Mike

As often happens was doing a bit of searching, stumbled across some interesting information, it made a nice change to hear a uplifting story for a change, as sometimes when looking up artists information the stories behind the 45s can be a bit down. Thornton Sisters - The Ditchdiggers Daughters Was just looking thru ebay completed bids" the other day and noticed the Thornton Sisters 45 "I Keep Forgetting/Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo" on the Cuppy label up there. Always been a fan of their "rough and ready" "Big City Boy" 45 outing on Bobsan, As you more than likely know, usually a bit of a dig may just throw up one or two small bits of info, if lucky! But this time, this "dig" was quite suprising, due to the amount of information that come up on the screen, regarding the Thornton Sisters. It seems that they are quite famous, not really so much for their musical achievements but for the fact they turned their back on the "bright lights" and all that, to concentrate on "proper" jobs and lifestyles. All down to their father who guided them to make sure their lifes were worthwhile. As this story of a father and his 6 daughters is covered by a book " The Ditch Diggers Daughters" a tv movie/series and even was featured on a Oprah show, thought rather than letting you suffer my words, will put up below a series of clips, links and photos which will tell the story that much better. Suggest follow the links as they lead to more info, and also try the search engines as more articles will show up. A clip from (note link no longer valid) The Ditchdiggers Daughter is an inspiring portrait by a loving daughter of a father whose pervasive common sense, folk wisdom, and untutored but right-on insights gave his children their road map to a better life. It is the story of a man who dared to dream that his black daughters would someday become doctors–and who guided them to achieve the seemingly impossible goals he set for them. It is also the story of an astute businessman who formed his bright and talented girls into a rhythm-and-blues band that played Harlems Apollo theatre and won a recording contract, which Donald tore up when he discovered it required his girls to leave school. Instead, the Thornton sisters played colleges on weekends, earning enough money to pay for their education, yet not allowing their music to interfere with their studies. A article from the Temple Times 1997 http://www.temple.ed... They took honors five times at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and appeared on Ted Macks Amateur Hour. Offered a record contract, the daughters considered abandoning college for music careers. Again, their father steered them in the right direction. "Music is fine for now," he told them, "but nobody wants a 40-year-old musician. "Now a 40-year-old doctor, thats something else." Ok that sets the scene follow the links and can read the full story, maybe sounds a bit "afternoon television" but I found it interesting and good to read positive, smile on your face stories about the artists who gave us this great music. Hopefully of interest all above was news to me, though the "Ditchdiggers Daughters" did ring a bell but never connected it to the Thornton Sisters. Comments posted on this article in past issues of soul source Guest Posted: 2004/2/3 20:56 Updated: 2004/2/3 20:56 DITCH DIGGERS DAUGHTERS I wanted to know if you can tell me if there is a place I could purchase the made for TV movie on the DTICH DIGGERS DAUGHTERS? IF so please email me Guest Posted: 2004/3/26 16:57 Updated: 2004/3/26 16:57 Re: DITCH DIGGERS DAUGHTERS Hi! Im Dr. Thornton. Just give me your address and I will send you a copy. Please respond to my home e-mail Hope to hear from you soon. Have a great weekend. Guest Posted: 2004/4/1 21:57 Updated: 2004/4/1 21:57 A copy of the Movie I would like to get a copy of the movie, Ditchdiggers Daughter? Where can I find it. Guest Posted: 2004/9/30 4:02 Updated: 2004/9/30 4:02 Re: A copy of the Movie I am Dr. Thornton (alto saxophone). If you want a copy of the movie. I will send you a complimentary copy. My e-mail is stork1947@yahoo.com Guest Posted: 2004/10/26 1:22 Updated: 2004/10/26 1:22 DITCHDIGGERS DAUGHTERS Please email information on obtaining the VHS TV movie of the DITCHDIGGERS DAUGHTERS. This is an exceptionally inspiring movie. I have (3)daughters of my own. I know they will enjoy it.!! genexcell@yahoo.com site note - please ask not to email this site asking where you can buy this film, I have no idea unfortunately added 2016 well after x amount of years just spotted the film is now on youtube

