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Mr. Mark Dobson Aka Butch


Heisenberg

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So I have to admit I'm quite fascinated by this guy. How did he become the legend, how did he acquire such a huge collection and what keeps him going. Anybody here know him well ? I certainly don't expect no intimate facts or stuff like that - just a little bit more insight would be great. I take it he's not active here himself ?

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Guest trickbag

BUTCH aka Mark Dobson is by far the most important and ground-breaking DJ in the last 15 years of the Northern Soul Scene. and is certainly the longest ever, reigning occupier of that position championed by many enlightened devotees of the scene as the inspiration and main driving-force behind the modern-day Northern Soul sound, someone who sets the quality control standards.
 

he got his musical influences during the 70s in such now legendary venues as the Blackpool Mecca & Wigan Casino and he is first and foremost a dedicated and determined collector of rare U.S. Soul. from his initial love of the Northern Soul sound, his taste broadened and developed and he now has a great appreciation of Deep, Sweet, Modern and X-over Soul.
 

his first foray into djing was at the now famous Stafford allnighter, where he stunned the scenes avant-garde with a set of, until then unknown and outstanding 'dancers'. He has continued to play at all the major Northern Soul venue's, including the 100 Club; the scene's longest running allnighter, and has a fanatical following of devotees who travel the length and breadth of the U.K. to listen to him. his unique ability for identifying the essential ingredients for a Northern Soul 'hit' is complimented by his vast knowlege of what is and isn't rare. Butch's playlist contains an unrivalled selection of exclusive discoveries everyone else wishes they had: the "Rare Soul Guru" and 'the World's number one Northern Soul spinner'.

SOULFUL VIENNA!

some excerpts from Butch's playlist/discoveries:

Patrinell Staten - Little Love Affair - available on Allnighter 3 /Goldmine
Inspirations - Treat Myself To A New Love - available on Ben Lee's Philadelphia Story /Kent
True Image - Im not over you - available as Grapevine 2000 reissue 7"
Tommy Ridgley - My love is getting stronger - available on Millionaires Only Vol.1 /Goldmine

ricky.

 

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he must have some serious security for his records, they must be worth a fortune.

 

I did hear when digging for vinyl he has been known to dress down to almost look a tramp (bum, in the USA) to gain access to some dodgy areas to hunt for records. If true (and I have no doubt it is) then full respect. Some people just have a good ear for a record that will work as well. He is one of them. Curtis, Levine and Searling etc. were similar, but he has taken it to a new level.

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Some say that one of his legs gets longer when he sees a pretty lady, and that he was turned down for ‘I’m a Celebrity’ because people have heard of him.

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Have always loved to hear Butch out and about - somehow (with no disrespect to other DJ's) always the high point of any night

 

Off the top of my head my personal Butch top plays over the years:-

 

Lonette - Blue Jeans (M-S)

Liz Verdi - Think it over and be sure (Columbia)

Diane Lewis - You ain't got a chance 

Jesse James - Love is all right  

Jean Carter - I wanna know (Decca)

Paul Thompson - Special kind of woman (Volt)

Jean Wells - With my love and what you've got 

Just Bros - Go on and laugh 

Patrinell Staten - Little love affair (Sepia)

George Pepp - The feeling is real (Coleman)

Timmie Williams - Competition (Mala)

Jimmy Bo Horne - Just can't speak (Dade)

 

For me as per above list he has always played a great mix of exclusives (Just Bros, Jean Wells, Diane Lewis, etc) and other known rarities that have become 'Butch' records over time (Patrinell Staten, Paul Thompson, Timmie Williams, etc).

 

Also love the way he sometimes throws in an Al Gardner 'Sweet Baby' or a Joe Hicks 'Don't it make you feel funky' just for the hell of it

 

NB. anyone know much about Diane Lewis c/u? Have heard it on the internet and always seems much slower than Butch played it i.e. must have had it pitched up a few notches  

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Thanks a lot everybody for the contribution so far !

 

Especially to Chalky and Chris Turnbull for the links / pdf  :thumbsup:

 

The main reason why I've brought up the "subject" here is that I wasn't able to find it myself on the internet. Stuff about the person behind the myth I mean.

