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Rare Soul Books

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I got into this rare/northern soul stuff only a few years ago, when a mate recommended it to me. Still not really knowing what this northern soul thing was all about I noticed there was a book in my local record shop on northern soul called 'essential northern soul'. When I noticed that i immediately bought it, without looking in it, and went home.

When i got home and took a closer look i noticed that the full name of the book was 'the essential northern soul price guide', and was just filled with names of records and label numbers.

I didn't want to admit i'd just thrown away 25 quid and started checking the book for funny names. Now a few years later I have to say i'm really deep into northern/r&b etc., so the book proved to be the best thing I bought that year, but...I still haven't found any books on this topic, with cool stories, profiles,...

So my question is: what are the best books on this topic, which one should I buy for the new year, and where can I find 'em?

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Hi yer,

Try, The In Crowd, By Ritson&Russell. Beecool Books.

Its been out for a few years now, but its a good read.

Regards,Kev.

Hi yer,

Try, The In Crowd, By Ritson&Russell. Beecool Books.

Its been out for a few years now, but its a good read.

Regards,Kev.

There's not many good books dedicated to Northern and 'The In Cowd' is probably the best one to date but also try:

Too Darn Soulful - David Nowell

Casino - Dave Shaw

Soul Survivors - David Nowell

That Beatin' Rhythym - Paddy Grady

You should be able to get them on Amazon or direct from Beecool.

Anything else available are really mostly record price guides, vinyl details, etc,which is really only of interest to chinstrokers like me. Apart form Kev Robert's Northern Soul Top 500 which is bollocks because it's just one man's isolated view on the top 500............but don't let me put you off reading it.

Happy reading !

:wicked:

I got into this rare/northern soul stuff only a few years ago, when a mate recommended it to me. Still not really knowing what this northern soul thing was all about I noticed there was a book in my local record shop on northern soul called 'essential northern soul'. When I noticed that i immediately bought it, without looking in it, and went home.

When i got home and took a closer look i noticed that the full name of the book was 'the essential northern soul price guide', and was just filled with names of records and label numbers.

I didn't want to admit i'd just thrown away 25 quid and started checking the book for funny names. Now a few years later I have to say i'm really deep into northern/r&b etc., so the book proved to be the best thing I bought that year, but...I still haven't found any books on this topic, with cool stories, profiles,...

So my question is: what are the best books on this topic, which one should I buy for the new year, and where can I find 'em?

Hi

I have a spare copy of 'The In Crowd' which i can let you have for £17 (includes postage)

RRP is £29.95

Cheers

Pete Mattock

These are not rare soul books, but have some interesting stories and information contained in them:

Guitars, bars & Motown Superstars - Dennis Coffey:

This book has priceless photographs of Eddie Willid and Dennis on the 'You've got to pay the price' sessions and many more. Also a discography of the sessions and records Dennis has played guitar on, like Dearly Beloved/Jack Montgomery etc.

Motown - The view from the bottom - Jack Ashford:

https://www.bankhousebooks.com/products.htm

Pied Piper Jack tells his stories. Photos too....

Edited by Carl Dixon

Casino - Dave Shaw

This Is Acually A Very Good Read , I Borrowed It Off A Mate A Few Weeks Ago Thinking It Was Going To Be Another 'Soul Survivors' But I Was Pleasently Surprised , Not Too Longwinded

Reccommended :thumbsup:

  • 2 weeks later...

I'm reading Soul survivors right now and its a good introduction book to the northern soul scene i guess. Have any one read The Rare Soul Bible? I've ordered it but it seems to be very late, I've been waiting since November.

i would also say dave shaw's 'casino'. good read. gives a real feel of the place.

The Blackwell Guide To Soul Recordings (Edited By Robert Pruter)

Blackwell Publishers (1993)

Not Sure About Availability I've Had Mine For Years Now But You Probably Can Get It Through Amazon.

I Became Familiar With Mr. Pruter When I Wrote And Article For Canadian Based Soul Survivor Magaizne And Subsequently Followed His Work on The Subject For A Time.

A Timely Read As It Features James Brown, In A Green Lame & Gold Dusted Jacket, Upon The Cover.

post-6943-1168721994_thumb.jpg

I'm reading Soul survivors right now and its a good introduction book to the northern soul scene i guess. Have any one read The Rare Soul Bible? I've ordered it but it seems to be very late, I've been waiting since November.

the rare soul bible is more of a discography,group line ups,etc, not really a recollection of rare soul tales etc,but a brilliant book for research

I've just managed to get hold of a copy of LA R&B Vocal groups by Steve Propes and Galen Gart. Fab read but it's out of print. I managed to get a copy from Dead Dog records in the states, think it was the last one but maybe worth a try.

Where did our love go by Nelson George, which is about the rise and fall of Motown isbn 0711910685, and Nightshift by Pete Mckenna isbn 1898927405 which is about wigan casino. You can always get them ordered throught the library if you dont want to shell out on them.

I got into this rare/northern soul stuff only a few years ago, when a mate recommended it to me. Still not really knowing what this northern soul thing was all about I noticed there was a book in my local record shop on northern soul called 'essential northern soul'. When I noticed that i immediately bought it, without looking in it, and went home.

When i got home and took a closer look i noticed that the full name of the book was 'the essential northern soul price guide', and was just filled with names of records and label numbers.

I didn't want to admit i'd just thrown away 25 quid and started checking the book for funny names. Now a few years later I have to say i'm really deep into northern/r&b etc., so the book proved to be the best thing I bought that year, but...I still haven't found any books on this topic, with cool stories, profiles,...

So my question is: what are the best books on this topic, which one should I buy for the new year, and where can I find 'em?