Not sure which section this should get posted too. Another packed nite, big buzz with Richie in Town and he delivered a stonker! 19months and growin From the memory cells that still work (not in order) Mark Threadgold Mr Soul - What Happened To Yesterday- Genuine The Embers- First Time - JCP TSU Toronados- Please Heart Dont Break- Rampart Street Vanguards - Gotta Have Love -Lamp ET White - Gotta Find A True Love- Great Potential Celeste hardie - Youre Gone- Reynolds Persuasions - Summer Ride- Erica (Constellations C/u) Othella Robertson - So In Love- Baby Luv Dottie&Millie - Talkin About My Baby- Topper Yvonne Daniels - Dont Want To Get Away From Your Love-Sterling Gwen Owens - Just Say Your Wanted And Needed- Velgo Joe Simon- Just Like Yesterday- Irral Rosemary - Not Too Much For You Baby- Federal Marion James - Im The Woman For You- K&J Larry Birdsong - Somebody Help Me- Surspeed Eddie Bo - From This Day On- SevenB Jimmie Raye - Philly Dog Around The World- KKC Cliff Nobles - My Love Is Getting Stronger- J-V records Claude Huey- Why Would You Blow It- Galaxy Jeff Dale- Where Did I Go- Atco Chuck Thomas - What Happened Baby- Band Box Al Reed - Sorry About That- Axe Yvonne Carol - Stuck On You- Domain Karl Mitchell Baby Washington: Leave Me Alone- Sue The Diplomats - Cards on the table - Arock Harvey Averne - Never learned to dance - Uptite Fats Domino - If you dont know what love is - Sparton Popcorn Wylie - Brand new man - Epic Little Gigi - I volunteer - Decca The Miracles - If your mother only new - Tamla Stewart Ames - Angelina, oh Angelina - J&W Bobby Joy - You sweet devil you - Tangerine Melvin Boyd - Exit loneliness enter love - Era The Exits - you got to have money - Gemini Rosco&Barbara - Could this be love - Old Town Barbara Acklin - Just aint no love - Brunswick Danny Duggan Darrell Banks - Somebody Somewhere Bobby Bland - Yum Yum tree Isonics - Sugar Isley Brothers - Why when love has gone Temptations - My baby Terry Callier - Look at me know Dells - Its all up to you Charles Johnson - never had a love so good Moments - Nine times Gloria Scott - A case of too much lovemaking Chubby&Turnpikes - I didn't try Tyrone Ashley - I want my baby back Four Perfections - im not strong enough Eddie Bishop - Call me Ty Karim - Aint that love enough Ringleaders - baby what has happened Tommy Good - Baby I miss you Richie Conn: Melvin Moore..all of a sudden Si Hightower..I know youre leaving me Unique blends..yes im in love Yum Yums..gonna be a big thing Bill Bush..Im waiting Garland Green ..angel baby Universlal love..its you girl Milton Parker..Women like it harder Chuck Cockerham ..Have I got a right Guitar ray..youre gonna wreck my life Bad Weather..I never knew Drizabone Pressure The Four Tracks..Charade Jan Jones Independant woman Innersection..Im in debt to you Al Mason..Good Loving Joe Tex..I wanna be free Sheri Taylor..He,s the one who rings my bell Timeless Legend..I was born to love you Montclairs ..Hey you Royal Esquires..Aint gonna run no more.. John Dunne: Natural 4: I Thought You Were Mine Jackie Wilson: Because Of You Wade Flemons: Jeanette Archie Bell: 1000 Wonders Beverly + Del Capris: Mama I Think Im In Love Bonnie Herman: Hush Dont Cry Betty Lloyd: Im Catching On Adorables: Ooh Boy! Incredibles: I Cant Get Over Losong Your Love Channel 3: Sweetest Thing Freddie Houston: If I Had Known Sunday: Aint Got No Problems Delegates of Soul: Ill Come Running Back Sister Sledge: Thinking Of You........wouldnt be SN without it!!!!!!!!!...........or would it???????? 4 Tops: Baby I Need Your Loving Next dates November 21 December 19

When rioters in Watts, California, began shouting "Burn, Baby! BURN!" in the turmoil of 1965, they were echoing the most popular cry on rhythm-and-blues radio: The trademark of Magnificent Montague, the most exciting R&B disc jockey ever to stroll through Soulsville. In Los Angeles on KGFJ, and earlier in New York on WWRL, Montague yelled "Burn!" whenever he was playing a record that moved him. His listeners followed suit, calling Montague and shouting "Burn!" on the air. The emotion in that exchange reverberated with as much excitement as the music of Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. Now, in his autobiography, to be published in October, 2003, by University of Illinois Press, Montague tells the story of his days on the mike and his simultaneous, hidden life as one of the most passionate collectors of African American memorabilia in the U.S. The intertwining of Montagues dual lives makes "Burn, Baby! Burn!" one of the most historically informative books on entertainment and the most entertaining history book around As it says a new book out this month, check out the site for clips of the book, sound clips and more http://www.magnificentmontague.com

Many thanks for those that came along to the all new George Jackson night at Smersh bar last Wednesday. It was good to see all our regulars. We hope everyone enjoyed the night as much as we did. The next one is on 18th February (every 3rd Wednesday of the month). Usual details: Smershbar, 5 Ravey Street, London EC2. 7-12. Free admission. The free CD went down well. For anyone that couldnt make it along last week we have a limited quantity left. Below is the track listing, which features the best of the sounds played over the last four years. You may contact us via our website: www.georgejackson-soul.co.uk until then, David Nossiter Theme From Nap The Highlighters (Lulu) Heaven Will Welcome You Clarence Reid (Tayster LP) Got To Be Free Sylvia Maddox (Duke) How Can You Be So Cold Lee Mitchell (HL&M) Stay Baby Stay Johnny Daye (Stax) It Hurts Me Too George Hughley (Fairlane) Things Are Gettin Better George Jackson (Chess) I Dont Mess Around Jeannie Reynolds & The Re-Leets (Washington) What've I Done (To Make You Mad) Linda Jonesm (Loma) The Good Night Song Gas & The Funk Factory (Brunswick) Oh, How You Hurt Me OJays (Imperial LP) I Dont Want You The Lovations (Cap City) Promise That Youll Wait Skip Jackson & The Shantons (Dot-Mar) Never Set Me Free The Charades (MGM) Tried So Hard To Please Her Knight Brothers (Mercury) Anything You Want Kenny Hamber (Artic) I Cant Believe (Youve Got The Nerve to Cry) O.V. Wright (Backbeat LP) When Its Over Don Varner (Unissued Quinvy) I Dont Want To Take A Chance Wee Willie Walker (Unissued Goldwax) How Big is Big The Masqueraders (Bell) Just a Few Feet From The Gutter The Ascots (American Playboy) The Thought of Losing Your Love The Vanguards (Lamp) How Did I Lose You Richard Popcorn Wylie (ABC LP) If We Were Still Together Jimmy Bo Horne (Alston) I Cant Go Without You Dorothy Morrison (Brown Door) Cant Live Without You Connie Laverne (GSF) Im For Real King Floyd (Chimneyville LP)

