ey up

I've been listening to quite a few podcasts and being fascinated by the art of mixology, wondered what? when? and who? we feel played the best set ever. Them legendary sets which have defined the art of the Northern Soul DJ.

I think this and the story behind it is pretty special (thanks to Chalky!) but I'm sure there are some things from smaller venues and lesser known DJs which would be interesting to hear about!

https://www.soulunderground.co.uk/StaffordTOTW/files/podcast_16.mp3

https://www.soulunder...0243d42-16.html

J

Edited October 11, 201212 yr by Jhsoulnotts

Paul "Trouble" Anderson Wednesday May 25th 1994 The Loft Camden.

I suspect not many may agree..........

Seconded by Richard Searling Wigan Casino Saturday January 17 1980 (Give or take a week, or maybe a month or two) It finally clicked and I had reached Northern Soul puberty. Pretty sure all 37.5 attendees agreed.

Thirded by Dave Withers (or maybe Greet, i was young and learning) - Wigan Tiffanies Oct 1981 - I had grown up, All 64 attendees, including the 62 DJ's present definitely agreed,

Guy Hennigan - night he played Clyde McPhatter for first time

Then Guy/Keb/Gary R/Dave W/Pat B for leading the way too many nights to mention, in the "dark days"

Goerge Sharp/Chris Plant/Dave Allcock etc for showing the collectors way on leading us out of the dark days.

Robin Salter/Adam every night for leading us the modern way.

Me on the last night of Allanton.

Can close the thread now think that is pretty definitive!

Nice 1 Mr jocko, you do still enjoy stirring things up I see...........

Paul "Trouble" Anderson Wednesday May 25th 1994 The Loft Camden.

I suspect not many may agree..........

Seconded by Richard Searling Wigan Casino Saturday January 17 1980 (Give or take a week, or maybe a month or two) It finally clicked and I had reached Northern Soul puberty. Pretty sure all 37.5 attendees agreed.

Thirded by Dave Withers (or maybe Greet, i was young and learning) - Wigan Tiffanies Oct 1981 - I had grown up, All 64 attendees, including the 62 DJ's present definitely agreed,

Guy Hennigan - night he played Clyde McPhatter for first time

Then Guy/Keb/Gary R/Dave W/Pat B for leading the way too many nights to mention, in the "dark days"

Goerge Sharp/Chris Plant/Dave Allcock etc for showing the collectors way on leading us out of the dark days.

Robin Salter/Adam every night for leading us the modern way.

Me on the last night of Allanton.

Can close the thread now think that is pretty definitive!

You will be chastised for not mentioning Butch in any of the sets you listed.

Edited October 11, 201212 yr by John Reed

Paul "Trouble" Anderson Wednesday May 25th 1994 The Loft Camden.

I suspect not many may agree..........

Seconded by Richard Searling Wigan Casino Saturday January 17 1980 (Give or take a week, or maybe a month or two) It finally clicked and I had reached Northern Soul puberty. Pretty sure all 37.5 attendees agreed.

Thirded by Dave Withers (or maybe Greet, i was young and learning) - Wigan Tiffanies Oct 1981 - I had grown up, All 64 attendees, including the 62 DJ's present definitely agreed,

Guy Hennigan - night he played Clyde McPhatter for first time

Then Guy/Keb/Gary R/Dave W/Pat B for leading the way too many nights to mention, in the "dark days"

Goerge Sharp/Chris Plant/Dave Allcock etc for showing the collectors way on leading us out of the dark days.

Robin Salter/Adam every night for leading us the modern way.

Me on the last night of Allanton.

Can close the thread now think that is pretty definitive!

I'll second the Searling shout.

Paul "Trouble" Anderson Wednesday May 25th 1994 The Loft Camden.

I suspect not many may agree..........

Seconded by Richard Searling Wigan Casino Saturday January 17 1980 (Give or take a week, or maybe a month or two) It finally clicked and I had reached Northern Soul puberty. Pretty sure all 37.5 attendees agreed.

