Cody Black Rip
Just had a call from Melvin Davis to say he has heard that Cody Black has passed away
More details when I get them,
RIP Cody
Magazine
Soul Source music magazine feature.
Latest Updates
Just had a call from Melvin Davis to say he has heard that Cody Black has passed away
More details when I get them,
RIP Cody
George Duke Rip
added by site
George Duke, a Marin-bred, Grammy-winning jazz keyboardist and producer whose sound infused acoustic jazz, electronic jazz, funk, R&B and soul in a 40-year-plus career, has died. He was 67.
A representative for Duke said the performer died Monday night in Los Angeles. Duke was being treated for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
The clip above is from an Informative news article from his local paper website that can can be read here...
http://www.marinij.com/sausalitoandmarincity/ci_23805967/jazz-master-george-duke-marin-native-dies-at
Angel City Records - New Release - Just Say What You Wanted
My name is Mark and along with my partner Wally run a small independent record label out here in Los Angeles called Angel City Records. Over the last 20 years, we've been putting on DJ nights and live shows here in LA featuring soul and reggae artists of the 1960s. In the last year, we have been working on establishing the label with the help of artists, writers, producers that we have worked with from that era. We've been busy in the studio writing and recording new material with new artists that we are developing for upcoming releases. We are happy to announce our first 45 on ACR 0001 which will be released at the end of this month. The single features our first artist Xiantoni Ari, daughter of Gwen Owens, doing a cover of her mothers original from the Velgo label song paired with an original on the flip.
below are a couple of youtube clips to the a and b sides of the single and a link to our website. We truly hope you guys like them.
thanks so much for taking the time to read
Sincerely
Mark
Angel City Records
http://youtu.be/-B2m5STKYXM
http://youtu.be/ppmUGIbNRAM
http://www.angelcityentertainment.info
Site note
Originally posted in the forums, can view earlier comments and such via link below
RoburtAug 06 2013 07:40 AM
Sounds good to me, has an really great old skool feel to it (due to the traditional instruments used on the backing). Wish you every success,
Gwen is a great lady & so her family members are no doubt too (is Gwen still working with the Holland Bros BTW ?).
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Christian PunkyAug 06 2013 09:50 AM
Great to hear my friend, sounding great!!
Andreas BAug 06 2013 04:12 PM
Both sides are great, but the flip is sounding tremendous! Great work, guys.
night nurse and dowmam like Like
aggroliteAug 07 2013 01:46 AM
Very nice work! Already I bought it, luck!
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night nurseAug 11 2013 10:39 PM
so were can i get a copy from
dowmamAug 12 2013 05:57 PM
Hello,
the promo single will be available in the coming weeks. We will make an official sales post when its ready. Thanks so much!
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Barry HuytonAug 14 2013 09:06 PM
excellant
dowmamAug 26 2013 04:48 AM
Hi Soul Fans!
We've just finished pressing a very limited 100 copies of the first single on ACR 0001 with the issue to follow soon.
Xiantoni Ari
"Just Say You're Wanted and Needed / What's It Gonna Be"
Angel City Records ACR 0001
this solid center silver and black DJ copy will not be repressed and was made strictly for promo. Since there is so few, we're limiting to one per person.
if interested, please visit the website at
http://www.angelcity...rtainment.info/
sound clips of each side:
thank you in advance
best regards
Mark
Rodders22Dec 16 2013 10:01 PM
Myself and my son Danny Clegg can only praise the two sides on your first release, Xiantoni Ari. On the what's it gonna be track sounds a bit like Amy Winehouse! Nothing wrong with that, but just say you're wanted and needed is the mothers daughter with great vocals.well done Mark and Co, can't wait for more of Regards Rod Clegg.
The Real Pied Piper Story? by Rob Moss
note from the soul source team - sorry but all Robs non-current articles are now clipped due to a future book release - watch out for news of that!
comments posted under old system
Eddie HubbardJul 30 2013 09:26 PM
Very interesting article Rob , and stunning photos .........
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AGENTSMITH photo
Getting spins again
AGENTSMITHJul 30 2013 09:34 PM
compelling, fascinating, intriguing.....unequivocally gripping, rob moss once again delivers an eye opening statement that presents facts, hitherto unknown to the masses and exposes the somewhat distorted work ethics of some of detroit's most influential songwriters & producers, their strained relationships and their double dealings.the history of the music that dominates our scene is all the more of a colourful expose' thanks to rob's attention to detail and, as always, furnished with glorious monotones of northern soul's iconic glitteratti. for rob's painstaking efforts, we owe him so much.
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Wheel city1 photo
Second Issue
Wheel city1Jul 30 2013 10:45 PM
Brilliant article,just goes to show the same guys that were being ripped off by Berry Gordy.Went on to ripp each other off,very sadd. Chris.
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Jim Elliott photo
Tape swappers fav
Jim ElliottJul 30 2013 11:48 PM
Those pics are mindblowing.
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Byrney photo
Getting spins again
ByrneyJul 30 2013 11:49 PM
Thanks Rob for taking the time to do this. Fascinating stuff.
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Only Dreaming photo
Semi known gem
Only DreamingJul 31 2013 09:02 AM
Great article and Pictures
Dave
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Alltime Northern
TOADJul 31 2013 09:07 AM
Brilliant rob
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Getting spins again
Jerry HipkissJul 31 2013 09:43 AM
Absolutely fascinating read!
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ady croasdell photo
Massive everywhere
ady croasdellJul 31 2013 10:21 AM
This is indeed a fascinating article with stunning photos but it seems to be very high on opinion rather than fact.
The whole Giant label paragraph is incorrect and could easily be seen to be so with a little checking. The Chicago Giant label started in 1968 while the Detroit one commenced in 1965 and was finished by 1966. If Rob could point this out to Josie it would be one less slander against Pied Piper’s owners. Mike Terry was involved with both Giant labels from the beginning and it is very likely that he was a partner in the Detroit Giant label rather than in Pied Piper productions. Giant in Chicago ran smoothly from 1968 without any challenges from the original Detroit label owners so it is quite probable that Shelley and Jack gave Mike Terry the rights to the label name to take to Chicago and work with Mel Collins as a new partner. Mike was never a partner in Pied Piper. He worked for them within a large talented team of arrangers, producers, song-writers, musicians and singers. Her was probably too busy with his session work for his incredible saxophone prowess at Motown, in Philly and with Pied Piper to be able to run a demanding business at the same time. His session fees would have been substantially more than the off-chance of earning from possible hits.
The whole Mike —good, Jack-bad scenario is very opinionated. As stated in the article Jack got Mike his break into writing and producing for which Mike was thankful and though they obviously had a business fall-out along the way, he looked back on those times with fondness. It seems to be Ed Wolfrun/Wolfum and Mike’s widow who have it in for Jack. For a studio engineer to divulge gossip about Jack and Mike’s financial arrangements is unprofessional and probably libellous, Soul Source might want to look into that further as they are a party in publishing the claims.
There are many other inaccuracies and opinions in this that unfortunately detract from a lot of the good in the article. Apart from the totally false Giant saga, that isn’t a photo of Dave Hamilton on the Stevie Wonder photo, it’s Jack Ashford, the guy who sent me the photo.
I’m on summer hols now with my son but I’ll have a look at the other flaws later. If we’re going to write historically important articles we should try and get them right from a factual point of view at the very least.
Ady
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ady croasdell photo
Massive everywhere
ady croasdellJul 31 2013 11:49 AM
Sorry that wasn't meant to be in huge print I was working on a Mac, if a moderator could reduce it I'd be grateful. Ady
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maslar photo
Semi known gem
maslarJul 31 2013 08:39 PM
Just a point on "I Miss My Baby". There are actually two songs here. Haskins (Parlaiments and Funkadelic) wrote the one recorded by Funkadelic circa Maggot Brain. D Peoples aka Richard Parker worked at Golden World. Peoples (Parker) is listed at BMI as composer of (presumably) the Rose Batiste track.
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Massive everywhere
jockoAug 01 2013 09:50 AM
It would be interesting, and surely important, for Rob to address Ady's points would it not, the internet can be abused dreadfully for self interest, e.g. The Sam and Dave widow saga. Not even remotely suggesting Rob is doing that but it would be good to at least answer Ady's points surely?
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Semi known gem
Dean RudlandAug 03 2013 09:23 AM
Interesting use of words 'his actual contribution is unknown'. This sounds like you're saying that Jack didn't write the songs. Is this what you are saying Rob? If so what proof have you got?
Allanton/Shotts Session @ True Soul Weekender Aug 2013
Part of the events is a 5 hour session set up as a tribute to one of Scotlands top Rare Soul clubs "The Allanton/Shotts Allnighters" aka "The Ruff Cut Soul Club" with an amazing line up of some of THE original trend setting DJs from this Iconic club ......
Saturday afternoon 12 noon until 5pm:
“Hello is that Ruff Cutt? Is Scotland On?”
Once upon a time in the Wild Wild West (Scotland not the US of A that is) there was a bunch of outlaws lead by one Jim O’Hara, a real Desperate Dan type character, together with his outlaws they became known as the Ruff Cutt Gang. Now these scallys have escaped the lock ups and institutions that housed them and they are back for another hoedown, bringing you an afternoon of music and mayhem in tribute to One of the Scotland’s and the UK’s finest Rare Soul Clubs
The promotion team has put together a series of interviews, charts, lists and words to highlight this tribute....
The Allanton A team - That's Jim O'Hara with the full set of the resident DJs from wey back then (added 6th aug)
First off a 30 min interviews with Jim followed by many and i do mean many words from the people
30 minute interview in the West of Scotland July 2013
Interview of Jim O’Hara [Mr Ruff Cut] by Andy Whitmore [that funky kid] in reference to his Allanton/Shotts/Scotland all-nighters, circa 1987 TO 1991.
So Jim, who started The Allanton All-nighters and what, was the background of it all in the beginning?
Allanton was originally started by myself, Barney (Brian Welsh RIP)) and John Nielson, both whom I had known since I got into northern in the late 70's
John bowed out after a couple of months and it continued with myself and Brian until about 8 months in, when Brian also bowed out due to work commitments
So from about the 8th nighter, it was all left to yours truly !!!
The background to the all-nighter was basically that since the YMCA, Glenrothes (and previous to that, the brilliant Crown Hotel) all-nighter ran by Steve and Alan Walls had finished, there was no regular monthly all nighters in Scotland catering to the crowd who were into new 60's and good quality oldies.
So apart from a couple of good regular soul nights, most of us had to travel down south to hear something new and fresh.
In reality, Allanton was only really meant to be a "stop gap" until someone else took up the reigns again and ran a regular all-nighter in Edinburgh or somewhere else more prominent — let’s face it, Allanton is hardly a metropolis!!!!. Colin Law did run a couple of excellent nighters (Bilston Glen was one), but nothing regular, as i think he struggled to get a repeat venue due to the usual council policies etc.
Most people won’t actually remember, but the first Allanton all-nighter was advertised as “The West Of Scotland’s 1st Northern Soul All-Nighter”. This was basically due to the fact that previously, northern in Scotland tended to be more concentrated on the east side rather than the west side
Why Ruff Cut and Desperate Dan logo on flyers
Just a bit of a laugh to be honest Andy, we just thought it would be a bit of fun having something different, and as a couple of us tended not to shave that regular, then Ruff Cut was what we kind of were!!! (we did wash regularly BTW!)
For those that don’t know Desperate Dan was a paper comic character that never shaved!!
When did it all start?
Bloody hell, I think it was about 1988 to 1991/2 or maybe even 1987 to 1990/1 - it may even have been for longer - was it 3 years, or 4 ??? - I can't fuckin honestly remember - LOL!!!
What was the Music Policy?
From the northern side, i initially went along a similar route to the Glenrothes/Bilston Glen all-nighters by having the odd guest oldies DJ's from down south (e.g. Brian Rae), along with popular and more forward thinking DJ’s like Keb , Guy, Colin Law and a roster of Scottish DJs/collectors like jock O’Connor, Alan & Steve Walls, Mark Linton, Andy Dennison, Keith Whitson, Acky Buckan, Jim Tennant, Barney and a few others.
