The Northern Soul Top 500-600

[Soulsmith]

Just a couple of years back, a book was produced with a personal account of the Top 500 Northern Soul records. A mate passed on a CD with every tune on it plus the next 100 records on the list.

Whilst not at all taking it seriously....I was 'shocked & surprised' not to mention 'angry & naffed off' by some of the inclusions .

Not heard for 30 years & never want to hear again......

Bob Wilson - Suzy's Serenade

Bob Brady & The Concords - Everybody's Going To A Love In

Andre Brasseur - The Kid

Pleasantly surprised to see included......

Bobby Womack - So Many Sides Of You

Lew Kirton - Heaven In The Afternoon

Charles Johnson - Never Had A Love So Good

Shurely shome mishtake......

Trammps - Hold Back The Night

Mandrill - Never Die

Don't know where I was when these 3 got played (probably in the car park)......

The Fiestas - Think Smart

The Gypsies - It's A Woman's Wold

Debbie Dean - Why Am I Loving You

How can you possibly have these 2 sitting next together.......?

589 @ The Petals - You Can't Close The Windows Of Your Heart

590 @ Bobby Williams - I've Only Got Myself To Blame

I've nearly finished moaning......But shouldn't Jesse Johnson & Gwen Owens be Top 10 sounds?

Here is the list.

500 @ Larry Santos - You Got Me Where You Want Me

501 @ Billy Arnell - Tough Girl

502 @ Bob Brady & The Concords - Everybody's Going To A Love

503 @ Marsha Gee - Baby I Need You

504 @ Jackie Wilson - The Sweetest Feeling

505 @ George Lemmons - Fascinating Girl

506 @ Tommy Ridgley - My Love Gets Stronger

507 @ George Pepp - The Feeling Is Real

508 @ Ollie Jackson - The Day My Heart Stood Still

509 @ Gwen Owens - Your Wanted (And Needed)

510 @ Linda Jones - My Heart Needs A Break

511 @ Bob Wilson - Suzy's Serenade

512 @ Channel 3 - The Sweetest Thing

513 @ Dee Edwards - All The Way Home

515 @ Four Larks - Grooving At The Go-Go

516 @ Donna Coleman - Your Love's Too Strong

517 @ Elbie Parker - Please Keep Away From Me

518 @ Joanie Summers - Don't Pity Me

519 @ Benny Spellman - Fortune Teller

520 @ The Ellusions - You Didn't Have To Leave

521 @ J.J.Barnes - Sweet Sherry

522 @ Steve Flannagan - I've Arrived

523 @ Marv Johnson - I Miss You Baby

524 @ John Leach - Put That Woman Down

525 @ Danny Monday - Baby Without You

526 @ Marvin Holmes - You Better Keep Her

527 @ Jimmy Ruffin - He Who Picks A Rose

528 @ The Brooks Brothers - Looking For A Woman

529 @ Lorraine Chandler - I Can't Hold On

530 @ Trammps - Hold Back The Night

531 @ The Fiestas - Think Smart

532 @ Jr Walker & The All Stars - I Ain't Going Nowhere

533 @ Edwin Starr - Back Street

534 @ Terry Callier - Ordinary Joe

535 @ Dalton Boys - I've Been Cheated

536 @ Johnny Honeycutt - I'm Coming Over

537 @ The Twans - I Can't See Him Again

538 @ The Trends - Thanks For A Little Lovin'

