Derek Pearson

Instead of the usual facing the stage dancefloor shot I hung over the balcony attempting to take a shot of my girlfriend and her mate. Nice example of gold embossed ornate plasterwork on the balcony what! Had forgotten all about those mirrored posts. In the morning when the lights came on the full glory of wigan was all to see. Cream walls with matching olive green radiators looking ever so slightly rusty. Deluxe chairs with beer towelled bag cast on the floor. From left to right: Can't recall girls name?; Gary from Bradford; Yammy from Rotheram; Jackie from Formby(later Jackie Sharpe wife of George Sharpe DJ). A stop off at Birch Services was compulsory on the way home. There was still a definate soul boy look then. From left to right: Jacko from Bfd; Ray North (driver of the infamous yellow tree surgeon's van), with hair and a moustache. Nowadays Ray sports a shaven head and likes to take his shirt off on the dancefloor; Jimmy Nolan wearing his leather jacket, note early growth of wedge style hair. onwards, derek

somehow I must have posted this thread twice - sorry - how can we/I delete this second issue? cheers, derek

Tim - always wondered if that was you stood next to Searling on the decks and now we know it was. In the bar shot you're 2nd from the right wearing a cream top - whats going on here then - you changed clothes? The plot thickens.... derek and yes all the photos were taken on the same day - I checked.

yeah must agree "Touch my life" is a wonderful sorta stepper type thing with strings an stuff. Only found on the issue as the demo's are double sided with "Happy bout" on both sides. No real difference in price though as most people arent aware of the great tune hiding on the flip. derek

I remember thinking I was being very slick (yeah oil slick more like) when I persuaded a Japanese student at work to translate the words on the insert contained within the P.Vine album for me. Agreed to pay her by the hour thinking she'd rattle through it. Thought it was gonna talk about the history of the group, where its members came from blah blah blah. All I got was some ball bag along the lines of "Hi my names Leo, my star sign is cancer and I like walking across meadows full of butterflies in the sunshine". B*stards. Paid her £25 for it despite me telling her my mum was poorly. Obviously I never printed her translation and I quickly stashed it in a file under my bed. Oh well, derek

Ritchie - I should have said despite being a bloke my knowledge of cars is minimal. Well it looked like an escort to me (laughs). Sorry got no pics of Blackpool Mecca a few years before my time. (laughs) I don't know Kev I don't think I've ever been to Burnley have I? Seem to think it was at the Cats W where I heard Soul Sam spinning McFadden & Whiteheads "Aint no stopping us now" before(?) it hit the charts. Quick check of the history books reveals said tune broke into charts May '79. derek

Hi Sue - found these pics this aft and you're on all 3. Well known Eric from Leeds in centre wearing red shirt - lads tell me he was the first person they ever knew that wore his shirt outside his trousers, nothing new these days but this was well over 20 years ago might even have been 30. Probably late 70s I guess taken outside the Norfolk Gardens as we all waited for the coach to go to Wigan. Directly behind you Sue (wearing grey jumper) is Kyle Magill whoes name/face crops up on loads of my photos. To your right was my future wife (now ex). Long leather coats were so fashionable then. Yep thats a young Mick Jack on the left sporting side burns, above everybodies head you can just about make out a sign for Scamps Buffet. Scamps was a well known Bradford night club of the late 70s. Right must mow the lawn before it starts to rain. derek

Derek Greenhoff from Barnsley hanging out with Neil Allen in the record bar at Wigan oldies Sept 1981. I know that lad with glasses on the right - it wasnt Chris ? was it? A couple of years ago I was DJing with Derek Greenhoff at a club in Barnsley, Derek Allen from Nottingham (RIP) was the guest DJ. I remarked at the time that it would probably be the only time 3 DJs called Derek would be on the same bill. Pete Widdison from Southampton drinking orange - used to buy quite a lot of records off him at the time. Still recall during that mass brawl in the record bar Pete standing on a table and hitting a bloke on the head with a chair.Found out years later it was something to do with a load of rugby players from Wigan on a night out taking the piss. Please note it was compulsory for men at that time to have moustaches. more photos when time will allow. derek

Remember those all-dayers in that club on the top of that hill in Todmorden. All the top DJs of the day played there Searling etc. In those days we travelled virtually everywhere on public transport and walked the long climb up the hill. Me in dufflecoat in disguise, wearing a full length leather coat would always attract too much attention I always thought. As usual I was always going in the wrong direction. I still hang out with Kyle Magill on the left. Blimey the long lasting power of friendships - Big Mick from Bradford on the left, Kyle in the centre and me on the right. (Stylists note hair shaved above ear) . I was out with these two at Lowton on Friday. Think of all the records that have been through the hands of these DJs & collectors - Tony Coleby, Guy H, Tim Finch and Gary Rushbrooke. onwards, derek

