair of us sitting in floods of tears listening to Doris Troy’s “Somewhere along the way”... sentimental drunks to the end! Thankfully the rest of the day and the years to follow were far outweighed with tears of laughter. I won’t deny that many on the scene were wary of Randy. He could be down right stubborn and fiery at times; and never suffered fools gladly. However, to those who didn’t know him, it’s impossible to convey in words the impact that he had on the lives of those he did allow into his heart. I spent my last evening with Randy just before the Cleethorpes Weekender, doing what we always did best together, giggling and playing records... only on this occasion it also involved us subjecting Ady to an hour long lecture on our favourite ‘enders’; some of which I have infront of me now... Brenda Holloway’s ‘I will always love you’, Lou Johnson’s ‘It ain’t no use’, Theola Kilgore’s ‘ I can’t stand it’ and Coco Cozenza’s ultimate ender - Arthur Alexander’s ‘I need you baby’. Despite the emotional rawness of the songs and indeed the occasion, Randy was reflective in an very positive and upbeat way. Friends can take comfort from the fact that he truly LIVED his life and did it his way - right to the end. The funeral will take place this Friday, 20th June. Meeting at the White Horse Pub at the top of Chase Road, Southgate N14 from 2pm onwards. And then New Southgate Crematorium (Brunswick Park Road N11) for 3.30pm
As a celebration of his live, Randys family still wish the Southgate all-dayer to go ahead at The Rising Sun on the 28th June. --------------
Photos below:- (1) Randy was a talented cartoonist.
Thought Taff and the Letchworth crew would appreciate this one.
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(2) Me and Randy - Soulgate all-dayer 1999
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(3) The italian-american connection - with Sonny and Tony in Mulberry Street, Little Italy NYC (and on brooklyn bridge)
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Sad News Randy Cozens
I am sure that there will be many of you who will be shocked at the news. All of us here in Letchworth wish to pass on our heartfelt and sincere condolences to his family and friends and we are all deeply upset at the loss of one of own.
Randy’s last wish was for the Alldayer to go ahead no matter what happened to him and we will do our best to ensure that it will be a suitable fitting event for a truly top man.
Rest in peace Randy – one in a million.
Weekend just gone and one before ... short sharp shock
Short - content Sharp - errrr... humour Shock - more to come
Heard Friday at Lowton was a good one, reports say hot hot hot, a good crowd in, top sounds in the main hall, likes of Mick H causing rare soul mayhem, while likes of Roger Banks and Carl Willingham being just some of those doing top things in the RnB room. Saturday saw us out to the land of Joey D with a visit to that event in the village called Caers.... near Hope near Wrexham. Had a most enjoyable time at the Soul Nite there run by Rob Lloyd. Lot of travellers, Top DJs, top laughs, hopefully a few words later on. Thanks to all involved and thanks to Joey D for such fine hosting.
Weekend before Reports on Lux Niter at Wigan to follow DMSC Soul At Social Bangor a good one on Friday Heard that Lime Street was a good one, Flipside R n b niter had good reports. Well while been busy reports been flooding in as so much going on..... ok maybe not All say, is you were out and about at any event, throw your views up. Had a top time? Help event , let rest of world know what they are missing. Spread the word, throw the details up, talk that soul