In the beginning however, (1987 i’m sure of it now — it’s all coming back to me???) we did have some Scottish “modern DJ’s” like Tom Jackson and Bob Jeffries etc. to try to capture the ever growing trendy modern crowd. “Modern soul” (as it was known then!) was getting very popular and as we were worried about the size of the venue being too large, we needed to capture this crowd too, to give us the best chance of filling the hall
This music policy worked short term, but as the all-nighter developed over those first few months, word started to spread about the quality of music, and particularly the enthusiasm of the scottish crowd and the atmosphere at Allanton. This resulted in more and more “northern punters”, and they wanted to hear more quality 60's rather than “modern” (although they would accept “proper 70’s/crossover”)
At the same time, the "trendy modern crowd" could not be relied upon to come regularly, meaning that I needed to make some changes with regards to the true Allanton music policy.
So, after about 8 months, I decided to concentrate more on booking quality dj’s and collectors to play a good variation of good quality 60's oldies, combined with newer 60's and "proper 70's"/ crossover - as opposed to the so called "2 step" that attracted the "trendy’s"
http://music.telasource.netdna-cdn.com/monthly_07_2013/ccs-1-0-98599100-1374870200.jpg
What was your choice of DJs and why?
From the collectors and DJ's in Scotland who I knew well like Jock , Colin, Keith, Jim Tennant, Andy Dennison, Mark Linton, Acky, Alan Walls etc. I felt there were enough brilliant records around without having to regularly bring “big name” English DJ's north.
At the time, like most of us from Scotland, I was doing loads of travelling down south to more forward thinking venues like Blackburn, Chesterfield, Mexborough, 100 Club etc, and there were a lot of great DJs/collectors whom i had either got to know, heard DJ or had just heard good things about.
I found that the people whom i got to know that were attending these venues were a bit like me and the crowd i travelled with - they were keen to hear more new and underplayed 60’s from dj’s like - Guy, Butch, Keb, Colin Law etc.
But this crowd were also keen to hear lesser known collectors like Kitch, Dean Anderson, Graeme Ellis, Gilly, Ady Harley, Andy Whitmore, Gaz Kellet, Dave Molloy, Rob Wigley, Rob Marriot, Jock etc, who weren’t getting as many bookings as they should, due to various promoters tending to stick to the well known “oldies” DJ's.
These dj’s/collectors were “characters” through and through - they had been around, were well respected and knew their stuff. They weren’t playing played out oldies, but were discovering new sounds and people were keen to hear them rather than the usual “play safe” oldies dj’s.
Jim O'Hara and Gilly
So I decided that if I mixed some of these well respected English dj’s/collectors with the Scottish ones, i just knew that this would be a great combination, as the attitude of all these dj’s/collectors seemed to be very similar
(I would say that this policy had previously been done at small local soul nights, but had never really worked successfully at all- nighters before)
However, IT WORKED AT ALLANTON— AND THEN SOME!!!!!
This mixture of respected collectors and DJ's from both north and south created an incredible interest and buzz and attracted more and more people to travel as the months and years went on. The people that attended Allanton ALL seemed to be the same in terms of open mindedness, attitude, enthusiasm, etc.
I don’t remember experiencing this before, where everyone just seemed to be on exactly the same wavelength - well there were some like Ozzy, Woody etc. that may have been on a slightly different planet, never mind wavelength!!!!
It must be said though that apart from the excellent music and peoples attitude, the other overriding factor was enthusiasm of the crowd (initially created by the “scots”, but quickly adopted by all)
Scottish all-nighters were always about dancing and having a great time, and Allanton was no different. The “scots” had always been enthusiastic and were never afraid to really create a buzz at all-nighters, but many of the English people had never experienced this before and still talk about how they loved coming to Allanton, as the atmosphere was nothing like they had ever experienced before
Whilst some all-nighters down south were playing good quality music, a lot of them lacked atmosphere.
So, as far as music, friendliness, enthusiasm and atmosphere were concerned, it seemed the English crowd were getting something that they just couldn’t get down south — and they loved it, and couldn’t wait to come back!!!
From all those mentioned who DJ’d at Allanton (and those who haven’t been mentioned, like Mick Howard, Billy Davidson, Mark George, Peter McKernan, Roger Banks etc. etc.), i would safely say there were definitely no “prima donnas”
There were also never any "trophy DJ's" booked to DJ at Allanton - they simply weren't needed (or wanted for that matter!!)
My policy at Allanton was really to let the guys behind the decks just do what was needed without interfering (the obvious exception to this was obviously trying to stop Colin Law finding a few extra notches on the volume control!!!)
I never asked anyone who dj’d at Allanton to do anything other than what they thought was right — and as i knew that as they all knew their stuff, i could let them get on with it and entertain the enthusiastic (sometimes completely mad for it!) dancefloor
If i could mention one thing about the last hour Andy. This is was always a tricky one for any DJ/promoter and after experimenting for a few months with Kieth Whitson and Jock on alternate months, Jock eventually volunteered to do it every month. For me this was a great relief as it was an important spot and a difficult one to ask someone to do.
Jock must have had a premonition or bribed everyone to stay until the end, as nobody in their right mind would volunteer to do the last hour every bloody month — lol!!!
As we all know now though, this became Jock’s forte and i doubt if anyone’s last hour will ever match his. Thanks Jock, i owe you big time!!
You never DJ’d at Allanton youself Jim, any reason why?
To be honest Andy, although i was buying alot of records at the time, there were people with much better stuff than i had, so i felt it wouldn’t be fair for me to do someone more deserving out of a slot behind the decks
Apart from that i had enough on my plate trying to keep you lot under control and tabs on everything else like the door, coffee bar, the increasing volume, unwelcome guests, dj timings, flooded toilets, faulty heating (who can ever forget those Calor Gas heaters), fit in the odd dance (mainly to Jocks spot at the end when i could then relax — a bit!!!)
Why was it so good and an essential rare soul all-nighter to attend?
Good question Andy!
I think there were many factors that helped make Allanton what it was, so here goes!!!
The people, the atmosphere, the music, the venue, the time in peoples lives...........
I think bringing the right people together at the right time with the right attitude just seemed to work amazingly well
The music policy was right and the dj’s and collectors all had fuckin “balls”
Nobody cared if the record was worth £5 or £500, it really just didn’t matter at all, as long as it was good!!!!
It was all about brilliant people, brilliant records and having a brilliant time
People talk about “chin strokers” these days — well i would say there was none of that at Allanton — it just wasn’t allowed — lol.
The music played at Allanton was always quality, as was the atmosphere, and it was all about people who were there to have a great time and bloody hell they did!!!!
I don't ever remember being at any all-nighter where the dance floor was as busy at 3am as it was at 8am
Colin’s spot with Martha Starr or Doni Burdick (candle) seemed to raise the atmosphere from electric to just crazy with not a spot on the floor to be found. Then, from 7am onwards, Jock would have everyone on the floor again to stuff like Four Tops (ask the lonely) or the Fantastic Four (live up....) — just 2 of the many Jock played which i think brought a lump to many people’s throat as they knew their night was coming to an end
But every dj played their part, from 11pm through till 8am — they all had the place buzzin’
The atmosphere that these records and those dj’s created will be remembered by many people for a long, long time — thanks to all of them and i hope i haven’t missed any names!!!!
Bloody incredible!!!!
Can you give me a top 5 jim?
You mean apart from The people, The venue, The atmosphere, The records, The DJ’s
I honestly couldn’t even attempt that Andy, there are just too many
Some that remind me of those times though would be
Doni Burdick — Candle
Four Tops — Ask The Lonely
Lee McKinney — I’ll keep Holding On
Magnetics — I Have A Girl
Magnetics — When I’m With My Baby
O’Jays — I’ll Never Forget You
I could literally go on for days .........(as we did back then, but too old now!!!!!)
What is your summary Jim of the Allanton/Shotts Allnighters?
Fuckin brilliant
An amazing crowd and atmosphere, full of real characters and the records that were played were just quality and so appreciated
Fantastic times and I don't think it will ever be matched!!!
I am really proud of what Allanton became and the legacy it seems to have left
It meant so much to so many at the time and i never once thought that it would still be talked about 25 years later - bloody hell!!!!!
There are too many people to thank, including those who helped behind the scenes, John, Linda, JG, Davy, Graham, Pauline etc. — sorry if i have missed anyone
Finally, as most will know (being the shy retiring person that i am!!), I never once took to the microphone at Allanton, so i would really like to take this chance to say a HUGE HUGE thanks to everyone who ever attended, helped or DJ'd and made Allanton what it was — something very special!!!
THANK YOU
Really looking forward to seeing some old friends in Peebles — can’t wait!!!!
By the way, Andy & Colin have asked me to kick off proceedings on the Saturday Afternoon Allanton session at 12 o’clock, and i fell really privileged to do so — in fact they might have a hard job getting me off those decks!!!!!!!!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Words and such from many....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acky at Allnighter
Acky Buchan Hardcore Rare soul fan, collector, DJ - Aberdeen
Paulette - Love you babe
Hayes cotton...Black wings have my angel
Ruby Andrews Just loving you
Bettye Lavette - What condition is my condition
Frank Foster- Harlem rumble
Andy Dennison and Colin Law
Andy Dennison Rare soul music collector, DJ - Edinburgh
Out of Sites- For the rest of my life-Saru
Temptations - Angel Doll
Paris - Sleepless nights-Doc
Emmanuel Laskey - I've got to run for my life
Ted Taylor - Somebody's always Trying-Okeh
Allanton / Shotts success was down to the fact it just worked perfectly-
Every ingredient equally as important as the other, those being, the right
promoter, the right people, the right music and the right time.....didn't
matter on value or rarity of the records if it was good it was jumped on by
the punters, instantly.... friendships that have lasted to this day became
so strong over the period that it ran, that if someone couldn't make it to
a night there they were missed by their absence....
To be included not only as a punter but to be asked to spin some tunes
there is without a doubt and without exception the best time of my life, I'm
forever grateful.
Lenny Harkins - Hardcore Rare soul music fan, collector and DJ -Clydebank, Glasgow
Trying to sum up what this meant to myself and our crowd in a couple
sentences would be impossible. For me the best years of my life and a musical
education second to none.
from the very first nighter where me and my mate seen the Desperate Dan
poster beside the till in Mickey Oats Scooter shop in Glasgow, ( where we
took the last train to Shotts but then found the Miners Welfare still about 3
miles away, we walked the rest in pitch blackness along the country roads!)
………..right to the end of the very last nighter were I’m walking across the
road to the car park, turns to one of the boys and blurts, “What we gonna
do now?”….everything up till that moment was all about the Shotts
allnighters….is the van booked for Shotts? getting new clothes for Shotts? saving
money for records at Shotts? Tef’s bringing me September Jones at the next
Shotts! …Whats that tune they play at Shotts?…..the whole shooting match at
the time was about Shotts.
It was a Kaleidoscope of brilliant people, brilliant atmosphere and
brilliant tunes, everything was new to us then, we didn’t care oldie or newie, £5
or £500, if it was good it got played if it was sh*te it got snapped!…
..like most of the teams that went, it was for the dancing and having a good
time and for the strange camaraderie that existed been friends you never seen
for weeks at a time from all over Scotland and the UK.
As to how to how it worked? F@*K knows,…a miners welfare in middle of
nowhere Allanton (sorry Jim)?.........No drink!…….It just worked and worked
every time, more than likely the great mix of music and brilliant people
that went….the crowds that travelled from all over England and Scotland are
testimony to that.
Thinking back, I still get the shiver on the back of my neck and a bit of
a lump in the throat thinking how good it was.
Five of my faves from back then would be;
Mary Saxton — Losing Control.
Doni Burdick — Candle In the Window.
Herb Ward — Honest to Goodness.
The Parliaments — Heart Trouble.
The Changing Scene — When The City Sleeps.
I knew I couldn’t do it in a couple sentences.
Lenny.
Just a wee session in the A
Million Dollar Disco - Ewan Kelly, Record label owner and Promoter. DJ - Glasgow
Allanton (Shotts as we knew it) very quickly became the highlight of
my month. I was out dancing every weekend, but the first Saturday was
what we lived for! I don't think there was anywhere in the country
that had the quality of music and the atmosphere of Shotts. Nowhere
near.
1. Fred & The Turbins - Bernadine (played as a cover up by Kitch I
believe, still in my all time top five!)
2. The Masqueraders - How (not a regular spin but I have a fond memory
of Mark Linton playing this at least once. Goose bumps.)
3. The O Jays - I'll Never Forget You (Surely in everybody's Shott's
top 5 list? 8 am with the sun coming through the curtains!!)
4. Rotations - Put a Dime on D9 (I think Colin Law played this every
month for four years!)