539 @ Bobby Womack - So Many Sides Of You

540 @ Bunny Sigler - Follow Your Heart

541 @ Jackie Wilson - I Don't Want To Lose You

542 @ Danny Woods - You Had Me Fooled

543 @ Martha Starr - Love Is The Only Solution

544 @ Belles - Don't Pretend

545 @ International GTO's - I Love My Baby

546 @ Jimmy Robins - I Just Can't Please You

547 @ Just Brothers - Carlena

548 @ The Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You

549 @ Williams & Watson - A Quitter Never Wins

550 @ Lew Kirton - Heaven In The Afternoon

551 @ Charles Johnson - Never Had A Love So Good

552 @ The Construction - Hey Little Way Out Girl

553 @ Jay D Martin - By Yourself

554 @ The Magnificents - My Heart Is Calling You

555 @ Lynn Vernado - Wash And Wear Love

556 @ Yvonne Vernee - Just Like You Did Me

557 @ Micky Moonshine - Name It, You Got It

558 @ The Gypsies - It's A Woman's Wold

559 @ Moses Dillard - I'll Pay The Price

560 @ Major Lance - Investigate

561 @ Florence Devore - Kiss Me Now Don't Kiss Me Later

562 @ Benzine - Village Of Tears

563 @ Norma Jenkins & The Dolls - The Airplane Song

564 @ Bud Harper - Wherever You Were

565 @ Little Eddie Taylor - I Had A Good Time

566 @ Magaret Mandolph - Something Beautiful

567 @ The Parliaments - Heart Trouble

568 @ Barbara Lynn - Take Your Love And Run

569 @ Vala Reegan - Firemen

570 @ Phil Terrell - Love Has Passed Me By

571 @ Andre Brasseur - The Kid

572 @ The Wonderettes - I Feel Strange

573 @ Damon Fox - Packing Up

574 @ Rita & The Tiaras - Gone With The Wind Is My Love

575 @ Mandrill - Never Die

576 @ The Formations - At The Top Of The Stairs

577 @ Donald Lee Richardson - You Got Me In The Palm Of You

578 @ Jean Carter - Like One

579 @ First Choice - This Is The House Where Love Died

580 @ The Whispers - Remember Me

581 @ Donna King - Take Me Home

582 @ Edward Hamilton & The Arabians - I'm Gonna Love You

583 @ Jesse Johnson - Left Out

584 @ Yvonne & The Violets - Cross My Heart

585 @ Marvin Smith - Have More Time

586 @ Soul Brothers Six - Thank You Baby For Loving Me

587 @ Debbie Dean - Why Am I Loving You

588 @ Sandra Philips - World Without Sunshine

589 @ The Petals - You Can't Close The Windows Of Your Heart

590 @ Bobby Williams - I've Only Got Myself To Blame

591 @ Bobby Jason - Wall To Wall Heartaches

592 @ Cajun Heart - Got To Find A Way

593 @ Cliff Nobles - My Love Is Getting Stronger

594 @ Isley Brothers - My Love Is Your Love

595 @ The Inspirations - Your Wish Is My Command

596 @ Charles Sheffield - Its Your Voodo Working

597 @ The Ambassadors - To Much Of A Good Thing

598 @ William Powell - Heartache Souvenirs

599 @ Bobby Treetop - Wait Till I Get To Know Ya

600 @ Lorraine Silver - Lost Summer Love

[Mal C]

Well, what can you do? buy the book and disagree with it I suppose...

I Know I don't agree with your inclusion of Gwen or Jessie...

Courses, horses and god knows what else my friend..

Mal.C.

[Jaco]

Just Kev Roberts personal view, isn't it? I don't agree with many of his selections, but its just an opinion.

Any list will be contentious and can never be definitive.

What about a SS top 500?

Would anybody be prepared to organise such a thing?

If so what would the criteria be?

If it was capable of being put together, would anybody give a s**t?

[Tomangoes]

It is all about personal choice I suppose with about 25000 tracks to choose from.

Dont mind Bob Brady or the Gypos. Mandrill is a great record from the Mecca, still got the LP.

Fireman, however is pony in my opinion.

I would imagine each year the listing order would change anyway with whats popular at the time.

Ed

Edited November 5, 2007 by tomangoes

[Geoff]

There is actually another bottom 100, that I think was featured when the Top 500 was re-issued.

I have a feeling that number 1 was Laura Green's Moonlight, Music And You, and the top 5 included Pressure (Drizabone) and Don't Send Nobody Else (Ace Spectrum). I'm at work at the moment so I have nothing else to refer to, only my memory (what a joke that is). I'm sure others on here will remember what tracks were in it.

We went through all the tracks on KTF and commented, I remember Chalky commented on quite a few of them. Incidentally the Four Vandals was in it, lol.

How was the original top 500 compiled? As the scene covers so many different styles nowadays I doubt if you could get any of us to agree.

I've got a couple of top 100s compiled by Blues And Soul, from 1977 and 1997 (I think they are the dates) that I got from the Internet. They are interesting as I found them when I started going out to clubs again, majority of records were new to me.

I'll look for them at home, but may take some time as they may be on my old PC, which I'd need to set up again.

[Soulsmith]

Just Kev Roberts personal view, isn't it? I don't agree with many of his selections, but its just an opinion.

Any list will be contentious and can never be definitive.

What about a SS top 500?

Would anybody be prepared to organise such a thing?

If so what would the criteria be?

If it was capable of being put together, would anybody give a s**t?

Fair play to KR for publishing it, gives me something to moan about & other people to discuss.

