Soulsmith

Whilst digging through a 73 copy of Black Music I noticed a half page ad for The Top Rank Suite in Stoke featuring Soul Sam as the guest DJ. That's 33 years ago! Its very impressive that he's still one of the countries top DJs. Just got me thinking about the practicalties of noting that. Would a Lifetime Achievement Award in general be a good idea? 1 DJ per year? Or is it a naf idea? Thread inspired by said ad, obviously appreciate others would have different views for nominations. I'm not asking for nominations!!!

Cheers mate, just trying to put an entertaining spin on it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. My parents always encouraged me to be Frank......at least I think that's what they said.

If I had of been Frank Elson, the world would have been a better place. For a start I wouldn't have written negative, disparaging comments about the northern scene whilst bigging up the jazz-funk scene. I'd have written more balanced articles like this one on the history of jazz..... Jazz was a revolutionary new kind of music. Monopolised at first by people with stupid names - there was Dizzy Gillespie, Falling Down Gillespie, Totally Paralytic Gillespie & Bix Beiderbecke. The Gillespie clan's great rivals were the Mortons. Notorious among them were Jelly Roll Morton, Marmalade Roll Morton, Jam Sandwich Morton, Hostess Cup Cake Morton and Spotty Dick Morton (later known as Figgy Duff Morton after his sucessful stay at Lulsgate Hospital). All this feuding came to a sudden end in 1928 when jazz was over taken by the aristocracy. it was now the property of Duke Ellington,Count Basie, Earl Mountbatten, Lord Longford and Kaiser Wilhelm. Not bad eh?

Hang on for a couple of hours mate. I'm currently hatching a thought provoking comment.......

Around that time you could have also ordered a 'Lumber Check Poodle Jacket' for £7.95 plus 25 p+p from Black Music magazine. How cool would that have been a beer and a Lumber Check Poodle Jacket

"The report of my death was an exaggeration." Mark Twain.

By co-incidence I was recently reading an article on HOVVER (thats H o v v e r not Hover) BOVVER https://www.dooyoo.co.uk/garden-tools/flymo...30-mower/77787/

"The usual slow build up after Christmas seems to have culminated in a more wide spread Christmas depression than in past years. I have been spoken to by many people in the last month or so asking me what is happening to the northern scene. Is Northern Soul falling apart? Is the scene dying? are just a couple of the questions...." Frank Elson, Blues & Soul Feb 1977.

Does anybody actually know the wasy to San Jose?

I've got a spare copy if anyone's interested £20 including postage. PM me Col.

That's just what I'd ecpect you to say..........head full of staples and all that.

Just checked paper. Hope this helps.... First in a 2 part bio-pic from the view point of Otis Williams (last surviving member)

Just been advised Sky Movies 1 at 8pm.

Cheers for sticking them up. Valentinos & Verdelle both unknown to me & awesome.

Now that really did me make smile. Good work.

Yes, its alright here. Nice bunch of people Col.

Thanks to everybody for replies. Few people got 'mental' confused with 'cranky' Must have been the way i worded my orig comment. Thought I'd add nominate Chalky's fave Jean Wells to the list & this.... Johnny_Sayles___I_Can_t_Get_Enough.mp3

Hi Billy Cheers for posting mp3s. Truly, great tracks, but not what I'm looking for tonite. By comparison your tracks are tame. Almost pedestrian. I'm looking for 3am banging nighter sounds. Col.

I think there may be some conspiracy afoot tonight.

Oi........you know what I meant.

Lets be having your nominations for some full on, mental, northern soul. The sort of stuff that nobody outside the scene will ever get there heads around. Wailing, seering soulful vocals & crashing percussion. No arguments & no sitting on the fence. My offering is the Cissy Houston masterpiece. Cissy_Houston___I_Just_Don_t_Know_What_To_Do.mp3

I'd rather listen to Ronnie Verrell now he was a genius. He was the drummer in Frank Skinner's house band.........before that he did the 'drum licks' for Animal in the muppets.

More tearful than soulful. Thankfully I no longer have a gas oven.

"instrumentals aren't soul" blah blah blah very Tin Pan Alley.