"THE OPENING NIGHT" SOUL BISCUITS NORTHERN SOUL CLUB SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA - 28th JANUARY 2004 I am lugging behind me a box of 100 precious vinyl 45's as I climb the stairs leading to the entrance of Bar Cleveland, the venue for the big opening night of the Soul Biscuits Northern Soul Club in Sydney, NSW, Australia. As the owner and moderator of the Australian Yahoo Group "Northernsoulinoz" and having around 2000 Northern Soul 45's I have been asked to play a couple of sets to help the night along by the event's organiser "Keith "Keefster" Miller. It's 7.30pm and once inside I finally get to meet "Keefster" and his fiancÃÆ’©e Amy, I didnt recognise Keith at first as he has shaven off his beard. There is a little tension in the air, Keefster has been planning this night since he first came to Australia from Scotland several months ago, some said it couldn't be done and now it's the time of reckoning. We are the only three people in the place and are very nervous, is anybody going to turn up? Has all the effort been worth it? Will they like what we have to offer? Oh shit!, this is the moment of truth, this is it!! I look around at the empty venue, it is a great looking place, good sized wooden dance floor, basically three rooms with the bar being the centre of the middle room, with the DJ booth positioned right behind the bar. The place reminded me a little of The Duke of York in Adelaide but with an extra room on the side. I check out the DJ gear, 2 Technics SL1200MK2 turn tables and a three channel Pioneer mixer with one touch cueing. All good so far. We put on the first record to try the sound, its Martha and the Vandellas "No where to run", the haunting lyrics of Martha Reeves echo around the empty rooms, sounds brilliant, 6 large speakers across the three rooms, two not working, find switches on wall, what a fantastic sound, all we need now are people and preferably soul lovers, but right now we'll take anyone! Its 8.00pm the advertised starting time and still only the three of us in the cavernous club, starting to feel lonely and apprehensive, we all look each other in the eye, and without saying anything we all know things are not going the way they were planned. Keefster cranks up the decks and starts to play some tracks, what else can you do? Dave Cutler comes in, four of us now; we talk about old times and old places and hope a few more are on the way to join us. Several people wander in from the stairs and buy drinks, then a few more, followed by Alex White one of the Sydney Soul Sisters, we have a beer at the bar, discuss how its not looking too good, Alex assures us there is a crowd of Sydney Soul regulars on the way and theyd better be here by 9.00pm or shell kill them, somehow I believe her. It's now 8.30pm and things still very quiet, about 10 people and in a place this size thats empty. Keefster is still plugging away on the decks, what else can you do? A few more wander in and then just after 9.00 a good sized contingency of Sydney soul regulars arrive as Alex had promised, well not too bad at least the night wont be a total disaster. Dave Mac and his wife then arrive and at around 9.10 Dave is on the decks spinning some modern. A few more soulies come up the stairs and things are not looking too bad with around 35 in the place. 9.30 pm around 45 in now and a few of the local scooter boys arrive looking the part in their Parkas, we are glad to see them and three of four people are dancing to Daves modern now, the place is filling up nicely with about 50 in, we start to breath a sigh of relief, this could be a reasonable night after all. 9.45 and people pouring up the stairs, where are they coming from? Who cares? Its looking good. Dave has warmed the crowd nicely, about 60 in now and a good friendly atmosphere building, the crack is good and the Sydney Soul scene far better than I expected. More people streaming up the stairs about 80 in now and its time for my first set. I am nervous for a different reason now, not because no-one is in the place, but will they like what I am going to play? I had my set all carefully planned and prepared, now at the last minute I have doubts about it and I am changing my mind, I tell myself too late, your on now son, go to it. It's 10.00pm and time for my first track, its Martha&the Vandellas "No where to run" for the second time of the night, this time with around 85 people listening to it, I am relieved, it goes down well about 10 on the dance floor, well that's OK for a