Glad to see a new thread.

Just always keen to hear more about the Highland Room. Would have loved to have been at the place in it's prime. Any more memorable stories - memorable nights?

 

site note - 3 mecca related topics have been merged into this one

Seems to me we need a Clifton Hall thread ! All those records spun at the Mecca fell on deaf ears little did those guys know, unless it was played at an all-nighter in Yorkshire it's not relevant :-)

How do you come to come out with this statement?

We've all got an opinion as to when a record was first spun.Unfortunatley,for Mecca 76,the Mecca did break far more than its counterparts.

A simple case of follow the leader.

Cue Clee fans!! .

How do you come to come out with this statement?

Morning Dave,

Its a clear case of misguidence and juvenile provocation.

So back on thread, can anyone answer Blake Helliwell's question - which is more in keeping if a little less opinionated .

Was "Baia" Alice Street Gang on Amazon a Mecca spin?

BH

Not to my knowledge Blake. Mind you, it was awful enough for Ian to have played it when he was in his Disco phase.........

Sorry about the 15 month gap in the reply LOL. Was doing some research and dug up this great thread again!

Top research material!

Ian D

A FEW OF COLIN CURTIS's IN APRIL 1975

A FEW OF COLIN CURTIS's IN APRIL 1975

Read the Patsy Gallant - Get That Ball review ......................She's as white as I am FFS .

Edited July 1, 201014 yr by martyn

Read the Patsy Gallant - Get That Ball review ......................She's as white as I am FFS :lol: :lol: .

Yep. Odd. Even if the name didn't give it away then the voice sure did. I don't even know the record and I'm not even curious.........

Ian D

I can remember reading that article when it first came out I got a Jesse Fisher from soul bowl the following day, Colin (Dilnot) got a Lou Edwards sometime later Memories

I STAND TO BE CORRECTED, BUT I REMEMBER SNEAKING OF FROM WORK ON FRIDAY MORNING TO SNEAK HOME AND SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I REQUIRED FROM Mr ANDERSON'S WEEKLY LIST.

Yep. Odd. Even if the name didn't give it away then the voice sure did. I don't even know the record and I'm not even curious.........

Ian D

Its not a bad northern/funk dancer as it go's , it always used to strike me as a bit odd & patronising when Blues & Soul writters (particularly D. G .) used to get carried away with opinions such as in that review , seem to remember a whole page slagging off Andrea True for being a white porn star cashing in on the disco scene ..............I used to buy it for the music content not for a political point of view

Yep. Odd. Even if the name didn't give it away then the voice sure did. I don't even know the record and I'm not even curious.........

Ian D

If you don't know the record how did the voice give it away Ian ?

If you don't know the record how did the voice give it away Ian ?

Because shortly thereafter she had a Top 20 UK hit with a track called "New York To L.A." which kinda gave the game away..........

Ian D

Its not a bad northern/funk dancer as it go's , it always used to strike me as a bit odd & patronising when Blues & Soul writters (particularly D. G .) used to get carried away with opinions such as in that review , seem to remember a whole page slagging off Andrea True for being a white porn star cashing in on the disco scene ..............I used to buy it for the music content not for a political point of view

Yeah but Andrea True Connection was much better at porn than singing - it looked to me as if Disco was cashing in on the New York porno scene........

Ian D

Because shortly thereafter she had a Top 20 UK hit with a track called "New York To L.A." which kinda gave the game away..........

Ian D

Nothing like the benefit of hindsight

Nothing like the benefit of hindsight

Nah Mike. I mean how many Soul singers do ya know called Patsy? And how many have surnames called Gallant? And a song called "Get That Ball"? It could only be kinda crappish couldn't it.......?

Ian D

Nah Mike. I mean how many Soul singers do ya know called Patsy? And how many have surnames called Gallant? And a song called "Get That Ball"? It could only be kinda crappish couldn't it.......?

Ian D

and at that time you had no trouble recognising it..........crap that is

and at that time you had no trouble recognising it..........crap that is

None whatsoever.

Ian D

Yeah but Andrea True Connection was much better at porn than singing - it looked to me as if Disco was cashing in on the New York porno scene........

Ian D

Never seen one of Andrea's films ...........Off to Google now for a gander ( purely in the interests of research of course)

Edited July 2, 201014 yr by martyn

Never seen one of Andrea's films ...........Off to Google now for a gander ( purely in the interests of research of course)

Well I was kinda disappointed with her as a vocalist so, like yourself and purely in the name of research, I checked out her porno CV.

I mean, hell, there's no doubt about it, she was pretty supple and could sure hit some interesting angles but for some reason I kept focussing on her chin, so the overall effect was somehow diluted to be honest. A bit like the record in a way.........

Ian D

New York City - Miroslav Vitous

Peter Brown - Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me

Andre Maurice - You're The Cream Of The Crop

Lamont Dozier - Going Back To My Roots

War - Galaxy

Brass Construction - Movin'

Dillinger - Cocaine In My Brain

Evelyn Thomas - Shame

Roy Ayers - Running Away

George Benson - The World Is A Ghetto

Malc Burton

Dillinger Malc - really???.Used to have the t shirt in the Coca cola style.

