Geoff

Not quite sure what year this came out, 66/67?, but it was played in London clubs at the time, I am sure I heard it at Bluesville, Manor House, played by Mike Raven I think. I was a big JB fan at the time, we went to see him on his first visit early show, and went back to the next show we enjoyed it so much. But after this track he started on the funky path (if my memory isn't failing me again) and the rest is history. Quite surprised some of his earlier tracks haven't been played at R&B nights.

Just downloaded Buster Brown, not bad, could be danced to at a more R&B orientated night. I am no expert on his records but it does sound newer than the ones I know, they were much more bluesy, although uptempo. Didn't have a girl chorus, etc.

This is an interesting topic. I've always been interested in when a music style starts. When did rhythm and blues become soul? Not even sure when we started calling it soul. I started going out with my wife in 1966 and I'm certain we called the places we went to r&b clubs, but the word soul was in use then definitely. I think it was originally used in the jazz world, perhaps an LP called Genius + Soul = Jazz by Ray Charles or a similar title. What is the first recognisable soul record? Jerry Butler's For Your Precious Love, or something by Little Willie John or early Sam Cooke? Lately I've heard tracks by doo wop groups that were trying to get hits in the early 60s by going for a contemporary style, e.g. Del Vikings, etc. I came into black music via rock'n'roll while at junior school. Saw Little Richard and Chuck Berry, etc in r&r movies, and discovered that a lot of the songs by Elvis, etc were originally by black singers. Just made me interested in hearing the originals. And it is only in the last few years that I've heard some of those old tracks. I've not downloaded the Buster Brown track yet, will do it at home. Certainly used to hear his Fannie Mae track in the old days. If you like Rocket 88 there are some really good compilations around with jump blues on them. I will look forward to your CD of MP3s.

Only came back on to soul scene after spending more years away than I like to contemplate. I had wanted to start going out again, but felt I was probably too old to go to clubs, etc. To cut a long boring story short I started going out and it has changed my life completely. I've got loads of friends who share my love of soul music (none of my old friends are that keen, although they used to be), and I go out several times a month and have a brilliant time. Mind you I'm wrecked in the morning, but who cares. I don't think my wife was too keen on me going out at first, but after she met some of my friends and came to some of the clubs I go to, she has began to realise that it doesn't generally seem to be a "pulling" scene. Not full of predatory males or females on the lookout for members of the opposite or same sex. Although she has been a soul lover as long as me, she is more into Motown than Northern, but I notice since coming out with me, she is appreciating my stuff more. She often says to me that she likes a track I am playing. Most of my social life is based around going out to soul do's, it just seems to me that these are some of the best ways to spend my time. Guess I will grow up some day, but hopefully not too soon.

I went to the last TOS last night, and the room had been renovated, had a makeover, it's been described as similar to an Ikea showroom, so anyone whe has been there will get the picture. It has a new wooden floor, but it did need a bit of talc. Obviously not barrel loads of the stuff. Anyway good manners should ensure discretion is used when putting it on the floor. I've gone over when it has been too slippery. Probably others too.

I went to Soul In The City at Vivo's in Watling Street last night, had a great evening with my friends and heard great music played by the 4 guys who run it, but I was really disappointed with the numbers attending. I suppose it had the advantage that I had plenty of room on the dancefloor, but being serious it must be a bit disappointing for the guys. Maybe it is Christmas coming up and people have got other things to do, and possibly money starts getting tight. Also everyone may be saving themselves for the last TOS next week. But saying all that I am still surprised that so few showed. I left at about 11.15 to get to Liverpool Street, and even the usual "City types" who often arrive when the pubs are shutting hadn't appeared. It was nice to see that Janine and Dave had managed to locate Watling Street, it must have Martin firing those flares from the roof that helped. In Town Mikey and Jessica and Graham are much missed. Obviously no more soul club attendees must be allowed to leave the London area. Seriously though, we've seen the CSC at the Dome closing, and now TOS. I urge everyone to support our clubs, we'd all be a bit cheesed off if any more close. I've said this somewhere else recently but it is still apposite: "Use 'em or lose 'em".

Don't know about the record you are referring to Dave, but there seems to have been an attempt to promote 33rpm EPs in the USA in the very early 60s. The Elvis Presley EP Flaming Star (from the movie) was 33 rpm, and actually made the USA top 20. Wasn't issued here in that format as far as I know. Not sure if there were many others. Don't see the point of issuing them at 33 rpm as 7 inch records. I remember there were were LPs issued at something like 16 rpm but they were speech I think.

