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

Have you ever wondered how these current (in the 70s) US 45s found their way into this country. Where they imported en masse or was some thought put into what would go down well.Who chose what would come and what would not?

Let's not forget the "Hey Mr DJ column" in Black Music - always first read for me when I got my copy. IL did northern and a geezer called Mo Claridge did the southern side of things (south of the UK that is) I seem to recall he tipped BGL in very early '74. he made it sound so good, but I could never turn a copy up even then! He tipped plenty of othr things that we might think of modern now too - Power of Attorney for example.

I think you could do worse than start your list of Mecca sounds with what Ian tipped in the column Paup-ine.

Best,

RB

Mo Claridge also slaughtered Bo & Ruth - "You're Gonna Get Next To Me" - dismissing it as pop disco of the worst kind. Think people who frequent modern soul weekenders would disagree - it's an anthem - & it was very popular in The Highland Room.

What an intriguing thread. Its great reading these lists, and only the odd track duplicated. Here are a few more tracks I remember being played, that I don't think have been posted yet.

Wally Cox - This Man

Al Delory - Right On

Alfie Kahn - Law Of The Land

Frankie Crocker - Ton Of Dynamite

David Rhodes - Hung Up In Mid Air

Archie Bell - Lets Groove

Todays People - SOS

Pockets - Come Go With Me

Van Mcoy - Party

Alfie Davidson - Who's Gonna Love Me

Lolleeta Holoway - Runaway

Fantastic Four - Got To Have Your Love

Santiago - Mr Love

Brainstorm - Were On Our Way Home

Tramps - The Night The Lights Went Out

Running Away - Roy Ayres

Timmy Thomas - Stone To The Bone

Idris Mohamed - Could Heaven Ever Be Like This

Doris Jones - Cant You See The Smile On My Face

Jimmy Castor - E Man Party

The las post mentioned the popularity of Bo Kirkland & Ruth Davis "Your Gonna Get Next To Me." At the Hilton last month Colin Curtis played an excellent 7 minute version that packed the floor, although I dont think this was available back in the 70Ts.

Rob.

Something Fishy Going On- Universal Minds

You're The Love Of My Life- Brenda Lee Jones ( Think it was played at Mecca)

Sending My Best Wishes- Garland Green ( Already mentioned but a personel fave )

Heart Be Still- Jackie Moore ( As above)

Sister Sledge- Love Don't Go Through No Changes With Me

Steve

Mo Claridge also slaughtered Bo & Ruth - "You're Gonna Get Next To Me" - dismissing it as pop disco of the worst kind. Think people who frequent modern soul weekenders would disagree - it's an anthem - & it was very popular in The Highland Room.

Fair point Epic, I was always rather fond of Bo & Ruth myself - I'm sure I have a nice white one somewhere! no one get's it right all the time though - remember all the fuss about the Javells? Lot's of the big names made very extravagant claims about that - was it played at the Mecca?

I'm sure I heard Hector (anyone remember Hector? Great bloke and top bloke) play the 12" of Bo & Ruth at Cleo's one week about '77.

Best,

RB

Lee David - Temptation Is Calling My Name

did this start out as a mecca spin?

is it worth starting a thread in media source, so we can all share some of this quality music?

i'll start one anyway, add the tunes if you want

alan

Lee David - Temptation Is Calling My Name

did this start out as a mecca spin?

is it worth starting a thread in media source, so we can all share some of this quality music?

i'll start one anyway, add the tunes if you want

alan

That would be great alan.

P

Lee David - Temptation Is Calling My Name

did this start out as a mecca spin?

is it worth starting a thread in media source, so we can all share some of this quality music?

i'll start one anyway, add the tunes if you want

alan

Played around the same time as Tempos, Bob Relf, Sequins, Four Larks, Gloria Jones. Glories, Sweet Things, Danny White etc etc etc.

What an intriguing thread. Its great reading these lists, and only the odd track duplicated. Here are a few more tracks I remember being played, that I don't think have been posted yet.

