Geoff

Giving Up and Either Way I Lose, but there are so many in all different styles.

Thanks for reminding me the night at the Smersh Bar was called George Jackson, always some interesting stuff played. I like sessions where the dance floor doesn't have to rule. I'll look out for that LP Bring It On, again thanks for the information. I saw him when he first toured in the 60s, at Walthamstow Granada, absolutely brilliant, so good went back for the second performance, Lesley had to pay as I didn't have enough money, got in the second row from the front, I think the seats cost 30 shillings or something similar. His performance was magnificent, never seen anything quite like it, so well rehearsed. At the time I attended day release at the LCP at Elephant & Castle, and all the others in my class slagged off his appearance on Ready Steady Go (which was very similar to his live show) as too rehearsed, lacking spontaneity, etc. But then they raved over the Action doing I'll Keep Holding On, so what did they know about soul music? I saw him again in the 70s, at Hammersmith I think, but we walked out, just too funky for my taste.

James Brown did loads of good soul records, but his reputation seemed to go down with many people (including myself) when he went funky. Just found that repetitious and boring, seemed to go on forever. Therefore have missed some of the tracks mentioned. I love Lost Someone, but surely it is a bit slow and deep to be played out in a club. Great live version on the Live at the Apollo album from about 63 or 64. When I was at the night they used to hold at the Smersh bar on a Wednesday, can't remember what it was called, I remember someone playing JB singing For Your Precious Love accompanied by a trio featuring a pianist. It's hard to pick favourites because it depends on your mood to a certain extent. How about: Night Train It's A Man's Man's Man's World Prisoner Of Love These Foolish Things Money Won't Change You Try Me I'll Go Crazy Think Bewildered Actually the list could go on forever I suppose, and no doubt funk fans could name a whole different selection. Quite funny this post has come up, as a non-soulie friend, who actually likes the early JB, asked me over the weekend if he was the "king of soul" as he'd seen him described recently. I explained he was often called the godfather of soul, for some reason, but it depended on the listener's taste in soul.

Hadn't heard Donny's version before, thanks for posting it, but must stick with Marvin as the best version. Still rate the album as the best soul album ever.

That's a nice track, good early soul. Dave Greenhill has played it at Solid Hit Soul. It is available on a CD: ABC Paramount - The Northern Soul Story - Vol 2 - MSCD002. Try the Boo-ga-loo records website: https://www.boo-ga-loo.demon.co.uk/boogoo41.htm Hope this helps. Wouldn't mind an MP3 of this one myself.

"Here's the Radio 2 Sunday night schedule for 2026 21:00 Your 500 Best Tunes Kev Roberts presents a selection of your favourite popular Northern Soul classics. 22:00 Malcom Laycock Celebrating the age of Sixties Soul with music from the record labels of Britain and America. This week's Feature "Pye Disco demand - The Unissued Acetates" 23:00 The David Jacobs Collection The best in easy listening Modern Soul, plus Download reviews and Our Kind of Mid tempo let's not disturb the peace sort of soul Music." Well done Frank, you've made my day with this, might not be quite so bad being old. LOL.

Who knows what will happen in the future, but looking at other styles of music I can't see a big soul scene in 30 or 40 years time. Obviously those of us still alive and compus mentus will still love the music, but CDs or something else may be better than shaky hands and fingers trying to put a stylus onto rare vinyl. Assuming you still have a turntable. There doesn't seem to be a big following for Traditional jazz for example, I mean the American music from the 20s and 30s; nor for swing jazz from the 40s. Presumably because the fans have mostly died or are getting too old. Also the musical stars have died. Rock'n'roll still has a big following, but I remember reading an article a few years ago advising collectors to sell their original vinyl as it would be worthless in a decade or two. Will old soul be any different? Whether an influx of youngsters into the scene would save it is a moot point. Certainly many would be unable to afford the prices currently asked for vinyl bearing in mind the sort of financial commitments many face, university loans, mortgage or rent, plus pensions. I've chatted to colleagues at work and they are amazed by prices for soul 45s. And when you tell them the prices asked for "rare" records they can't believe it. They also find the original vinyl only policy at soul nights rather strange. Possibly we will all be in old people's homes, God forbid, and they will play our records to us while we sit in chairs with our mouths open. Maybe tea dances with the tracks pitched down. Sorry if this post is pessimistic, must be the way I feel at work on a Monday morning. LOL.

"Ripping yarn Geoff me old mate .......how about a book?" Don't know about a book Martin, but you had the playlist last Saturday at Bar 12, lol.