start. Next I play Buddy Sigler "Follow your heart", the big trumpeting intro calls a few more to the dance floor and the place is starting to swing. I stick to a good thing, and follow up with "Run for Cover" - The Dells, "Determination" - Dean Parish and then as the into of JJ Barnes "Please Let me in" swirls around the room the dance floor becomes alive with about 25 on there. We are all feeling good now, Keefster comes into the DJ Booth with the biggest grin I have seen all night, we eagerly shake hands, a fantastic job all-round, the night is better than we could have expected. The crowd are appreciative off the music, I am more relaxed and at last beginning to enjoy the night. I follow up with some of my favourites: "This old heart of mine" - Isley Brothers, "Right Track" - Billy Butler, which is supported by the sharp crack of many hand claps from the dancers, the floor is packed, people have continued to drift in, the place is rammed with about 110 in now, and a few of the Sydneysiders are livening the place up with back drops, spins and other dance floor gymnastics (see photos). Its easy and enjoyable from here on in, just keep the dance floor packed with Northern Soul classics such as "Girl across the street" - Moses Smith, "Let her go" - Otis smith, "Angel Baby" - Daryl Banks, then its Brice Coefields "Aint that right". I follow these with Ace Spectrums "Dont send nobody else", plenty of hand clapping to this one and the crowd are having a great time, even the bar staff are swinging along to it, what an atmosphere, this place is brilliant! Every so often locals enter the DJ booth, they are keen to show their appreciation and also ask for requests, I tell myself this is what Northern Soul is all about. The sounds keep coming and as the intro to "A little togetherness" from the Young Hearts booms around the room, the dance floor is heaving, my two last tracks of this set have come all to soon, slowing things down a little now, but the floor still rocking and clapping to Bobby Paris - "I walked away" and then Timi Yuro - "Itll never be over for me". The place is alive, the dance floor packed, George Coumbis, aka "Agent OO Soul, who is known to have one of the best record collections in Australia enters the DJ booth as he has the 11.00 - 12.00 spot, a soulful handshake and George is at the decks, a brilliant start with "You shoulda held on" from the 7th Avenue Aviators and then "Strange Change" - Herb Ward and "I can't help myself" - The Volumes, the dance floor is alive, the bar sales are brisk and the Sydney Soul Biscuits Northern Soul Club is in full swing. Plenty more great tracks follow from George, he keeps the dance floor busy for his whole set and finishes with "We're acting like lovers" - The Spellbinders and then "Call on me" from the Dynells, great set George, the crowd loved it, Agent OO Soul hands over the decks to Keefster, its another soulful handshake and smiles all around, the Sydney soul scene has been kind to us, they have turned up to support the opening night of Soul Biscuits in droves, all credit to them, a great bunch of people are the Sydneysiders and how they love their Northern Soul. Its Keefster on the decks now, the whole Soul Biscuits Club was his idea and as the clock ticks midnight he has the place jumping and is in fine form. He starts with some old favourites, Jay&the Techniques - "Make your own sweet music", "Working on a building of love" - Chairmen of the Board and then Patty and the Emblems - "Mixed up shook up little girl". Its Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon - "Breaking down the walls", then the Temptations with "Aint too proud to beg", and then perhaps the bravest play of the night and one of the most successful with Keefster playing "Under my thumb" - Wayne Gibson, the crowd love it and even sing along, the dance floor stays packed all through Keefster's set, no Happy Lappy now, just pure vinyl magic, what a night for Northern Soul. After Keiths amazing set the Bar Manager pulls him aside, and says great job, good crowd, big bar takings, come and see me next week Keith, we need to talk about a regular gig. I am then back on the decks for the last set 1.00 - 2.00pm, again plenty of dance floor action and a good number stay till the very end, including Sydney Soul Sister Alex White who helps with some words of encouragement and advice regarding the next gig. The die hards didnt want to go home and wanted more at 2.00am the official closing time. I am able to squeeze in 4 more before being asked politely by security to call it a night, and what a night, it was suddenly all over, the feeling was one of relief combined with great happiness, the night had worked, the venue was good, the music was brilliant, the sound system and equipment made it all sound great and best of all the Sydney crowd had turned up in style to support the opening night. On behalf of Keefster and myself, we THANK YOU SYDNEY, 120 people came on a mid-week night, you are a great bunch of soulies, thank you for making us welcome, it is very much appreciated and yes, we WILL be back. THANK YOU SYDNEY and thank you KEEFSTER you made it happen. Regards Steve Bardsley PS The next Soul Biscuits Northern Soul Night has been confirmed for the 25th February 2004, same place, same DJ's.