Thirded by Dave Withers (or maybe Greet, i was young and learning) - Wigan Tiffanies Oct 1981 - I had grown up, All 64 attendees, including the 62 DJ's present definitely agreed,

Guy Hennigan - night he played Clyde McPhatter for first time

Then Guy/Keb/Gary R/Dave W/Pat B for leading the way too many nights to mention, in the "dark days"

Goerge Sharp/Chris Plant/Dave Allcock etc for showing the collectors way on leading us out of the dark days.

Robin Salter/Adam every night for leading us the modern way.

Me on the last night of Allanton.

Can close the thread now think that is pretty definitive!

I went down there about that time, Gusto- disco's revenge was the big pre track, and it was pretty awsome. hot summers nights by the lock. and Norman Jay was the guest!

Cant remember the particular DJ but it was at Prestwich about 4 years ago.

Mind you Julian bentley had been on before him

Kegsy

The best set (of crockery) I ever saw spun was back in the 60's on Crackerjack. Can't recall the name of the 'spinner' though.

.... and I wouldn't go with Kegsy's nomination as he can only remember the last 4 years; everything before that is a blank to him (so his opinion can't count).

The best set (of crockery) I ever saw spun was back in the 60's on Crackerjack. Can't recall the name of the 'spinner' though.

.... and I wouldn't go with Kegsy's nomination as he can only remember the last 4 years; everything before that is a blank to him (so his opinion can't count).

Crackerjack.

I'd say Searling Wigan 79/80 too, but of course it's a very personal opinion, as we all have our own thoughts and memories. Apart from that i'd say John Digweed at run to the sun summer 98, not soul but he was f'in good!

I'll second the Searling shout.

I'll third that. Sir Dickie's set around the 1980 time were - are, untouchable. Fantastic modern stuff alongside some of the best 60's new discoveries. Brilliant stuff. Set the bar and never been outdone in my book.

Will also single out Mr Barnyfather too - liked his taste in music for years and love his enthusiasm behind the decks. And he's a nice bloke too.

Let's be aving yer!

Cant remember the particular DJ but it was at Prestwich about 4 years ago.

Mind you Julian bentley had been on before him

Kegsy

sod off kegsy!!!!

The best set (of crockery) I ever saw spun was back in the 60's on Crackerjack. Can't recall the name of the 'spinner' though.

.... and I wouldn't go with Kegsy's nomination as he can only remember the last 4 years; everything before that is a blank to him (so his opinion can't count).

Now now, if you dont behave I will get Neat to take away

your Locoshed books.

kegsy

I'll third that. Sir Dickie's set around the 1980 time were - are, untouchable. Fantastic modern stuff alongside some of the best 60's new discoveries. Brilliant stuff. Set the bar and never been outdone in my book.

Anyone have a setlist from this time? - only ones I can find are full of cover-up titles!

J

You will be chastised for not mentioning Butch in any of the sets you listed.

Can see why you do what you do, call out an issue, state the obvious, don't propose any resolution and then blame someone else for not finding it quick enough! I assume you dine regularly with the much maligned on here politicians…….

And it could be a deliberate ommission because

(a) Majority on here sadly don't know, or care, who he is and everytime I mention him my mailbox is filled with people asking if he was the wrestler that finally unmasked Kendo Nagasaki and why is that relevant to all nighters.

(b) He is a miserable bugger who never even gives me cheap, never mind free, records like all my other friends do so I have withdrawn my membership of his fan club.

© It goes without saying every spot he does is great so it would be unfair to single out one and for last 20 years has been so far ahead of the game its almost patronising to say it as everyone knows it. Don't they?

(d) I was trying to be controversial.

But since you mention it somewhere in between 3rd and 4th I should mention his spot at Bilston (Scotland, not that end of the Earth poor mans imitation in the South) when he was pretty unknown to most of us, he came on and blew the place away, a star was born! And he danced to at least 2 of my records as he followed me (insert obvious egotistical statement of your choice for me here).