I've only just seen this thread so I thought I'd add my tribute. Leaving aside soul connections, Gene was a great pop singer, big voice, dramatic songs, a bit similar to Roy Orbison in the drama stakes. He made a load of great records, Every Breath I Take, truly brilliant, anyone heard the cover by Jess Conrad, lol? Two of his tracks have special meaning to me due to an old girlfriend and the way she packed me up. Also he used some of the great songwriters of the 60s, Bacharach and David, Randy Newman, even Jagger and Richards. He seemed a nice guy with a sense of humour, remember him on Ready Steady Go, when they had a competition to see whose version of 24 Hours To Tulsa was being played speeded up, his or Dusty Springfield's. They both mimed to the speeded up version. Showed they didn't take themselves too seriously. Thanks for the music Gene, RIP.

I was a Mod in the early / mid 60s in my dim and distant youth. I went to the Scene, it was the best club I ever went to, shaped my love for music into what it is now. I did a description of what it was like on KTF a few years ago, nearest I've been to it since was These Old Shoes although it was quite different. Also I did a list of tracks i recall being played. There was no alcohol served, only a horrible cola drink, produced from powder if I recall. Don't want to go into it too deeply as it would probably be boring for most on here. Musically Mods were into soul, or rhythm and blues as it was more generally called then. I think the very first Mods liked modern jazz, hence the name Mods, as opposed to people who liked trad jazz, the European revival of American traditional jazz. When I first went to the Scene most of the stuff played was genuine R&B, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, Chuck Berry (his stuff was being revived by the Mersey and Beat boom of the time), early Motown records like Money, Please Mr Postman, etc. And some Phil Spector hits of the time. Plus organ tracks by the likes of Jimmy McGriff. Also some jazz, but can't remember who it was by, but sort of punchy brassy stuff. And some ska, or Bluebeat, Prince Buster, Derrick & Patsy. It gradually changed into what we now call soul as the music changed. Stuff like the Impressions, Major Lance, Four Tops, Temptations, classic Motown and Atlantic and Stax. As in most of the clubs of the time some pop records were played, but it was mainly R&B/soul. Pop records I recall included GTO by Ronnie & The Daytonas (a sort of surf record, although I don't think it originated in California), You're The One by the Vogues and Hung On You by the Righteous Brothers. I think it was down to the DJ of the time, if I recall correctly, a rather attractive blonde lady. I went to most of the other clubs of the day in central London, La Discotheque, Last Chance, Flamingo, Whisky A Go Go, Marquee, etc. Les used to go to see the Rolling Stones at Eel Pie Island, I never went there. Obviously I can only go by my own memories and experiences. But I do remember at the Tottenham Royal, which was over 50 per cent Mod, male and female, that when the Beatles' 2nd LP came out, tracks like All My Loving were greeted by cheers, and the same with the first Rolling Stones LP. I used to go and see the Who at the Marquee, and they seemed very exciting at the time, as did the Yardbirds when Eric Clapton was a member. I seem to remember reading that the Who took on the Mod image at the suggestion of their manager, can't remember his name, when they became the High Numbers for a short time with I'm The Face. Personally I never really rated the Small Faces, a bit manufactured imo. By the time the psychedelic stuff that swirlies appear to like (or have I got their musical tastes wrong?) Mod was dead. I could go on and on (probably seems like I have done, lol), but it really affected most things about my life, interest or obsession with music of a soulful style, liking for clothes, and many other things. Does make me smile when I see things about that time and they have got it wrong, or at least my memory tells me they are wrong. Les always used to say they had the Mod girls' clothes wrong, and there were several changes of styles for men. But of course as I can hardly remember what I did before lunch I may be totally wrong about everything. Sorry this is such a long post.

I got my first Ben Sherman, pale blue cotton, at the end of 1966, and it was great, the best shirt I'd had till then. It wasn't fitted, sort of square, as most shirts were then. I think the fitted ones came in towards the end of the 60s, I remember the first of those I got was pale green, and wasn't all cotton. I've still got my old Crombie I had when I was a Mod from Austin Reed, and my original sheepskin, and can still wear them, but not with a jacket. Anyway that is simply a trip down memory lane. When I now go out to a soul do I always wear a short sleeved shirt, sometimes button down or maybe a polo shirt. Sometimes wear a shirt outside my trousers, but it can't be one of those with a long tail on it, really don't like that. I prefer shirts to be all cotton, better when you dance and perspire. A spare t shirt would be a good idea. For trousers it is nearly always chinos, preferably Dockers, or jeans. Incidentally does anyone know anywhere in the London region where Dockers are sold cheaper than £55 a pair? I am sure they are much cheaper in the states. I've got to the point in my life where comfy shoes are important, especially as I've had problems with my right foot for over a year. I haven't got any really expensive shoes, but I do like leather soled, but they cost a fortune to repair. I must admit that I often wear a pair of my work shoes, Clarks, and have generally found them okay on the dance floor, especially with a smidgeon of talc on the floor, lol. Nothing wrong with trainers, comfort while dancing is most important. I've got quite a nice Harrington I got from Simons a few years ago, but don't often wear it to soul do's (wish I still had the original American one I got from the Squire Shop in Berwick Street in the 60s, lovely jacket, sort of dark brick red). One thing that would be nice at clubs would be a secure cloakroom, wouldn't mind paying to leave my coat and bag safely. As this doesn't seem to exist I don't usually wear anything that can't be rolled up and put in my bag. Plus whatever you wear seems to smell of other people's smoke at the end of the evening. Nowadays I just can't imagine how I used to wear a suit or jacket and tie to an all nighter, I must have smelt a bit in the morning. As we are all going out for a good time, feeling comfortable in whatever you wear has to be the priority. Although in view of Mikey's post may leave the check button down at home for a while. Where is the Brook Brothers shop in the City?