Wally Cox - This Man

Al Delory - Right On

Alfie Kahn - Law Of The Land

Frankie Crocker - Ton Of Dynamite

David Rhodes - Hung Up In Mid Air

Archie Bell - Lets Groove

Todays People - SOS

Pockets - Come Go With Me

Van Mcoy - Party

Alfie Davidson - Who's Gonna Love Me

Lolleeta Holoway - Runaway

Fantastic Four - Got To Have Your Love

Santiago - Mr Love

Brainstorm - Were On Our Way Home

Tramps - The Night The Lights Went Out

Running Away - Roy Ayres

Timmy Thomas - Stone To The Bone

Idris Mohamed - Could Heaven Ever Be Like This

Doris Jones - Cant You See The Smile On My Face

Jimmy Castor - E Man Party

The las post mentioned the popularity of Bo Kirkland & Ruth Davis "Your Gonna Get Next To Me." At the Hilton last month Colin Curtis played an excellent 7 minute version that packed the floor, although I dont think this was available back in the 70Ts.

Rob.

If my memory serves Bo and Ruth where played from the album That version was 6 or 7 minutes long.

No one mentioned Dr Buzzzzzards I'll Play The Fool yet

If my memory serves Bo and Ruth where played from the album That version was 6 or 7 minutes long.

No one mentioned Dr Buzzzzzards I'll Play The Fool yet

Or 'Sunshowers' and 'Chez chez la femme', what a great LP

In fact that was one of the big differences, the Mecca played LP tracks, when most dj's were focused on 45's

What an intriguing thread. Its great reading these lists, and only the odd track duplicated. Here are a few more tracks I remember being played, that I don't think have been posted yet.

Wally Cox - This Man

Al Delory - Right On

Alfie Kahn - Law Of The Land

Frankie Crocker - Ton Of Dynamite

David Rhodes - Hung Up In Mid Air

Archie Bell - Lets Groove

Todays People - SOS

Pockets - Come Go With Me

Van Mcoy - Party

Alfie Davidson - Who's Gonna Love Me

Lolleeta Holoway - Runaway

Fantastic Four - Got To Have Your Love

Santiago - Mr Love

Brainstorm - Were On Our Way Home

Tramps - The Night The Lights Went Out

Running Away - Roy Ayres

Timmy Thomas - Stone To The Bone

Idris Mohamed - Could Heaven Ever Be Like This

Doris Jones - Cant You See The Smile On My Face

Jimmy Castor - E Man Party

The las post mentioned the popularity of Bo Kirkland & Ruth Davis "Your Gonna Get Next To Me." At the Hilton last month Colin Curtis played an excellent 7 minute version that packed the floor, although I dont think this was available back in the 70Ts.

Rob.

Bo and Ruth 7 minute version must be from the album - excellent it is too - must be lots of cheap copies out there. Don't think it ever came out on a 12.

Steve.

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by steveh73

Bo and Ruth 7 minute version must be from the album - excellent it is too - must be lots of cheap copies out there. Don't think it ever came out on a 12.

Steve.

At the time there were quite a few tracks played from albums at the Mecca. I mentioned earlier IMHO a great Bobby Womack track "I Dont Know" that I think was album only at the time, along with the Nights "Drop Your Guard", Myroslav Vitous "New York City" Idris Mohamed "Could Heaven" and I am sure many more. I think one of the great things about the Highland room that made it stand out was the fact Ian & Colin did'nt close the door on anything musicaly and tried many different avenues, most worked brilliantly and a few not so well. I guess thats pioneers for you.

Happy Days.

Rob.

Listing odd records "out of context" is really a bit pointless, as there was a world of difference between the Mecca of late 1974 and, mid-1976 - let alone Wally Cox (1973) and Idris Muhammad/Pockets in 1977! Those few years probably encapsulated the most significant changes in playlists ever.