Creeping up to the next Monkey at Springfield and everythings looking good for this one, got both regulars Andy Rix and Rob Thomas lined up ( both on top form at Lowton last nite) and the DMSC guest spot sees the welcome return of Carl Willingham (the almost monkey regular) Those with memory cells will remember last time Carl was at the monkey it was that night now known as the nite of pure quality where all the djs just blew us away with non stop quality sounds that took us to real northern heaven, a quote heard on nite from a long time done it all northern fan and well known name was along lines of "Never in all my time have I heard such an amount of quality soul sounds in one nite as heard tonite". With Kev S and Sid J doing the "lets get the monkey kicking" set and the lets drag it out till the sun rises finish from dmsc crew, it looks like the main room is going to be ..... you know the score All era room Banging/contemporary/northern-modern just some of the all era soul styles on offer, with the line up getting harder and tonite including regulars Paul Baldwin, Chico , Pete B, Phil B, Mark S, and more. Check out flyers below, check out link to the info section Drunken Monkey Soul Club Making Your Heart Beat Faster

a great piece by joe w some of the younger folk might know the platters only from their reincarnation as a soul act in the mid-60s, "with this ring" and "washed ashore" and all that, but the platters were, twilight time of course, a monster group in the 50s--remember "the great pretender"? they had four number one songs and 16 gold records in five years. tony williams, the lead singer until 1960, had a magical and powerful voice rivaled in the 50s only by roy orbisons and even in the early 60s when i became a teenager, the platters ballads were still huge--"smoke gets in your eyes" followed by "harbor lights" was all you needed to get a girl wet. so when my good buddy john miller, who owns a record store called the record museum, phoned me up one evening in, oh, about 1986 or so, i cant remember exactly when, and told me the platters were playing that night at the holiday inn on the beach--the real platters, the tony williams platters--i dropped everything (what, a tuna fish sandwich and a bottle of beer) and got in his van and headed out to collins avenue and 87th street on miami beach. on the way, we listened to platters tapes--"heaven on earth, "my prayer"--and sped across the causeway, worried the whole time wed be late, locked out, and shit out of luck. when we got there, we could hear the platters already singing, the band finishing up "i love you 1000 times." we jogged, didnt want to miss a note of tony williams. when we got there we saw . . . jesus h, when we got there we saw a small diningroom with the lights fully on, a tiny venue more suited to a stand-up comedian than a singing group. up on stage to the left, by himself, stood tony williams suited up in a tux, looking lonely; the group--i think most of them were his family--stood way to the right of the stage. the place was empty, absofuckinglutely empty. empty, that is, except for one table around which a dozen or so cubans were celebrating somebodys birthday. while the platters sang, they cackled and cockledoodled, a bunch of cocolocos who couldnt care less about this old negrito struggling up on stage. and tony was struggling. the band launched into "twilight time" and his voice, the one that used to swing from chandeliers and leap over tall buildings, cracked and creaked at every high note. he sounded like he was strangling in his own vomit. at the finale of the song his voice choked and simply crapped out on him. from the back of the clubroom, where john and i stood, you could see the frustration and embarrassment in his face, his lips pursed in self-disgust. he coughed into his fist and lamely said, "oh man, must a been somethin i ate. man, the food at this place, ha ha ha." he was swaying on his feet, he was drunk. he tried one more tune and quit half way through, waving a weak hand at the group. then one of the group--i think he introduced himself as tonys son--took over the lead while tony snapped his fingers in time to the music and rocked on his heels, his head down. i wondered what it must be like to have been tony williams--the great tony williams, "the magic touch," "one in a million," "only you"--to have been a glorious star only to find yourself one evening late in your career standing on stage looking out at a tiny clubroom with garish lights that contained only a table full of cucarachas with their backs turned to you, treating you like the shoeshine boy, and two shadows in the back of the room who soon slid back into the night, out of respect for your memory, having seen the saddest thing they had ever seen. amf, joe

Yvonne McCoy Andrew H passed on sad news Just a brief note to inform all that Ronald McCoys (the Topics) wife Yvonne McCoy died Monday, April 2. A saddened Ron called me Thursday and related the incident, she was around 51. Yvonne sung on some of the Topics later recordings and did countless shows with them in the New York area. Ronald, in addition to singing with the Topics wrote Lee & Williams & the Cymbals two biggest records: "I Love You More" and "Peepin Through The Window