A list is no fun IMO if its not contentious. I'd like to see a SS Top 500, as I do I give a s**t (sometimes )

Geoff, I'd love to see the NS bottom 100. Laura Green's Moonlight, Music And You was played every week-end late 70s at Woking Centre Halls. Phew what a shocker!

[Soulsmith]

Mandrill is a great record from the Mecca

Thought as much

Glad I never went

[Geoff]

Geoff, I'd love to see the NS bottom 100. Laura Green's Moonlight, Music And You was played every week-end late 70s at Woking Centre Halls. Phew what a shocker!

I've got them all as MP3s (shock horror), and will try to compile a list.

The problem with us on SS compiling a top 500 would be that we'd probably be changing our minds every 5 minutes, depending on what we were listening to at the time.

[Paul R]

A list like this, or even the whole Top 500 is always going to cause controversy, but as the list covers records played over 40 years of Northern soul it also shows that it is a scene, and not a definable music genre.

Paul

[Guest soul99 easylay]

502 @ Bob Brady & The Concords - Everybody's Going To A Love - Corking tune - of course it deserves to be higher than here!

538 @ The Trends - Thanks For A Little Lovin' - Should be Top 20 - easy!

546 @ Jimmy Robins - I Just Can't Please You - Should be Top 20 - easily!

549 @ Williams & Watson - A Quitter Never Wins - Should be in the Top 500

579 @ First Choice - This Is The House Where Love Died - Is this a wind up?

I agree with most of those in the list, some I can't comment on, because I don't know them, there are those (above) where I think their postion should be higher.

I know you'll think this is a wind up, but where's Jim Gilstrap? If the flippin' Trammps are there then "Swing your Daddy" most definately should be there as it's way superior (IMO of course!)

[Soulsmith]

"579 @ First Choice - This Is The House Where Love Died - Is this a wind up?"

I don't know about that, but I can confirm its painful on the ears.

[Guest andyrattigan]

"579 @ First Choice - This Is The House Where Love Died - Is this a wind up?"

I don't know about that, but I can confirm its painful on the ears.

It's awful muck and I'm a big fan of 7ts.

However, equally disturbing on any list of quality soul is "Moon light music and you". What an awful track! A right earbleeder of a track. Just my opinion for what it's worth.

Any of these lists are purely subjective. Some of the best Soul tunes rarely even get played at Allnighters.

[ChrisOD1964]

Just a couple of years back, a book was produced with a personal account of the Top 500 Northern Soul records. A mate passed on a CD with every tune on it plus the next 100 records on the list.

Whilst not at all taking it seriously....I was 'shocked & surprised' not to mention 'angry & naffed off' by some of the inclusions .

Not heard for 30 years & never want to hear again......

Bob Wilson - Suzy's Serenade

Bob Brady & The Concords - Everybody's Going To A Love In

Andre Brasseur - The Kid

Pleasantly surprised to see included......

Bobby Womack - So Many Sides Of You

Lew Kirton - Heaven In The Afternoon

Charles Johnson - Never Had A Love So Good

Shurely shome mishtake......

Trammps - Hold Back The Night

Mandrill - Never Die

Don't know where I was when these 3 got played (probably in the car park)......

The Fiestas - Think Smart

The Gypsies - It's A Woman's Wold

Debbie Dean - Why Am I Loving You

How can you possibly have these 2 sitting next together.......?

589 @ The Petals - You Can't Close The Windows Of Your Heart

590 @ Bobby Williams - I've Only Got Myself To Blame

I've nearly finished moaning......But shouldn't Jesse Johnson & Gwen Owens be Top 10 sounds?

Here is the list.

500 @ Larry Santos - You Got Me Where You Want Me

501 @ Billy Arnell - Tough Girl

502 @ Bob Brady & The Concords - Everybody's Going To A Love

503 @ Marsha Gee - Baby I Need You

504 @ Jackie Wilson - The Sweetest Feeling

505 @ George Lemmons - Fascinating Girl

506 @ Tommy Ridgley - My Love Gets Stronger

507 @ George Pepp - The Feeling Is Real

508 @ Ollie Jackson - The Day My Heart Stood Still

509 @ Gwen Owens - Your Wanted (And Needed)