I would like to say first time he played Mello Souls but cannot remember that.

There Mr Supergrass (in work as well as out some could say) I have fixed that for you…….

Edited October 11, 201212 yr by jocko

Can see why you do what you do, call out an issue, state the obvious, don't propose any resolution and then blame someone else for not finding it quick enough! I assume you dine regularly with the much maligned on here politicians…….

And it could be a deliberate ommission because

(a) Majority on here sadly don't know, or care, who he is and everytime I mention him my mailbox is filled with people asking if he was the wrestler that finally unmasked Kendo Nagasaki and why is that relevant to all nighters.

(b) He is a miserable bugger who never even gives me cheap, never mind free, records like all my other friends do so I have withdrawn my membership of his fan club.

© It goes without saying every spot he does is great so it would be unfair to single out one and for last 20 years has been so far ahead of the game its almost patronising to say it as everyone knows it. Don't they?

(d) I was trying to be controversial.

But since you mention it somewhere in between 3rd and 4th I should mention his spot at Bilston (Scotland, not that end of the Earth poor mans imitation in the South) when he was pretty unknown to most of us, he came on and blew the place away, a star was born! And he danced to at least 2 of my records as he followed me (insert obvious egotistical statement of your choice for me here).

I would like to say first time he played Mello Souls but cannot remember that.

There Mr Supergrass (in work as well as out some could say) I have fixed that for you…….

Butch around 87 was untouchable IMHO. But his sets at the first couple of Lifeline's at Sheridan's were simply superb.

Agree Mr Jocko

Point A - if people do not know who he is or what he has brought to the scene in the last 20 or so years they should be ashamed

point B - obviously peoples impressions can be lasting, and I would say that at time Mr D does not suffer fools gladly. However neither do I, but we all have our traits. I have gotten to know Mr D over the years and always found him to be a very intelligent and witty guy, and if people took the time to possibly talk to people like him about other things rather than "have you got a copy of this or that?", then they may realise this

Point C - I don't think anyone who has Dj'd over the past 20 years has been as consistent at playing top quality 60's and 70's dance tunes as well as turning up future rarities for others to collect

Point D - controvercial? - Mr. Jocko,why change the habit of a lifetime

I also attended the same all nighter in Bilston and can remember it well

I think bottom line is that over the past 20 years Butch has been in a class of his own and I think it would be pretty difficult to pick out any one of his sets over that tim

Jim

sod off kegsy!!!!

I was hoping to follow you aswell at Stoke on The Torch do

Brian

Edited October 11, 201212 yr by bri. phill

butch for me at the warehouse alldayer Derby early 90s got a flyer some place for the date, the lineup was awsome,

I was hoping to follow you aswell at Stoke

Brian

Trouble is Bri EVERYBODY does.

kegsy

My set at the Ritz after Geno Washington had droned on for a couple of hours. 1,000 people were sitting there gagging to dance and I was the first DJ on. The records were irrelevant, it was the relief.

My set at the Ritz after Geno Washington had droned on for a couple of hours. 1,000 people were sitting there gagging to dance and I was the first DJ on. The records were irrelevant, it was the relief.

Hi Ady

can you put me in touch with Geno Washington.

Julian Bentley

Searling 78 - 81, the Butchmeister....& the night Ady Croasdell first dropped the first batch of unissued RCA sides in a oner, same set 100 Club....'kin awesome....the first England v's Scotland Nighter at the 100 Club was pretty magnificent, but to be fair there have been many sets that have blown me away over the years...Guy/Keb etc, Soul Essence sets early days with Rod Dearlove, Terry Jones of Norfolk Village fame 'kin awesome sets.....

Best Russ

"Best Set Ever Spun"

That's a tough one. There's been so many I couldn't single one out as my 'best ever'!!!

