Geoff

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.

Is this thread referring to legitimate CDs, if so there are loads of current and recent plays not available? However a lot are available on bootleg CDs or via swapping groups I imagine. Anyone ever heard a decent MP3 of Margaret Littles?

[Lorraine Ellison - Stay with me baby. How emotional is this vocal? Stunningly amazingly gorgeous, and £2!] Still remember how this knocked me out when I first heard it. Great record. My current favourite deep soul track is Benny Latimore's Rain From The Sky. Superb imo.

["Pity Otis Redding is overlooked as he is considered too mainstream - Albums are by far the best source of undiscovered material - forget chasing after elusive 45's discover new stuff yourself - check out Otis Redding" I for one totally agree...see my earlier post. However like the majority of originally unreleased material, these Otis tracks pail by comparison to the more well known recordings. If the soul scene is about music and not just just about the price of records, then it really is about time that these deservedly household name artists were revisited and their material appreciated. I suspect though, the soul scene will continue to chase its tail searching for the same twenty records. "Look At that Girl" is such a great record. One of the first Otis records I ever bought and have loved it ever since.] I've often found it strange that some of the best soul singers (imo of course) are totally ignored by the scene. Or only the odd record, e.g. Cry To Me by Solomon Burke, personally reckon he made far better records than that one. I prefer Look At That Girl to Lovin' By The Pound, but I suppose most of Otis's stuff is too well known. Yet stuff like I'm Still Loving You and other pretty well known Motown stuff is heard regularly. Nothing wrong with that, they are great records, but from the same era and were well played at the time. Is the Atlantic/Stax material too well known, or is it difficult to dance to, not tried myself to be honest? While it isn't conventional Northern sounding (whatever that is, lol) still great soul music. And there must be plenty of lesser known tracks by these artistes that could be played now. Or would they be classed as R&B? Incidentally at a Skegness Northern weekender in 2003, Respect and Sweet Soul Music were played on the Saturday night in the main room upstairs.

I don't actually know the record you refer to, or when it was issued. Bill Doggett was the organist who recorded the original of Honky Tonk in the 50s on the King label I think, one of the big instrumentals of the rock'n'roll era, and led to loads of similar sounding tracks. He originally played with Louis Jordan and the Tympany Five. Any chance of posting up a sound file please?

I went to my first all nighter in 1964 at La Discotheque in Wardour Street, just up from the Flamingo. Actually can't remember too much about it, except they played Jan & Dean's Surf City, biggie at the time I think. Why do I remember that record and not others? Later moved on to all nighters at the Scene. The nighters there did finish at about 3ish, then everyone went on to La Discotheque, but then the Scene started to stay open till 6 or 7, just can't remember now. I used to get up there about midnight, met my mates at Piccadilly tube station. I went to the Flamingo quite often, but never to an all nighter. Weird to read this thread, had a dream about the Scene last night, could see it all clearly, but all the people down there were my age, as they would be now I guess. Horribly scarey. Is there anyone else on here who used to go to those clubs?

Since I lost Lesley my neighbours encourage me to go out to my "music" nights. They are really sweet. I took my oldest mate and his wife to the Blue Skies night for Lesley in September, she loved it, wished her back would permit her to dance. Not so sure he liked it though. His musical taste runs to classical music now, and he really knows his stuff. I've tried to explain Northern to colleagues, but I can tell they think I am a bit weird going out "clubbing" at my age (LOL). I showed them a DVD I've got of the last night of the CSC with me doing my stuff, reduced them to hysterics. I often pass music files to a black guy in my office who likes current R&B and soul, but can tell he finds 60s stuff a bit old fashioned, however he called Out On The Floor good time music. An earlier comment about us being members of a cult is probably correct. Soul music is my religion, hearing the music always lifts my spirits, while often simultaneously reducing me to tears. Work that one out.

Wouldn't radio be a better medium to go into the scene in more depth? TV is a visual medium so film is required, not much film of the 70s scene, just that This England as far as I know. On radio its origins could be discussed, different sounds from the different clubs and possibly a rational discussion of the splits in the scene, or is that just impossible? But would anyone listen, apart from those reading this message? TV will always concentrate on showing dancing, not really interesting for non soulies after a couple of minutes, and very short soundbites, the way Jo was shown is a classic example. To be honest can't remember too much of the Trevor Nelson programme, but these people have a different agenda, not love of the music, but they want a programme that will get viewers (to keep the advertisers happy). Not too worried how they get it, and if they don't understand something it doesn't stop them, not worried about getting things right, after all the truth isn't that important is it? I suppose all minority music is treated in this way, not really sure how much of an audience there is for soul music in general.

My sympathy goes out to Pete, to hear our music and be unable to dance is awful. I don't know him but send him my best wishes.

I played some CDs last night (in a mainly Modern mood): We The People - Making My Daydreams Real Jerry Butler - The Best Love I Ever Had (imo absolutely brilliant) Marvin Gaye - I'm Gonna Give You Respect Chanel - My Life Sandra Wright - I'll Come Running Back To You Bobby Reed - Time Is Right For Love Essex IV - My Heart Just Can't Take It The Mark IV - If You Can't Say Something Good About My Baby Almeta Latimore - These Memories Back to Northern for: Sapphires - Gonna Be A Big Thing (danced to this at Blue Skies last Friday, forgot how fast it is, lol) Karmello Brooks - Tell Me Baby Martha Reeves - No One There and ended up with: James Brown - Lost Someone There were others but can't remember as I type this, memory failing these days.