Being a Bradford lad we used to get the bus over from Keighley to the all-dayers. Can't recall any of the DJ line-ups though I think Sam & Searling used to be on. Note stylish entrance - dig those funky old cars grand dad - no prices for naming the cars. Phew the blue Escort reg plate ends in N which dates it at? For all those young 'uns that never believed Mecca night clubs used to have plastic palm trees in them - be afraid be very afraid. Chicken in a basket anyone? Thats me in the middle looking so young I should've been doing a paper round! Linky from Halifax on the right, Vernon who used to win the dance comps at Wigan behind me. cheers, derek

Here's some stuff I've had in the sales box far too long and have reduced to encourage shift. All M/Ex unless stated. Wish I could do sound clips. Trades considered so please send me your sales lists. If you think somethings too expensive make me an offer. Steve Mancha "Friday night / Monday through Thursday" Groovesville 1004 Mmm bit tricky to grade, lots of light scuffs, couple of pops, plays fine, definately VG+. Both JM & TB 2003/4 guides rate a minter @ £300. Lets call it £150. Money back if not totally happy. Jimmy Burns "I really love you" UK Grapevine £10; Jimmy Jules "Take it like it comes" Atlantic £8; Willie Charles Gray "Gonna be a winner" Mercury £15; Charles Perry "How can I" MGM DJ £15; Joe Frazier "First round knock out" Motown £10; Minzi Berry "I don't want you no more" Score £45; Bill Lucas "Cause I know your mine" Dionn orange £25; Joe Moore "I aint" Verve DJ £25; Ike Noble "Its bad" Alley £30; Crystal Motion "You're my main squeeze" Sound Gems £35; Johnny & Expressions "Shy guy" Josie £15; King Diamond "Black woman/That's all she" Powerhouse £40; Jackie Day "What's the cost" Speciality £20; Debra Johnson "You gotta give love" 100 Club Anniversary £20; Dells "Run for cover" Cadet £40; Sons Of Robin Stone "Got to get you back" Atco DJ £20; Reuben Howell "Can't stop a man in love" Motown WDJ £35; Vivilore Jordan "Put my loving on you" Sound Gems WDJ £35; George Perkins "I'm so glad you're mine" Royal Shield £35; Jimmy Richards "I'm not responsible" A&M WDJ VG++ £30; Marian Love "Can't forget about you" Capitol £50; Emanuel Laskey "Never my love" Westbound £65; Jackie Milton "Little by little" De-Vel DJ £35; Ron & Embracers "You came into my life" Spectrum £35; Lou Ragland "Since you said" UK Warner Bros £50. All enquiries, questions off list please to D.Pearson@bradford.ac.uk P&P extra, insurance recommended. UK buyers can pay by UK cheque. Paypal is OK but buyers must pay additional 4% to cover the paypal fee I'll incur. Overseas buyers must pay by paypal. Keep it 45, derek

Always always find threads like this very interesting, anybody with half an interest in DJing should always be reading about other peoples future tips. As we all know too well there's a massive massive difference between what records "should" go big and what records actually do. Its the old age arguement once again - is it just a good collectors record or an over looked future biggie? It's a bit like the step up from the Championship to the Premiership and we all know thats one helluva mighty big leap. Guess we'll never know untill (enough) DJs have the confidence to spin it. Over the last few years I've heard great records like Cam Cameron "They say" Capri, Skip Jackson "Onto you" Dotmar, El Anthony "We've been in love" LaCindy, Eddie Billups "Shake" SS7 & Enticers "Calling" Cotillion all played to indifferent dance floors. All great records no question, all previously underplayed but none of them set the dance floor on fire. Is a full dance floor the only sign of a quality record? How long do we persevere with tracks that get a luke warm response? Spent a bit of time on this and here's a list of tunes that I personally would like to hear played out more, many of them - possibly maybe -could become the next Wigan Athletic? All are relatively well known, the majority are fairly cheap and none are impossible (he says). Undisputed Truth "You got the love" Gordy; Soul Patrol "Save your love" Highland; John Stanberry "I can't belive" Stan Los; Ghetto Children "Its not easy" Roulette; Duke Turner "Let me be your babysitter" Spinning Top; Ronnie McNeir "Good side of your love" Tortoise; Sir Henry Ivy "He left you standing there" Future Dimensions; Willie Hobbs "Till I get it right" SS7; Betty Wright "Show your girl" RCA LP; Steelers "Just beginning to love you" Crash. Sixties wise what about: Jimmy Soul Clark "Tell her" Moira; Carol Fran "I'm gonna try" Port; Chekkers "Lack of love" Look; Embers "Where did I go wrong" Atlantic; Darrow Fletcher "My young misery" Groovy; Malibus "Gee baby" Sureshot; Mary Moultrie "Trying to tear us" King; Little Milton "Sometimey" Checker. If you/we/I haven't got the time, money or inclination to find unknown records to DJ with you/we/I have to constantly re-assess and re-invent. Its all good fun innit. derek