Recently had the sad news that long time Llandudno Soul fan Dave Gillet has passed away, Dave was a familiar face to all North Wales soul fans since the early days. Myself knew Dave originally as one of the main Llandudno soul fans in the 70s and I was lucky enough to be able to renew our friendship on my return to North Wales, memories range the full spectrum from those far off days and going ons of the 70s to the present day where as a regular attendee of all the Llandudno soul events, he always had time for a chat and catch up. Have been told that the funeral will take at the Llandudno Crematorium, this Thursday at 1130 am My thoughts and my deepest condolences go out to all his family and friends. RIP Dave it was a honour to know you mike Sad News - Dave Gillet Llandudno RIP Hello Everybody, Please be advised, that Daves Funeral takes place at The Crematorium Mochdre at 13 30 pm on Thursday afternoon (16/10/03). Please disregard the previous earlier time as it was an oversight. Lets all give Dave a good North Wales style send off, he will be sadly missed. Ritchie. WELL, DAVE WHAT A FANTASTIC SEND OFF YOU HAD ON THURSDAY. YOU WILL BE SADDLY MISSED BY ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILEY, MAY YOU RIP XXX. ANN, RITCH, LARRY KEMP AND ALL RIP, DAVE

FROBISHER SUITE - 28 FEBRUARY 2004 A cold and snowy night in Yorkshire, compounded the soul night promoter's nightmare - how many events clash with us tonight? Well, the answer to that question tonight was - many: New Century nighter, Stoke Togetherness nighter, a charity do in York, the list went on and on. Will anybody venture out because of the weather? Will they be saving themselves for next week's Prestatyn Weekender? Will anybody come through the door tonight? Questions, questions. Yes, numbers were a bit down on normal, but with guests MICK H and DEREK ALLEN, the Trent Soul contingent, joining residents DAVE BOX and FRED WARD, the quality of the sets guaranteed a full across the board mix. Dave kicked off the warm-up spot, 8 til 9, and as usual gave an airing to some soulful mid-tempo gems from his collection, many played for the first time at the venue. Dee Dee Warwick - We've Got Everything Going on Mercury; Fresh Flavour's - Without You Baby on Buddah; Patti Jo - Stay Away From Me on Scepter; Al Williams - The Other Side Of Your Love on Crajon; Denice Chandler - Mama, I Wish I'd Stayed At Home on Lock; Sonny Fisher - Oh Love, This Is Sonny on Tousea; Ralph Graham - What Am I To Do on RCA; Gene Chandler - Without You Here on Curtom; Tony Diamond - You Mean Everything To Me on Capitol; The Four Tops - Are You Man Enough on ABC Dunhill. Fred followed with his first set of the night, featuring classic oldies, as the crowd steadily built up. Mel Britt - She'll Come Running Back; Roger Collins - She's looking Good; Larry Laster - Go For Yourself; Bok to Bach - Father's Angels; Ethics - Look At Me Now; Saxie Russell - Psychedelic Soul; Edwin Starr - Back Street; Soul Twins - Quick Change Artist; Young Holt Unlimited - California Montage; Darrell Banks - Our Love Is In The Pocket; Chuck Jackson - These Chains Of Love; Ann Sexton - You've Been Gone Too Long; Illusions - You Didn't Have To Leave; Bobby Freeman - I'll Never Fall In Love Again; Lenis Guess - Just Ask Me; Crusaders - Put It Where You Want it; Impressions - You've Been Cheatin'; Ramsey Lewis - Wade In The Water. Third visit for Derek Allen, with his own unique style - how the hell he managed to cue in Cody Black's Slowly Molding between his frantic dancing and spins only he knows. A great set, resulting in a steadily filling dance floor. Sam Cooke - Sugar Dumpling on RCA; Richard Popcorn Wylie - It's A Girl's World on Soul Hawk; Jimmy Ruffin - He Who Picks A Rose unissued; Gladys Knight - No One Can Love You More on UK Tamla; Betty Swann - Kiss My Love Goodbye on Atlantic; Kenny Thomas - Crazy World; Bonnie Herman - Hush Don't Cry on Columbia; Paulette - Love You Baby on Contact; Dee Dee Sharp - I'm Coming Home from the Cameo LP; Beverley Ann Sharp - A Three Dollar Bill on Jubilee; James Fountain - Seven Day Lover on UK Cream; Patrice Holloway - Stolen Hours on Capitol; Linda Perry - I Need Someone on Mainstream; Will Collins&Will Power - Anything I Can Do on Bareback, Next up was Mick H guesting for the second time at the Frobisher. Mick over the last few years has built up a tremendous reputation spinning monster sounds a major venues all over the country and tonight was no exception. Mick laid down an incredible spot, kicking off with 70s monsters which he skilfully merged into a "rarest of the rare 60s" finale: Unique Blend - Yes, I Am In Love on Eastbound; Bobby Rich - There's A Girl For Me on Sambea; Ujima - I'm Not Ready on Epic; Eugene Smiley; Innersection - Let Me Love Yuh on Group 5; Eric Lomax - So Good To Me c/u; Nu-Rons - All Of My Love on Nu-Ron; Hamilton Movement; Poets - Wrapped Around Your Finger on J2; Aspirations - You Left Me on Peaches; Don Gardner - Cheatin Kind on Sedgrick; Kenny Gamble - The Joke's on You; Joe Jama - My Life on Optimum; Sensations - Demanding Man on Wayout; Appointments - I Saw You There on Delite; Jimmy Bo Horn to finish. Requests from the floor were Appreciations - I Can't Hide It on Aware, Professionals for Fred and Andy Fisher for Dave - it doesn't get any better than this. The crowd filled the floor and showed their appreciation by applauding every track. Now Follow That!!! Well, Dave had that job, tough as it was, and started his main set with a track he's been featuring for some time, namely Shelly Fisher - Girl I Love You on Dayla. Shelly wrote the song, and Garland Green's version on Gamma/Revue has been a classic for years. Methinks the time for Shelly Fisher's version is long overdue. Dave's set went something like this: Constellations - I Don't Know About You on Gemini Star; Darnells - Call On Me on Atco; Ruby Andrews - Just Loving You on Zodiac; Johnny Howard - The Chase Is On on Bashie; Casanova Two - We Got To Keep On on Early Bird; Masqueraders - Do You Love Me Baby on Wand; Soul Communicators - Those Lonely Nights on Fee Bee; Ascots - Another Day on Mira-don; King Ernest - You Gonna Miss Me on Sonic; A request from Mick H - Bold Breed - Mood For Love on Bold Breed, not many copies of this about - great up tempo sound; Tammy Lavon - It Takes Two on Nation; Geraldine Hunt - Winner Takes All on ABC; Fascinators - In Other Words on Bombay; Mystiques - Put Out