Amazed Kev.

Dillinger Malc - really???.Used to have the t shirt in the Coca cola style.

Amazed Kev.

Yes Dillinger was played in the Highland Room.

Dave.

Yes Dillinger was played in the Highland Room.

Dave.

:ohmy:Double stunned. .Must have been in the bogs.

I used to go to Wigan & Mecca from Late 73 through to mid 76, although I was mainly a Wigan goer. I've mentioned it before that what did me in in the end about the Mecca was one night they played What a difference a day makes, and I went downstairs to laugh at the divvies & they were playing it there!. Anyway looking at the playlists from the period they certainly were more soulful, although at the time the "disco" stuff was not really my thing.(although I now love all those oldies, even the 70s ones). One point I would like to make, the use of "Joe 90" theme to show how crap Wigan was, and then listing stuff like "Jaws Theme" in a Mecca love fest thread. I know Wigan really went off the Soul side for a while, Mecca went off the Northern side for ever.

Has anyone mentioned "Caught With My Heart Down" Country Store on TA yet?

Paul

Lovely memories

Gaturs - yeah your right - Gatur

Emotions - don't want to lose your love - Columbia

EWF - Biyo - Columbia

Mark Putney - Today's Man - Atlantic/Ovide

Clyde Brown - you called me back - Atlantic

Creative source - dont be afraid take my love - Polydor

Santiago - feeling good - bam-bam

Prince george - wrong crowd - APG

Bill Coday - Man cant be his man - Epic

Thomas Cain - draggin it out - RCA

Henry wood troupe - beware of the stranger - onyx

rufus wood - 2001 - espanola

Esther Williams - you got to let me show you - friends & co

Jimmy jones - nothing wrong making love the first night - conchillo

whirlwind - full time thing - roulette

Bill Harris - uptown saturday night - warner brothers

Turn of the century - money cant - creative funk......................one of my real faves along with diane jenkins, and voices of east harlem, bobby hutton and of course oscar perry............100% class

Edited July 6, 201014 yr by OSCARP

If you like the list then this night is for you..........

BLACKPOOL MECCA APPRECIATION SOCIETY

in association with THE MECCA MAFIA

presents an Evening of Mecca Memories from

this Golden Era of SOUL FUNK & JAZZ in the 70's

featuring many forgotten gems and eclectic tunes.

...A "real time" last hour session !

This will all be held at The Preston Swallow Hotel

Preston New Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 0UL

DJ's all together for the fist time since back in the day

COLIN CURTIS & (The Mecca Mafia) PETE HAIGH, ANDY LETT & STEVE NAYLOR

Sound courtesy of Stewart Wennen - Soulful Dance @ Lytham

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6TH 2010

8pm till 2am

Advance Tickets £10.00

Payment via paypal - see enclosed flyer.

Anyone wishing to stay overnight please contact the hotel to get a discounted rate.

Tel. 01772 877351 - You must quote "Blackpool Mecca" to recieve your discount.

Gonna be a great night - already a great buzz on facebook about it - lots & lots of interest already. https://www.facebook....128358310521991

Hope to see you all there !!!

• 

As you know the Mecca is being demolished to make way for a new College campus.

I have took a few pictures over the past week or so.

Can you still see yourself going up the famous escalators?

Fantastic memories.

Has the site been built on yet ? Do students who cross that place find themselves spinning and backdropping subconsciously ?

Edited August 2, 201014 yr by Chris L

Has the site been built on yet ? Do students who cross that place find themselves spinning and backdropping subconsciously ?

Not yet Chris .

Blackpool council have still to secure the finances for the building of the palnned college complex , so the site where The Mecca stood is still vacant .

It is rumoured that on a still dark night , there can be heard a ghostly voice of a man , telling of how his girl hurt him ......

Malc

Not yet Chris .

Blackpool council have still to secure the finances for the building of the palnned college complex , so the site where The Mecca stood is still vacant .

It is rumoured that on a still dark night , there can be heard a ghostly voice of a man , telling of how his girl hurt him ......

Malc

There are quite a lot of photos of the building during its demolishment, the demo guys seem to have allowed a load of blokes to go taking photos, wish I'd done that meself and nicked a few souvenirs into the bargain.............

Not yet Chris .

Blackpool council have still to secure the finances for the building of the palnned college complex , so the site where The Mecca stood is still vacant .

It is rumoured that on a still dark night , there can be heard a ghostly voice of a man , telling of how his girl hurt him ......

Malc

Hmmm, not the ghost of Levine then, is it??

T

Hmmm, not the ghost of Levine then, is it??

T

Featured on the CD "Spirit of The Mecca"

Has the site been built on yet ? Do students who cross that place find themselves spinning and backdropping subconsciously ?

Hallowed ground indeed Chris.