5. Jack Montgomery - Don't Turn Your back On Me (I could fill a page
with favourites Jock played in that last hour)
Keith Whitson and soul crew
Keith Whitson Rare soul and soul DJ - Edinburgh
Here's my 5 " Hot Shotts" from Allanton
1. Margie Joseph-One More Chance-Volt.
2. Clarence Hill-A Lot Of Loving Going Around-Mainstream.
3. Bonnie Brisker-So Much Loving-Magic City.
4. The Ice Men-It's Time You Knew-Ole 9.
5. Bobby Bland-I Ain't Myself Anymore-Duke.
Gilbert Denny - Hardcore soul music fan and DJ co promoter of The Pineapple Soul club - Greenock, Scotland
1- Slave Girl - Johnny Burton - Broadway
2 - In Other Words -Fascinators - Bombay
3- Pat & The Blenders - Just Because - Fast Eddie
4- Fantastic Four - Live Up To What She Thinks - Ric Tic
5.Tony Colton & The Big Boss Band - I Stand Accused - Abc-Paramount
It was our allnighter, it was top drawer and for once the buses where
heading north and plenty of them .
Gilberto Pineapple.
just like that
Steve Walls Rare soul music fan, DJ - Scotland
The Devotions - Do Do De Dop - Nation
Jimmy Robins - I Just Can't Please You - Jerhart
Jesse Johnson - Left Out - Old Town
Jackie Milton - Little By Little - De-Vel
Matthew Barnet - If Your Love Is Real - Puff
Mick Howard - Hardcore Rare soul music fan - Erskine Bridge Scotland
Shotts how about this:
I got to know a few of the Scottish lads at Staffords TOTW all nighters
through the record collecting thing - people like Jock O'Connor, Colin Law,
Jim O'Hara, Mark Linton, Jim Tennant, Keith Whitson, Steve & Alan Walls and
the like - and so when I found out that Guy Hennigan was organising a
coach up to Steve & Alans all nighters in Glenrothes I jumped at the chance as
I got on so well with them. Of course the Glenrothes all nighters folded
pretty much as quickly as they started for whatever reason but if my memory
serves me right, Jim's Miners Welfare all nighters in Allanton (Shotts)
started up fairly soon afterwards so it was just natural to alternate between
the better all nighters in England and Allanton. Two of the main reasons,
apart from the wide and varied styles of Soul music played, were the
downright friendliness and ameniability of the Scottish crowd (chemicals may have
been involved) - dancing on the tables with a can of Tennants did not
feature in any all nighters that I'd been to South of the border - and the people
I travelled up and down there with - Guy Hennigan, Dean Anderson, Alan
'Kitch'ener, the late Pete Lawson, the Brennan clan Dave/Kate/Annette to name
but a few. The jewel in the crown, however, has to be Jim's invitation to
spin some tunes alongside the likes of some of those people I've already
mentioned, experts every one. Picture a very nervous me, smoking loads trying
to calm my nerves and then before I knew it I was on, only it was after Tom
Jackson who unbeknownst to me had played a 12' or an LP beforehand - cue
Ron Baxter at 33rpm! Not a great start but it soon picked up and getting
applause at the end was the icing on the cake. What I played is a bit of blur
but pretty sure that these featured somewhere through the set:
Ron Baxter - This Is It - Ole9
Phonetics - Pretty Girl - Trudel
Troy Dodds - Try My Love - El Camino
Ali Bongo & The Magicians of Soul - Hitch Hike - C/U (a version of the
Marvin Gaye tune by Rocky Roberts on a French EP)
Freddie Houston - If I Had Known - Old Town
Walter Jackson - After You There Can Be Nothing - Okeh (my last record,
certainly)
Mark Linton - Rare Soul and soul DJ - Fife
Bernard Williams- Focused on you
Cashmeres - Let the door hit your back
Lovelites - My conscience
John Bowie- Your gonna miss a good thing
Lovemasters- Pushing and pulling
Colin Denham - Rare soul music fan - Newton Aycliffe
Shotts or Allanton was the place to be back then,the travelling did not
bother us as we had to travel every place as nothing was on in our area at
all. Everyone played there part in making the Allanton allniters great,the
punters the promoters and the collector /DJs,
Records that remind me of back then not all played there first but just
remind me are:-
Deceived Ruby, Candle in the window , Geater Davis My love is so strong
for you,I just cant speak,Jimmy Bo Horne aka Little Beaver at the time, The
Devotions on Nation !!
Tons of classy stuff that only gets played in back rooms these days,
Allanton played a big part in the promoting of underplayed obscure tunes which
sadly now have been left behind in the current popular events.
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Duce - Hardcore Rare soul music fan and in demand DJ and co promoter of The Pineapple Soul club - Greenock Scotland
Have fantastic memories of Shotts allnighters it was the atmosphere,
the standard of DJs ,the buzz all came together to make Shotts such a great
place to go .For me Shotts was Scotlands Stafford only better !!!
Trends (thanks for a little lovin),
Stewart Ames (Angelina)
Clarence Hill (A lotta lovin going around),
Dottie and Millie(talking about ma baby
Michael Higgins - Hardcore Soul and Rare soul music fan - Glasgow
It's curious why Allanton is remembered so fondly and why — looking back —
it was something special.
I think part of it was to do with the timing. Most of the regulars had
been around allnighters for a good number of years by the time Allanton had
come along, and a good few of them had even been away and come back. It
feels strange saying this over two decades later, but it felt, to me at least,
like something of an Indian Summer. A number of the big venues were in
the process of closing, and Allanton arrived like an unexpected bonus.
Everyone was also slightly older, and maybe a little more relaxed.
And “relaxed” takes me to the vibe of Allanton. All those involved in
the initial set-up were highly-regarded participants in the scene — I
specifically remember Jim O’Hara, John Neilson and the great Brian Welsh. (Maybe
we were lucky in Scotland, because the previous Fife allnighters were also
run by the respected and liked Walls brothers, who were also key DJs at
Allanton. No Chris Kings, Kev Roberts and their like up here.) It was
professional, but authentic and welcoming. I remember the organisers, wives,
partners, and even paying punters vaulting the counter and taking turns
selling the Irn Bru and Mars Bars. I also remember the giant stars and stripes
behind the decks. The record room was one of the best ones around — with
Pete Lawson usually holding court and dishing out put-downs and tips. There
was no twattery, and it felt a nice place to be.
Maybe helped by the time it came along and the good vibe of the place,
Allanton also wasn’t afraid to innovate. The Fife allnighters of the 1980s
really drove forward the “60s newies” in Scotland, and Allanton had to form
an identity of its own. No doubt other, better informed, regulars will
remember it differently, but I remember Allanton as being much more prominent
in championing the rarer alternative oldies, alongside the new discoveries
(the sets of Colin Law and Jim Tennant, in particular). DJs like Andy
Dennison were also brought on, alongside established names like Keb and Guy,
Alan Walls and Mark Linton. Also, it was an inspired idea to introduce Tom
Jackson, who was then at the top of his game, to play the incredible new 70s
discoveries that were turning up around that time.
A top five is next to impossible to pin down, but this is a random quintet
I still associate with Allanton:
1. Jimmy Bo Horn (Little Beaver c/u) “I can’t speak” (Dade)
2. Ralph Graham (Johnny Caswell c/u) “She just sits there” (Upfront)
3. Flowers “For real” (La Xpressio)
4. Tony Clarke “(They call me) a wrong man” (MS)
5. The Chandlers “Your love makes me lonely (Col Soul)
Fraser Dunn- Glasgow legendary soul music specialist, Radio/club DJ and promoter
My recollections are few but very vivid in my mind. It was a purple patch
in the scheme of things on the soul scene. The Shotts/ Allanton allnighters
have a special place in my heart for many reasons. Why do I think it
worked?. The organisers for one Jim O'Hara and the team. Worked tirelessly to
have the best allnighter that Scotland has ever had bar none. Secondly and
the reason it had people coming from all over the country were the DJs. They
never thought to copy anyone playing elsewhere and always were given their
own thoughts to play what they thought should be and worthy of being spun.
Cheap records alongside rare items. As long as they were quality tunes then
they got played. There was a healthy rivalry among them but never a
oneupmanship atmosphere. I travelled to Allanton with Peter McKernan. We played
in a bar in Glasgows Hope Street called The Liquor Bar and it became a
meeting place before setting off to the allnighter after it had closed.
Several car loads with Lenny Harkins and others all left from there. I must
confess to not being in the main hall for any length of time as I spent 95% of
my time in the record bar. I picked up some brilliant records from there.
Dealers such as Roger Banks, Pete Lawson were regularly in attendance. I
particularly liked a stall that was situated immediately right as you walked in
the room. It was ran by a lad from Bradford and he sported a great big Afro
style hairdo. His name was Ivor. His favourite was "All me records are
brand new" he was a right character. The DJs deserved a big accolade for
making the night what it was. A time of my life I will always cherish.
The music:
Brothers Guiding Light played by Tom Jackson
Carlena played by Colin Law
Bobby Kline played by Acky Buchan
and hundreds more that my memory escapes me.
No doubt they will come flooding back when we all get together for the
day at Peebles HotelI am particularly looking forward to the Peebles Hydro
reunion as this is the first time I will have ever heard Jock O'Connor play
a spot as Peter and always went away around 6.30 a.m. and Jock was still to
go on.
Andy Dennison's reflects on Jock O'Connors Allanton DJ sets
I've come up with at least 25 titles that fit the bill....but after much
deliberation for me these shout Jocks name at Allanton every time I hear
them....it had to be a top 6 for Jock as every one is essential as the other.
OJays- I'll never forget you
Fantastic Four- I'm gonna live up to what she thinks
The Magnetics - I have a girl
Larry Laster - That's just what you did
Jack Montgomery- Dont turn your back on Me
Esther Phillips - Just say goodbye
Jocks last hour was not only an integral part of Allanton but an education
....every one of these 6 will forever be synonymous with Jock and Allanton
just ask anyone who went...I could have added another 15/20 easily of his
plays but for me these 6 especially bring the memories back of what Jock
and Allanton was about...if you didn't get it you were in the wrong place.
Andy D
Pepsi [ian Sheppard] Hardcore soul music fan - Aberdeen.
Don't think I was at the first niter but was certainly a regular. Headed
along to my first one as it was a bit of a rarity to have a local niter (80
miles away)Looking back now I can say that I met some characters ! Many of
have become very dear friends to this day . Don't think I'm well enough
informed to comment on why it worked but Jim had a vision to make it work and
that he did big style
Here's five from me which hit the spot then and still do now , maybe a bit
safe ,and listed by others already but I'm not really bothered as its
quality that counts
Four Tracks - Charade
Don Gardner . We're Gonna Make It Big
Bobby Hutton - Come See what's left of me
Sebastian Williams - Get Your Point Over
Jack Montgomery - Don't Turn Your Back On Me
Just a few that came into my mind immediately but as I'm typing this I'm
thinking of loads more and could go on and on! Ian
Nicky Peacock - Hardcore Soul and funk music fan, Legendary DJ and club promoter - Based Clynder Argyll and Bute.
I usually DJ ed on a Saturday night so had to rely on someone taking me
through at 3 am so everything was usually in full flow by the time that I
arrived.
If I was there for the night I loved the way that you could catch up with
friends that you only saw at the nighter, you seemed to come together with
certain people at the same times.
On one occasion I had to tell Gilbert enough, he was telling me about
going to Italy for the world cup, after two hours of stories he still had not
left the UK !
I always felt that things moved into top gear when Colin Law came on, that
response on the floor was amazing.
The inability of people to speak as the night progressed was always
memorable.
I was intimidated by the record room, my knowledge was fairly minimal,
although Alan Walls used to swap tapes with me frequently, so I would get
Peter Mc Kernan to look out for tunes for me. Take me back to that room now eh ?
Memories of going back into Glasgow and killing time at a record fair at
the McLelland Galleries, before going home and trying to force down a Sunday
dinner. My Mother always wondered why my brother was so grumpy after being
at ' that place'.
Rodge Martin ' They Say '
Soul Communicators ' These Lonely Nights '
Ted Taylor ' Somebody's always Trying '
The Ringleaders ' Baby what has Happened '
Ruby Andrews ' Just Loving You ' Procured for me by Big Chris RIP
Chuddy - Hardcore Rare soul music fan and of everything to do with the scene - West Yorkshire
A journey to 'enlightenment '
First trip to Allanton was and still is one of the journeys I'll never
forget. I was in a 'deep & meaningful ' conversation with Billy Mercer at some
allniter, down south.. he asked me if I'd been to the Shotts 'do' in
Scotland, I said I hadn't but was planning to go. He told me how good it was and
it would blow me away with the quality of the music,the brilliant
atmosphere and the friendliness of the guys who ran it.
