Just having breakfast and the wife clicks on a link for that tune " Skiing in the snow", aint heard it for many a moon and by god it made me feel ill...

How much daylight did this get, very brief i hope..... Did this really take off??? did it fill the dancefloor..

It really is that bad aint it, the kind of tune that would give any scene a bad bad name...

There must be people on here who liked it and danced to it i guess..

Let us know your guilty secret

And the big question, do any tunes like this get played out anyplace now??? I can't ever remember hearing this played out in all my years..

Peace.. Love but no pop.. xx

Just having breakfast and the wife clicks on a link for that tune " Skiing in the snow", aint heard it for many a moon and by god it made me feel ill...

How much daylight did this get, very brief i hope..... Did this really take off??? did it fill the dancefloor..

It really is that bad aint it, the kind of tune that would give any scene a bad bad name...

There must be people on here who liked it and danced to it i guess..

Let us know your guilty secret

And the big question, do any tunes like this get played out anyplace now??? I can't ever remember hearing this played out in all my years..

Peace.. Love but no pop.. xx

with ya there stevie.............think theres a thread at the moment about a recently discovered pop tune they're all raving about..............task for the day ......see if you can find it lol lol.......have a nice day tezza

Just having breakfast and the wife clicks on a link for that tune " Skiing in the snow", aint heard it for many a moon and by god it made me feel ill...

How much daylight did this get, very brief i hope..... Did this really take off??? did it fill the dancefloor..

It really is that bad aint it, the kind of tune that would give any scene a bad bad name...

There must be people on here who liked it and danced to it i guess..

Let us know your guilty secret

And the big question, do any tunes like this get played out anyplace now??? I can't ever remember hearing this played out in all my years..

Peace.. Love but no pop.. xx

Which version are talking about Stevie??

Wigans Ovation is a poor cash in piece of pop crap.

The Invitations-while not to everybodys taste nowadays, was a Very Big record in the early 70's.

As for the Beach Girls, well, let's leave that one alone

Tony

to be honest Steve , am sure it was played out , but dont ever remember dancing to it , it was classed as crap even back then

same as the flasher ! , which i did sell to some unsuspecting lady for £5.0 back in the mid 70,s

saying that , i can always request it using your name

Wigans Ovation, makes me shudder just to write it.. :yes:

The merits between the 2 versions????

Wigans Ovation, makes me shudder just to write it.. :yes:

The merits between the 2 versions????

The Invitations or wigans ovation,?? hmmm let's see.

One's a Soul Group-the other isn't ( and never will be)

T

even ive never ever played this out!

but there is an instrumental version around somewhere which i wouldnt mind getting hold of

even ive never ever played this out!

but there is an instrumental version around somewhere which i wouldnt mind getting hold of

Haven't heard that-is it a real 'un or a knocked up thing i.e. one of Simon S*ussan specials ?

In fairness- the backing track to The Invitations is quite meaty, and I wouldn't mind hearing that.

ATB

Tony

got a tape with russ spinnimng at wigan ..so its out there somewhere

Okay this is true: this came out when a lot of people my age were just discovering Northrn Soul and not knowing about originals version. I bought this (I was told it had a great B side as well, Northern Soul Dancer ) as did loads of kids at our youth club, I disticntly remember an older guy from Wolverhampton coming down and bringing an Out Of The Past copy of The Invitations with him for our dj to play, I just couldn't believe it when I heard it, same as I couldn't believe how fantastic the original version of Going To A Go Go was compared the The Sharonettes

The killer though was that a lot of people were playing a terrible version of Girl Don't Make Me Wait by Bo Donaldson & The heywoods, this one tuesday disco some guys from St Giles' in Willenhall bought the original Bunny Sigler version down to play and I think that was the end of us buying crap tailor mades and it was, for a 14/15 year old, part of an education. But I won't stand here and say "no, I did not buy Wigans Ovation or Footsee or Javells", because I did.

Edited February 9, 201213 yr by Pete S

When I first came onto the scene, it's fair to say that the Invitations "Skiing In The Snow" was the No.1 record on the scene and also one of the rarest records ever - at the time there were only 2 known copies. I think it's an incredible record to this day and a brilliant example of perfect Northern Soul under the original term.