Hey up Miles hows it going? Would be interested to hear The Children 45 you've got up for grabs. thanks for that Tone - have PM'd you. didnt know of the Charlie Hodges version Pat - you've sold it well (laughs) where is Betty's version to be found Sean? Now you've mentioned it I seem to think I've got it on a UK Charly album from the late 80s or something? Must have a delve when I get home. Is this post a nice example of collectors sharing information or what? I come on here asking about Sam's release and find out there's another 3 versions of it all worth picking up. Mind you it is a quality song even with my voice I bet I could get it into the charts, possibly top ten even... derek

Called over to see my old buddy Craig Butler in Brighouse last night to eat fish n chips, drink beer and play some tunes. Are we northern or what? Played him Sam Dees "Easier to say than do" on Lo Lo - oh dear is that a seriously good tune or what? Craig immediately wrote it down which is always a good sign that he wants a copy. Realised my copy's double sided - damn - should there be a flip side and if so whats it like? Is there anything else on Lo Lo worth hunting apart from the Bobby Hill things? Anybody seen/got a label listing? derek

A few weeks ago Mick Howard and I picked up our guns and wandered over into Salford to see that Wigan Casino exhibition at the Peel museum. We'd gone up to sunny Wigan last year or so to see the much smaller version and was curious to see what had improved. Oh that Wigan trip was a great day my car broke down next to the Pier just as Wigan Ath were at home to Leeds U. Got towed home and landed with a thousand pound repair bill. I kicked off and got it reduced to only £450 but thats another story..... Anyway on entering t'Salford gallery I heard the strains of the rather wonderful "Another dirty deal" eching around the room. What a wonderful melodic dancer - I love it - but was it ever played at Wigan? I don't want to get into a "yes it was Sat 31st July 1976 at 1.32am I was there" type discussion and I'm not being a nit picker either like "why did they play it in the gallery if it never got played at Wigan blah blah". Suppose I'm just curious and wanted an excuse to talk about a record I like. derek Its the flip side to "There's nothing else to say" on Audio Arts for those that don't know it.

Simon - there was no link or anything in your post on my computer at work. Wonder if its blocking all attachments or summat? derek

interesting thread Steve - I collect deep soul as well but my financial circumstances have changed alot in the last 5 years or so (moved house twice and renovating the one we're in now + newish car + expensive petrol commuting costs) so I cannot afford or justify spending £100 on a deep tune purely for my own front room pleasure. Anybody that DJ's as well would probably prefer to spend that £100 on a tune they can use in their sets. It all depends where your priorities are. cheers, derek will get a Bill Brandon "Rainbow road" on Tower one day....

phew Denbo thanks for posting up her discog. Sorta naively thought she'd only done a couple of tunes on Fontana and the one I was talking about would be obvious (laughs). DP makes note - next time write details down..... derek

hey up Tomo - hows it going? Did like your neat reply it made me chuckle. derek

used to see this every now and again in sales boxes at £70 and often wondered what it was like to justify its price. Then I got one in trades and couldnt believe how bad it was. Pete's right with his price estimation -thats what it should be worth! Oh well, derek

Was talking to Ged Lunt at the bar in Bury Town Hall last Friday night. He asked me about a Gloria Lynne record on Fontana that he played in the downbeat lounge at the last Soul Essence. Said it was a beat ballad type thing and he thought everybody would know it but they didnt. Didnt write the details down like I normally do and I'm fairly certain I've remembered what he said - anybody chip in with more details/comments? cheers, derek

Hi Rich - yeah I agree the Flame n King 45 is seldom seen and an uptempo northern dancer but I don't think its worth much - sorry. Traded a copy last year for a £20 record. derek

125 quid! I'd have thought that was quite a bargain, what nick was it though. If I didnt already have a copy I'd have bit your hand off. I know I've mentioned this many times before but aren't all copies of the Buddy Connor 45 double sided? Somebody out there might just have a mis-pressed copy with a flip side. Ooh dreams are made of such vinyl. derek

Once (if) I get my computer back from the repair man I'll get my scanner back on the go. Then you'll all be sorry. Have got some late 70s pics of the Cats Whiskers all-dayers* (as the Mecca in't Burnley was known then). You wanna see the cars parked outside eh I think mi dad used to drive one of them hehehe. derek * even the plastic palm tree gets a look in

Always liked Barrino Brothers (was shocked to see it on a list recently at £75 - coughs), Eighth Day, Sebastian Williams & Ricky Lewis (Baz Wadd was always sorta credited with finding this). Championship Promotion Contenders - all relatively well known, all have got spins in the past (gasp shock even I've played them out) and all under £100 (struth I say that as though its cheap and a bargain!). Carl Hall "Mean it baby" Loma (only on the issues, the WDJs are double sided). Bobby Taylor "Roses somewhere" Sunflower. But the best cheapie has to be Al Wilson "You did it for me" on Playboy. derek