510 @ Linda Jones - My Heart Needs A Break

511 @ Bob Wilson - Suzy's Serenade

512 @ Channel 3 - The Sweetest Thing

513 @ Dee Edwards - All The Way Home

515 @ Four Larks - Grooving At The Go-Go

516 @ Donna Coleman - Your Love's Too Strong

517 @ Elbie Parker - Please Keep Away From Me

518 @ Joanie Summers - Don't Pity Me

519 @ Benny Spellman - Fortune Teller

520 @ The Ellusions - You Didn't Have To Leave

521 @ J.J.Barnes - Sweet Sherry

522 @ Steve Flannagan - I've Arrived

523 @ Marv Johnson - I Miss You Baby

524 @ John Leach - Put That Woman Down

525 @ Danny Monday - Baby Without You

526 @ Marvin Holmes - You Better Keep Her

527 @ Jimmy Ruffin - He Who Picks A Rose

528 @ The Brooks Brothers - Looking For A Woman

529 @ Lorraine Chandler - I Can't Hold On

530 @ Trammps - Hold Back The Night

531 @ The Fiestas - Think Smart

532 @ Jr Walker & The All Stars - I Ain't Going Nowhere

533 @ Edwin Starr - Back Street

534 @ Terry Callier - Ordinary Joe

535 @ Dalton Boys - I've Been Cheated

536 @ Johnny Honeycutt - I'm Coming Over

537 @ The Twans - I Can't See Him Again

538 @ The Trends - Thanks For A Little Lovin'

539 @ Bobby Womack - So Many Sides Of You

540 @ Bunny Sigler - Follow Your Heart

541 @ Jackie Wilson - I Don't Want To Lose You

542 @ Danny Woods - You Had Me Fooled

543 @ Martha Starr - Love Is The Only Solution

544 @ Belles - Don't Pretend

545 @ International GTO's - I Love My Baby

546 @ Jimmy Robins - I Just Can't Please You

547 @ Just Brothers - Carlena

548 @ The Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You

549 @ Williams & Watson - A Quitter Never Wins

550 @ Lew Kirton - Heaven In The Afternoon

551 @ Charles Johnson - Never Had A Love So Good

552 @ The Construction - Hey Little Way Out Girl

553 @ Jay D Martin - By Yourself

554 @ The Magnificents - My Heart Is Calling You

555 @ Lynn Vernado - Wash And Wear Love

556 @ Yvonne Vernee - Just Like You Did Me

557 @ Micky Moonshine - Name It, You Got It

558 @ The Gypsies - It's A Woman's Wold

559 @ Moses Dillard - I'll Pay The Price

560 @ Major Lance - Investigate

561 @ Florence Devore - Kiss Me Now Don't Kiss Me Later

562 @ Benzine - Village Of Tears

563 @ Norma Jenkins & The Dolls - The Airplane Song

564 @ Bud Harper - Wherever You Were

565 @ Little Eddie Taylor - I Had A Good Time

566 @ Magaret Mandolph - Something Beautiful

567 @ The Parliaments - Heart Trouble

568 @ Barbara Lynn - Take Your Love And Run

569 @ Vala Reegan - Firemen

570 @ Phil Terrell - Love Has Passed Me By

571 @ Andre Brasseur - The Kid

572 @ The Wonderettes - I Feel Strange

573 @ Damon Fox - Packing Up

574 @ Rita & The Tiaras - Gone With The Wind Is My Love

575 @ Mandrill - Never Die

576 @ The Formations - At The Top Of The Stairs

577 @ Donald Lee Richardson - You Got Me In The Palm Of You

578 @ Jean Carter - Like One

579 @ First Choice - This Is The House Where Love Died

580 @ The Whispers - Remember Me

581 @ Donna King - Take Me Home

582 @ Edward Hamilton & The Arabians - I'm Gonna Love You

583 @ Jesse Johnson - Left Out

584 @ Yvonne & The Violets - Cross My Heart

585 @ Marvin Smith - Have More Time

586 @ Soul Brothers Six - Thank You Baby For Loving Me

587 @ Debbie Dean - Why Am I Loving You

588 @ Sandra Philips - World Without Sunshine

589 @ The Petals - You Can't Close The Windows Of Your Heart

590 @ Bobby Williams - I've Only Got Myself To Blame

591 @ Bobby Jason - Wall To Wall Heartaches

592 @ Cajun Heart - Got To Find A Way

593 @ Cliff Nobles - My Love Is Getting Stronger

594 @ Isley Brothers - My Love Is Your Love

595 @ The Inspirations - Your Wish Is My Command

596 @ Charles Sheffield - Its Your Voodo Working

597 @ The Ambassadors - To Much Of A Good Thing

598 @ William Powell - Heartache Souvenirs

599 @ Bobby Treetop - Wait Till I Get To Know Ya

600 @ Lorraine Silver - Lost Summer Love

any chance you can post the top 500 so we have a look

[SteveM]

It's awful muck and I'm a big fan of 7ts.

