Jez Jones

Rod If I'm reading you correct a lot of that rings true in my experience. I can remember folks(myself included) collecting maybe 100 or 200 records but they were always rotating in the quest to get hold of the 'next big thing'. Folks swapped/sold or wahtever ovo to finance the latest big hitter when they heard it. Prices for said original ovo would plumett accordingly when a large quantity came out. Eddie Parker 'love you baby' eg and there were more---------but having said all that things are different nowadays and re-releases ,boots emis whatever were available quite readily and seemed to be everywhere . I think it was more 'cut throat' in those days. You had to keep your wits about yer and ear to the ground or you could be lumbered with a once rare/expensive original vinyl and the following week it worth half what you paid cos the 'market' got flooded with 'em. But difference was every week quality was getting discovered and I mean every week!!! So you would win some and lose some and by the end of the month that rare ovo you lost money on was a distant memory cos you could get the next big thing and if there was 2 you could sell one on Now the venue thing about ovo's or other?. I can remember(bet others can to) start of the 70's and a local village hall soul do dj would happily play pressings etc to bring the music to his 'flock'. You could be there one night and philip Mitchell and Jimmy Conwell etc would come blaring out of the speakers and you just knew he had been to the local record shop that week to get a 'jayboy' fix . However no fooker rushed up to him and said why yer playing this. It was almost as if 'those that knew' couldn't give a fook cos they knew where to get and hear the 'real' stuff . On reflection it was quite elitist-----so nothings changed Interesting point though, he would never be caught playing an 'emidisc'. Why--cos I personally found the only places to be offered these were at the 'upfront' venues of the time Torch. Junction, Cats etc. Strange innit. Bet yer wouldn't see one in sales boxes at todays upfront venues

Bloody 'ell small world innit!!! Went round Johnny Dales the other night for a few beers and a chin wag. I reminded him about that night ---but his memories worse than mine!!! All he could remember was a few being there and that Steve had gone round cos he had pulled a 'bird' from in the ambassader and gone back yours with her as well. Now I can't remember that! what I can remember was it was raining and we were in a ford anglia and the fooking wipers broke (think Al barnet was in our car) All the way to rochdale from Bradford --no wipers unreal eh?? Anyway do you still get out much mate to soul do's--- have to have pint if we meet out cheers Jez

Hey up mate, me memories not what it was, but was that the time we went to the Ambasedeur in bradford and Steve ,johnny Dale, me and John Elkin and a n other? went back to a flat in Rochdale after??

Yeah I know, brilliant innit. I saw Dave in Stoke on saturday night and tried to pick his brains over this. He remembered it--but couldn't tell me who won it It must have been about 20 years ago when it was won, someone somewhere has got a one off peice of northern soul memorabilia Oh Dave did say something was found in an inside pocket of the coat

Mmmm . Its funny isn't when you see a random list like that you cant help singing a bit of each one in your head as you go down the list. The 'mighty' Jackie Wilson' I can't think of many, if any, artists who were as prolific in providing northern soul music for us . everyones got a fave Jackie Wilson tune ---whats yours?

Hmmmm .I know lets line them all up up against the wall and shoot the fockers! No better still lets snipe them from the rooftops---you'll know which ones they are--they wear baggy trousers

I believe its souledoutfilm.com

Yeah and money well spent in my opinion---------- Incredible to see them perform. It cost Man city 34 million for Robinho so the Dells were a bargain Don't know if Chris Burton made or lost on that venture but it was certainly a chance of a lifetime for fans in the UK to see them live

don't know about Burn Gorman but Les Battersby of 'corrie' fame is Try searching the films website ---might be info there

I am still taking this post in. That is incredible. Time,effort and patience second to none. i can't even begin to imagine what it must have felt like listening to Brenda Holloway, Leon haywood etc and they sounded virtually the same as original. The Artistics --ooh one of my all time favourites----absolutely mind blowing. An outstanding job of work Ian---be proud

Yes Andy yer not wrong. I,ve mentioned this on another thread. Why can't they 'lump' it all together in the King George's at Blackburn the following week and just have the one celebration where everyone could go and dance ,whatever in a venue that is something like. Its probably politics stopping that happening , but at the end of the day why have 2. Not many celebrate xmas twice ----no-one could afford and it would lose its meaning and special qualities----So perhaps for the next anniversary we could just have one good 'un hey?

I know, poor sods hey?