For me Richard Searling at VaVa's, prior to Casino opening its doors on the map...the tunes were all fresh..all his big discoveries and hadnt been credited as Wigan tunes yet. mostly new to our ears.. Not a full house in fact I recall it was fairly quiet but all who were there(that can remember, a chemist being done a few hours earlier helped) say it was amazing.. dont know the date(come on!) but still stands out as the most memorable night of music for me..Swish was there as was Andy Wilson, Matchy and Bob Parkers and the other Sheffield/Rotherham guys, Ady Dundas, Eric Smith, Sammy Seaman, Dave Maltas.seem to recall somebody running round the car park waving a gun about at one point too!! might have been Larry.. .top top night.

Edited October 11, 201212 yr by PeteDillon

Hi Ady

can you put me in touch with Geno Washington.

Julian Bentley

Sod off Kegsy

kev such

For me Richard Searling at VaVa's, prior to Casino opening its doors on the map...the tunes were all fresh..all his big discoveries and hadnt been credited as Wigan tunes yet. mostly new to our ears.. Not a full house in fact I recall it was fairly quiet but all who were there(that can remember, a chemist being done a few hours earlier helped) say it was amazing.. dont know the date(come on!) but still stands out as the most memorable night of music for me..Swish was there as was Andy Wilson, Matchy and Bob Parkers and the other Sheffield/Rotherham guys, Ady Dundas, Eric Smith, Sammy Seaman, Dave Maltas.seem to recall running round the car park waving a gun about at one point too!! might have been Larry.. .top top night.

I was there too. Always a great start to the weekend.

For me Richard Searling at VaVa's, prior to Casino opening its doors on the map...the tunes were all fresh..all his big discoveries and hadnt been credited as Wigan tunes yet. mostly new to our ears.. Not a full house in fact I recall it was fairly quiet but all who were there(that can remember, a chemist being done a few hours earlier helped) say it was amazing.. dont know the date(come on!) but still stands out as the most memorable night of music for me..Swish was there as was Andy Wilson, Matchy and Bob Parkers and the other Sheffield/Rotherham guys, Ady Dundas, Eric Smith, Sammy Seaman, Dave Maltas.seem to recall running round the car park waving a gun about at one point too!! might have been Larry.. .top top night.

I may have been there too.

kegsy

There was a back to back dayer/nighter 'history of northern' at the ritz/rotters in manchester in the early eighties. 4.30 ish in the morning the late Les Cockell...barbara mcneir, barbara lynn, betty lavette, barbara lewis, etc. I danced to fantstic soul music...with my leg in a brace cuss I'd broken it.

maybe not the rarest but just pure pure pure class.

dean

Anyone have a setlist from this time? - only ones I can find are full of cover-up titles!

J

Post them up mate - we can then work through em and uncover em.

Fro memmory there would probably be - Top Cat - Larry Houston

Tyrone Davis (I Think) Daybreak

Phantom Janitor - Deadbeats

Just to kick off with a few - hope I haven't gone too much off topic

Gosh there have been so many memorable sets but 2 I remember fairly vividly were:

Gary Rushbrooke at a Todmorden all dayer one bank holiday (must have been early 80's?)- I was just getting into the scene properly and every thing he played was brilliant. That was also the day I first heard the Rose Valentine & sisters 3 track by Richard - amazing day!

Ady at a Winsford niter - I remember he was playing lots of that great RCA stuff and stacks of other top drawer sounds, the floor was packed througout his set and when out of the blue, he played the Tams, the place just erupted - I've never seen a reaction like it.

I'd say Searling Wigan 79/80 too, but of course it's a very personal opinion, as we all have our own thoughts and memories. Apart from that i'd say John Digweed at run to the sun summer 98, not soul but he was f'in good!

I knew John when I lived in Hastings, circa 1987 he tried to put on a soul night down this club called The Crypt and I had to select the records for him to play. He was known as JD the DJ in those days. Another 'world famous' dj on the dance music scene, Danny Howells, I used to be his manager at a publishing company we worked for, he was a lovely guy and still is, am still in touch with him.