However, equally disturbing on any list of quality soul is "Moon light music and you". What an awful track! A right earbleeder of a track. Just my opinion for what it's worth.

Any of these lists are purely subjective. Some of the best Soul tunes rarely even get played at Allnighters.

It says quite clearly on page 7 of the first book "What exactly constitutes a northern 45 is open to conjecture. my gut reaction is to focus on what has been played and popular (my emphasis) at 'Northern Soul' all nighters, raher than what is technically 'Soul Music'

So it seems to me quite clear what Kevs opinions are based around.

[Supercorsa]

There is actually another bottom 100, that I think was featured when the Top 500 was re-issued.

I have a feeling that number 1 was Laura Green's Moonlight, Music And You, and the top 5 included Pressure (Drizabone) and Don't Send Nobody Else (Ace Spectrum). I'm at work at the moment so I have nothing else to refer to, only my memory (what a joke that is). I'm sure others on here will remember what tracks were in it.

The New Millenium Top 100

1. Laura Greene - Moonlight Music In You
   
2. Ace Spectrum - Don't Send Nobody Else
   
3. Driza Bone - Pressure
   
4. Bettye Swann - Kiss My Love Goodbye
   
5. Gladys Knight - If You Ever Get Your Hands On Love
   
6. Clarence Carter - Messin' With My Mind
   
7. Charles Sheffield - It's Your Voodoo Working
   
8. Jackie Wilson - Because Of You
   
9. The Brothers - Are You Ready For This
   
10. The Phonetics - Just A Boy's Dream
    
11. Jimmy Ruffin - He Who Pick's A Rose
    
12. The Four Vandals - The Wrong Side Of Town
    
13. Joanie Summers - Don't Pity Me
    
14. Joe Tex - I Wanna Be Free
    
15. The Supremes - Stormy
    
16. Barbara Lynn - Movin' On A Groove
    
17. Gladys Knight & The Pips - No One Could Love You More
    
18. The Montclairs - Hey You! Don't Fight It!
    
19. Unique Blend - Yes I'm In Love
    
20. The Constellations - I Don't Know About You
    
21. The Trends - Thanks For A Little Lovin'
    
22. Martha Reeves - No One There
    
23. Chairmen of The Board - Bless Your Heart
    
24. Barbara McNair - Baby A Go-Go
    
25. Bobby Womack - Home Is Where The Heart Is
    
26. Ketty Lester - Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
    
27. Ann Robinson - World Of Happiness
    
28. The Isley Brothers - My Love Is Your Love
    
29. Gladys Knight - Pieces Of A Broken Heart
    
30. The Dynells - Call On Me
    
31. Brothers Guiding Light - Getting Together
    
32. Spinners - I Just Want To Fall In Love
    
33. Patrice Holloway - Stolen Hours
    
34. Venecia Wilson - This time I'm Loving You
    
35. Jackie Day - Naughty Boy
    
36. Bud Harper - Wherever You Are
    
37. Otis Redding - Lovin' By The Pound
    
38. Spinners - What More Can A Boy Ask For
    
39. Angie Stone - Wish I Didn't Miss You
    
40. Bobby Day - Pretty Little Girl Next Door
    
41. Tan Geers - Let Your Heart And Soul Be Free
    
42. Patrinell Staten - Little Love Affair
    
43. JD Bryant - I Won't Be Coming Back
    
44. Gene Chandler - Let Me Make Love To You
    
45. Mel Wynn & The Rhythm Aces - Stop Sign
    
46. Etta James - Seven Day Fool
    
47. AC Reed - My Baby's Been Cheating
    
48. Dorothy Williams - The Well's Gone Dry
    
49. Bobby Reed - The Time Is Right For Love
    
50. Sidney Joe Qualls - I Don't Do This
    
51. Sam Moore - Plenty Good Lovin
    
52. The Jokers - Soul Sound
    
53. Big Daddy Rogers - I'm A Big Man
    
54. Channel 3 - The Sweetest Thing
    
55. Tommy Ridgley - My Love Gets Stronger
    
56. Bill Harris - Am I Cold, Am I Hot
    
57. Four Tracks - Like My Love For You
    
58. Groovettes - Think It Over Baby
    
59. Jimmy Bo Horne - I Can't Speak
    
60. Gloria Scott - A Case Of Too Much Love Makin'
    
61. Paul Thompson - Special Kind Of Woman
    
62. The Magnetics - I Have A Girl
    
63. The Springers - Nothing's Too Good For My Baby
    
64. George Lemons - Fascinating Girl
    