Ahh but which one? there is probably enough for 4 or 5 'warm ups' before you even get to a nighter

Some interesting stuff on t'internet about Roger Eagles and his influence on early soul in the North West . well worth a google

Good call that man

After reading a few of the posts on here and not wishing to re ignite long debates on what Northern soul is, newcomers to the scene and maybe just maybe a few not so new comers could do a lot worse than listening to Ians views on the early days of Northern Soul music . The ''scene'' has evolved and changed dramatically but surely the music that is Northern soul hasn't I for one welcome his views and find it fascinating the way he introduced different records at different times on the scene and who played what and where etc. It really is Northern soul history ya know This isn't made up......it really happened back in the early 70's at the Torch and Mecca.

after returning home from a torch allnighter on the following wednesday, my gran said it ruined my life

I fully concur with the eloquently constructed reviews by Andy and Pete and Sue. As with all new things its best to go with an open mind. I have never seen a film production and to me it was really fascinating.The eye for technical detail and 'way ' scenes are built if you like was really interesting to watch. As was mentioned it was a long day and tiring, but the motivation was kept high by the production crew and the people 'out on the floor' Talking of which ,i would just reinforce what Andy says ,generally about the younger element. Whilst dancing to out on the floor a couple teenage girls dancing near came across and asked me'Who sings this----we like this one'. takes yer back to when we first heard records and got smitten with them and we would sidle across on the dance floor to ask the very same question. The music doesn't change --people do and if its quality,- people will want to know more. Experienced soulies and for want of a better word 'novices' all dancing to 'Hey sal oh ney Mickey lee lane on a saturday morning spun by Dave Evison in the Kings Hall in Stoke. take a minute to digest that staement if you will! Very bizarre indeed but nevertheless strangely uplifting and arguably set the benchmark for the rest of day----- Everyone working (dancing) as one. I hadn't heard that for ages---sounded awesome and after it finished I glanced round and folks old and young looking at each other ,had for want of a better word again---a smirk, a grin as if to say 'Thats what we should be doing----now we know!' To some folks there, it was a job of work,to some it was a labour of love for the music and dancing ,to some it was a curiousity, to some it was a real fascination and a need to know more. But what was undeniable was everyone gave what they could with a passion and hopefully it will show in the final product. Managed to get a chat with one of the lead actors in this. He was in 'period costume' and standing on the sidelines just taking it all in. He said in his reaearch he did on northern soul he couldn't believe there was never a film made of this ages ago. I would quote him at this stage in saying' This had a massive impact on british youth sub culture at the time' Yes mate yer not wrong!!!! He also explained that whilst we all hoped this would be a great success , the main obstacle would be to get a 'cinema' run with it. he also said that there is an undeniable energy and will to succeed from behind the scenes with all the staff ,crew actors etc. Anyway apart from the Mickey lee lane 'moment' I mentioned earlier ,another one that stood out for me anyway' was----- A couple of yards from the stage dancing to Tainted Love spun by Russ Winstanley and being watched from the stage by 'Les Battersby' in a tux and dickie bow Brilliant yes I know ,I know----------- but it was that sort of day and I for one am really glad I had the experience . If effort ,commitment and passion as shown by all ,on the day,is reflected in the final film then from a 1974 northern soul perspective it should be well worth a watch folks Jez

Too true mate It all appeared seamless Torch/Mecca-----Outstanding time for the scene---music was incredible hardly ever a duff sound --and talking of age ,I am of an age where I can remember Colin Diamond before Curtis . Wouldn't swap that time for 'owt

I , for one am looking forward to this film. This is a Northern Soul 'lifestyle' film set in early 70's and in Stoke on Trent. What makes it interesting to me is -----I was there Possibly includes,Boothen Boot boys, unemployment, sorting ya gear out for the weekend, getting the latest 'sounds' by whatever means you could,sorting ya gear out for the weekend(Oh I just said that---it was important though ) and girls in between .Didnt have time for work ,if thas was any anyway. Come on lads and lassies that should jog a few memories

well yes I bumped into 2 lads only last friday gone . I went to a Keith Minshull promotion at Congleton Town Hall last friday and met 2 gents I had not seen since mid/late 70's . Terry poole and Willie Click!. Willie reminded me of when he used to run Minshull about back in the day to soul do's. He was quite put out though that he had to pay to get in on the night . he also reminded me that he had quite a collection as well funny how you remember the important bits

Not quite as massive as 'I'm standing'

Not quite as massive as 'I'm standing'