So plans where made, the motley crew consisted of, Swish,Bri Walker &
Steve Flynn from York, Dennis Billingham from Rothenstall? and my good self.
Steve supplied the wheels as he worked for Vauxhall motors so it was top of
the range all the way.
We set off nice and early as we didn't have a clue where it was, no sat
navs back then,god it was only 1990. We made the obligatory stop for
'refreshments' somewhere in Lancashire, nicely 'refreshed' we hit the road. About
90mins into the journey Dennis piped up that he'd put together a tape that
would be suitable for our journey 'over the border'. So into the tape deck
it went, everyone was anticipating a booming northern track,when out of the
speaker came...........Sailing by Rod Stewart, typical Dennis. In fact the
whole tape was Rod Stewart tracks but on that particular day it just seemed
right!!!
As darkness fell, we arrived at a tiny little village,'somewhere in
Scotland' still don't know we're it was to this day,totally lost. We pulled up
under the only street light in this village which happened to be outside the
only pub, decided to go in and ask for directions. Well it was like been in
a Wild West saloon, the place was heaving, but as soon as we stepped foot
into the place it went completely silent.....we looked at each other and
the same thought was written across all our faces......we're going to die.
So me being the youngest was shoved unceremoniously to the front..'ask the
landlord where we are, and get ready to run for it'. So the question was
asked, the reply was far from what we expected....'you're only about 15min
away, straight down the road you can't miss it, you may as well stop and
have a drink'....
Well we preceded to have a fantastic couple of hours, brilliant,
hospitable people, we even managed an England v Scotland pool match, which if my
memory serves me well we managed to win.
So we reached our desired destination bang on time, a rarity in itself me
thinks. There then proceeded one of the best nights I personally have ever
had. Everything Billy said was true,absolutely fantastic music, atmosphere
and the crowd well words cannot describe. When we left the venue for the
return home, new friends had been made, sounds listened too, everything in
the world was good,very good. I've got to say,not all the team enjoyed
it,Steve hated it...'didn't know any of the tunes', Bri and Swish thought it was
okay, me and Dennis absolutely loved it. I'd just been to a venue where I'd
danced for 7 hours yet I'd not heard 75% of the tunes before so for me it
truly was a 'Journey of enlightenment' still in the top 3 allniters of ALL
time, needless to say I never missed another one after that 'first night'.
5 favourite tunes from Allanton
Magnetic's- Count the days
Mary Sexton-Losing control
Martin Gaye-So long
E Rodney Jones-Peace of mind
Our ladies of soul-Lets groove together
Hope you enjoy my little memory , kept it as short as possible, could have
wrote pages I just loved the place.
Chuddy
Chesterfield crew
Chalky - Hardcore soul music fan and specialist, collector, promoter, journalist and lover of all things to do with the scene.
It usually started with a steady drive on one of Guy's coaches...and a
steady drive it was!!! We spent that long on the coach it was like a mini
holiday. Other times it was Dean's mini-bus or driving up. The coach was the
best though, rollicking fun with a couple of stops along the way to pick
up more waifs and strays. Allanton, who'd have thought a little miners
welfare in the middle of back and beyond would be such a focal point for the
scene at the time. The music not always exclusive to the DJ's, in fact much
played before at places like Stafford but the attitude was what made it
special. No politics, no two faced w*nkers trying to spoil the fun of others,
just a room full of like minded loons from all over the UK out for a good
night with good friends and good music...and a good night was had by all.
Great venue, great music, special people, characters at ever turn, many
still friends today, the venue has left a mark on the scene that puts it up
there with the major venues that have contributed to the history of the
Northern Soul scene since the late 60's.
Not necessarily my top sounds of the time although Ralph Graham is
probably in my top 20, here's five I remember from Allanton.
1. Ralph Graham - She Just Sits There - UpFront (James Conwell cover up,
other side Gene McDaniels I think, ask Colin. I swear though he played
this as c Tommy Navarro at Winding Wheel in Chesterfield)
2. Kim Katrell - Did You See Her Last night - Tyson (Valerie Simpson c/u)
3. Troy Marrs - Rhythm Message - Sureshot
(Ask Colin for the cover up name, I can't remember)
4. Tony Colton - I Stand Accused - Pye test Press?
5. Out-A-Sights - For The Rest Of My Life - Saru
Chalky
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Neil Hodgson - Hardcore Soul and Funk music fan and collector - Nottingham
Attached is taken word for word from scribbles done at the time. Bit rough
maybe but feel free to use it if its of any help in your Shotts research
etc..
Next full one I have I think is June 1990
This scrip is taken word for word from scribbles done at the time. Bit
rough maybe but feel free to use it etc. I will send up more as I can put
them together.
There are venues which hold special places in ‘allnighter’ history,
usually for a unique feature it held. Take your pick they've been mentioned
every weekend since the year dot. I cant comment on the venues closer to the
dot, most obvious example of recent times is rather predictably Stafford. I
must admit that at the time I never understood why such a seemingly hostile
place could be that special-I still can't to some extent but I'll take the
regulars words for it. Sure, there’s no doubt the music was totally
phenomenal and gave everything that was to follow a better chance of success.
So, Stafford, yes I'm sure a crucial and legendary venue but not a
tremendously welcoming one. This, again a little predictably is where ‘Shotts’ comes
in.
There's undoubtedly a growing realization that this IS a special place and
has secured a place in the ‘soul hall of fame’. Have others gained this
status when realization is a result of absence. Shotts provides the two
things which people go to ‘niters’ for, f**king good music and great people
and friends. The feeling that everyone who attends is a part of
something----something happening now.
Having attended the last 5 Shotts, Oct 89-March 90 there’s no doubt at
all that the lion go’s from strength to strength. I hasten to add these are
not the only 5 I’ve been to, they are the most recent and consecutive and
the most recent. I can't see any reason why this trend should change.
Music; the beats are probably more traditional than those of Stafford, a
fact which stems I think from a purely geographical preference. But check
Jock O’Connors last hour spots for slower material–which at 8:25am fills the
floor. Adey Harleys great spot recently also demonstrates that the demand
for the slower paced material is latently as large as the demand for any
other form or genre. Particularly considering Guy Hennnigan’s spot last
night- a nice blend of Hennigan stormers and mid paced items. And if Tom
Jackson can follow Joshie Joe Armstead with Rhetta Hughes to a full floor of 60’
s/70’s/80’/90’S soul fans, well it speaks volumes. Tom does I think
underestimate the crowd, I don’t think Charles Johnson, The Dells or Philip
Mitchell is necessary anymore, another fact which is developing, albeit slowly:
Brotherly Love, brand new went down well and will continue to grow in
popularity. Sam Dees- ‘Rumour’ released only last October is now a firm
floorfavourite.
I could write for hours; I wont. People are witnessing something special.
Ruff Cut deserve immense congratulations, Its well worth the 650 miles
round trip.Its worth running out of petrol for. A few personal faves which I
heard last night ?
I Stand Accused (last record), Brotherly Love, Robert Owens, The Ceasars,
Tobi Larke- Challenge My Love, OC Smith, Jock O'Connors epic spin which may
be Jimmy Burns, Kenny Sheppard and lots of others.
Shotts June 1990:
Undoubtedly the best ‘Shotts’ this year and quite possibly THE best.
Tom had a break and allowed Andy Whitmore offer up the 70’s/80’s spot —
he also indulged in a couple ofchoice carefully selected 60’s. A sound move,
particularly as it made way for Spyder Turner- I Cant Wait To See My Baby’
s Face and The Exits-Under The Street Lamp. I have’nt danced so much to
one spot for ages, also the first all-nighter spin for RICHARD CAITON-I’D
LIKE TO GET NEAR YOU–especially for Lord Marriott. One fucking hell of a
sound-whichwas well appreciated and needs playing more at Shotts. Ireckon it’s
the only venue which allows other DJ’s to pick up on sounds and push them
properly. Andy also played Richard Rogers, TSU Tornados, BB Brad,
Constellations, Candy and the Sweets. All Brilliant.
Jock did his usual superb last hour- a spot which he truly made all his
own playing slow, mid tempo sounds such as Soulful Twins-I Cant Let You Go on
Sable, Big Dee Irwin (Rotate) also OC Smith and Harry Starr. AdeyHarley,
Keith Whitson both excelled, Marc Linton warmed things up brilliantly with
two of my faves Bill Lucas-Cos I Know Your Mine and Kelly and the Soul
Explosions —Talkin Bout My Baby’s Love (Dynamite). I managed to pick up the
latter off Guy for a mere £7–a bargain I reckon. Also got Electrons on Date
for £6, Whispers on Soul Clock £3. Good nights collecting considering Jim
also sold me Kim Tolliver Where Were You (Tayster 12) at £4.
More ramblings from Neil:-
I think Susanne summed it up one night at Shotts when she said'I've been
looking for this for a long long time"I always remember that. Also relevant
was the link up with The Kilt at Newmains which we went to a few times
,quite a mixed crowd and mixed music. I went in some brand new loafers one
night and my feet were killing me aftrer dancing all night .
Neil
Colin Law - Hardore soul music fan, DJ and promoter - Edinburgh
Dean and Colin
My take on Allanton/Shotts Allnighters:
A few words about Allanton Shotts Allnighters and as I put pen to paper it
already brings a large smile to my face and fond memories along with the
hair on the back of my neck stand up on end, for me, one word sums up
Allanton “MECCA”. It was a Mecca for the Northern rare soul scene — anybody
that was anyone wanted a taste of Allanton, it’s where the cool club promoters
from Glasgow & Edinburgh came to listen to the best records the Soul Scene
at that time had to offer and was a privilege to be headlined resident DJ
along with the best of a very cool bunch of switched on Scottish DJ’s.
These guys have their story to tell but this is my take on Allanton……….
It was fresh and cool, the crowd for me were the most responsive crowd I
had the pleasure to DJ too, they came from all over Scotland and in their
numbers from England. Buses from every corner — everyone buzzed with the
anticipation of what are we going to hear next at that period of time on the
Northern scene. I was personally turning my set by at least 10 records a
set that accumulated to a lot of records over that small period of years
Allanton was running it caught me at a time that my hunger for new records were
a complete obsession and I was on fire! Some people regarded it arrogant
but I can assure you I was not arrogant — I was driven! I had to have the
best and I would stop at nothing to have them. I was on it day and night
digging deep all over America and playing in my next. At Allanton the
atmosphere was electric, the people that went to Allanton are still a big part
of my life to this day
I would like to finish this blog off with a special thanks to all the
people that have been a massive influence on my years of record collecting.
Utopia first and foremost to a very dear friend who is always in my thoughts
when digging for records and always reminds me of some great times at
Allanton who is sadly no longer with us but will always be held up in great
regard is Peter Lawson. Richard Searling; Soul Sam; Gary Rushbrock; Dean
Anderson; Guy Hennigan; Butch; Gaz Kellet; Barry Waddington & Brad; Dave Malloy;
Jock; Martin Koppell; Tim Brown; John Manship; Keystone Record Club York
Pennsylvania USA and a few other guys in America but you’re not getting to
know them!!! Without them none of this would have happened for me and all I
can say is that I am blessed to be part of this brilliant scene.
My Allanton top 10
Marvin Gaye — So long (Un-issued acetate)
Ch Changing Scene — When the City Sleeps
RR Ralph Graham — My Gene McDaniels C/U
Joj Johnny Moore — Lonely Heart in the City on Blue Rock
HH Hank Hodges on Eye
Kim Katrell — My Valerie Simpson C/U on Tyson
Kell Osbourne — Quicksand
Freddie Houlston — If I Had Known
Jessie Davies — Hang on in there
James Latley — Love Friends — Money
S**t hot ……..
Guy and Colin
Scott, Soul music specialist and Rare soul fan - Falkirk,Scotland
Many thanks for the opportunity , here goes :
The late 80's and early 90's soul scene in Scotland was a very
unfashionable place to be at that time , following on from the fallout closures of
Wigan , Stafford and Morecambe to name but a few the scene was left to a few
hundred hardcore DJ's , collectors and punters to carry on .The beauty of
this group was that they were a " community " in every sense of the word ,
travelling regularly week in and out to venues both North and South of the
border , like Tony's at Blackburn and Guy's coach returning the favour to
Allanton.
