Wiganer1

can ne 1 help thanks

#====== HI BILLy its on August 5th yes im on at the next marrs mate..last hour bud if u find the tapes,,fancy swapping..

========== brilliantly put sean,, often thought about this will only sell mine when im truly fed up of the scene and the records cant see this being for a very long time money aint everything even though they could put me a large deposit on a bigger house - ah well

====== hi billy no worries about the mag m8 ref the tapes and their content.. being careful as i write these not to be seen as 're writing' history as i wasnt there and wont be right on lots of things.. im not sure who discovered panic actually but it was a 'hit' before this one was being spun you going the next marrs bar billy?

========== hello boff mate its your fault im inflicting this on our fellow readers! if u hadnt of given me these tapes all those years ago,what would have i been doing?? nice to see u on hear mate regards mark

Mary Brown...£100 inc P&P Mid tempo,lots of haunting strings Not everyones cup of tea but this is a rare 45.. A handful of demos have surfaced but for sale is this ultra rare issue Only Ian could have the bottle to play this ,,one of his many good points IMO Only selling cuz i only collect MGM demos Regards Mark

======= pat played a fantastic record during the last few years at wigan called 'aint gonna change for you' which is F AWESOME but he cant remember that one either.. pat has played some fabulous stuff over the years and rarely gets the praise he deserves

Stoney Ground US Un or UK MCA have a listen and see how good this is,,forgotten oldie and sounds brill out as ive spun it at the marrs barr a few times... should cost u less than a tenner even on the import but well worth... my love is falling on stoney ground stoney ground STONEY GROUND...

======= this is a great record,,never gets spun these days but is great traditional in your face oldie...luv it.

======== played the tape again tonight..missed 2 records out frank dell - he broke your game wide open and yvonne and the violets - cross my heart (again for the 1st time covered as Vala Reegan & Valerons)

===== the allan rhodes spot will be posted shortly...

============ love the stories like this eddie.... as i said before this is part of the book im writing 100 reasons to love wigan casino...done 40+ just another 60 to go,,,, got lots of stories to write up ... ill sort u out with a copy mate no worries..