The Fire on Twinight; Jimmy Hughes - It Ain't What You Got on Atlantic; Betty Turner - Be Careful Girl on Liberty; Baby Washington - Leave Me Alone on Sue; Volumes - Ain't Gonna Give You Up on Karen. Dave responded to a request for Jerry Williams classic If You Ask Me, which completed his set, and with a full dance floor, set things up quite nicely for Fred's final hour through to the finish at 2am. Fred's spot featured more classic oldies from both the 60s and 70s eras, and satisfied many requests - definitely keeping the dance floor busy. Moses Smith - Girl Across The Street; Younghearts - A Little Togetherness; Velours - I'm Gonna Change; James Barnett - Keep On Talking; Pattie&The Emblems - I'm Gonna Love You A Long Long Time; Nolan Chance - Just Like The Weather; Johnny Wyatt - This Thing Called Love; Nella Dodds - Come Back Baby; Exciters - Blowin Up My Mind; Dobie Gray - Out On The Floor (a request for the bar staff at the Frobisher); Johnny Sayles - I Can't Get Enough; Earl Jackson - Soul Self Satisfaction. To sum up the night - although down on numbers the crown responded and created a great atmosphere. It was a very enjoyable night full of tremendous soulful music. The Trent Soul duo and residents did the business. Thanks for your support - it can't happen without you the punters. 27 March is an All Yorkshire Event, with all the DJs coming from Yorkshire - guests John Britton from Wakefield, John Benson from Mexborough, and Dave and Fred from Normanton. See you there.

As may know the soul talk list is a email discussion soul list,. One of the regular and main posters on the list is John Pugh from West Midlands way. Has given ok to post one of his recent posts below. A review of the recent Lifeline event, thought be worthwhile as it gives others chance to read it. Bit late I know, its been in the queue for a bit, but as next one coming up soon and have a couple more of Johns writings to pass on, it nudged me to get it out Despite the travelling making me really rough for the last 3 days ( and probably at least the next 3 as well ) I wouldnt have missed Saturday for the world. Its kinda hard to top the Right music, the Right venue, the Right people in attendance and run by the Right people, etc., but Im sure they wont rest on their laurels and that itll go from strength to strength. Speaking to one or two who dont get as far south as even Manchester very often, I think theyll really get the benefit of having interesting guests like Marco & the forthcoming Steve G. One comment I read said "1000 pound rarity after 1000 pound rarity", and of course thats the basis of the rare soul experience, but for me I thought the 4 Tops** track was an absolute master stroke (as well as some of the other well thought out, superb but relatively available tracks, and forgotten oldies) I know this might seem at odds with some folks ideas, but the way I look at it is that youve got to have some punctuation, otherwise some of the less well known ( but brilliant) tracks can sort of blend into one another and they can lose their impact. " You gotta have a slice of plain bread every so often to appreciate how wonderfull cake is" was how one person described it and thats how I see it too. If one punter can go home and dig out some cheap but wonderful track and give it another listen then thats another type of success to judge the night by. After all most of us can never hope to own a copy of lots of the tracks that will get aired, so its nice to have a few dotted throughout the night that you can go out and track down without paying a kings ransom. I think thats why I enjoy Andy Ds sets so much because he generally digs something out that fits into this category (Ive probably played Laws of Love at home more times in the last few months than I have in the last twenty years, purely because id heard and enjoyed hearing Andy play it in his set) Having said that the main thrust of the nite for those who werent there, was wondrous obscure soul that downright deserves to be heard, because its just too good to be kept as a hidden gem. At one point in the nite Max and I sat and listened to Butchs set and just melted !!! He had two runs, think the one was five records and the other four, where it was as close to soul music perfection as you can get. Each tune just flowed perfectly into the next and its virtually impossible to put into words the feeling they generated, the emotional experience, the sheer joy of it, in my very humble opinion it was Northern Nirvana. Id have gone if it had just have been Butch and Andy on their own, but I understand that other folk have their favourite djs too, and the other djs on the line up all bought something to the dance as it were. The idea of piping the music through is a winner for the old farts like me and watching folk dash off in the middle of a conversation reminded me of myself in happier times. You know how it goes, the opening bars hit you, the drink goes on the table, fag in the ashtray, quick mumbled appology to whoever you were talking to as you zip off, literally dragged onto the floor by the time the first word of the song comes in :-) Often tho at most run of the mill doos you can tell when the djs change without looking by the music, but with this piped through idea, and the high quality maintained by ALL the djs it had me scratching my head at times wondering who was on. Thinking about it now, that makes me realise just how good all the sets I heard were. Finally it was great that so many true rare soul fans had made their way from all points of the compass. It makes such a difference to be able to enjoy the company of those who share a similar interpretation of this music of ours. With so many venues going on all around the country hopefully this will become the one place that every rare soul fan decides to make the effort to support ( tho I dont think many more folk could have been fitted in ?) Congrats Andy & Co, more power to ya !!! cheers john p.s. the ** above was to remind me to ask has anybody heard how Levi Stubbs is doing ? Last I read said he was very seriously ill, anybody heard different ? thanks to John for the ok to use, soul talk email list can be found at http://www.smartgroups.com/soultalk