It was inevitable that this community would eventually have their own
regular venue and so the idea of Allanton was born under the leadership of Jim
O'Hara and The Ruff Cut Club . The venue itself was no more than a miners
welfare hall , with terrible toilets and paraffin heaters blasting out in
the winter !!! BUT it was a sanctuary for the DJs / collector and dancer
alike . This was truly the age of the £10.00 record being purchased in the
record bar and spun five minutes later to the ears of a welcoming dance floor .
That is unique in itself because the DJ's were dancers also. The records
played were top quality for their time and a cheap record would stand side
by side a big hitter because the DJ's rated and championed them , ( Keith
Whitson / Ruby Andrews for example which went on to national acclaim )
It was a pleasure to be part of it and it's so funny how certain records
will transport me back there and I can still hear the handclaps !! ,
I could pick hundreds of tunes but here's my five :
Ralph Graham - She Just Sit's There
Doni Burdick - Candle
Martha Star - No Part Time Love For Me
Tony Clarke - Wrong Man
Emanuel Laskey - Peace Loving Man
Cheers mate, see you at the reunion
Scott
Steve Riddell - Soul music fan - Aberdeen now Dundee
I couldn't wait to get on that mini bus from Aberdeen to attend
Shotts,Acky was always the driver .picking up the Dundee guys & girls on the
way.always straight to the record room for me to find that record,or a bargain.then
the main reason for being there,on to the dance floor to dance to the
cheap,the expensive,but mostly the new tunes I hadn't heard,which was a lot & a
few not so new tunes.you would never hear,I don't like this or I don't
like that.to me there was never a bad tune.was such a great atmosphere & to
sum it up,it was just an amazing nighter
.
5 tunes that remind me of those good times
BOBBY BLAND / YUM YUM TREE / DUKE
REO LANE / GIVE ME YOUR LOVE / BRENT
BOBBY WOMACK / SOMETHING FOR MY HEAD / COLUMBIA LP
DONNA COLMAN / YOUR LOVES TO STRONG / AVIN
PAULETTE / LOVE YOU BABE / CONTACT
Byrney - Soul music fan and lover of all things associated with the rare soul scene - Nottingham
What would attract a bunch of seasoned, degenerate Nottingham soul hounds
to travel to a nighter in shabby welfare type building in a wet mining town
in Scotland?
The music for one: underplayed, new discoveries with a smattering of
quality oldies. As Northern Soul should be. DJ’s included Colin Law, Alan and
Stevie Walls, Andy Dennison, Jim Tennant, Keith Whitson, Tam Jackson —
alongside big hitter guests like Guy Hennigan, Butch, Kitch, Rob Marriot, Dean
Anderson, Acky and that Whitmore lad who amongst other always ripped the gaff
up.
But for me the main pull was the people — “Shotts”, “Allanton”, “Ruff
Cut” “Scotland” or whatever it was called attracted the hard-core; from
Big Harry and his mob in Aberdeen; that mad bird Jo Brock’s gang congering up
from that there London; the wide eyed Preston cybermen led by the infamous
Gaz Kellet through to the more sophisticated, debonair Bon Viveurs from
the East Midlands renowned for sporting tweed, sipping mojitos and discussing
the finer points of fine wine on Dean Anderson’s luxury coaches.
It was this mix of mad loon Scotts with a hunger for music and
disorientated English stompers types who were prepared to travel to hear the real deal
that made this place special. Lots of us went to Stafford, Blackburn,
Oddfellows etc. and knew each other from these nighters, but Shotts somehow
brought us closer together and forged a bond which endures to this day.
Here’s 5 records from Shotts:
1.Jimmy Bo Horne. I just Can't Speak. Played C/U by Dean and Kitch as
Little Beaver to an empty dance floor (everyone was running to the decks). Went
onto become a legend
2. Martha Starr Love is the Only Solution. Of course played elsewhere
years before Shotts but this to
ok on a life of its own on this dance floor.
3.Doni Burdick — Candle. This would pack any dance floor, any era.
4.Esther Phillips. Just Say Goodbye. Jock O'Connor last thing putting a
smile on our faces before we headed back to his flat for capers.
5.Joyce Kennedy. I'm a Good Girl. Off the wall I know but I can't recall
hearing this played much since and that Violin drum break never sounded so
good.
Kitch- Hardcore soul music fan and record collector, DJ - Nottingham
What is there to say about the Allanton “Shotts” Allnighters.
Wether is was the mental journeys by car, mini bus or coach (especially
the Guy Hennigan express). The race to the Tickled Trout at Preston or the
sometimes hilarious and very long journeys back this event made a lasting
impression on not just me, but friends and the scene as a whole. The people
there were welcoming, friendly and most of all full of enthusiasm for the
music. The crowd just let you play your spot however you wanted to and were
always keen to congratulate you on your taste but always respectful about
any criticism (can't remember getting any so liked it all the more).
People who had never been before had heard about it but would say “that
sounds too far to travel for me” but once they finally went they had booked
their seat for the next one before the night had ended. Now if that’s not a
powerful statement of how good it was then nothing else I can tell you
will. Some great names played there as well as the Scottish crowd Guy, Keb
(Adopted Londoner), Butch (who nearly didn’t again when he played Cleveland
Robinson — “Loch Lomond” and got a few Scottish punters come up saying “ya
think ya f****n funny da ya!!!). but soon forgave him when he played
Lancaster Johnson C/U, Andy Whitmore, Rob Marriott, Dean Anderson, Graham Ellis to
name but a few which gave a wide spectrum of soul genres being played with
the accent on dancing and just having a good time which we all did. One of
the most memorable record bars and the bar that always sold out of date
IRN BRU.
It is safe to say I cut my DJ teeth at Shotts and it was a pleasure to do
so and I will always have fond memories of a place that wasn't trying to be
anything other than it was, A F**KING GREAT ALLNIGHTER….
Top Ten Shotts Plays:-
Ray & Blue Satin “She Doesn’t Love Me”
(ARV International) C/U as Carl Hall
Jimmy Bo Horne “I Can’t Speak”
(Dade) C/U as Little Beaver
The Blendells “You need Love”
(Dontee)
The Other Brothers “I’m Gonna Find A Love” (Pet)
King George “I Need You” (Audio Arts)
Jimmy Elledge “Sad Town” (Sound Town) C/U as Lou Roberts
Paulette “Love You Baby” (Contact) C/U as Patti j & Contacts
Eddie Ray “I've Got Something Of value” (True Soul)
Geater Davis “My Love Is So Strong” (House Of Orange)
The Dreamettes “That’s Not Love” (Dream Makers)
Gilly, Rare soul music guru, fan, specialist, collector and part time DJ - Derby
Fond fond memories of the Scottish nighters
was unfair that since I can remember the Scottish guys had travelled in
quantity for so many years,it was time for us to go north.Guy H set about
running a coach for our enjoyment.left from Derby having a good amount of London
boys transferring from train to coach.On with the Leicester and Nuneaton
lads topped up with Derby soul boys.Off up via Stoke another pick-up point and
again stopping in Lancashire area,coach full .Great reception on arrival
fantastic up for-it locals place buzzing.
When I DJ I think I had Little Ann,Buddy Smith, inspirations x 2 some
Melvin Davis songs Larry Wright etc Good times!!
http://music.telasource.netdna-cdn.com/monthly_07_2013/ccs-1-0-69875600-1374870215.jpg
Chris Brennan and Joan
Jumpin Joan - Hardcore Rare soul music fan,The worlds finest female Rare soul DJ - Preston
It was the right mix of absolutely everything - the music, the place, the
people and looking back on it now, the sheer madness of it all! A line up
so good it didn't need mere mortals from England but they let them have a go
anyway.was all over the place back then (in every sense)
Top 5 - now that's a toughie! So many fantastic tunes played and whenever
I hear them played (even now) I always think of Shotts and the reaction of
everyone in the place. Never experienced the like since, anywhere!
Lillian Dupree - Hide and Seek - D Town
Les Chansonettes - Don't Let Him Hurt You - Shrine
Magnetics - When I'm With My Baby / Count The Days- Sable
Magnetics - I Have A Girl - Ra-Sel
Martha Starr - Love Is The Only Solution - Thelma
Best all-nighter ever for me, without doubt!
Melv - Hardcore Rare soul music fan- Prestonpans East Lothian Scotland
Hi Andy i was only there first 2 years
The main reason I went was to here new tunes and there was just something
special about the place
Top 5 of what I can remember
1 Johnny Groom full of tears
2 Ray Pollard This Time
3 Magnetics I have a girl
4 Jjimmy Elledge sad town
5 Larry Wedgewood No more games
Colin Law use 2 play a track called "house on the hill" cant remember who
it was
Alan Walls - Rare soul music fan ,DJ Scotland
The Utopias - Girls Are Against Me (La Salle
Karmello Brooks - Tell Me Baby (Milestone)
September Jones - I'm Coming Home (Kapp)
The Magnetics - When I'm With My Baby (Sable)
The Masqueraders - How (La Beat)
Andy Whitmore Soul music fan - Scotland
Having been active and a regular on the nighter/club and weekender circuit
from about 1976/77 onwards - and was quite use to and always prepared to
go that extra mile or to the ends of the earth to make things happen
both musically and out in club land...
Back then it was all word and mouth, circulars/flyers or a wee peak at The
Echoes in WH Smiths/Menzies just to ensure all was cool and the validity
of what was taking place...
So if you wind the soul clock back to 1987 - out in some old club down
south -chewing the fat over what was hot musically and what clubs to go to
next, word on the street was of a new Allnighter happening up in
Scotland !!! At Allanton ?? Right that's Allanton in Scotland,so out with the
atlas to get our bearings were on planet earth Allanton was ....nae bother
and into our diary was The Allanton allnighter.... Back in those early
days of Allanton we would have never guess that it would become the main
string of how you would plan your month out and about - but Allanton became
religiously always the first date in our diary ...
The Journey/weekend/Allanton/Shotts experience would always start late
Friday night or first light on a Saturday morning and probably finish late
Sunday night/Monday morning..back then it was no place for the faint
hearted....
So what made Allanton so special and a not to be missed event ? I would
say that the people,the music ,.the venue ,the enthusiasm,the energy, that
drive for wanting only the best, the attitude,the buzz,the excitement of
hearing different records on a regular basis at a regular Allnighter and not
forgetting the promoter Jim O'Hara who certainly had his finger well and
truly on the pulse with his great ear for music and a very sharp resident
DJ line up .... with some of the best guest DJs around to boot.
So once you arrived at Allanton what occurred ?
It was always a toss up were the best place was to spend your night at
this iconic allnighter , the atmosphere was electric so wether you was in the
car park/ record bar /dance floor /behind the decks or in the chill out
room ? that being the secret room behind the decks , rest assured you were
defiantly " going to the happening ".
From a punters point of view you had one hell of an up for a good time
crowd of brothers and sisters who were passionate for the music in a great
for a Allnighter type of venue with a music policy second to non !! job
done.....well nearly.
From a DJs point of view- you were booked and graced to play what ever
you felt was right at the time - no restrictions from the punters or Jim and
an amazing crowd that would pack the dance floor wether you were spinning
known/semi known or nearly unknown records from all eras -they all went
down a storm!!!! A great venue to DJ at.
From a record collectors point of view - Phew we're do you start ... I
wish I had a pound for every time I spent the whole night sifting
through/buying or talking records in this world famous record bar- i picked up some
fantastic stuff from the hardcore record dealers that frequented this
venue!!! 45s/albums /12s coming out your ears.....always targeting Guy
Hennigan/Pete Lawson /Roger Banks and " Ivor" the guy who used to have loads of
boxes of fantastic albums ? Ivor being very famous for his mint condition
records and cool afro haircut ? I can remember one night being in full
flight with some record chit chat blasting his ears out and ended up getting
a mouth full of his afro hair in ma mush- Ivor was not amused especially
when I said well it will save you going to your hairdressers next week !,
great fun and great times .... as well as the hardcore record dealers you
always had to have one eye scanning around the room for some of the soul
crowd or DJs walking in with a pile of records for sale.....
From a part time record dealers point of view- it was a great place for
wheeling and dealing in vinyl of all shapes and sizes and from all
eras!!!! you would have some of the hardcore collectors pouncing on you in the
car park before you had even got the record boxes out of the boot of the
car, it was defiantly a case of first up got the best of the best records.
Have got to say over the years I have been to some great great clubs and
that is no mean statement :- But for all the right reasons Allanton/Shotts
was the one for me !!
The Allanton experience was unbelievable and ruled the waves on the
scene for near on 4 years !!!!