Also, those obscure 70s records played during the "last hour" - though of significant interest to collectors today - are not at all representative of the Mecca experience either, as they naturally exclude Mecca 'anthems' such as Creative Source, Oscar Perry, Bobby Hutton et.al.

Ideally all records played should be listed in chronological order, (or with accurate dates), so as to get the full picture!

I have quite extensive listing from this period (1974-1977), done from memory mainly, but they're typed out on paper, not on disc. I'll try to scan them when I have the time.

Regards, Mel

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by mel brat

Bobby Womack "I Don't Know" was played from 45 (in mid-late 1976). I couldn't say for certain, but it's possible that the demo copies lacked the long spoken intro - either that or Colin always cued it out! Actually, the first time I heard the longer album version played out was when Keith Minshull spun it at Tiffany's in Blackheath!

Yes, Bo & Ruth was played from the album, as was the Nights, Millie Jackson etc. etc. The very long version of Bo & Ruth was something of an anthem at the time (Autumn of 1976).

Edited February 13, 200916 yr by mel brat

Listing odd records "out of context" is really a bit pointless, as there was a world of difference between the Mecca of late 1974 and, mid-1976 - let alone Wally Cox (1973) and Idris Muhammad/Pockets in 1977! Those few years probably encapsulated the most significant changes in playlists ever.

Also, those obscure 70s records played during the "last hour" - though of significant interest to collectors today - are not at all representative of the Mecca experience either, as they naturally exclude Mecca 'anthems' such as Creative Source, Oscar Perry, Bobby Hutton et.al.

Ideally all records played should be listed in chronological order, (or with accurate dates), so as to get the full picture!

I have quite extensive listing from this period (1974-1977), done from memory mainly, but they're typed out on paper, not on disc. I'll try to scan them when I have the time.

Regards, Mel

Look forward to sseing that Mel

P

Some that i remember and love

johnny baker shy guy and operator

stanley woodruff what took you so long

james bynum time passes by

lee fields take me back

garland green sending my best wishes

california playboys trying to become a millionaire lp

eddie billups shake off that dream (already mentioned)

there were so many reocords over the years that i spent going to the mecca, for me it always was and still is the best soul night ever, coming f

rom manchester what made it even better was we had thursdays at the blue rooms (sale mecca) every week, as well colin and ian soul heaven.

mark

Listing odd records "out of context" is really a bit pointless, as there was a world of difference between the Mecca of late 1974 and, mid-1976 - let alone Wally Cox (1973) and Idris Muhammad/Pockets in 1977! Those few years probably encapsulated the most significant changes in playlists ever.

Also, those obscure 70s records played during the "last hour" - though of significant interest to collectors today - are not at all representative of the Mecca experience either, as they naturally exclude Mecca 'anthems' such as Creative Source, Oscar Perry, Bobby Hutton et.al.

Ideally all records played should be listed in chronological order, (or with accurate dates), so as to get the full picture!

I have quite extensive listing from this period (1974-1977), done from memory mainly, but they're typed out on paper, not on disc. I'll try to scan them when I have the time.

Regards, Mel

Actually I think you're right Mel. Chronology is important.

I personally really loved the Mecca circa '74-'75. That seemed to be the period where some incredible contemporary Modern releases were played alongside some more traditional Northern stompers. So in that period you'd hear a range of music which could veer from Eloise Laws, The Temprees, Little Beaver, James Fountain, the Carstairs, The Anderson Brothers, Gil Scott-Heron, Rosey Jones, Ann Sexton, Rock Candy, The Montclairs, Bobby Hutton etc, etc to Joe Mathews, The Inspirations, Jimmy Raye, James Lewis & The Case Of Tyme, the Idle Few, World Column, the Crow, Bernie Williams, Yvonne Baker, Tony Middleton, George Kirby, Frankie Crocker etc, etc..

To me it was the best of both worlds and the best club in the world at the time musically speaking bar none for my money.

