Paul R

Although Polly Brown was quite well known at the time as lead singer with Pickettywitch, it didn't stop her "blacking up" for publicity shots and TV appearences for that track. I don't know who the genius was that thought it up Paul

Originally a Mecca sound pre Wigan days, but picked up at Wigan 3 years before Tony Blackburn and 7 years before the "Mod" revival. Originally released about 3 years after the original mod era. Bona Fide, oldie perhaps suffered because it got in the pop charts a la Sweetest Feeling, Hey girl Don't Bother Me, Why Don't I run Away From You etc. Paul

At my first visit to the Mecca I went up and asked Colin Curtis for one of my Wigan favourites "You broke My Heart In Two". He said he didn't have it. About 5 minutes later he played it but said it was "If That's What You Wanted" by Frankie Beverly . Cochise was mentioned earlier, I also heard it referred to as cold Cheese as well as Choc Ice Paul

Didn't Frank Elson in B&S say that its sounded like Bobby Bland I always preferred teh PJ Proby Version myself.

Anyone else remember when Blues and Soul started having all the adverts at the back and each page was marked "Clubs/Discos/Gear". Someone must have pointed out the other meaning of the word gear and they hastily changed it to Events Paul

I've just go the CD "Twisted Wheel Forever". I had frogotten just how bad "Kick That Little Foot Sally Anne" was. The problem is it is one of those tracks I can't stop singing to my self now. Paul

'twas the fair maiden Patty Austin. Paul

Unfortuately I remember that it is The Glitter Band and it's called "Makes You Blind" and was the B side of opne of their hits(Angel Face?). Rather ironic. perhaps it should now be called "Gets You Shot" Paul

Paid 25p for mine and thought I was doing well selling it for £20. Worth a lot more now though. Someone want to upset me? Sold it for beer money about 20 years ago. Paul

Ila Vann "Can't Help Lovin That Man" and Sherrys "Put Your Arms Around Me" are both show tunes. Still love the Ila Vann Track. (it was better by Estella Dennison though " Paul

Don't want it if it's that common Paul

I wasn't dissing Johnny Sayles, or Sam & Kitty, just the instrumental versions played by Soussan. One brilliant(imho) instrumental that was around at the same time but was legit although covered up was "I Miss My Baby", by the Lebaron Strings(name that tune ) Paul

It was played a lot at Wigan around late 74 when they had loads of instrumentals. Some good backing tracks, others crap synth soussan shite like Johnny Sayles & Sam & Kitty. Paul

I'm sure it was post Torch, pre Wigan but I can't be absolutely sure. I'm sure I remember it on a list around that time. Who was it that used to send lists out from Selby, Yorks in around 73? Was it Museum Of Soul, or something similar? Paul

Leah Dawson "My Mechanical Man" on Magic City. I wonder if that was before or after Choker Campbell was at Motown. Also Lorenzo Manley "Swoop Down On You". I still love both tracks though Paul

I bought the album on the strength of Cheer Me Up, when I found it in a junk shop. The rest of the album is the tracks that were played in the cartoon series. Very poppy. Paul

"Hands Of Time" Bobby Adeno on Vocalion? Not heard it for years but remember it was pretty good, Or was that the rose tinted hearing aid again. Paul

Not quite right I think , but I absolutely love the track, was it ever played? I have it on Direction on the B side of....er... one of their A sides. Paul

Why? Paul

Who was that aimed at? Paul

As someone who attended some of the venues mentioned(i.e. not the Wheel Or the Torch), and do not attend todays venues(for personal reasons). I feel that the general concensus on this site is more anti oldies/Wigan etc and the politics really piss me off. I cannot comment on the scene as it is today, I am just glad that it still exists. But with all the genres within the "rare" Soul scene today there is something for everyone. If you don't like Oldies nights don't go to them. if you don't like modern or R & B don't go to those venues. Apart from the Wigan/Mecca thing in 75 people just went to Northern soul nights and got on with it and had a good time. Looking at the venue listings nowadays the scene as a whole appears to be very healthy, but reading various posts and criticisms on here everyone appears to have a go at everyone else. It is like the old funkateers possees in the 70s & 80s. In the "old" days we all read check out the north and went to Wigan & Mecca the real splits in the scene were meerly something in the mind of Tony Cummins in Black Music, which we all still bought anyway. We used to take the piss out of the general public in the glam rock discos and thought we were special because we know of a music they didn't know about. and we were special, and still are. We used to be Brothers & Sisters(perhaps that's why the arguments happen) Paul PS I agree heres to the next 30 years, but there is no future without a past.

Are you thinking of Freddie Chavez on Look "They'll Never Know Why"? Or should I get back to my drink Paul

Just walked into Ottakers book shop in Portsmouth an hour ago. Sufferin' City Johnny Copeland was on, so I stayed listening and an old ska track I didn't know came on. I walked up to the coffee bar and sat for a while and they played Hit & Run, California Montage, Landslide, Girl across the Street, With These Hands, interspersed with a couple more reggae/ska tracks and bizzarly Accidents will happen, Elvis Costello. I was going to ask about the music but in the end didn't, so I don't know if one of the staff brought a home compilation in or it was the shops. I could have stayed all afternoon Paul

"Share A Little Love" was played around mid to late '73 at Va Vas and early Wigan. There was also a version by the Isleys on one of the MFP cheapo albums Paul

Anyone got an MP3 of the Sonny Warner Track, havn't heard it for years. Cheers Paul