Great times loads of tales to tell and very fond memories
Top 5 Allanton moovers and groovers:-
Take a Stand -Voices of East Harlem- Just Sunshine
Get away from me girl- Willie and West -All Platinum
Sunshine,Roses and Rainbows-Blacksmoke-Chocolate City
Don't take your love-Newsounds -Turbo [ Allanton monster for Mark Linton]
Silly Kind of Love-Billy Byrd and Black Cloud -Scream records.
Jock O'Connor Hardcore soul music fan,journalist and DJ - Edinburgh
There is always something dangerous about unbridled nostalgia for me,
purely focusing on the pleasure of the past often impacts on the progression of
the future. That’s certainly true of today's Northern scene from what I
read, although assuming anything about a scene purely from reading is also
dangerous, so how do you capture a moment in words. Difficult, but I am a
great beliver that looking back and reflecting can really help to also look
forward. So what can we learn from looking back at Allanton.
A they were the best times of my life
B. They were the maddest times of my life.
C. We were the dogs bollocks when it comes to considering the music we
pushed.
D. Thank f**k we survived, although I did lose a few neighbours in my
tenament stairs over its lifetime for some strange reason.
Grand statements, but I think all can be backed up by evidence if we need
to, but the purest evidence for me is, like Stafford, although it was only
around for a relatively short period of time it is still held in the
highest regard with little dissent from anyone, or anyone that was there anyway…
.. And that’s the rub, it’s a cliché, but you had to be there, mere words
cannot describe, although I will try.
I think first thing to say about it, and to provide balance, it wasn't the
first Scottish allnighter to attract travellers or be known for playing
top music, it was actually an evolution through Edinburgh Clouds, the Walls
Bros Fife venues and some of the one off Edinburgh venues, and even the
early Allanton variatons should be counted, and sure main man Jim O'Hara would
tip his hat to these for their inspiration and influence. However where
Allanton was different was it was probably the No 1 all nighter in the UK at
that point, with it being the only non missable night on the scene for the
small but hardy bunch of regular all nighter goers in that period.
Previously our Scottish dos were supplementary to the main English niters, but now
Allanton was king of the Castle, the Jacobite revolution had one last
uprising.
And I think on mentioning the main man, we need to say that this was very
much Jim O'Hara's vision and determination to provide this top of the game
venue that made it happen. In many ways it was never a one man show, Jim
had some great help, particularly from the Bellshill boys in early days to
set up, girls behind the tea bar (it was before the equality act, and it was
the West of Scotland before I get any complaints) that became almost as
famous and crowded as the record bar, with many wrongs being verbally righted,
and moving things around with people arriving hours before the start and
helping, although I suspect the chance of a free entry was keeping some of
the spirit of Wigan alive. But it was definitely Jim's baby, and we need to
take our hats of to Jim for this time of our lives.
So what made it special,
* Atmosphere, 100%, and most of the night, at points during Colin
Laws spots the roof and the hairs on the back of your neck were racing each
other to the sky.
* Music, 150%, a combination of top Jocks of the day playing all
over with the top all-nighter sounds and a bundle of us collectors around
them, supporting them, but also pushing the barriers in concept of what was
being played, no same old for 95% of the night, turning our back on the apathy
that was spreading down South and each DJ putting their balls on the decks
(metaphorically rather than literally just to be clear, there was some bad
behaviour there behind the decks, normally involving Woody and/or Ozzie
and some chairs and/or hoovers, but we had limits) saying okay this is my
taste and you are going to get it, and they did, time after time. Much of that
was down to the freedom that Jim gave us, and he very rarely interfered,
except when Colin somehow managed to turn the volume up beyond the mixers
physical possible maximum (10 times a set)
* And that leads on nicely to people, 200% proper all nighter
people. No superstars, all equal in that place, especially the record room, well
except Mr Hennigan, he was always deserved royalty in those days. Lots were
complete collectors but try calling them chinstrokers, you would soon be
stroking the bruise on your chin. Most mad as f**k, all bang into the music
and the party, having fun at a nighter was expected not optional. The
dancefloor and the legendary record room proved that, and the occupants of the
two sometimes met in the middle, as there was a Buffalo like stampede to the
dancefloor, often led by Pete Lawson clip clopping to the dance floor in
his highly tacked brogues, to the latest sound that was recognised as a
clarrion call to the converted, passing those slowly sidling into the record
room from dance floor, a breather needed, people peeking through those doors
pensively to see who was around, like the doors to Narnia, before entering,
looking round for a like minded soul to discuss music or the world, and to
avoid the record room ribbing that some fell victim to. Normally when Pete
had herded the grumpier grazers over to his corner for a bit of male
posturing! It wasn't always easy, but the best things in life never are.
* Jim O'Hara. He has to take most of the credit. He controlled the
most unruly mfkers you could think, mostly with a smile, although
occasionally with a shout, like when Ozzie tried to have chair races across the dance
floor, or take the hoover into car park which had the caretakers house
right next to it! Who thankfully, until the end, thought Jim and his pals were
nice lads and didn't need to check up on what was happening. But he drove
it forward incessantly, in some ways at cost to himself personally as
friendships faltered due to disagreements, but he knew what he wanted and it was
101% right. And he must have made a fortune on that tea bar, well he would
have if we didn't all help herself. Had to make up the shortfall in wages
somehow Jim!
My personal experience of it was that it was the only place I trully loved
Djing, like absolutely revelled in it, it was our time and place. Our
Stafford. Our two fingers up to the rest of scene saying catch us if you can.
And they couldn't. I was allowed to wear my heart on my sleeve for my last
60 minutes (it was often nearer 86 minutes, much to Jims monthly disgust and
shouts of "right Jock, that is definitely the last f**king one") and each
one got harder to play but also bizarrely easier once you started. I felt
honoured to dj but also challenged and allowed to answer the challenge in my
own way. It was often emotional and afterwards I replayed it all for days.
Nothing equalled that hour for me, and nothing will. I like to think I
pushed barriers in style and genre, and buttons in making people think. And
for John Neilsen and Steve Walls who tried to push my buttons every all
nighter by saying play something faster, normally when I was playing my fastest
record, I sussed you boys, admittedly the second last all nighter but I got
there. I was often dazed and confused, if euphoric. I still get feedback
now, and that’s humbling. What I like to think I brought to Allanton, as did
Jim in spades and most of the DJ's was an ethos, a F**k you I can do it my
way ethos, in many ways that was the spirit of the 80's, the spirit of
Stafford and definitely the spirit of Allanton. And I suppose that’s what we
can take from looking back from Allanton, that ethos and the spirit made it
what it is.
And I suspect that’s what Colin and Andy are trying to recreate with
Peebles, two nights about progression and evolution and fun, just like these
days used to be. And for me personally I think that’s even what the reunion
bit should be, celebrating the Sounds of Allanton but also the spirit. That’s
what Allanton deserves and demands.
I suspect my glasses are unusually rose spectred here, as sure there would
be bad nights, but I genuinely cannot remember any, towards end when
hassle from locals and plod were raising their ugly head, it impacted but for
the however many hours in there, it was business as usual. 100% Northern Soul
as only the greatest all-nighters can be, with people I hope I can call
lifetime friends. Euphoric and free. That’s what Allanton needs to be known
as for me.
Some of my faves from Allanton:-
Magnetics on Ra Sel
Ray Pollard on Shrine[ to prove I didn't just play cheap record ]
Tears on Smash [Good Luck ]
Fantastic Four Live Up To What She Thinks [Ric-Tic]
OC Smith Color Me Father [Columbia LP]
Bill Brandon Streets Got My Lady [Piedmount]
Carla Thomas Never Stop Loving You [un issued Kent Records]
Major IV This little Girl of mine [Venture]
Esther Phillips Just say Goodbye-[Atlantic]
OJays Ill never forget you-[imperial ]
Four Tops Ask The Lonely-[ Motown] -Still the greatest record i played
anywhere.
site note below added 3rd Aug 2013
Something To Look Forward To...Something To Be Proud Of
Being a wee bit late to party with my submission has allowed me the benefit of enjoying and absorbing the other contributors' thoughts and memories of the phenomenon that was the Allanton All Nighter. On the downside, it also means everyone has it pretty much covered, but let's not allow that get in the way of another old timer's reminiscing!
The Allanton All Nighter - and it was in Allanton, by the way, a town so 'one horse' that Jim felt it might help people find it better by referencing nearby Shotts, a town slightly larger (ie, two horses) - really was something of a phenomenon, for a few reasons. As Jim has already pointed out, it was the West of Scotland's first Northern nighter, an area traditionally rooted in the jazzy, funky traditions; also, it was virtually unique in that the promoter wasn't a DJ or a wannabe, starting his own club in order to get a gig. But for me, the main reason this club made such an enduring impression and still generates so much affection was *ahem* the integrity of it's promoter and fact that it came along just at the right time, a time so right that for the first and surely the only occasion, Scotland - for a period - was to host the scene's most influential, 'must attend', regular nighter.
Post-Stafford, the 60's Newies/Forward Thinkers (yes, that's meant to come across as elitist) found ourselves drifting from various clubs that sought to fill the void: some were excellent - Guy & Ion's 'Soul Town' ventures in Blackburn, and Rob Marriott & Jim Wensiora's 'Soul Power' shindig in Mansfield spring to mind, and the venerable 100 Club continued to fight the good fight - but, 100 Club aside, there was never really a feeling of permanence, they tended to feel like stop gaps to me. They came, blazed brightly for so many months then fizzled out, for whatever reason. By the time Allanton started, Steve and I had played The Last Post for our nighter at Glenrothes YMCA and there was precious little to excite us down south. It felt the scene was dying on it's arse and we feared we'd never again see a club that ticked all the right boxes. Then BANG, the roof fell in as this barnstormer of an all nighter in the most unlikely of settings took off.
And take off it did! It wasn't the first all nighter up here to have punters dancing on tables, or to see coachloads arrive from England, but the magic, for me, was that this was achieved by the ticking of those 'right boxes' I was on about, i.e the right music; decent crowds, both in terms of quality and quantity; a well laid out venue and 'finger-on-the-pulse' promotion. It wasn't very often you would get all that for yer £3.50 admission! English pals and acquaintances would tell me how they loved the atmosphere but couldn't understand how it came to be - "why isn't it like this down south?" they would muse, as if contemplating Zen or the mysteries of Solomon, yet it was all so simple: we just knew how to get right in about having a good time and whacking it with a big stick! I once heard one chap - arsehole is another description - snootily talk of the distinction between 'the fodder on the dance floor' and the 'the top men in the record bar' (I kid you not) and therein lay the answer: while that pompous knobhead felt his mission on the scene was to be a be a ponderer of early 60's R&B honkers with a like minded bores, we were dancers who knew our shit. We set about our business with enthusiasm; whether that be collecting, DJ'ing, dancing, capering and just being off our heads; sweating like buffalos and grinning like demented beavers, reared on a hearty stew of oomph, with added gusto and vigour. Oh yes indeedy! As with my friend The Top Twat In The Record Bar, the following is another example of someone just not getting the bleedin' obvioius, a more-or-less, word-for-word account of a conversation I once had at Allanton:
Her - "Why don't you support our nighters, when we go to all the bother of coming up here"?
Me - "It's a bother to you? You're always at Allanton, I thought you came up because you enjoy it"?
Her - "Oh we do, it's brilliant, we love it. The music, the atmosphere, the crowd...it's great"
Me - "Isn't that enough"?
Her - Well...yeah...it's just that it doesn't seem right, us coming all this way and you guys not supporting us"
Me - "See that nighter you think I should support? It's boring! It's always half empty, and the 2 or maybe 3 dj's worth listening to are playing to a handful of punters while the rest have barricaded themselves in the record bar, talking the same old shite to the same old faces as they did the last time. It's everything that Allanton's not, that's why I don't go".