I wasn't over keen when it started veering towards more mainstream Disco as those releases were available in every import shop in the country and there was less of a buzz when you could pick 'em up easily at the local shop. That wasn't what I went to the Mecca to hear! F*ck hearing Tavares at the Mecca - I could hear that at my local Tiffanies on a Tuesday night LOL.....

I went to the Mecca to be musically educated and that's pretty much what it did for throughout the key years IMO. In terms of musical depth and range, Ian Levine & Colin Curtis 100% led the way for me between '73-'75 with Richard Searling holding the fort adimirably @ Wigan over the same period.

Was Blackpool Mecca the most infuential club in terms of musical creativity in Northern Soul history?

100% absolutely! No contest.

I thank God almost on a daily basis that I was lucky enough to experience such a wonderful musical education.

Ian D

I went to the Mecca to be musically educated and that's pretty much what it did for throughout the key years IMO. In terms of musical depth and range, Ian Levine & Colin Curtis 100% led the way for me between '73-'75

I thank God almost on a daily basis that I was lucky enough to experience such a wonderful musical education.

Ian D

Ditto. You'll get no argument from me, apart perhaps that at least at the Mecca you'd get to hear the latest Tavares etc. record first! I would go so far as to argue that in the period 1974-1976, the Mecca encompassed the widest spectrum of good Black American dance music anywhere in the UK - and possibly the world! If there was any comparable venue in this respect, I'd certainly like to hear about it.

Ditto. You'll get no argument from me, apart perhaps that at least at the Mecca you'd get to hear the latest Tavares etc. record first! I would go so far as to argue that in the period 1974-1976, the Mecca encompassed the widest spectrum of good Black American dance music anywhere in the UK - and possibly the world! If there was any comparable venue in this respect, I'd certainly like to hear about it.

Good. We're agreed.

Plus you're right, the Mecca played everything first which is equally important. 'Cos to be on everything first can be a thankless task sometimes. The Mecca proved that by often being waaaay ahead of the mainstream.

I actually have a massive amount of respect for both Levine and Curtis 'cos I saw them persevere with stuff that emptied the floor on the first plays many times. The best example of that being the Montclairs which absolutely emptied the floor without fail in the first few weeks it was played. It's understandable. That intro was so unique that people couldn't get their heads around it until it had sunk in after both Levine and Curtis persevered with it......

I've gotta give 'em credit for that alone, leave alone the 100's of other tunes they broke. I didn't get the Montclairs at all until I'd heard it half a dozen times. After that I realised that it was, in fact, one of the greatest records ever recorded once I'd got past my own personal barriers.

I think it speaks volumes that some 34 years later "Hung Up On Your Love" is one of my favourite records of all time. If Levine and Curtis hadn't have persevered with that record it would still be unknown 'cos the intro is just too weird for most people to appreciate. And for that record alone, I owe them my everlasting gratitude.

Ian D

Good. We're agreed.

Plus you're right, the Mecca played everything first which is equally important. 'Cos to be on everything first can be a thankless task sometimes. The Mecca proved that by often being waaaay ahead of the mainstream.

I actually have a massive amount of respect for both Levine and Curtis 'cos I saw them persevere with stuff that emptied the floor on the first plays many times. The best example of that being the Montclairs which absolutely emptied the floor without fail in the first few weeks it was played. It's understandable. That intro was so unique that people couldn't get their heads around it until it had sunk in after both Levine and Curtis persevered with it......

I've gotta give 'em credit for that alone, leave alone the 100's of other tunes they broke. I didn't get the Montclairs at all until I'd heard it half a dozen times. After that I realised that it was, in fact, one of the greatest records ever recorded once I'd got past my own personal barriers.

I think it speaks volumes that some 34 years later "Hung Up On Your Love" is one of my favourite records of all time. If Levine and Curtis hadn't have persevered with that record it would still be unknown 'cos the intro is just too weird for most people to appreciate. And for that record alone, I owe them my everlasting gratitude.

Ian D

I was there that night it received its' first play , and could not believe what I was hearing - a definate case of " what the ferk is this ? " ........