Conversely, the Wigan's Ovation version was a complete piece of shit and a horrible Pop cash-in.

Ian D

Don't think you were around in 72 to 74, if so you would not ask. The invitations was one of the biggest sounds during this period and always filled the floor without fail. Did hear some prat of a DJ at Hunstaton weekender putting this record down while DJing in favour of the stateside release, but this was massive without a doubt. !!!

SHEEP

Cant hide from the fact it was a big record down at Wigan early days 74 ish !! remember it well being played like Pete says we cant hide it from our past we were young lads then, just beginning on our Northern Soul adventures naive, ignorant, what ever you want to call it, but i wouldnt have changed it for anything, the record itself ??? not going to comment but life goes on !!!! And so does Northern Soul...

Sorry, but I'll not hear a bad word said against it. The Invitations 'Ski-ing In The Snow' (and tunes of this ilk) are the foundation stones that the whole world of Northern Soul was built on. In the pre-Wigan early 70's at clubs like The Catacombs, Torch, etc, these were the tunes that created simultaneous clapping, dropping and spinning. Mixed in amongst the Mirwood's and Okeh stompers it's a perfect fit, better actually than ' What's Wrong With Me Baby", which was a bit played out if I remember correctly, plus the lust created by the fact that this Invitations record had never been released here and was "import" only. Even today if you hear it at a Catacombs anniversary folk still remember the clapping patterns - a true sign if ever there was one that a particular sound was a MONSTER.

each to their own, but this is the proper definition of CLASSIC

I first heard this record at Stafford Yeoman Soul nights in 1971,,, the DJ who owned it was a guy called Dave Lowe and with his DJ partner Barry Morgan,,, they had some of the hottest singles around at the time and both where Wheel Boys!

Its probably laughable to some now but people used to travel all over , as they found out Dave had a copy of the Invitations

The Yeoman was playing EVERTHING that the Wheel was playing , we were very lucky to have then two guys in Stafford

It was Pre " Northern Soul" and no pressings/boot legs ,,, that was lust about to start,,, Jeff King came to the Yeoman eventually and sold his Soul Sounds from a small van on the car park,,, we loved it at the time!!!

As crass as the record is thought of now it has always been favoured by collectors and went for big money in its day

I think thats what you have to put into prespective here,,, people now have a lot more knowledge these days and access to Rare records ,,, back in the day WE did not have much of either!!

This record is of its time,,, Not evey ones taste!!

Get over it

Clearly Stevie, Babcock and a few others were not around in '73......Simply, it was massive by the Invitations and would probably fill floors at any major venue even now.

As for Wigan's Ovation...a simple piece of hype at the Casino, which hopefully is well and truly forgotten.

The Invitations......a bit of a quirky song but Billy Morris sounds great on lead vocal. I like it.

When I was a kid, on the estate where I grew up, if you only knew one NS tune it would of undoubtably be 'Skiing in the snow.' If was massive on the scene @ the torch or not,it certainly had an impact in youth clubs and the like with generation to young to go to nighters.

The Invitations is a great record. Full stop.

Succinctly put as always, Gareth.

We have people saying that Sking In The Snow is crap, and we

have a thread running with people raving how brilliant

that Grey Imprint record is.

The Strange World of Northern Soul indeed.

Kegsy

Its the Wigans Ovation i am talking about, should have stated that, think i did in reply to Tony..

As i sit here reading these threads and listening to Jodi Mathis life was so much easier back then !!!!

Okay this is true: this came out when a lot of people my age were just discovering Northrn Soul and not knowing about originals version. I bought this (I was told it had a great B side as well, Northern Soul Dancer ) as did loads of kids at our youth club, I disticntly remember an older guy from Wolverhampton coming down and bringing an Out Of The Past copy of The Invitations with him for our dj to play, I just couldn't believe it when I heard it, same as I couldn't believe how fantastic the original version of Going To A Go Go was compared the The Sharonettes

The killer though was that a lot of people were playing a terrible version of Girl Don't Make Me Wait by Bo Donaldson & The heywoods, this one tuesday disco some guys from St Giles' in Willenhall bought the original Bunny Sigler version down to play and I think that was the end of us buying crap tailor mades and it was, for a 14/15 year old, part of an education. But I won't stand here and say "no, I did not buy Wigans Ovation or Footsee or Javells", because I did.

