Geoff

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?

[At the mo, Ive a bad foot - ankle/heel, of course told the 'norm' - 'to rest & put it up as pos.'! So of course, Ive put a support sports bandage on - like you do - so I can carry on dancing! The only time I will give up is when my legs give up on me completely, which I hope is not just yet!] I'm in the same situation as you Karen, torn ligaments, twisted muscle, etc. When I've been out and hear the music it just gets right inside me and I just have to get up and dance. Support bandage hasn't really helped much. Now I'm trying to limit the places I go to, avoiding long evenings like the Dome or Scenesville, etc. Watching other people dancing just makes me frustrated, and then they play a track I love, and what can you do? The thought of giving up going out to soul clubs and dancing is just too horrible to contemplate for whatever reason, age, health, etc. Guess I am just a sad obsessive.

I've always been under the impression it was Honey the drummer who sang on Have I The Right. As for a favourite 60s pop record, that is almost as hard as picking your favourite soul record, entirely depends on your mood. I'll go for Roy Orbison's Crying, majestic piece of pop music, but may change my mind in the next half hour.

I've got a track by her called You Baby, not the Len Barry song I think.

Rob Messer played it at These Old Shoes last year, along with a John Lee Hooker track, hadn't danced to JLH since the old Mod days. Are any other LWJ tracks played anywhere? He was a great singer, one of the fathers of soul music, imo.

This Old Heart Of Mine - The Isley Brothers This was the first record my wife bought me when we started going out, at the time it was first issued.

Hard to pick a Major favourite, but have gone for Um Um Um ... Pity you never hear Monkey Time played out nowadays, great dancer.

[Phah, just shows you don't read the postings Read my comment about Roger Stewart in the bit about who would you have deejaying (um forgotten where it was posted)........... he is a maestro of massive proportions with the deftest touch and soundest ear in the business of deejaying He is in the premier league........I'll be wearing my PVC nurses outfit and bending over quite a lot when I visit Screens, nurse Jo] I've only seen Roger DJing a couple of times (at TOS) and enjoyed his sets very much. Great one with PTP last TOS. Please give him my best wishes and hope that his feels better soon, and can get out of hospital as soon as possible.

You are probably right on that one Paul.

I'd be interested Pete, used to listen to him on pirate radio (390?) which if I recall correctly was on an old fort in the mouth of the Thames, then he was on Radio 1 when it started. On pirate radio he did a show every evening, playing R&B/soul and on Saturday it was rock'n'roll. He did a residency at Bluesville, Manor House, north London and it was always a great night. He often had American imports well before they were issued here, and usually ended the evening by playing rock'n'roll tracks and dancing with his blonde wife Mandy who always wore a rather short mini skirt. Funny what you remember when your mind is jogged by something.