Like you state Ian , it was not until hearing it for the fourth or fifth time that it sunk in ........

An absolute treasure of a record .

Malc Burton

epic ,what i really need to know is apart from brian wakelin's mecca reunion,where the hell can i hear these tunes out and about.I go to allnighters and soul nights, but spend all night pickin thru stuff i dont really care for, just to hear the occasional mecca tune.I still think there is a casino/mecca divide, and one mecca reunion a year aint good enough!

I personally would love an Allnighter that played from all eras in one room.........

Russ

Good. We're agreed.

Plus you're right, the Mecca played everything first which is equally important. 'Cos to be on everything first can be a thankless task sometimes. The Mecca proved that by often being waaaay ahead of the mainstream.

I actually have a massive amount of respect for both Levine and Curtis 'cos I saw them persevere with stuff that emptied the floor on the first plays many times. The best example of that being the Montclairs which absolutely emptied the floor without fail in the first few weeks it was played. It's understandable. That intro was so unique that people couldn't get their heads around it until it had sunk in after both Levine and Curtis persevered with it......

I've gotta give 'em credit for that alone, leave alone the 100's of other tunes they broke. I didn't get the Montclairs at all until I'd heard it half a dozen times. After that I realised that it was, in fact, one of the greatest records ever recorded once I'd got past my own personal barriers.

I think it speaks volumes that some 34 years later "Hung Up On Your Love" is one of my favourite records of all time. If Levine and Curtis hadn't have persevered with that record it would still be unknown 'cos the intro is just too weird for most people to appreciate. And for that record alone, I owe them my everlasting gratitude.

Ian D

Talking about firsts Ian, look no further than your avatar Skullsnaps I'm Your Pimp was first heard (by these ears) at the Mecca blending in with the All Platinum and Delite/Vigor Hi-Hats

I personally would love an Allnighter that played from all eras in one room.........

Russ

The best 'Mecca revival' I've personally attended was in 1991 (I think) at Blackpool. Ian and the late Les Cockell played just about everything from the modern side, from Larry Saunders and Diane Jenkins to "Spread Love" and Ashford & Simpson's "Bourgie Bourgie". Unfortunately it was very badly attended, but I damned near danced my legs off! Having said that, 'Revivals' are rarely satisfactory, as it's impossible to recreate the feeling of absolute AWE when hearing say, Bobby Hutton or the Voices of East Harlem for the first time!

Ditto Catacombs revivals etc., much as I love 'em!

Curiously, I noticed that many Northern venues I attended in the 90s - when pressed to play any 'Mecca type records' - invariably played "The Bottle", VoEH and Eloise Laws - almost always those same three, and always in the same bloody order!! No imagination whatsoever. How delightful it would be to hear Deniece Chandler, Carolyn Crawford on PIR or "Strange" at least once in a while outside of my own front door!

Incidently, at the 2000 Millenium Allnighter I took along a spare copy of Danny Hunt "What's Happening To Our Love Affair" (which Ian admitted he'd totally forgotten about!) and I absolutely insisted it was played! (by Pete Haigh, bless him!) Needless to say, I was the only person to dance to it though, but I wasn't really surprised. It's an incredibly tricky rhythm which does not inspire "backdrops" and the like, but to me personally, it sums up what the Mecca "Golden age" was all about!*

*(It's all in the ankles!)

Edited February 14, 200916 yr by mel brat

The best 'Mecca revival' I've personally attended was in 1991 (I think) at Blackpool. Ian and the late Les Cockell played just about everything from the modern side, from Larry Saunders and Diane Jenkins to "Spread Love" and Ashford & Simpson's "Bourgie Bourgie". Unfortunately it was very badly attended, but I damned near danced my legs off! Having said that, 'Revivals' are rarely satisfactory, as it's impossible to recreate the feeling of absolute AWE when hearing say, Bobby Hutton or the Voices of East Harlem for the first time!