Yep had em all too along with The Joker, The Flasher, Evelyn Thomas, Guy Darrell, Lovin on the Losing Side, etc the tender age of 15. Remember hearing the Invitations for the first time (on OOTP of course!) and it blew me away. Anyone admit to owning the Spark compilation LP with Ruth Swan etc on it? Thought we knew it all when we bought that one

We have people saying that Sking In The Snow is crap, and we

have a thread running with people raving how brilliant

that Grey Imprint record is.

The Strange World of Northern Soul indeed.

Kegsy

Yes ..but they are both great in their own right ...

skiing in the snow is a yoof club record and grey imprint is a all nighter record..it just depends where you choose to go to listen to soul?

i look out of place in my youth club ....and everyone else looks out of place when i go to a allnighter

Now lets move on to the snake ,it was probably bigger than skiing in the snow

p.s

In 74 i was listening to Alvin Stardust ,Suzi Quattro,..the sweet ..slade ,dare i say Gary glitter & the glitter band ,so am not old enough and therfore not qualified to comment on the effect it had on the dance floor back in the day

just remembered ....this was on ebay a few days back

https://www.ebay.com/itm/330680977921?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Yep had em all too along with The Joker, The Flasher, Evelyn Thomas, Guy Darrell, Lovin on the Losing Side, etc the tender age of 15. Remember hearing the Invitations for the first time (on OOTP of course!) and it blew me away. Anyone admit to owning the Spark compilation LP with Ruth Swan etc on it? Thought we knew it all when we bought that one

i got the lp grant and this is where i heard the Brillaint Mighty dodos !!

Skiing In The Snow was the first record Snowy played at Butlins on Friday night and the dance floor was rocking.

Sorry, but I'll not hear a bad word said against it. The Invitations 'Ski-ing In The Snow' (and tunes of this ilk) are the foundation stones that the whole world of Northern Soul was built on. In the pre-Wigan early 70's at clubs like The Catacombs, Torch, etc, these were the tunes that created simultaneous clapping, dropping and spinning. Mixed in amongst the Mirwood's and Okeh stompers it's a perfect fit, better actually than ' What's Wrong With Me Baby", which was a bit played out if I remember correctly, plus the lust created by the fact that this Invitations record had never been released here and was "import" only. Even today if you hear it at a Catacombs anniversary folk still remember the clapping patterns - a true sign if ever there was one that a particular sound was a MONSTER.

each to their own, but this is the proper definition of CLASSIC

Quite right and well said, still got an invitations in my collection and it is a great record, the other versions are in the same class as the cpoies of tainted love; rubbish, and then these " taint" the quality ones at the same time.

Edited February 9, 201213 yr by vynilhound

Yes ..but they are both great in their own right ...

skiing in the snow is a yoof club record and grey imprint is a all nighter record..it just depends where you choose to go to listen to soul?

i look out of place in my youth club ....and everyone else looks out of place when i go to a allnighter

Now lets move on to the snake ,it was probably bigger than skiing in the snow

p.s

In 74 i was listening to Alvin Stardust ,Suzi Quattro,..the sweet ..slade ,dare i say Gary glitter & the glitter band ,so am not old enough and therfore not qualified to comment on the effect it had on the dance floor back in the day

Nev

You cant really say Skiing In The Snow was a Youth Club record bro,,,,, like i said it was nye on IMPOSSIBLE to find a copy in its day and later it was played at the Cats , Torch & Wigan so the All Niter thing is out of the Window too!!

Like i said people honestly travelled to hear it played out!!

I wish my youth club had a copy in 1969-70 when i was at school lol

So easy to slate its true rarity 40 years on

Nige

Its the Wigans Ovation i am talking about, should have stated that, think i did in reply to Tony..

Absolute classic!

Stevie mate, you are wasting your breath, everyone wants to answer the question in their head not the one actually asked, gives people like Kev a chance to remind everyone they were somebody once, nearly 40 years ago for 5 minutes,

One Flew Over The Soul-Source answers is the next great film to be made.