Mr Searlings spot at Wigans 5th anniversary,,,23/09/78 the comments are my own ,any information is made on things ive heard,known,picked up from other people,,apologise in advance for any inaccuracies... happy reading here goes:- yeah the sound of lou roberts there . many thanks to russ for the last couple of hours' you got me for the next and here comes the first one and its :- Betty boo Say it isn't so - Richards kicks off with his monster unreleased track Betty Boo which already has already gained cult status. This would have been released around this time on UK Grapevine and the 'wiganites' would soon have access to a sound you could only hear on a saturday night. Lou roberts You fooled me - Next on the deck is Lou Roberts other biggie on MGM and the heart rendering You fooled me . More country and western than northern but this one just enough of a 'northern ' beat for it to fill the casino floor. Vicki Baines Country girl - Next comes one of Richards biggest ever Wigan Floor fillers covered up as Christine Cooper - I'm just a country girl , this was played before the 5th anniversary but spun to a maximum audience on this night. On Parkway records it still remains ultra rare on original and would be the highlight of any oldies collection. Cobblestone Trick me treat me - On the decks next comes ' Tempos and love me like a man ' . Another cover up from Mr Searling. Turned out to be Cobblestone on Mercury . Only available on issue and still goes for over £100 . Paula Durante If he were mine - On the GJM label comes Paula Durante.Driving drums and horns in the opening bars set you up for a great dance beat but then Paula hits you with her dulcit tones . One of Richards biggies for the year but long forgotten now and rarely played. An original copy would set you back around £75 ,beware of those awful green bootlegs Yuk! Benny Sigler Who you gonna turn to - Cover up time again with 'Randolph Walker' and 'Who you gonna turn to' . Great and instant opening few bars and then you're on your way to a great northern tune, with stop starts and handclap breaks galore. Must surely be Bunny Sigler but pressed as Benny! Quite rare on original Parkway Records. Yvonne Vernee Just like you did me - Wigan does rare soul with the next one with this detroit belter on Sonbert. Always remained rare with copies seldom coming up for sale. Brilliant dancer and one of Richards finest discoveries . Del Capris Hey little way out girl - Hitting the turntables for the next tune which was one of the most popular oldies to come out of Wigan . Covered as the Del Capris its actually the Construction on Sync 6 records which is extremely rare and never turns up. Instant floor filler with catchy vocals and skip along beat. Came out on UK Grapevine with the classic picture sleeve with the two dancers on it. Rita the Tiaras Gone with the wind - Putting the rare 'soul' into rare soul comes Richards next 45. 'First time out for this one and here comes the Velvelettes and Our love is gone with the wind'. Another 45 that was hammered and soon became one of the most popular records around. Uk copies became available via Destiny complete with Picture sleeve. Original copies on Dore have become major collectors pieces after being hammered by Ginger and the like over the last few years.. Still sounds good and is as popular as ever. Jimmy Burns I really love you - Another rare outing and a 'Grapevine' special comes the ultra rare US Erica recording from Jimmy Burns. Storming uptempo with the instant hookline with the title in the chorus. I really love you is a super northern 45. Gerri Thomas Look what i've got - On World Artists comes the more traditional 'Wigan' sound from Richard comes Gerry Thomas' haunting tune 'Look what I got'. I cant eat- who ooh I cant sleep who ooh, those unforgettable opening lines make this a classic Wigan sound for many. White demos of this would set you back around £50 or more,was booted on a horrible yellow pressing which should be avoided at all costs. J.C.Messina Time wont let me - Covered as the Bob Seger system comes a version of the Outsiders 60's hit .This version is a much rawer vocal on this obscure Tom King label I think Tom King may have been a member of the Outiders or is related to them somehow. I think this sounds even better today and has crept up in price over the years. Beware of the cheap bootleg that looks exactly like the original. Paul Anka When we get there - Back to the classic oldies of Wigan Casino, after his monster 'I cant help loving you' filled the floors everywhere it was only a matter of time before someone checked out his other material on RCA for northern soul related items and this is what we got This is much slower than 'I cant help loving you ' but this still packs a punch is just a beautiful northern soul tune. It got a UK release on RCA which is very collectable. Twans I can't see him again - Back to ultra rarities and on the Dade label is the Twans , this was spun earlier in the Wigan days as Richard announces back to the oldies. . Uptempo girlie oldie dancer that never lets up.Twans has always been rare ,although it was booted in the mid 80's , to get an original you're talking anything over £500. Wakefield Sun Trypt on love - Back to the MGM outlet for Richards next cover up whcich this time was masquerading as Eddie Jason. Atmospheric and moody and still has that something that you dont get with alot of oldies. Was booted on the infamous blue vynil MGM reissues but save up for a proper yellow demo for a few quid more!. Issues of this are extremely difficult to locate.Check out his version of Harold Melvins get out on the same label. Dogs - Soul Step - 'First time out for this instrumental and this goes out to Soul Sam who's somewhere in the record bar' On the very rare Treasure label this 45 which went on to be a cult collectors item over the next few years of the Casino. Got reissued very recently with a vocal version on the other side. But Richard was first to spin it a the 'Heart of soul' Reperata & Delrons Its waiting there for you - Girlie terittory again with Reperata and the Delrons other Mala outing , Panic being their other monster from earlier on in the Casinos lifespan. There wont be many fans of this record today, but Richard must have liked it and it was popular none the