Ditto Catacombs revivals etc., much as I love 'em!

Curiously, I noticed that many Northern venues I attended in the 90s - when pressed to play any 'Mecca type records' - invariably played "The Bottle", VoEH and Eloise Laws - almost always those same three, and always in the same bloody order!! No imagination whatsoever. How delightful it would be to hear Deniece Chandler, Carolyn Crawford on PIR or "Strange" at least once in a while outside of my own front door!

Incidently, at the 2000 Millenium Allnighter I took along a spare copy of Danny Hunt "What's Happening To Our Love Affair" (which Ian admitted he'd totally forgotten about!) and I absolutely insisted it was played! (by Pete Haigh, bless him!) Needless to say, I was the only person to dance to it though, but I wasn't really surprised. It's an incredibly tricky rhythm which does not inspire "backdrops" and the like, but to me personally, it sums up what the Mecca "Golden age" was all about!*

*(It's all in the ankles!)

LOL, you're right! I loved Danny Hunt but it simply wouldn't work anywhere but the Mecca. One of those records which I played constantly at home but somehow always lacked the courage to play out.

Anyone remember Danny Reed "What Makes Her A Woman" and Beverly Wheeler "Don't Shake My Tree" - the instrumental side on that was just breathtaking......?

Ian D

Didn't see any mention of:-

Ujima - I'm Not Ready

Brothers Guiding Light - Getting Together

Eddie Billups - Shake Off That Dream

Bill Harris - Am I Cold Am I Hot

Some might say Mecca spins (but I know where they became (and who made 'em) Northern Monsters )

That aside, early Mecca to me was...

Sunlovers "You'll Never Make The Grade"

Dave Love "Colalined Baby"

Donnie Burkes "Satisfaction Guaranted"

Young Holt "California Montage"

Robert Knight "Love On A Mountain Top"

Shirelles "Last Minute Miracle"

Bobby Hebb "Love, Love, Love"

Bob Relf "Blowing My Mind To Pieces" etc.

And later....

Lynn Varnado "Wash & Wear Love"

Andre Maurice "Cream Of The Crop"

Bang Gang "Who Said Honkeys Aint Got Soul"

Anderson Brothers "I Can See Him"

James Fountain "Seven Day Lover"

Bobby Lester "Hang Up Your Hangups"

All went a bit pear shaped for me after the 12" arrived on the scene

Sean

Hi sean,think Tats might have something to say about BGL - Getting together,,,was a big spin in his bedroom way before .

Sticking with the later stuff can't believe no-ones mentioned....

JOSHIE JO ARMSTEAD - I GOT THE VIBES......groundbreaker??????.

Hi sean,think Tats might have something to say about BGL - Getting together,,,was a big spin in his bedroom way before .

No way - his bedroom aint big enough for him to spin in!

Sticking with the later stuff can't believe no-ones mentioned....

JOSHIE JO ARMSTEAD - I GOT THE VIBES......groundbreaker??????.

Agree.

And still sounds amazing, Kev.

Sean

Sticking with the later stuff can't believe no-ones mentioned....

JOSHIE JO ARMSTEAD - I GOT THE VIBES......groundbreaker??????.

Picked this up in a bargain shop, and not really liking it then, I swopped it with one of the Cleethorpe's Pier DJ's (Ginger I believe) during one of the Pier all-nighters for some EMI disc boots( those that used to weigh a ton) of current biggies. I still have the boots and would not mind swapping back if possible.

Steve

What about those classic Motown Mecca memories?

R Dean Taylor - "Lets Go Somewhere" & "Ghost In My House"

Isley Brothers "Tell Me Its Just A Rumour"

Contours "Baby Hit And Run"

Any more?

Sean

No way - his bedroom aint big enough for him to spin in!

I would love to have been able to reply i was a young svelte mecca-rite but my love of meat pies was on par with the records even back then.....Mecca last hour best days of my life.

anyone mentioned

Denise Keeble "Before it falls apart"

Timmy Thomas "Whats bothering me"

Moments "I got the need"

Lol Holloway "I know where youre coming from"

Best

Tats

Sticking with the later stuff can't believe no-ones mentioned....