Featured on the CD "Spirit of The Mecca"

All looks very disco................................turn the music up and let's party down !!

All looks very disco................................turn the music up and let's party down !!

"Ghost !!!! - Spirit !!!!!!! - never mind.

As far as the night goes DJs will be featuring all the genres played at The Mecca - including, Northern, Jazz Funk, Disco, Crossover etc. - a "genuine" last hour set by the DJ who actually did that last hour. Abley assisted by three DJs who lived through those glory days of The Highland Room.

The music will be top - guaranteed - 6 hours of the best music ever played at The Mecca. No repeat records all night - that's a promise. We are working through a playlist with Colin to give you a wonderful selection of tunes.

MISS IT - MISS OUT !!!!

when is this epic??

when is this epic??

According to the flyer that's posted on this thread November 6

when is this epic??

BLACKPOOL MECCA APPRECIATION SOCIETY

in association with THE MECCA MAFIA

presents an Evening of Mecca Memories from

this Golden Era of SOUL FUNK & Jazz in the 70's

featuring many forgotten gems and eclectic tunes.

A "real time" last hour session !

This will all be held at The Preston Swallow Hotel

Preston New Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 0UL

DJ's all together for the fist time since back in the day

COLIN CURTIS & (The Mecca Mafia) PETE HAIGH

ANDY LETT & STEVE NAYLOR

Sound courtesy of Stewart Wennen Soulful Dance @ Lytham

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6TH 2010

8pm till 2am

Advance Tickets £10.00

As you know the Mecca is being demolished to make way for a new College campus.

I have took a few pictures over the past week or so.

Can you still see yourself going up the famous escalators?

Fantastic memories.

been looking at your photos and as many people know the area and it struck me that no one mentions the twisted wheel in blackpool! back in the mid sixties, ivor abadi opened it to cash in on the wheel's fame , it only had one niter if memory serves but was open for acouple of years for evenings, does anyone know what happened to it?

Blimey, I just went through this whole thread again trying to piece together a 'lil mystery and it's occurred to me that no one's mentioned "Overture" - The Miracles yet. That was a HUGE track............

Ian D

That thread and the records mentioned should stand testament to the breadth of this scene....it is that broad musically that I almost can't believe there are ever any arguments about what is Northern...it's nothing other than what was/is embraced.

That thread and the records mentioned should stand testament to the breadth of this scene....it is that broad musically that I almost can't believe there are ever any arguments about what is Northern...it's nothing other than what was/is embraced.

Agreed.

Simples.

Ian D

Now THIS is a Mecca playlist - currently 2785 tracks

Taken from the 'Blackpool Mecca Appreciation Society' on facebook

NORTHERN, DISCO, FUNK WHATEVER !!!!!!!! THERE WERE SOME FANTASTIC LABEL DESIGNS BACK THEN. WORTH HANGING ONTO A COLLECTION JUST FOR THE LABELS ALONE.

Blimey, I just went through this whole thread again trying to piece together a 'lil mystery and it's occurred to me that no one's mentioned "Overture" - The Miracles yet. That was a HUGE track............

Ian D

Good call Ian

As you will recall , the first time it was played in the HR , people stopped , looked at each other and said or thought " WTF " ....... and then it kicked in .

https://youtu.be/-LMu7ZiwpFI

Malc

Good call Ian

As you will recall , the first time it was played in the HR , people stopped , looked at each other and said or thought " WTF " ....... and then it kicked in .

https://youtu.be/-LMu7ZiwpFI

Malc

Boy, if the Mecca had a lighting system like the one in the clip then "Overture" would have been even bigger!

To me this record continued the tradition of the great Northern string-led instrumentals. I presume it was recorded in L.A. but it's deffo got that Detroit String vibe albeit more updated. Great record!

Ian D

Now THIS is a Mecca playlist - currently 2785 tracks

Taken from the 'Blackpool Mecca Appreciation Society' on facebook

https://www.mediafire...w7w2fns14n8w2vn

Brilliant work! Wheoever did this really put some effort into it. Great stuff! Everybody should download that list for reference purposes alone.

Ian D

That thread and the records mentioned should stand testament to the breadth of this scene....it is that broad musically that I almost can't believe there are ever any arguments about what is Northern...it's nothing other than what was/is embraced.

Barry, two many people with tunnel vison that is the biggest prob.

I typed it, originally for myself, then Colin wanted a copy, then I made it public (it's only right!)

Brilliant work! Wheoever did this really put some effort into it. Great stuff! Everybody should download that list for reference purposes alone.

Ian D

One more for Ian D...on Dore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT4bn38Bn7c

Is there any way i can get to see the list.The Colin curtis connection list is good but hard to follow 

was it Fred who had a table selling pins and badges? Forgive me...is he still around? If so, top of the guest list i would have thought.

Pleased to say that I visited both the Blackpool Casino (on the edge of the fairground) and was lucky enough to have also attended The Highland room which was another great experience on a few occasions prior to its' musical shift, Great Times Indeed ......