65. Rita & The Tiaras - Gone With The Wind Is My Love
    
66. Baby Washington - Leave Me Alone
    
67. Jr Walker & the Allstars - Ain't That The Truth
    
68. Elbie Parker - Please Keep Away From Me
    
69. The Volumes - Ain't Gonna Give You Up
    
70. Nino Tempo & 5th Ave Sax - Sister James
    
71. Karmello Brooks - Tell Me Baby
    
72. George Pepp - The Feeling Is Real
    
73. Walter & The Admirations - Man Oh Man
    
74. Patti Austin - (I've Given) All My Love
    
75. Moses Smith - Try My Love
    
76. Soul Bros Inc - Pyramid
    
77. Danny White - Keep My Woman Home
    
78. Dottie and Millie - Talkin' About My Baby
    
79. Barbara Lynn - Trying To Love Two
    
80. Lonnie Lester - You Can't Go
    
81. Gwen Owens - Just Say You're Wanted
    
82. Originals - Don't Stop Now
    
83. The Futures - Party Time Man
    
84. JJ Barnes - Talk Of The Grapevine
    
85. Gladys Knight & The Pips - Baby, Baby Don't Waste Your Time
    
86. Frank Popp - Breakaway
    
87. Delegates Of Soul - I'll Come Running Back
    
88. Joseph Moore - I Still Can't Get You
    
89. Mayfield Singers - Don't Start None
    
90. Big Don's Rebellion - It Was True
    
91. Gerri Hall - Who Can I Run To
    
92. Cody Black - I'm Slowly Molding
    
93. Dee Dee Sharpe - Comin' Home Baby
    
94. Jim Gilstrap - Run, Run, Run
    
95. Keni Lewis - Not The Marrying Kind
    
96. September Jones - I'm Coming Home
    
97. Driza Bone - Real Love
    
98. The Poets - Wrapped Around Your Finger
    
99. The Moments - You Said
    
100. Joey Delorenzo - Wake Up To The Sunshine Girl
     

These are from the Top 500 book. Thoughts? As for myself, surprised at how many have been booted in recent years. Edited November 5, 2007 by Supercorsa

[Guest soul99 easylay]

The New Millenium Top 100

1. Jackie Wilson - Because Of You - Lovely track from the King of Soul
   
2. The Four Vandals - The Wrong Side Of Town - Absoloute arse
   
3. Frank Popp - Breakaway - As a re-working / cover I like it
   

These are from the Top 500 book. Thoughts? As for myself, surprised at how many have been booted in recent years.

That's all I'd like to venture for now

[Soulsmith]

It says quite clearly on page 7 of the first book "What exactly constitutes a northern 45 is open to conjecture. my gut reaction is to focus on what has been played and popular (my emphasis) at 'Northern Soul' all nighters, raher than what is technically 'Soul Music'

So it seems to me quite clear what Kevs opinions are based around.

I'll never let the facts get in the way of a good debate.

[SteveM]

I'll never let the facts get in the way of a good debate.

Not saying its not a good thread, I agree that certain omissions suprised me greatly. If you've not seen the book, you probably wouldn't have seen the quote anyway. But you're right about "The Kid" and "Suzys Serenade" Drivel.

[Guest]

Who was it that put Judy Street - What at number one in some poll?

Probably THE worst pile of vomit inducing drivel on the planet!

Edited November 5, 2007 by Guest

[Guest soul99 easylay]

Who was it that put Judy Street - What at number one in some poll?

Probably THE worst pile of vomit inducing drivel on the planet!

I spy someone looking for a bite with that comment

[Geoff]

Who was it that put Judy Street - What at number one in some poll?

Probably THE worst pile of vomit inducing drivel on the planet!

I have a feeling that the poll where Judy Street is number one is one of the Blues and Soul ones I referred to. Still got to find them, might take some time.

Have to disagree with your comments about What, imo one of the greatest classic NS tracks ever, and you don't hear it that often, not in London or Herts anyway.

As someone else said some time ago, imagine what the effect would be if it was a new discovery now. We'd all be going mad over it. Just my opinion of course.

Thanks to Supercorsa for posting the other top 100, I was frantically searching my hard disk for the folder, found it just after seeing your post.