JOSHIE JO ARMSTEAD - I GOT THE VIBES......groundbreaker??????.

Let me tell you a funny story about "I GOT THE VIBES"

I saw "RIDE OUT THE STORM" Demo on a list which is the a side.

So I sent for 10 to sell on , the Demo is single sided Strero/Mono.

THE JOKES ON ME

P. Austin,s "You didn,t say a word" is like that as well S/M of "Day by day" on Demo.

Yours Dave.

Picked this up in a bargain shop, and not really liking it then, I swopped it with one of the Cleethorpe's Pier DJ's (Ginger I believe) during one of the Pier all-nighters for some EMI disc boots( those that used to weigh a ton) of current biggies. I still have the boots and would not mind swapping back if possible.

Steve

I will ask Ginger for you when a see him.

What about those classic Motown Mecca memories?

R Dean Taylor - "Lets Go Somewhere" & "Ghost In My House"

Isley Brothers "Tell Me Its Just A Rumour"

Contours "Baby Hit And Run"

Any more?

Sean

"I ain,t going nowhere" Jr WALKER & T. HOUSTON both great.

What about those classic Motown Mecca memories?

R Dean Taylor - "Lets Go Somewhere" & "Ghost In My House"

Isley Brothers "Tell Me Its Just A Rumour"

Contours "Baby Hit And Run"

Any more?

Sean

How could I forget "THE ZOO" Summer of 74.

How could I forget "THE ZOO" Summer of 74.

How could I have forgotten "The Zoo"................... AND........... "I Aint Goin' Nowhere"?

Blody hell... Summer of 74! Seems like only yesterday.

Well remembered Dave!

Sean

Lou Edwards and Todays People - Talkin ' ' bout poor folks [ Columbia ]

8th Avenue Band - The Whole Thing [ Columbia ]

Two goodies from the Columbia label .Best ,Eddie

I would love to have been able to reply i was a young svelte mecca-rite but my love of meat pies was on par with the records even back then.....Mecca last hour best days of my life.

anyone mentioned

Denise Keeble "Before it falls apart"

Timmy Thomas "Whats bothering me"

Moments "I got the need"

Lol Holloway "I know where youre coming from"

Best

Tats

Yes Tats,DK has a special place in history....white transit van,no seats in the back,4/5 rolling about in the back,and singing to Denise Keeble,Carletts LHolloway,Oscar Perry - Main string..............fantastic days.

A LIST FOR THE TOP 20 OLDIES PLAYED ON THA MAIN FLOOR AT THE CASINO AT THE TIME OF THE 6th ANNI. BUT HOW MANY OF THESE WERE PLAYED AT THE MECCA FIRST.

Edited July 2, 201015 yr by POTTERIESPECK

Picking up on the comment that certain tracks may have got maybe only a couple of airings and didn't 'stick'.

All that says to me was the lads where so aware of the huge amount of relevant and playable releases at the time that were at their disposal, that their excitement at having such a plethora of quality releases to play each week deemed that policy necessary.

Put yourself in their place, it must have been a fecking blast having what they did each week in their armoury.

A LIST FOR THE TOP 20 OLDIES PLAYED ON THA MAIN FLOOR AT THE CASINO AT THE TIME OF THE 6th ANNI. BUT HOW MANY OF THESE WERE PLAYED AT THE MECCA IRST.

Its funny seeing Viola Wills, Silvetti & House for Sale listed as oldies.

P

A LIST FOR THE TOP 20 OLDIES PLAYED ON THA MAIN FLOOR AT THE CASINO AT THE TIME OF THE 6th ANNI. BUT HOW MANY OF THESE WERE PLAYED AT THE MECCA IRST.

George Clinton certainly was , I think by Ian .........