 

Seen Butch twice in Bamberg and I found it remarkable how calm and disciplined he works his sets - after all those years on the scene. No fooling around, always focused on delivering the MUSIC it seems. Kinda cool, like some Zen-Master :)

 

 

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Have always loved to hear Butch out and about - somehow (with no disrespect to other DJ's) always the high point of any night

 

Off the top of my head my personal Butch top plays over the years:-

 

Lonette - Blue Jeans (M-S)

Liz Verdi - Think it over and be sure (Columbia)

Diane Lewis - You ain't got a chance 

Jesse James - Love is all right  

Jean Carter - I wanna know (Decca)

Paul Thompson - Special kind of woman (Volt)

Jean Wells - With my love and what you've got 

Just Bros - Go on and laugh 

Patrinell Staten - Little love affair (Sepia)

George Pepp - The feeling is real (Coleman)

Timmie Williams - Competition (Mala)

Jimmy Bo Horne - Just can't speak (Dade)

 

For me as per above list he has always played a great mix of exclusives (Just Bros, Jean Wells, Diane Lewis, etc) and other known rarities that have become 'Butch' records over time (Patrinell Staten, Paul Thompson, Timmie Williams, etc).

 

Also love the way he sometimes throws in an Al Gardner 'Sweet Baby' or a Joe Hicks 'Don't it make you feel funky' just for the hell of it

 

NB. anyone know much about Diane Lewis c/u? Have heard it on the internet and always seems much slower than Butch played it i.e. must have had it pitched up a few notches  

 

Jean Wells an exclusive? Is this the one on Calla or a different recording?

 

Ian D :D

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Guest JIM BARRY

Let's not forget that Butch is a top quality record dealer too!!

 

had some great tunes from him..

Oxford nights

 

jesse James...are you gonna leave me

 

the jokers...soul sound

 

bill bush...I'm waitin, ......top all round man..

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. Anybody here know him well ? I certainly don't expect no intimate facts or stuff like that - just a little bit more insight would be great. I take it he's not active here himself ?

 

Good God - Does anyone know him really well?!!! :D

 

I like him, and get the impression he can 'read people' pretty well (can't explain why I think that)......He 'does what he does', and doesn't expect, or want any 'kudus' for it - I remember saying a simple 'thanks' to him at The 100 Club 25th Anniversary for his 'service', he acknowledged it ok, but I know that's not what he does it for.

 

"little bit more insight would be great"....... Without being to intrusive - Myself, and Nina (the wife) celebrated New Year in Cornwall a few years back with a hand full of people which included Butch and his Mrs, and I saw that he is a normal bloke (and can drink Whiskey without the coke!) He also has some great stories about trips to America.

 

I remember him D.Jing at The Embankment Club, explaining that he had been playing football that day -  Just a normal bloke (with 'tunes!') 

 

To me, he is what 'Northern Soul' stands for (along with Mad Sean from The 100 Club) - very unassuming, and just 'gets on with it' :wink:

 

I hope the above is ok.

 

All the best,

 

Len :thumbsup: 

 

P.s - He also made me feel ok when D.Jing at The 100 Club, which I really appreciated (Just a simple...."are you ok?"....worked wonders)

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Found 2 of these in a recent Dade haul. I know its expensive but how rare is it?

Dean Anderson and Kitch first for Jimmy Bo Horne C/U as little Beaver

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Dean Anderson and Kitch first for Jimmy Bo Horne C/U as little Beaver

 

Makes sense - I remember Cliff playing it in the late 80's......So Butch ain't that good then..... :D 

 

Len :thumbsup: 

 

P.s - Great sir name though - 'Dobson', being slightly rarer than 'Dopson' :wink: 

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Imagine then. Mr Dobson DJ,in at the wheel and one of the locals asking was he Butch.  :lol:  Steve

 

I remember making the fatal mistake of 'insisting' my work colleagues came to 'one of my do's'......What was I thinking?!!! - What an idiot!.......After they had 'settled down' after seeing a load of 'old blokes in vests' dancing on their own, they approached me absolutely crying'with laughter......"Look, look Len!" (showing me a poster)......"Special guest Butch!!! lol!" etc, etc.....You can imagine the rest.....god I hate engineers..... :excl:  :D 

 

Len :thumbsup: 

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