[Ric-tic]

theres a 3rd volume of this out soon ,does kev roberts really believe people will shell out for a third time? it looks like a whole new top 500, im getting confused so the first book wasnt really the top 500 but this one is?... i aint shellin' out

[Guest]

Amen to that!!

We've ALL got our OWN book inside us - or should have by now!

[Sunnysoul]

theres a 3rd volume of this out soon ,does kev roberts really believe people will shell out for a third time? it looks like a whole new top 500, im getting confused so the first book wasn't really the top 500 but this one is?... i aint shellin' out

Yes of course he does , and no doubt it will - and deserves to sell - by the bucketload, not to the minutely small group of old cynics on Soul Source of course but to the many tens of thousands of northern soul fans around the world who couldn't care less what we on Soul Source think ....

The Top 500 Book was and still remains an excellent book of its type and deserved all the kudos that it got on release.

Remember, it is simply a book that focuses on the popular sounds on the scene over a 35 year period by a guy who - love him or loathe him - is as qualified as anyone to give an "objective" overview of the sounds that moved the scene (no, I'm not his personal promotions man , by the way, never met Kev Roberts in my life!) .

No doubt people will suggest others are more qualified but if so tell 'em to sit down and write and publish a goddamn book like Roberts has done !!!

(Incidentally, my conservative estimate is that there are indeed "tens of thousands" of northern soul fans dotted around the world. They might not all be presently active participants or even record collectors or restricted to the area of the UK north of Watford, but they are most definitely out there ...... )

[Dave Rimmer]

Who was it that put Judy Street - What at number one in some poll?

Probably THE worst pile of vomit inducing drivel on the planet!

Probably Paddy Grady if it was in B & S

[Guest]

Probably Paddy Grady if it was in B & S

Just my opinion but that track is truely aweful......mediocre Europap sung by a warbling white chick with not one

ounce of soul in her voice!

My list:

1. What - Judy Street

2. Footsie - (Winstanley`s) Chosen Few

3. Im gettin on life - Wombat

4. Reaching (wretching) for the best - Exciters

5. Wrong side of town - Four Vandals

6. Goodbye Nothing to Say - Javells

7. Anything he wants me to do - Tony Blackburn

8. Muriel day - Nine times out of Ten

9. Brian hyland - The Joker went Wild

10. Lost Summer Love - Lorraine Silver

I could go on with Joe 90 and Hawaii 50 but ill stop the suffering at 10

[Winnie :-)]

Just my opinion but that track is truely aweful......mediocre Europap sung by a warbling white chick with not one

ounce of soul in her voice!

My list:

1. What - Judy Street

2. Footsie - (Winstanley`s) Chosen Few

3. Im gettin on life - Wombat

4. Reaching (wretching) for the best - Exciters

5. Wrong side of town - Four Vandals

6. Goodbye Nothing to Say - Javells

7. Anything he wants me to do - Tony Blackburn

8. Muriel day - Nine times out of Ten

9. Brian hyland - The Joker went Wild

10. Lost Summer Love - Lorraine Silver

I could go on with Joe 90 and Hawaii 50 but ill stop the suffering at 10

============

How have Joe 90 and Hawaii 5-0 not got into your top 10 sh*t tunes?

I'd replace .......

'what' with cochise.

'wrong side of town' with the larue (sorry I hate it)

'reaching...' with the sharonettes

There should be a spot somewhere in the top 10 sh*t singles for sea cruise as well I'd save wombat on this occasion

I have a soft spot for the Javells so would replace that with Joe 90.

[Bazza]

Whats all this about Judy street being rubbish,it was and is still ,one of the most popular tunes ever played on the scene,not to my taste I might add but,u lot saying its a pile of poo ,are a load of nobheads ,and go along with this attitude about the tune,because the soul police think its a bit naff to play it these days...

bar bar...you load of sheep...like it or not ,it is a classic

Bazza

BTW the wife still loves it........and of course she's always right

Edited November 6, 2007 by bazza

[Guest]

Its all about opinions..........Most of the list above hit the scene when the "Children" started to find WIGAN CASINO! and lets face it most of them didnt know what Northern Soul was and they would dance to anything with a beat...you cant deny a lot of "Northern Soul" from 75 to 80 was completely SOUL-LESS...thats why a lot of us baled out, got married and had kids, the music had been hijacked by the Boppers!......Lord Sitar.....Sea Cruise!.....there must be a bottom 100 out there somewhere.

