I have a strong personal interest in "lounge-with- a- beat" based "Northern Soul" records like "More Than The Eye Can See" by Al Martino and Sam Fletcher's version of "More Today Than Yesterday", Barbara McNairs "You're Gonna Love My Baby" Doug Banks "I Just Kept On Dancing" Jimmy Radcliffe's "Long After Tonight Is all Over" Chuck Jackson's "Any Day Now" and so on A lot of instrumentals seem to fall into the category too- Derek And Ray's "Interplay", Frank Nelson's "Dominica" Earl Van Dyke's "All For You" and Earl Wright's "Thumb A Ride", Fathers Angels 'Bok To Bach" most of Ramsey Lewis stuff, "Rat Race" "Breakaway" "Afternoon Of The Rhino" ect. I know a number of these records -especially the instrumentals -are part and parcel of the history of the Northern scene and therefore to deny their importance in the grand sceme of things would be silly- whether you like them or not is another matter and I know a lot of people don't. Eddie Bishop's "Call Me" is a prime example. Where was it first played?

First time I heard it was early 80s on a pirate radio station. Think it was JFM out of London.

I must have first heard it on a Kent album I think.

It's on Floorshakers - Kent 007. Where was it first played?

It's on Floorshakers - Kent 007. Where was it first played?

Do you have a sound clip of the Al Martino track Simon ?

Interested to hear Northern Soul by this white Italian crooner, who of course played the Sinatresque character 'Johnny Fontaine' in 'The Godfather'

It's on Floorshakers - Kent 007. Where was it first played?

As far as I can tell 100 Club / Leicester / Peterborough very early 80's unless someone knows different.That's when I first heard it anyways.

I'd always assumed Call Me was an old Wigan track but the lack of old Wiganites on here saying so suggests it wasn't! It certainly conjures up images of the Notts Oddfellows in Leicester for me.

As a matter of interest though, Simon, what is 'lounge-a-beat'? Of the records you mention above, Barbara McNair and Doug Banks (for instance) are about as different in tone, style and beat as it's possible to be, surely?

Can't see how they could sit together under any title other than 'northern soul' (or maybe rare soul)?

yours confusedly

Dan

Would Al Martino's "Charmer" (Capitol) which got Wigan spins fall into this category?

BH

Would Al Martino's "Charmer" (Capitol) which got Wigan spins fall into this category?

BH

I sold a Al Martino,uk capitol demo,for £40,5years back.... ,this must have been it?,

No idea about Eddie Bishop but I'd like to congratulate you on inventing a new category - we need a few more.

Look out for a Lounge-A-Beat night near you.

I'd always assumed Call Me was an old Wigan track but the lack of old Wiganites on here saying so suggests it wasn't! It certainly conjures up images of the Notts Oddfellows in Leicester for me.

As a matter of interest though, Simon, what is 'lounge-a-beat'? Of the records you mention above, Barbara McNair and Doug Banks (for instance) are about as different in tone, style and beat as it's possible to be, surely?

Can't see how they could sit together under any title other than 'northern soul' (or maybe rare soul)?

yours confusedly

Dan

I definetly heard it played at Stafford. Not sure by who, but tempted to say Dave and Pat both played it..

I'm loath to claim it as a Stafford record tho for the reason's Dan says. So many were played (and under appreciated ) at Wigan before finding an audience at the Top Of The World.

I definetly heard it played at Stafford. Not sure by who, but tempted to say Dave and Pat both played it..

I'm loath to claim it as a Stafford record tho for the reason's Dan says. So many were played (and under appreciated ) at Wigan before finding an audience at the Top Of The World.

I'm certain this was played at Yate, don't tell me you don't remember it Mikey

I'm certain this was played at Yate, don't tell me you don't remember it Mikey

I went around Dave Thorleys one Monday evening following a Stafford allnighter. I wanted a record he played. Could I remember it? After half an hour listening to exerpts of tracks he could remember playing we gave up.

He said I was probably taking too much gear.

I told him I was just forkin stupid.

It may well have been played at Yate (Clarkie? could tie in with 100 club plays), but as I have trouble rembering um. whatsit..um. you know. Subbutteo I think. Or fish and chips

It may well have been played at Yate (Clarkie? could tie in with 100 club plays), but as I have trouble rembering um. whatsit..um. you know. Subbutteo I think. Or fish and chips

It may well have been played at Yate (Clarkie? could tie in with 100 club plays), but as I have trouble rembering um. whatsit..um. you know. Subbutteo I think. Or fish and chips

know what you mean on the memory front mate , but don't think it was Ian (?) don't know why just doesn't seem his "kinda" sound & i don't remember it @ 6ts / 100 club . or actually that should be 'cause I hate the record

I thought it OK. A bit bland I suppose.

Its not had the same oomph since Dave Spikey 'covered it' in Phoenix Nights.

I'd always assumed Call Me was an old Wigan track but the lack of old Wiganites on here saying so suggests it wasn't! It certainly conjures up images of the Notts Oddfellows in Leicester for me.

As a matter of interest though, Simon, what is 'lounge-a-beat'? Of the records you mention above, Barbara McNair and Doug Banks (for instance) are about as different in tone, style and beat as it's possible to be, surely?

Can't see how they could sit together under any title other than 'northern soul' (or maybe rare soul)?

yours confusedly

Dan

I suppose the records in question are just more pop or jazz and smoother than your average in-your-face 100mph Northern Stomper or emotive gut wrenching beat ballad. When you think how Jimmy Radcliffe used to do demo's for Gene Pitney for instance - and Bacharach and David wrote "Long After Tonight Is All Over" after all - then its not a huge leap of imagination to go from Jimmy to (someone like) Al Martino. Think of Ramsey Lewis's easy going Jazz instrumental sound then think of Al De Lory, Henry Jerome, Earl Wright et al. Barbara Mc Nair was always more cabaret than Soul, Nancy Wilson's jazz and cabaret roots are her bedrock and then it's not really that far to Shirley Bassey. Loads of "Northern" records fall into the category. Eddie Bishop's version of "Call Me" is one of the best of a great tune I reckon. The sax playing is coooool without taking it into Rock And Roll territory, something Jr Walker often did. Who was Eddie Bishop exactly ?

Edited January 14, 200619 yr by Simon White

Al Martino

The Casino literally shook when Afternoon on the Rhino was played.

Not Soul but what a Northern All-nighter tune.

A (non Northern) friend of mine used to DJ in Birmingham in the 70's. He told me they used to play "Afternoon Of The Rhino" at the end of the night to clear the floor!

I rather like "Bubblegum Breakdown" myself.

the northern lounge

i bet you can think of other things to call it

Edited January 14, 200619 yr by NASHEE

"Popcorn" has to be a very good source of Northern Lounge ! Not sure I'd put "Goofin" in the lounge tho. It's a bit rough. I reckon Sammy and Arthur get a seat though because they're both well dressed and so smooth.

"Popcorn" has to be a very good source of Northern Lounge ! Not sure I'd put "Goofin" in the lounge tho. It's a bit rough. I reckon Sammy and Arthur get a seat though because they're both well dressed and so smooth.

2 out of 3 is better than i expected

It's Friday's Lounge sound.

 

Eddie Bishop.....My front room...my dad had it years ago late 60's...and i remember it being played on the radio long before the Northern scene ever decided to snatch it as a northern sound i aways viewed it as a pop sound and nearly bought a round when i heard it played out i was gobsmacked.

Geeoooordie