By all means attend current northern and rare soul events to find out the state of play as it now exists but my humble advice is to ignore all the books specifically written on northern soul and instead start with :

Robert Pruter "Chicago Soul"

Tony Cummings "Sound of Philadelphia"

Barney Hoskins "Say It One More Time For The Broken Hearted"

Better for you to be a connoisseur of ALL forms of soul music and enter the northern/rare scene with a completely open mind.

By all means attend current northern and rare soul events to find out the state of play as it now exists but my humble advice is to ignore all the books specifically written on northern soul and instead start with :

Robert Pruter "Chicago Soul"

Tony Cummings "Sound of Philadelphia"

Barney Hoskins "Say It One More Time For The Broken Hearted"

Better for you to be a connoisseur of ALL forms of soul music and enter the northern/rare scene with a completely open mind.

good advice. the books written about the scene are just from one persons perspective and not necessarily how others saw it.

Chicago Soul is one of the finest books ever written IMHO, good choice again.

I got into this rare/northern soul stuff only a few years ago, when a mate recommended it to me. Still not really knowing what this northern soul thing was all about I noticed there was a book in my local record shop on northern soul called 'essential northern soul'. When I noticed that i immediately bought it, without looking in it, and went home.

When i got home and took a closer look i noticed that the full name of the book was 'the essential northern soul price guide', and was just filled with names of records and label numbers.

I didn't want to admit i'd just thrown away 25 quid and started checking the book for funny names. Now a few years later I have to say i'm really deep into northern/r&b etc., so the book proved to be the best thing I bought that year, but...I still haven't found any books on this topic, with cool stories, profiles,...

So my question is: what are the best books on this topic, which one should I buy for the new year, and where can I find 'em?

Have a look for a book called Too Darn Soulful by David Nowell,it's a good read with anecdotes and stories from people past and present,and their experiences of going to venues all over the country.Lots of great stories about real people going to allnighters.

Edited by Billy Anorak

I got into this rare/northern soul stuff only a few years ago, when a mate recommended it to me. Still not really knowing what this northern soul thing was all about I noticed there was a book in my local record shop on northern soul called 'essential northern soul'. When I noticed that i immediately bought it, without looking in it, and went home.

When i got home and took a closer look i noticed that the full name of the book was 'the essential northern soul price guide', and was just filled with names of records and label numbers.

I didn't want to admit i'd just thrown away 25 quid and started checking the book for funny names. Now a few years later I have to say i'm really deep into northern/r&b etc., so the book proved to be the best thing I bought that year, but...I still haven't found any books on this topic, with cool stories, profiles,...

So my question is: what are the best books on this topic, which one should I buy for the new year, and where can I find 'em?

Search out these notable publications .....

Firstly , a book by creditable U.S. author NELSON GEORGE called " THE DEATH OF RHYTHM AND

BLUES " .

This is an excellent book that tells the story of the transformation of black music within the white - dominated music industry , outlining the often perilous position that black culture held within white american society .

It was first published in 1988 , and reprinted the following year , by Omnibus Press . If you have no luck obtaining it from a booksellers or the internet , try ebay , as I have seen copies on there from time to time .

Secondly , " MEMORIES OF SHEFFIELD'S KING MOJO CLUB " by DAVE MANVELL and JOHN FIRMINGER .

This is a brilliant / excellent book dedicated to one of the first club / all - nighter scenes , and is essential reading in respect of the insight , beginnings and memories of the soul scene in the U.K.

It was published by in 2003 by ALD Design and Print of Sheffield ( 0114 2679402 ) .

Malc Burton

Edited by Malc Burton

Firstly , a book by creditable U.S. author NELSON GEORGE called " THE DEATH OF RHYTHM AND BLUES " .

:rolleyes:

Also, along similar lines- Marybeth Hamilton's "In search of the Blues: Black Voices, White Visions" has just come out & got a good review in the paper today. It includes the theory put forward by the BMJ that Robert Johnson had Marfan's Syndrome. Ooh, I love a bit of medical trivia, plus it's my favourite kind of book-short! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Oh, and two more:

Gerry Hirshey "Nowhere to Run: the Story of Soul Music". May be out of print now though....

and "Women of Motown" by Dave Marsh/Susan Witall, featuring interviews with several key people. I've got this, but I haven't read it yet, so I don't know what it's like.

Another avenue to explore the scene is old magazines, been a fair few on offer on site last few months. Old Shades of Soul etc give a good account of the scene at the time.

By all means attend current northern and rare soul events to find out the state of play as it now exists but my humble advice is to ignore all the books specifically written on northern soul and instead start with :

Robert Pruter "Chicago Soul"

Tony Cummings "Sound of Philadelphia"

Barney Hoskins "Say It One More Time For The Broken Hearted"

Better for you to be a connoisseur of ALL forms of soul music and enter the northern/rare scene with a completely open mind.

Quite right! What a pity more "Northern Soul fans" don't get into Soul music first! wicked.gif

Besides, there's no real subsitute for experience!

Edited by mel brat

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Wow, thanks everyone for all these recommended books. I've had 'The In Crowd' for a few weeks now and I have to say it's a nice book to read, especially on the toilet, or to just watch some pics of 45s and flyers.

By all means attend current northern and rare soul events to find out the state of play as it now exists but my humble advice is to ignore all the books specifically written on northern soul and instead start with :

Robert Pruter "Chicago Soul"

Tony Cummings "Sound of Philadelphia"

Barney Hoskins "Say It One More Time For The Broken Hearted"

Better for you to be a connoisseur of ALL forms of soul music and enter the northern/rare scene with a completely open mind.

I agree, i've always been trying to keep an open mind, and I think i'll try to find some books that are about soul in the US and things that were going on when these records were being pressed. Maybe i'll try to convince my local libary to buy them all :thumbsup:

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