[How about the odd ones in US top 100 soul/R&b Charts they used to feature in b&S - osmonds first 45 featured, which maybe excusable as uknown j5 ripoff , but later on the bee gees ? ] I have a vague memory of the disco days of the Bee Gees, and hearing someone say that they were being played by black DJs in the USA. And that is how they featured in the R&B charts. Actually in the past white artistes often did appear in those charts, in the 50s Johnny Ray had Cry, and Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis also got into the R&B charts, not sure if Bill Haley did.

[bunny Sigler....Girl dont make me wait. Always takes me back to 1975 with a BIG smile] Definitely heard that played recently, but can't remember where, might have been TOS, SITC, probably not the Dome. Good dance record.

Thanks for posting that, never seen it before. Dave really had a way with words.

Reading some of these posts has bought tears to my eyes. Dave Godin changed so many peoples lives, and for the better. Definitely Soul Brother Number 1. It's a good idea to close the site on the day of his funeral, Mike, a great mark of respect. RIP Dave.

Thanks for posting the playlist Gene. It was a very good evening at TOS.

This thread has reassured me that I am not abnormal or losing it. I often hear (and dance) to tracks that I can sing along to, and dance to, without being able to give title or artiste. Andy Faulkner and John Stubbs must be cheesed off with me asking them what this track is. Good to know I am not alone.

First club I went to was the Scene in distant mod days, but the music was called rhythm and blues then. After that the Flamingo, Marquee (live acts Yardbirds, Who, etc.), La Discotheque, Last Chance, Bluesville Manor House and various other London clubs. Where's my life gone? I looked at some old photos from those days recently and wondered what happened to that young bloke?

Brendetta Davis was played at the Valatone last Saturday. Personally I can dance to several of the tracks mentioned, e.g. Guitar Ray, Masqueraders, even if it is a slow shuffle to the latter. I heard the Three Degrees' Contact at Va Va Voom, and I don't think that is an easy track to dance to, although I've never heard it played anywhere else. Incidentally is it a 60s or 70s track?

Strangely enough the one that changed my life must be Unique Blend's Yes I'm In Love. The reason is that after so many years off the soul scene, with the encouragement of people on KTF I'd screwed up my courage and gone to the Dome. I'd met some of them, and was watching the dancing, listening to the music, hoping to hear a record that I knew. Then Unique Blend came on, and I went out and danced to it. Must have been pretty pathetic, but I pretended no one could see me. And from that moment on I remembered how much I loved dancing, and now when I go to a soul club I just have to dance. It makes me feel so good, forget all the problems, etc. Sad I guess, but it changed my life for the better.

Sorry you are leaving London Mike. Will you be able to get to SITC or TOS before relocation? Good luck, and keep in touch.

I agree with Janine, it is a nice track. Decent dancer. It has been around for quite a while though it seems. But nothing wrong with that.

Hope you don't mind me coming in on this topic again, but I heard the Masqueraders' How Big Is Big at the Dome on Friday played by Ady Lupton, about 3rd record from the end. I've heard it before, but this was the first time in a club. Just brilliant, made me feel so emotional as I shuffled around to it. Just got to get this one.

How about Make Sure by the Dells, great lyrics.

My current favourite is Marian Stewart's I Must Be Losing You, but there are just so many others. Also Mamie Lee I Can Feel Him Slipping Away, Carol & Gerri's How Can I Find The Way/On You Heartaches Look Good, and probably every track I dance to.

The female British singer who did The Wedding, Julie something, just can't think of her name at the moment, did a version of Heartache Hurry On By, the Roy Hamilton song. In fact I heard her version first on Sounds of the 60s on Radio 2, and liked it, then found RH had done it first. Also Janie Marden or Marsden, did This Empty Place, backed with Close To You. Paul McKay played Empty Place at Boogaloo a couple of weeks ago.

I find it impossible to do a top 10 as it changes all the time, but here are some I've played tonight to relax. In a bit of a Modern soul mood. Cory Blake - How Can I Live Without You Bobby Thurston - The Very Last Drop Leon Bryant - I Can See Me Loving You Chanel - My Life Sandra Wright - I Come Running Back (awesome record) Lou Rawls - See You When I Get There Gloria Scott - Too Much Love Making Sunburst Band - Everyday Essex IV - My Heart Is Calling Main Ingredient - Work To Do But next time it might be straight up Northern or beat ballads or R&B, depends on the mood

Sounds a good idea Colin. Be a change to do something different. Such a wide range of music to choose from. As long as we don't extract the urine from each other's choices. I'm sure my taste may be regarded as idiosyncratic. Is anyone interested in a 60s pop CD swap? And I use pop in its widest sense but excluding anything that could be regarded as soul or rhythm and blues or akin to it. No pop stompers!!

Wish I was going. Never been there, must rectify that soon. Not sure how I would cope with a proper all nighter though. Do you all go back to bed when you go home or what? As you say congratulations to Ady, are there any other soul clubs going as long as this one?