Thought a great read so a worthwhile pass on Asked John P for a few possible "watch outs" for this upcoming Sunday. Well all will say that his reply was such a enjoyable read, I had to ask for permission to pass it on .... Planning and Prep - John Pugh Hi Mike, re plays at NCSC - talking to Max today he told me that hed spoken to someone who was Monkeying on Saturday, whod said theyd enjoyed hearing the Jackie Edwards duet with Joyce Bond version of I Feel So Bad from the vogue e.p. ( guess Carl W had played it ? ) so think Max says he is gonna stick that one in. Should find room somewhere for the Detroit 5 cover up weve been pushing ? Unusual and less well known things, A Bell Sound beauty that I keep wanting to call Shirley (& the Four) Temples, but thats just me being daft ! (was asked to play it at the last NCSC, but too late to fit it in, so if the same lad is there must try to play that one) Do you know the J.B. Willingham "Dont Want To Be Hurt No More " ? meant to play that last time too. That Laura Lee that shares a similar backing track to Al Kents "Way You Been Acting Lately" went over well last time we were there, so might try that again, to be honest apart from Detroit 5 and Laura Lee cant remember much of what we spun at NCSC ? (lost the playlist I posted, dont suppose youve got a copy ?) Might do a couple of old Albrighton things that have now got their second, third, or fourth wind - A few weve been playing again lately include, Bitter & Sweets "I Wont Have Any Babies For You" on Anything Everything Records, Percy & Thems "Look In The Mirror Of My Eyes " on Roulette, Ultimates, Vanguards ( cause you usually get asked for it but to be honest Im getting a bit fed up of it now after all these years) How about Target "Give Me One More Chance " on Kama, or Z.Z. & Company, which strikes me as almost a clone (but better) of the overplayed but still very popular Clarence Carters "Messing With My Mind", Whichever, I wouldnt be surprised to find at least a couple of x-overy tunes showing up towards the end. On the rougher almost RnB side, been enjoying playing Jock Mitchells "I Got To Know" and Demetriss Tapp "Ring Dang Doo" on the back of a few classics like Ted Taylor, but around our way the King Curtis one that sounds like Jnr Walker to my ears is going great guns, which leads nicely into the Catacombs oldies that Guy has been spinning Jenny & Jewels, which, if he isnt going to play it, we might ? Our heads have started to get into Cats anniversary mode so might drop a few if asked, but with so many to choose from I honestly have no idea. Was just listening to Cajun Heart "Got To Find A Way" in the house, and every time I get it out to play I cant help but think itd make a good big room revival sound, you know how certain sounds lend themselves to big rooms, with the way the brass leads the beat in places, the breaks for the dancers etc. Im prejudiced I suppose as I used to love to dance to this - when I was capable but never hear it now, which is a shame, imho You know how sometimes just one person can make a sound popular by bugging every dj in sight to play a particular tune. Recently I keep getting repeat requests for The Demures "Raining Teardrops" and the old Pat Lewis "No One To Love" on Solid Hit. Im sure that in both cases just one person started to ask for these two, and because of them other dancers having heard them again after a few years off the playlists, and now ask for these same two tunes. Nothing wrong in that, I love it when folk ask for requests that you actually have in your box. So to sum up what is the genuine answer to your question about what we will play - What we normally do is this, Max comes round my house on Thursday nite. We drink gallons of coffee, smoke endless cigarettes, start with a blank sheet of paper, and play our way through piles of records while discussing the weeks news, football, gossip and scurrilous rumours, making notes on the standout tunes as we go (with big arrows connecting stuff that sounds like it would be a nice fit with some other tune that we hadnt noticed might go together before, if were lucky) When weve got about enough tunes listed to do almost a complete 10 hour Niter, we condense the list to about 30 tunes we really would like to play. By now its usually close to 3 oclock in the morning and Max says for the umpteenth time " Ill Have To Go In A Minute, Gotta Open The Shop In A Few Hours", so we have our tenth final final cigarette and coffee, pack the tunes away, and in the process manage to forget if weve put the right ones into the playboxes, then call it a nite, which usually includes one of those twenty minute conversations on the doorstep about all the stuff weve forgot to say to each other in the previous seven or eight hours. Whether its a Friday, Saturday or Sunday club it doesnt matter, because our routine stays the same. We go out to the venue, forget virtually everything we decided on the Thursday nite and make it up as we go along, based on what the other djs are playing, what tune the previous dj is ending with, what the dancers are reacting well to, what requests you are asked for, and what the dj on after us is likely to be playing etc. while keeping the flow going and hopefully the floor pretty busy. If we get a chance we like to have a light-hearted post-mortem in the car on the way home. We usually realise that weve managed to play maybe two tunes from our Thursday Nites must play list. Honest !!! cheers John