What the lady seemed to fail to grasp, although she really 'got it' without realising it, was that we regarded Allanton as an event to look forward to, something worth getting excited about. We didn't have umpteen nighters within a couple of hours drive available to us up here, so we were largely immune from the complacency which affected so many of our southern contemporaries, who could give the impression they attended nighters as if on auto pilot, regardless of who was DJ'ing. They would mump and moan, yet dutifully return the following month to a nighter that simply didn't deserve their support . It isn't really that hard to understand why, then, the Allanton experience would hit those folks like a handful of bombers! Another couple of guys suggested to Jim and I what they described as - and I quote - "a cultural exchange", whereby Jim would give these two collectors-with-DJ'ing-aspirations a spot at Allanton, while they would use their apparent influence with Ady Croasdell to get a couple of our boys on at the 100 Club (this despite Colin, Jock and I making the odd appearance there purely at Ady's behest, without those would-be movers and shakers pulling the strings). Again, those fellas spectacularly missed the point that the key which made Allanton was the integrity of it's promotion: DJ's were their on merit, not for their ability to fill a coach or as a 'you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' maneuver, and those DJ's turned it on accordingly; likewise, the crowd were treated with respect and they, in turn responded accordingly. It's not too highfalutin to sum up Allanton at it's peak as a perfect synergy between the promoter and his team, the DJ's and the punters. I played the first one, the last one and damn-near everyone in between, and even after so much time has passed, I still happy to declare my contribution as something to be proud of.
As I write this I keep getting flashbacks of the sheer fun of it: Pete Lawson storming up to the decks as I was playing The Magictones 'Together We Shall Overcome' and me thinking "oh aye, here we go", expecting a tirade for playing such a cheapie but receiving praise,(in Pete's fashion)...Guy bellowing up at Jock from the front of the stage "Oop the tempo, oop the tempo. In the the name of God man, oop the tempo" after a particularly mellow selection during the last hour...Jock - that man again - delivering a moving tribute to Nelson Mandela by dedicating James Barnes and the Fabulous Agents 'Free at Last' (he was still on Robben Island at the time) with the immortal line "if you're listening Nelson, this one's for you"...first time DJ'ing on E, oh crikey! "Concentrate, for f*ck's sake, concentrate"!...doing the last hour on one working deck with with Mark Linton, me frantically waffling on the mic as Mark toiled to cue in the next track "coming up next, The Two Fellows with 'Stop Don't Give Up Your Loving' . Fred and Skeets were the Two Fellows - what an unusual name, Skeets - on that great little Detroit label, Mutt. Well, it's actually from Inkster, Michigan, but that's near Detroit, er, sort of. I think". And so on...
Half-thoughts of urging Jim to stage an Allanton tribute nighter have occurred to Steve and I over the years, but without ever really thinking it would happen. God knows, it's legacy deserves such a fitting event, so it's nice that the upcoming True Soul Weekender is offering a wee opportunity to remind folks of this truly legendary nighter. Who knows, it maybe stir a reinvigorated Jim into getting his promoter's hat on again?
See you in Peebles, hitting it with a big stick on the dancefloor!
Alan Walls
July 2013
http://music.telasource.netdna-cdn.com/monthly_07_2013/ccs-1-0-65078100-1374870191.jpg
Link to True Soul Scottish Website
http://www.truesoul.co.uk/
Oslo Soul Experience - 10 Years Anniversary - 30/31 August 2013
Past reviews and such should get away from the need to explain the highlighting of this anniversary
Friday at Badstugata bar with open decks!
Saturday at Leiligheten: 14.00-22.00; food and soul on the roof!
From 22.00-03.30: Special guest DJs; Ian Wright and Butch!
denboJul 24 2013 07:37 PM
Love the 10th Anniversary flyer. Reminds me of an Ann Peebles Lp cover.
Hoping to see you all there. :-)
jordiripJul 25 2013 10:53 AM
Brilliant poster / flyer. Sounds like an amazing night! Wish I could be there.
vinceoneillJul 26 2013 11:17 PM
A LOVELY CITY, WISH I WAS GOING, BUT JUST COMEBACK FROM OSLO AFTER A BUISNESS TRIP, SO EXSPENSIVE
little-stevieAug 01 2013 05:09 PM
If you get the chance then try it out... Nice city, great venue and crowd... Would love to go back some day.... All the best lads....
Like
Soul Event guide entry
Scotland - Glasgow - Merchant - Vintage - Soul Casino
http://www.merchantcityfestival.com/
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th July sees Wayne Hemingway's first Scottish Vintage festival taking place as part of the Merchant City Festival celebrations.
As part of the Vintage festival Saturday Night sees the Soul Casino event taking placer
Soul Casino Info
The Soul Casino recreates the sounds and style of the classic 70s soul club and 80s disco scenes with DJs Eddie Piller, Nick Peacock, Al Kent and Wayne & Jack Hemingway.
The Old Fruitmarket dance floor will reverberate to the sound of classic 60s Northern Soul and the uplifting Modern Soul movements that fused so brilliantly in the early 70s through to the up-tempo Disco sounds of the 80s covering uber cool Jazz-Funk, Boogie, Rare Groove and everything in between.
Soul Casino event link
http://www.merchantcityfestival.com/Pages/Event-Info.aspx?ev=799
there ya go
thumbs up
Syl Johnson Film In The Making...
One of the great underated soul men indeed....
Have a look...
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robhatchmiller/syl-johnson-any-way-the-wind-blows
Outono Codax Festival Sept & Oct 2013 - Spain
Was passed on word about this upcoming festival, first look it seemed to be a weekender but a closer look shows that it is in fact a series of concerts over 3 separate weekends in North West Spain
Translated via google from the website
The Outono Códax Festival kicks off its third edition with a year will bring Galicia the best of the so-called "black music" through a selection that combines the best sounds of soul, R & B, blues, funk and rock'n roll from the '60s to the present day .
The festival, promoted by private initiative Raíña Hand Productions and A Reixa and this year began a new phase with the sponsorship of Martin Codax, again placed its headquarters in the iconic Capitol Chamber of Santiago , with a three concerts (next September 28 and 19 and October 26) and a poster of exception in which, once again, faithful to its spirit, legends form part global reference bands internationally and some of the Galician groups greater projection.
Video and flyer say it better
Resumo de bandas do Outono Códax Festival 2013. – at Santiago de Compostela.
Video promocional del Outono Códax Festival
http://youtu.be/QAjnoDEuMYU
CONCERTS
Sala Capitol. Santiago de Compostela
Saturday 28 / September 2013 21h (doors open)
THE GREAT BARBARA LYNN
+ BLACKBERRY AND MR. BOO HOO
+ THE LIMBOOS
Saturday 19th / October 2013 21h (doors open)
OSAKA Monaurail
LEFTIES SOUL CONNECTION (Feat. MICHELLE DAVID)
+ CHILD AND GuN
Saturday 26 / October 2013 21h (doors open)
THE CHIFFONS (Feat. JUDY CRAIG)
+ THE BIG JAMBOREE
+ THE EARTH ANGELS
website link
http://www.outonorock.com/Outono/Inicio.html
Soul Junctions Latest 45 - Out Now July 2013 - Elbowed Out
As always you can read a full bio and description via the Soul Junction website (the link is at end), here's a couple of grabs
...out of the west coast town of Seattle in the state of Washington. The group’s founding members were lead vocalist Sam Chambliss who also played trumpet. Lead Guitarist Denis Wilcox who also shared lead vocals. Drummer, Clarence Acox, Keyboard player Gaylord Young and a horn section that featured Ray Baldwin, Jabril Radhid and Nick Ceasar. They had all met while studying music at the University of Washington....
... lasting legacy is the two previously unissued dance tracks that we at Soul Junction now present to you. The upbeat “Taking A Step” b/w “Girl You Got Magic” both recorded in 1978 and both featuring Sam Chambliss on Lead....
Video Highlight
http://youtu.be/DKCMJxkZQ-s
tracks swap at 1 min 30 approx
Comments and pre-release talk on here
The Soul Junction Item Page
http://www.souljunctionrecords.co.uk/SJ523.html
John Ellison (Soul Brothers Six) performing Live - 6 Dates 2013
With classics such as 'I'll Be Loving You', 'Thank You Baby For Loving Me', 'Some Kind of Wonderful' , 'You'd Better Check Yourself' among other Atlantic and Phila of Soul sides.
A great vocalist with music and stories to match.
Expect to see him in the following areas..... North Wales, East and West Midlands, Blackburn, South Yorkshire and one South of Coventry appearance!
More details of the venues issue performance times.
See one of the true 60's soul voices Sept 27-29
www.goldsoul.co.uk
Henri Pierre Noel at The Jazz Cafe Sat 13 July 2013
Exclusive London show at The Jazz Cafe with support from THE GENE DUDLEY GROUP.
Live album launch!
Plus special guest DJ THE REFLEX
And Wah Wah 45s DJs Dom Servini, Scrimshire & Bopperson
details
media
Jocelyn Brown - Headline Act at Scotland’s newest weekend festival SSW3 Dumfries
(**After Party Sunday November 3rd**)
Put your hands together for the world's greatest living dance music diva in the house + reunited on the bill with OLIVER CHEATHAM
Larger than life, with a voice and presence that fills your soul, the legendary Jocelyn Brown, has just been announced as this year’s Headline Act at Scotland’s newest weekend festival, SSW3, in Dumfries.
Only one lady can raise the roof wherever she goes, and expect an explosive Wow factor show from Jocelyn Brown, which will undoubtably be one of this year’s SSW3 highlights. Her unmistakable voice has under-pinned 3 decades of dance music with hits like ‘Somebody Else’s Guy’, Todd Terry’s 'Keep On Jumping', NuYorican Soul’s 'It’s Alright’ and numerous disco hits on the world famous Salsoul label. Hugely sampled - 'I've Got The Power' was sampled from her 1986 dance hit, ‘Love's Gonna Get You’ by Snap! for their worldwide hit, 'The Power 'as well as NYC hip hop originals, Boogie Down Productions on their single 'Love's Gonna Get'cha' - Jocelyn is one of the music business’ best-loved artists, having notched up more than 20 dance hits and having worked with amazing talents such as Chic,,Boy George & Culture Club, Bette Middler, Patrick Adams and as well as disco legends such as the Salsoul Orchestra, Prelude’s Musique and house legends such as Masters At Work and Erick Morillo. She continues to be hugely in demand for her incredible vocal power, and she’s here to wow at SSW3.
Jocelyn is joined at this year’s SSW3 by the vocal talent of Oliver Cheatham, the originator of the classic disco hit, 'Get Down Saturday Night' (sampled by Junior Jack on his Room 5 No 1 hit 'Make Luv' and Michael Gray on ‘The Weekend'). Oliver and Jocelyn duetted together on 'Turn Out the Lights' and 'Mindbuster' and it’s great to see Oliver centre stage again.
After two hugely successful events, the SSW3 returns for 3 more massive days at The Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries, with its proximity to the border attracting house and soul worshippers from all over the country, keen to soak up the vibe generated by over 70 international DJs and live acts such as the legendary Jocelyn Brown, playing the best in dance music from across all the genres. Spread across four arenas, SSW3 showcases headliners such as the legendary Chicago acid house originator, DJ Pierre; New York DJs Spinna and Nicky Siano; Motor City Drum Ensemble from Germany; Live action from legendary diva, Jocelyn Brown ‘Somebody Else’s Guy’/It’s Alright (I Feel It)’/’Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, Oliver Cheatham, Michael Procter (USA) plus from the UK, Horsemeat Disco’s Luke Howard; Groove Assassin, and Atjazz.
Hailed as “the friendliest weekender” by patrons and DJs alike and with a line up to rival many more well established weekenders, SSW3 is the new kid on the weekender block, and promises another incredible 3 days of nu disko, edits, house, soul, jazz, classic house, disco and classic funk n’ soul in the mix and live on stage.
DJ Yogi Haughton, doyen of numerous Southport and Prestatyn weekenders, is the powerhouse behind the event and is a legendary longstanding Scottish DJ and club runner. Never one to stand still musically, Yogi’s new Blue Room, was an immediate success last year, catering to the emerging edits, slo-mo house and nu disko scenes and will be headed up this year by the likes of DJ Spinna, DJ Pierre, Motor City Drum Ensemble and LTJ Xperience. Over 70 DJs appear at this massive four room event dropping their amazing tunes on 20K Martin sound systems in the main arenas, and with lighting and décor production values to rival any event in the UK.
SSW3 also boasts a rare record and merchandise fair in the heart of the weekender venue with stalls selling weekender T-shirts and elusive vinyl.
Rounding things off after Sunday November 3rd’s afternoon Finale is the SSW3 After Party in The Shrine Room from 10.30pm until 4.30am and beyond, hosted by some very special guests to be announced shortly. Entry is £10 in advance with tickets available at the Cairndale Hotel reception or £15 on the door, and weekender goers can also book an extra night's accommodation at a 50% reduction rate for Sunday night.
SSW3 is the Winter event for discerning dance music lovers everywhere. Can you feel it?
100 Club - A Hot Lookback - 6th July 2013
I did wonder if the weather would affect the numbers attending but my concerns were needless. A good crowd in, and some new faces.