I may have been there too.

kegsy

Yes I think you will have been mate..it just sticks in my head the first time I can recall hearing so many great tunes..Otis Smith and the like..there had been great nights elsewhere, at the Torch and before.. but for some reason..it can only have been the new tunes, there seemed to be so many that night..it stands out.

Edited October 11, 201212 yr by PeteDillon

I knew John when I lived in Hastings, circa 1987 he tried to put on a soul night down this club called The Crypt and I had to select the records for him to play. He was known as JD the DJ in those days. Another 'world famous' dj on the dance music scene, Danny Howells, I used to be his manager at a publishing company we worked for, he was a lovely guy and still is, am still in touch with him.

Interesting that Pete, I didn't know John Digweed was into Soul but it's funny how I picked up on his set that night. It was truly Mind blowing.

seriously.....this has nowt to do with the actual club............but karl heards last ever set at burnley has gotta take some beating....thats how to play a dance set without much in the way of tunes.....yes sir karl that was truely breathtaking and l for one salute you for it

Edited October 11, 201212 yr by gordon russell

My mate Badger always does a good set.

My mate Badger always does a good set.

Thats because he has a CULL following sorry cult

kegsy

Edited October 11, 201212 yr by Kegsy

Funnily enough I had no idea who was playing the records for the first ten years of the scene, I just enjoyed the records. I still haven't got over DJs thinking of themselves as big deals.

I knew John when I lived in Hastings, circa 1987 he tried to put on a soul night down this club called The Crypt and I had to select the records for him to play. He was known as JD the DJ in those days. Another 'world famous' dj on the dance music scene, Danny Howells, I used to be his manager at a publishing company we worked for, he was a lovely guy and still is, am still in touch with him.

That's right, he was called JD. I played with him a couple times in Brighton. I had a residency at the Escape and Zap.

Maybe we met Pete?

Tracey Watson (Mrs Hoss) in the R&B room at Prestatyn, playing her worse halfs records because Hoss had drunk so much he couldn't stand up.

My best sets by djs have varied over the years as my tastes have changed but ther have been defining ones and the ones that stick in my mind as sets that shaped my music preferences and had me jaw dropping were

1) John Powney - Compass Sunday Soul Sessions Whitley Bay 1986 , Played an hour and a half of absolute brilliance

2) Rod Dearlove - canal Tavern Thorne Late eighties - one mega foggy night rod played a blinding set that had me going home with a list as long as my hootchie

3) Richard Searling - couple of occaisions but then He always was one of my favourite DJ's

4) Russ Steele - Earl of doncaster modern room - played one of the most amazing sets ive ever heard from his bottomless collection

Other brilliant sets and all on par from Dave and Bri Pinches, Ady Pountain, John Benson, Sean Hampsey.

geeoooooooordie

Got to go with Richard Searling late Casino awesome tunes.

Locally Rob Marriott never failed to deliver a bad spot,always knows what the floor wants.When he had his tunes .

All down to individual taste in music.......................for me there was a particular night in the R&B room at Middleton.

Can't single one particular DJ out as they all played the most fantastic stuff.................but what a night................those involved were Joe Dutton, Hoss and Kev Drage!!!

Never danced so much in my life and nearly every tune was new to me........................together with a good crowd of like-minded folk and a great atmosphere it was unbeatable!!!

andy dyson, the most thoughtful set at thorne. incredible taste to please all

butch for me at the warehouse alldayer Derby early 90s got a flyer some place for the date, the lineup was awsome,

Great times Colin and some amazing records were getting air plays too........Butch is the man..

ktf tfk

Edited October 15, 201212 yr by tfk

Interesting that Pete, I didn't know John Digweed was into Soul but it's funny how I picked up on his set that night. It was truly Mind blowing.

He wasn't really mate, the management just wanted to try something different

That's right, he was called JD. I played with him a couple times in Brighton. I had a residency at the Escape and Zap.

Maybe we met Pete?

Stranger things have happened mate :-)

last night l heard at burnley a near perfect set of known/semi known uptempo soul dancers as has ever been played....big dan