And as the thread title says.....just a bit of fun

Edited November 6, 2007 by Guest

[Guest Bogue]

Yes of course he does , and no doubt it will - and deserves to sell - by the bucketload, not to the minutely small group of old cynics on Soul Source of course but to the many tens of thousands of northern soul fans around the world who couldn't care less what we on Soul Source think ....

The Top 500 Book was and still remains an excellent book of its type and deserved all the kudos that it got on release.

Remember, it is simply a book that focuses on the popular sounds on the scene over a 35 year period by a guy who - love him or loathe him - is as qualified as anyone to give an "objective" overview of the sounds that moved the scene (no, I'm not his personal promotions man , by the way, never met Kev Roberts in my life!) .

No doubt people will suggest others are more qualified but if so tell 'em to sit down and write and publish a goddamn book like Roberts has done !!!

(Incidentally, my conservative estimate is that there are indeed "tens of thousands" of northern soul fans dotted around the world. They might not all be presently active participants or even record collectors or restricted to the area of the UK north of Watford, but they are most definitely out there ...... )

Well said & i agree with every word

Worth pointing out again what Steve Manion posted earlier too ;

'It says quite clearly on page 7 of the first book "What exactly constitutes a northern 45 is open to conjecture. my gut reaction is to focus on what has been played and popular (my emphasis) at 'Northern Soul' all nighters, raher than what is technically 'Soul Music'

So it seems to me quite clear what Kevs opinions are based around. '

The book seems to be a constant target for derision on here & i can't understand why ?

As you can see above he made it quite clear what it was about & it was a very professional & well put together book !

Everyone can argue about the records contained or missed out, & to be honest i think that adds to the appeal of it !

Maybe some ought to read it without the 'i know better than anyone else' glasses on & appreciate the time & effort that the author put in to collecting peoples individual oppinons of the chosen tunes & aquiring all the scans & info.

Let's remember, this was probably the first book that gave a lot of people a glimpse of the rare records that we loved ! Unless you were one of the few in the inner sanctum we would never have ever seen a vast number of these rareities. My only gripe is i wish they had all been in colour !

Summing up, I think it was a great book chronicling what 'love or loathe' were the most played allnighter tunes of the earlier era, though probably with a leaning more towards the casino, from a person who was as qualified as anyone on the subject at that time.

[Guest andyrattigan]

Who was it that put Judy Street - What at number one in some poll?

Probably THE worst pile of vomit inducing drivel on the planet!

Taste is relative my friend, so I am not going to berate you for not liking WHAT.

However, many people dismiss it as overplayed white pop sound. To me it is a classic real Soul tune produced or written by Soul producer H.B. Barnum. Granted, it's been played to death but to me and many others it's a Northern Soul gem.

[Ian Dewhirst]

I spy someone looking for a bite with that comment

Ouch. I'm bitten LOL.....

I actually found the first 3 copies of the record and sent 'em over to the UK from L.A., but I never actually played it - not my kind of record at all.

But it went massive the same way as Paul Anka, Beverly Anne, Larry Santos etc, so it's just part of the weird and wonderful tapestry of Northern Soul.

Didn't help when Soft Cell covered it and had a massive hit as well. Obviously a popular song whichever way you look at it.........

Best,

Ian D

[Tomangoes]

I think records have to be judged in a couple of ways to give them credit.

For example records like 'What' and 'Moonlight' literally packed the dance floors solid when first introduced.

On the other hand some of the top tunes in recent years, for example 'Stolen hours' and Ill be loving you' were overlooked as big time records. The flips got the glory.

Over the years, punters tastes have changed and pop dancers are less in demand. Thankfully.

So if the position in the book reflects a records position of popularity over 40 years, I would say most are about right. IMO.

First choice and Judy Street bring back some great memories, so I would leave em in.

Ed

[Kjw]

Who was it that put Judy Street - What at number one in some poll?

Probably THE worst pile of vomit inducing drivel on the planet!

I was never a big fan of this but there's much worse -

Dean Barlow - Third Window From The Right - I have to leave the room whenever I hear it played

Total garbage !!

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

Judy Street is a great tune and i always thought of her as more soul then pop unless people know different.

It's not like Paul Anka who is a pop singer and happens to climb aboard the Northern soul train to record a hit

However i would compile a top 500 Northern soul book or something from soul source members but if i wanted picture scans and info i would need some help or better still i could give a go at doing a top 500 using stuff not included in Kev roberts book. However any chance of a No 1 may go to Sam cooke (as people know it's an all time fav of mine)