I arrived as usual at 11.15, dropped off my bag at the back of the stage and bought a much needed drink. Ady was doing the first set, but passed the baton on to Keith who, in the event, did three sets during the night. Keith is a most consistent DJ, always playing good records, many lesser known, ideal for the club.
James Pogson was on next for 45 minutes, playing an interesting set, most of which were new to me, but I did recognise the Sacred Four's Somebody's Watching You.
Next on was the other guest Ted Massey, a man with an enviable record collection. I'd had a chat with Ted at Lifeline, he'd asked if I had any requests so I asked for three of my favourite tunes. He played all three of them in this set, kept me happy, and I think many others. Among others he played were I Saw You There and the Profs' There's A Woman.
Ady was on again next, playing some of his Pied Piper tracks, more dance floor action.
Joel was on next, but at this point I was so hot I had to take a break and go upstairs for some fresh air, or as fresh as it could be in central London. When I went back down the dance floor was busy so he had done the business.
Then Keith again, thanks for playing Ask My Heart, a friend had asked for it. He included some Crossover records in this set including Clydene Jackson' I Need Your Love.
James took over from Keith and included in his set current “biggies” the Superbs' Wind In My Sail and Ishola Muhammad's Open Up Your Heart. He played some funk influenced tunes as well.
Ted then did his second set keeping things going with tunes like I'm Gone, Look At You, and Charles Johnson's I Made A Mistake, a record that to me sounds very much in the Bobby Bland mode. He ended his set with George Pep's The Feeling Is Real and George Lemon's Fascinating Girl.
Joel came on for his second set and included the instrumental version of Make My Love A Hurting Thing and Billy Byrd's Lost In A Crowd.
For the third time Keith took the stage, playing a nice set including Karmello Brooks' Tell Me Baby, Bob & Fred's I'm On My Way and Mel Britt's classic She'll Come Running Back.
This took us up to the last 30 minutes where Ady bring things to a conclusion. He played a mix of tempos, I Can Change keeping the pace up, slowing it a bit with Sweet Temptation and Don't Bring Me Down, slowing it more with Annabelle Fox's Lonely Girl and a version of I Just Can't Wait To See My Baby's Face, can't remember who it was by, not the usual ones though, and ended the nighter with Jimmy Radcliffe's Long After Tonight Is All Over, one of the greatest enders in my opinion, and a record that has a certain meaning for me.
Then the lights came on, and we began to pack up to the strains of That's What Mama Say and say farewell. I made a quick getaway as I needed to get to King's Cross to catch an early train, got me indoors at 7.30.
The only criticism of the night, and it's not the fault of Ady, was that the dance floor was not in a great state, in fact it was pretty sticky. It hadn't been polished, so some talc was dropped, but not in an obtrusive way.
Apart from that no worries at all. As usual nice to see so many friends there, Billy, Mark, Gary and Rolly, Paul, Yann and Kym, Trickster, Alan Edge, Liam, and many others. No doubt I'll see you at the next one, if not before.
Once again thanks to Ady and the DJs and the 100 Club staff. Now for a rest.
Monique Thomas - Nottingham, London and Newcastle
While the tour has been underway since last month, you can still catch Monique performing songs from her new project (backed by a full live band) at Nottingham, London and Newcastle venues
The tour promo video
http://youtu.be/Z0McEdhog10
More Media
http://youtu.be/CyAnXVo05hM
http://youtu.be/9h7DbfRHTO4
Event Details
Sunday 14 July 2013
The Glee Club, The Waterfront, Nottingham NG1 7EH
7pm, £7
http://glee.co.uk/nottingham
Thursday 18 July 2013
Vibe Bar, 91-95 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
7pm, £7
http://www.vibe-bar.co.uk
Friday 26 July 2013
Hoochie Coochie, 54 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 6SF
7pm, £5
http://www.hoochiecoochie.co.uk
More information can be found on http://www.moniquemusic.com
John Harris And The Soul Sayers Now Out On 45
This 45 does have quite an odd background, as it is one of those of obscure releases that has originated from US forces stationed overseas.
Here's the blurb from Bear Records
British Northern Soul DJ Paul Sadot was probably the first to spin Hangin’ In by John Harris & The Soul Sayers. Over a period of several years, the track became a verified hit in that small underground soul community that has since extended all over Europe. At first, there only appeared to be a few copies, all found in America. This is not surprising since John Harris was a black GI. But he was stationed in the Rhineland and played in a GI band, and the song was recorded in Germany. The group toured a little through the Chitlin' Circuit of Europe's U.S. bases, from Germany to Belgium to northern France.
One day, the band showed up at Kerston Records, a label founded by Alfred Kersten. There you could record and take the recordings home pressed as singles. Former sound engineer Kersten remembers an edition of 250 copies. When the Soul Sayers disbanded, the band members probably took the remaining copies back to America. So far, only two copies have ever been found in Germany.
Collectors who have scared up a copy of the original single will have had to dig deep into their pockets. Recently a copy was sold at auction on Ebay for $ 2,900. But now Cree Records / Bear Family Records has unearthed the original tapes. Limited edition of 500 copies, complete with a picture sleeve.
Some of above may be a bit different than some of our own members takes
They can be read via the tag feature...
purchase via Bear Family Records Site
Soul Searchers 1968-1978 Kindle
Soul Searchers 1968-1978 Kindle
A ten-year account of the genesis and evolution of Washington, DC’s Soul Searchers band; from 1968, the year Chuck Brown, John Euell, and Lloyd Pinchback exited the Los Latinos to form the Soul Searchers, to 1978, the year Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers released their first major recorded hit, “Bustin’ Loose”.
Marvin Gaye Film delayed?
The website featured a news item reporting that fresh questions have been raised about the likely completion date of Julien Temple’s 'Sexual Healing' film after shooting was "stalled"
It does sound like things are up in the air for this controversial project
Here's the link to the June news item
http://www.screendaily.com/news/temples-marvin-gaye-film-stalls/5057289.article
The Voyage Of The Dynamo: Crate Digging In Outer Space - Kindle Release
A humorous romp through the Galaxy in search of an elusive rare soul record; or it might be about Manchester clubland in the 1980's. I don't know I only wrote it.
Hi Kittens,
Well after 12 years I've finally finished the book and while trying to find an agent to get a paper type artifact published I've made it available on Amazon Kindle. This is not your typical soul book but those of you who remember my stuff from B+S, Echoes, Mixmag, Shades Of Soul etc. wouldn't expect that.
hope you enjoy
DEAN
added by site
Publisher: Dean Johnson; First edition (2 July 2013)
Out now via kindle @ £2.03
To purchase use links below
Note: Can also use the below to preview read in place
New Modern Soul Release On Cherries Records : Doug Shorts
Doug Shorts - Don't Sleep On My Love b/w Bet I'll Know The Next Time.
Please read about our friend Doug Shorts HERE
clip below ..
Brearley and Hernando have been among Shorts's biggest boosters, but Cherries isn't the only operation with a stake in Shorts's music. UK label Jazzman will release a Master Plan compilation in September, the Numero Group has a pair of Master Plan seven-inches due in the fall, and late this year rap producer Frank Dukes (Ghostface Killah, Danny Brown, Tree) and Dap-Kings drummer Homer Steinweiss hope to put out an album they cut with Shorts in 2012, tentatively titled Silver & Gold Featuring Doug Shorts. "Nothing happened forever," Shorts says. "Then all of a sudden people coming at me from all angles."
And you can purchase his new record here at www.cherriesrecords.com
The legendary Doug Shorts follow up to the sold out first release!
The midtempo r&b ‘A’ side, Don’t Sleep On My Love, showcases Doug’s cool demeanor and clever word play. With soulful breakdowns, the funky guitar and warm keys, this track puts the mellow & classy back in the dirty world of funk. 'Bet I’ll Know the Next Time,' the definitive ‘B’ side with a Chicago blues/gospel feel, the melodic organ riffs compliment the hard-hitting drum machine beats, creating a modern day inspirational hymn.
mp3 purchase
http://www.cherriesrecords.bigcartel.com/category/mp3
vinyl purchase
http://www.cherriesrecords.bigcartel.com/category/7-vinyl
Thanks for listening!
Go Ahead Recs - Buddy Miles and Clyde McPhatter 45s
Focus appears to be lp tracks onto 45 for this pair with 3 of the 4 first time out on 45 it seems
Clyde McPhatter
ANYONE CAN TELL / PLEASE GIVE ME ONE MORE CHANCE
Both tracks from the very scarce Decca LP 'Welcome Home' and never previously available on 45. "Anyone" is a crossover floater of the highest order backed with the classic 'Northern' indemander
Buddy Miles
I'M JUST A KISS AWAY / GOT TO FIND Ms RIGHT
Hugely indemand 70's backed with an equally brilliant track from the LP, never previously available on 45
£10 each from the Go ahead website plus £2 postage
http://www.goaheadrecords.co.uk
A Quick Lookback - Lifeline Soul Allnighter 29 June 2013
First I'd like to thank John McClure and Jen for the lift up there, and to Irish and Carrie for their company too.
A really good night as usual, the only place really where I, and probably many others, hear the music we really want to hear.
Superb sets from all the DJs, I did laugh when I went up to Andy to request the alternate version of Crazy Baby, and it was on the turntable, guess it was ESP or something, lol.
Sam played three of my favourites, won't mention what they were as all my friends know them.
I couldn't do full justice to Butch's set as by then my right foot was hurting a bit so had to take care, but still got out there to Jean Carter, United Sounds, Chuck Jackson, Hopkins Brothers, etc.
Cliff was on after Butch and played some good tunes, nice to hear the California Rock Choir again and the one before it whose title has slipped my memory, 1960 something, quite a recent record, with a jazzy feel, but I couldn't dance to it to save my life, but plenty of others could.
I didn't know many of the records Trev played, but I particularly liked a couple he played near the end of his set, one had an intro very similar to the Temptations' Why You Wanna Make Me Blue, and the one after it.
We left about 6-ish I think, and John dropped me off at Kettering station and I got the first train back to London.
As I've said above, a good night, thought there might have been a few more in but Bridlington is on and the Norfolk Village do in Bexleyheath, so these may have had some effect. But still a good crowd of aficionados. As usual nice to see so many of my friends, good to see you all.
Thanks to Andy and the other DJs for a great night, roll on October's one.
Geoff
Read more comments on this Lifeline Allnighter
photo via flickr - author eamnon http://www.flickr.com/photos/68518558@N00/
New Impressions Throwback Style Single
What do you get when you cross the legendary group harmony of the Impressions, with the savvy production stylings of Daptone’s very own master of ceremonies and guitar dynamo, Binky Griptite? Easy, you get one of the finest collaborations that has ever been realized onto 7 inches of high quality vinyl.
"Rhythm" the aptly titled A-Side, is a Curtis Mayfield penned tune that was a big hit for Major Lance in the Mid-Sixties. The Impressions revive this classic with their iconic sophisticated harmonies and a new horn arrangement by "The 4th Impression", Johnny Pate himself, that moves the song along at a laid back, yet dance friendly pace.
link below for more info and clips
https://daptonerecords.com/shop/index.php?route=product%2Fproduct&product_id=308
http://s3.amazonaws.com/Daptone/Previews/THE%20IMPRESSIONS/01%20Rhythm.wav
Sample This - The Story Of The Incredible Bongo Band
Anyway, I caught up with the writer & director (Dan Forrer) for an interview about the film.
You can check out what he had to say here: http://gazfunk.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/the-incredible-bongo-band-sharp-nine/
Gaz
Relaunch of Tracks To Your Mind Fanzine
'Not enough pics and label scans', was the criticism from some people! Also life got in the way too, as it does.......
I found some copies of the first edition in my garage, and thought I'd see if the scene is a bit more receptive to information in a Northern Fanzine as opposed to just pics and discographies.
So encouraged by my brother jem, my best mate butch, and my good buddy ozz, I've been persuaded to give this edition another go!
It's worth a read........ask those who bought it before.
So here it is... the re-launch of 'Tracks to Your Mind' with the first edition available again for £5
Email me for postage etc email: colouredman@hotmail.com
I'm thinking that paypal would probably be best for most people, which is fine by me.
The price for this issue is £5 plus postage. This is double the original cover price, but im sure you'll forgive me the increase... it was 15 years ago!
A huge 'thank you' to those who supported this first time around. Sorry i let you down by not coming through on more editions
but if there's enough interest in this one....... I do have lots more information in the can, for future editions so watch this space!
Thanks
Tim