Malc Burton

Lou Edwards and Todays People - Talkin ' ' bout poor folks [ Columbia ]

8th Avenue Band - The Whole Thing [ Columbia ]

Two goodies from the Columbia label .Best ,Eddie

add to that the brilliant eric lomax "seven the loser" same label.

was this a mecca spin??

add to that the brilliant eric lomax "seven the loser" same label.

was this a mecca spin??

No - it was a Richard Searling spin at Wigan - as you say top tune !!

the instrumental to end all instrumentals Dave Mitchell - The Trip. what i wild one that was

No - it was a Richard Searling spin at Wigan - as you say top tune !!

i know as i remember richard playing it.but it had been around a few years,probably at the mecca!

i know as i remember richard playing it.but it had been around a few years,probably at the mecca!

Great Thread this, 7even the loser, the Trip what memory joggers they are but I have to thank the guy who mentioned Siney Thomas Look, Lets make a love........ dug my copy out and what a brilliant side that is!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers John

Great Thread this, 7even the loser, the Trip what memory joggers they are but I have to thank the guy who mentioned Siney Thomas Look, Lets make a love........ dug my copy out and what a brilliant side that is!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers John

YEAH GREAT TRACK, WOULD IT GO NOWADAYS(OR DOES ANYONE PLAY IT)? PLENTY OF THAT ILK THAT COULD AND SHOULD BE PLAYED. NEW BLOOD ON THE SCENE WILL THINK THE CARSTAIRS AND MEL BRITT WERE ONLY 2 RECORDS TO BE PLAYED AT THE MECCA! WHAT ABOUT LINDBURGH 11 OR WAS THAT THE PIER? AND SURELY SOMEONE HAS MENTIONED LIBERTY ON BASF, TOP TUNE IMHO.OR RONA'S THEME,RPM GENERATION, TOON!!

The best 'Mecca revival' I've personally attended was in 1991 (I think) at Blackpool. Ian and the late Les Cockell played just about everything from the modern side, from Larry Saunders and Diane Jenkins to "Spread Love" and Ashford & Simpson's "Bourgie Bourgie". Unfortunately it was very badly attended, but I damned near danced my legs off! Having said that, 'Revivals' are rarely satisfactory, as it's impossible to recreate the feeling of absolute AWE when hearing say, Bobby Hutton or the Voices of East Harlem for the first time!

Ditto Catacombs revivals etc., much as I love 'em!

Curiously, I noticed that many Northern venues I attended in the 90s - when pressed to play any 'Mecca type records' - invariably played "The Bottle", VoEH and Eloise Laws - almost always those same three, and always in the same bloody order!! No imagination whatsoever. How delightful it would be to hear Deniece Chandler, Carolyn Crawford on PIR or "Strange" at least once in a while outside of my own front door!

Incidently, at the 2000 Millenium Allnighter I took along a spare copy of Danny Hunt "What's Happening To Our Love Affair" (which Ian admitted he'd totally forgotten about!) and I absolutely insisted it was played! (by Pete Haigh, bless him!) Needless to say, I was the only person to dance to it though, but I wasn't really surprised. It's an incredibly tricky rhythm which does not inspire "backdrops" and the like, but to me personally, it sums up what the Mecca "Golden age" was all about!*

*(It's all in the ankles!)

Even Colin Curtis on the odd occasion i've heard him do Blackpool Mecca sets plays those, plus a few others. Dissapointing really.

Whilst it's great to see all the posts going up, with tunes played, etc. being a big fan of the sound. As most of these were played at the local discos, by Northern leaning commercial jocks. I can make a comparison with Stafford. What was and wasn't played first? Isn't it pointless if the track only recieved one or two plays, and then was dropped? A case of one-upmanship? Some at Stafford have claimed certain records as T.O.T.W. oldies, yet only got the odd play. Just to claim it as a Stafford sound, some of which were probably played at the Mecca, or early Wigan. And in the case of 60's sounds even local regional venues. So is it a valid point?