For the record being under 60 and not that interested in nostalgia, neither version does it for me, and saying SITS is better than WWWMB is frankly barking mad, mad I say. Now there is a statement for you to get really excited about.

I will come back in half an hour to see the 65 other records introduced into the answers provided.

Skiing In The Snow was the first record Snowy played at Butlins on Friday night and the dance floor was rocking.

Last time I was at Butlins they were playing Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep, on OVO, and the dance floor was rocking.

Okay this is true: this came out when a lot of people my age were just discovering Northrn Soul and not knowing about originals version. I bought this (I was told it had a great B side as well, Northern Soul Dancer ) as did loads of kids at our youth club, I disticntly remember an older guy from Wolverhampton coming down and bringing an Out Of The Past copy of The Invitations with him for our dj to play, I just couldn't believe it when I heard it, same as I couldn't believe how fantastic the original version of Going To A Go Go was compared the The Sharonettes

The killer though was that a lot of people were playing a terrible version of Girl Don't Make Me Wait by Bo Donaldson & The heywoods, this one tuesday disco some guys from St Giles' in Willenhall bought the original Bunny Sigler version down to play and I think that was the end of us buying crap tailor mades and it was, for a 14/15 year old, part of an education. But I won't stand here and say "no, I did not buy Wigans Ovation or Footsee or Javells", because I did.

One of the wisest things you have said, and one no-one could argue with surely. Hurry up and get back to normal............

One of the wisest things you have said, and one no-one could argue with surely. Hurry up and get back to normal............

I'm only "normal" in the politics section, everywhere else I'm harmless

Now then now then!! How's about that guy's and gall's Wigans Ovation, remeber it so well from Top Of The Pops and thought it was great. and we all know what thought did

Edited February 9, 201213 yr by Prophonics 2029

Skiing In The Snow was the first record Snowy played at Butlins on Friday night and the dance floor was rocking.

Not sure if thats meant to be a cryptic type pun

..but i will make an exeption here and say that if i was called Snowy ,i too would not waste the opportunity of opening with "skiing in the snow"

Not sure if thats meant to be a cryptic type pun

..but i will make an exeption here and say that if i was called Snowy ,i too would not waste the opportunity of opening with "skiing in the snow"

Followed by "Ice man"

Okay this is true: this came out when a lot of people my age were just discovering Northrn Soul and not knowing about originals version. I bought this (I was told it had a great B side as well, Northern Soul Dancer ) as did loads of kids at our youth club, I disticntly remember an older guy from Wolverhampton coming down and bringing an Out Of The Past copy of The Invitations with him for our dj to play, I just couldn't believe it when I heard it, same as I couldn't believe how fantastic the original version of Going To A Go Go was compared the The Sharonettes

The killer though was that a lot of people were playing a terrible version of Girl Don't Make Me Wait by Bo Donaldson & The heywoods, this one tuesday disco some guys from St Giles' in Willenhall bought the original Bunny Sigler version down to play and I think that was the end of us buying crap tailor mades and it was, for a 14/15 year old, part of an education. But I won't stand here and say "no, I did not buy Wigans Ovation or Footsee or Javells", because I did.

Same for me Pete, I think we're the same age.

I've still got my copy of this (only because I couldnt sell it if I tried) and would have danced to it aged 14 - there I've admitted it ( Hope you wont view me in a different light now Steve )

Also still got the Bo Donaldson which I bought back then

Edited February 9, 201213 yr by Steve L

How can you compare The Invitations and Grey Imprint? Both are all-nighter records but of different eras, one would be out of place on today's all-nighter scene just as much as the other would have been out of place on the nighter scene back then.

Neither can I imagine any youth club today playing Ski-ing In The Snow?

Oh and the Wigans Ovation was just an opportunity for some to exploit the scene in the pursuit of cash.

We all have our guilty pleasures and tunes that did it for us i guess, well most of us...

The topic was/ is about the Wigans Ovation version, it just hit my ears today and nearly had me throwing something at my mrs to click the off button, not much gets me like that.. Yes a sound that gets worse with the passing of time for me...

Got the answer i was looking for... topic closed..