My faves by Kool and the Gang are Joanna and Cherish. I heard the latter when I was in my car on the A10 about to do a right turn and it came on Smooth FM, the words bought tears to my eyes. I've always liked K and the G, although I only really know their better known tracks, Jones versus Jones and Too Hot are both nice too.

[Geoff: Yes you surely have heard it played out at both the Old Blue Last by me and at SITC by Mac in his early set - too busy gossiping!] You're probably right Paul, too busy chatting to John Stubbs, lol. But I am sure I would have noticed it being played, such a favourite of mine. However please play it at the next SITC. I don't think I've ever heard a bad track by Walter Jackson, really like It's All Over and Not You, beautiful ballads, but maybe too slow for a club. Others may wish to comment on that.

Thanks for putting up the lyrics of this masterpiece. Love dancing to this and singing along, but the words are hard to follow, the backing seems a bit loud in places. Hope Martin Thomson plays this tomorrow at Walls Of Heartache.

I loved Uphill Climb To The Bottom when it came out in the 60s, but stupidly didn't buy it. Truly wonderful record. Never heard it played out, might make me cry if I did, it has that effect on me. Certainly a record I would like played at my funeral, and I know some other people who feel the same way.

Derek Martin had quite a long career beginning in doo wop as far as I know. I always thought his best known record was issued in the UK on Sue in about 64 or 65: Daddy Rolling Stone/Don't Put Me Down Like This, and his name was misprinted on the label as Derak Martin. Later he recorded Sly Girl, not sure of label but played on Northern scene as far as I know. Another one by him that I know is from 1973 on Vibration called Falling Out Of Love. As I write this it occurs to me that there was an article about him in In The Basement some time ago. I will check it out later, after doing the shopping, lol. Just proves to me that we are so lucky in soul music to have so many great singers, of both sexes. Pity so many are underrated.

Is he okay now Janine? Out of hospital I mean. The shop is worth a visit, very good prices for CDs. Oh sorry I shouldn't have mentioned them.

The 3 versions listed are all great imo, but have gone for Dionne's for sentimental reasons. A particular moment in my life when it came out. When I hear it I still get tears in my eyes. Sentimental old fool. How many other versions of this great song are there? I can think of Willie Tee, Nancy Wilson, but I know there are others. Help please.

I'll use some of these on Friday night at Blue Skies, LOL.

Used to love this when it came out in late 65, top record at the time, always seemed to be played with Rescue Me, Ain't That Peculiar, Let's Hang On and Run Baby Run. Original b side Bullseye isn't too bad either I recall. Could I include this in my spot at Blue Skies on Friday, or would I be booed off the stage? I suppose it is too common for a Northern night.

Almeta Latimore - These Memories Masqueraders - How Big Is Big

[g davis/r tyler - hold on help is on the way checkmates - kissing her and crying for you.] Hi Mark, Hold On was played at the Capitol Soul Club at the Dome, and I've heard the Checkmates played at Scenesville (can't remember by whom) and at Soul In The City by Dave Greenhill, I think.

[june probably = junior. pretty common nickname in the southern states] Arthur Alexander made his first record as June Alexander so you are probably right.

I'd like to wish all my friends on the soul scene a great Christmas and New Year, thank you for all your kindness and support, it has helped me get through a difficult period in my life.

[..... whilst looking in that dusty box i found cissy stone "gone but not forgotten" opportunity knocks winning northern!!] Got the Cissy Stone in a CD swap last year, great track imo. Didn't know it was British though, Opportunity Knocks, what happened to her? When you think about it there have been some really good British tracks but they seem to get forgotten in the mass of American records. Off the top of my head I really like Tony Colton's I Stand Accused (played at last CSC), far better than the Merseys cover version, if I remember they do it a lot faster. Also the Chants track that has been played in London by Martin Thomson, the title eludes me at the moment, at work so can't check up. But there are plenty to choose from as this thread has showed, thanks to Pete Smith for uploading his files. Looking forward to hearing them.