Great thread this. In the first instance I guess you'd pick out the faster tracks for the Northern scene, e.g. Same Old Song, Why You Wanna Make Me Blue, Dance To Keep From Crying, Take Me In Your Arms And Rock Me (Kim Weston), You Lost The Sweetest Boy. But with the acceptance of medium tempo and slower sounds almost any Motown track would be regarded as a classic. I am surprised that some of the earlier stuff isn't played more anyway. Would love to hear the Miracles' What's So Good About Goodbye or I'll Try Something New out sometime. And moving away from Motown there are plenty of soul records that were reasonably successful on issue, or sometimes on re-issue that would be regarded as brilliant if they were unknowns nowadays. Quite a lot of stuff that is regarded now as club soul I think.

While I am not sure if Aretha is the greatest female soul singer, she is definitely up there at or near the top. I saw her at the Finsbury Park Astoria (later the Rainbow) when she first came to the UK in about 67 or 68. Absolutely brilliant performer and band. And those of us in the audience lapped it up. Is the reason many don't rate her is that most of her records don't get played on the Northern scene? As for Billy Preston, Billy's Bag used to be one of my favourite records when it came out on Sue, memories of Bluesville, Manor House and Mike Raven playing it on a Wednesday night while we used to dance to it. Loved the bongo bit in the middle. Oh happy days! I do like the Darryl Nullisch record. If you like it try Lonnie Givens' Hang On To The Blues.

I would like to thank all my friends on the soul scene who attended my wife Lesley's funeral on Monday 1 August at 2.30 pm at Enfield Crematorium. Your presence and kindness, along with that of my family, Lesley's relatives, our colleagues, neighbours and friends is very much appreciiated. I would also like to thank everyone who sent cards and emails and other forms of condolence. I'd like to think she was able to see how much people cared about her.

It's an okay record and I have danced to it in the past, but it always makes me think of the Everly Brothers. But it would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing.

[For years now. He was just infant Murvin when he began. Do I really need a coat in this weather?] Nice to see your sense of humour hasn't changed since you moved from London. I hope all is well with you, miss your email about what was on. Lesley sends her best.

How Can We Find The Love ... Hadn't heard this one before, just a great bit of soul music. Thanks for bringing it to the list's attention. They are the sort of group that you take for granted, and then you hear something like this and you realise how great they are. Had the same feeling the first time I heard Make Sure (at Martin and Audra's reception). How long has Junior Murvin been lead singer?

[pleasent shuffler , but doesnt hit the ankles must be gettin old] Have to disagree, lovely for gliding around the dance floor. Was played last year at the CSC. I've heard the Arcades one more out, Arthur Fenn at SHS, seem to remember it was played at Whitby, which seems wrong, but sure I danced to it. Hadn't noticed the similarity to I'm The One Who Loves You.

Extremely hard to pick a favourite Womack track, just so many to choose from. One I particularly like is from Womagic, The Things We Do (When We Get Lonely). Also in the Modern vein I like one he did with Lulu on Dome titled I'm Back For More, not sure if there was another version of that one. And of course the Poet 1 and 2 are both great albums.

Sorry to be late contributing to this. Interesting thread, had this discussion over drinks with my friends at many clubs. Don't know what the answer is, just can't believe all the soul lovers have moved away. SITC has been fairly quiet for the last couple of months, but quite busy the previous month. Can't see any reason musically, I reckon the 2 guests did superb spots on Wednesday, sorry I am not dancing at the moment Andy, you know the situation. The regulars were excellent as usual. Obviously if the dance floor is empty the atmosphere does suffer. Although TOS had slightly lower attendances in the last year, to me the atmosphere there was always great, it was the nearest to an old 60s club I've been to since starting to go to soul clubs again. I, too, noticed the number of people on the last night who hadn't been seen there for some time, to a certain extent the same with the CSC. The loss of those 2 clubs is a warning to us all, use 'em or lose 'em. I've only missed one SHS, hope to get to the next one, again a good mix of music. Absolute tragedy when Arthur Fenn's appearance attracted such a small audience, but it was the night after the last TOS. Didn't go to Scenesville's last do, same reason as I've not been to the new Dome, if you have an injured foot, and dancing is unwise, it is not much fun sitting there, despite great music being played, and wanting to get up and dance, but knowing you will pay a heavy price the next day, not helped by having the car, and not being able to drink alcohol. Getting home from late nights can be a problem, my last train from Liverpool Street is 11.55pm, absolutely ridiculous. Personally don't fancy night buses, heard some bad stories. Also parking can be a right pain, I know at least 2 people who didn't like leaving their car near the Dome. I have been to New Chapter a couple of times and enjoyed the evening, but it depends on the type of Modern being played, the term covers a multitude of sins, prefer 70s type tracks in that genre, but open to others as well. Not been to Monumental Soul, but intend to go to hear Steve Plumb from the Orwell's set. The Valatone seems to have got the music policy right, nice mix of danceable Modern and Northern. I like R&B, but it depends on the songs played. What I found interesting was when I went with Lesley to Blue Skies a couple of weeks ago, and Yogi played some classic oldies as requests, e.g. You've Been Away, If That's What You Wanted, Run For Cover, Gonna Find Me Somebody, The Champion, etc. the floor was very busy. It was busy earlier for Dave Greenhill and Stuart Tyler, who both played great sets, but this made me wonder if perhaps on occasional oldies night might pull in the crowds. This may be heresy to some, and I do say occasionally, but it may be worth a try. Of course if there is one that I've missed I apologise. I don't want any clubs to close down, because I write about London clubs for a certain magazine and need things to write about, lol. I'd like to thank all promoters of soul events, old and new, I appreciate it is a tough and thankless task. I could see RBman getting gradually stressed over Blue Skies, but in the end it turned out okay. Apologies for verbal diarrhoea, but to me this is an important subject, where would my social life be with the soul nights?

Love his version of Hurt So Bad, was it a 45, and was it ever played out?