less. Newbeats Don't turn me loose - And if you couldn't believe that Richard played Reperata , you wont believe that he also spun this by the soul purists ultimate enemy group The Newbeats. Was big enough to get issued on UK Inferno and sounds popular on the night. This would never see a turntable these days unless you were a very brave dj but it was played and people danced to it (You know who you are!!) If you do like this type of oldie check out Top Secret on the same Hickory label,Stomp stomp stomp! Toni Basil Breakaway - Along next comes the old Lada Edmond cover up break these chains which of course turned out to be Toni Basil of 'Mickey' fame. On the A&M label this still is quite a desirable 45 for oldies fans and still popular with the dancers. Holly St James Thats not love - Next up is one of the biggest oldies of all time and one that has stood the test of time. A total floor filler with the breaks for all the handclaps . Remained a collectors item on the ABC label ,mainly seen on white demo copies but did come out on a black issue and is Super rare. Also came out on Soul Fox circa 78/79. Frankie Beveley Because of my heart - Another rarity to hit the Wigan turnables was this one on Fairmount from the 'If thats what you wanted' man . Also released on Rouser this brilliant 45 caught the imagination the collectors as well as the acrobatic dancers. To get a copy of this would set you back a small fortune. The records that passed through this mans hand! Bobby Paris I walked away - Back to the classic oldies and one of Bobby's best. On the Capitol record label this became a true Casino Classic!. Used to be covered as Bobby Diamond but this is true Northern Soul in every sense of the word. Seen frequently on US demo copy but the prize to get is a Capitol Issue of this monster oldie. Lou Roberts You fooled me - Second time around for this one and still sounding good. I was told that lots of tunes were hammered at the Casino and many were played more than once in a night. Here is one example of a sound Richard must have believed in. Tamala Lewis You wont say nothing - Another indemander that got a release on the UK Destiny label. Covered up by Richard as Sharon Scott this was another monster casino tune for him. The original is on Marton and I think is a light blue label but is obtainable on a orange reissue on the same label. May take you some time to get a proper one however,rarely turns up. Generation Hold on - Wigan does beach music with the next one in Mr Searlings spot. Another one to come out on Grapevine which suggests it was a biggie ,and also was scheduled to be released on Destiny 1003 but never came out. The import of this is on the beautiful 'Mockingbird' label which you should be able to get for around £40. One for the oldies crowd this one and would be a nice one to hear now and again. Ben Zine Village of tears - Now heres a track, this is a record I sold all my LP's to get this 45 and remember going to the Notts Palais all niter trying to get rid of the others for a £1 apiece Got there eventually and it cost me £50 way back in 85'. Ben Zine is a love it , hate it record but it was certainly a huge record for Richard in this year who had been playing this heavily in the previous summer. The issue of this was pressed in the early 2000's and until then you only saw East and West coast white demos. Family Affair Love Hustle - Back to the shock plays for Richard when you look back at his playlists. But yes he did play this which was a monster at the time. The family Affair is a UK outfit on Pye and had something to do with Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch. There are UK Pye demos out there of this which is about desirable as it gets! Millionaires You've got to love your baby - Another Grapevine release and was one of the two monster oldies on the Castle label. (The other being the Ellingtons) The Millionaires is a great oldie that doesnt get played enough. Beware of the reissue of this as its nearly identical to the blue original. Wall of Sound Hang on - Wall of Sound is on the Tower label as well as the local Big Bird label.I'm sure this is the Righteous Brothers hey who knows. Again this is a great sounding northern tune with all the right beat etc. Never heard played out in over 25 years of all niters, due for a revival maybe? Peggy March If you love me - Playing safe again,this time its Peggy March and the vocal version to Soul Coaxing. As with Russ's spot this tune must have been well in demand as it sure was popular on this night. Gained two releases in the UK on Black 60s RCA and the later 70's orange issue. US copies come in the giuse of Yellow Demos and black issues. Del Capris Hey little way out girl - Again another second time around tune ,met with the same frenetic and optimistic response. Paula Durante If he were mine - Richard finishes off his spot with another respin.. So there you go,,the 5th anniversary spot from many considered god at the Casino,,it was after this time in 1978 that Richards new discoveries came in by the bucket load and will be reviewed at a later date - Watch this space! Regards mark 'fluff' Freeman

=========== well she was white as they come i suppose,,,still goes for about £40 on UK .. ill post up Richards spot from the same night a bit later to see the contrast in plays.... regards mark

===== congratulations derek,,,fantastic achievement...mark

====== sad news..i dont think i knew him..always a tragedy to lose a fellow soulie ... regards..

==== illtry and post up 'tears' from the tape..it really is sensational!!

======= great record aint on diamond on US and UK stateside... he'll never love you like i do brill stuff....

=========== one of my best mates on the scene,,,graham barber from cheltenham went too but he couldnt get it and was locked out til 5am.... i would have loved to have been there!

[ PS. Mark, your post reminded me about the tapes, so I looked again, but couldn't find them. found some of those old soundhog tapes but they only had current stuff from 73/74 on them. I'll keep looking because I have definitely got some.

====== phils been poorly and has been is hossy are u waiting for a tune too?

====== try their 'catch me' - pure uptempo 70's at its best dave evison monster at leicester allniters!!!

hope this doesnt bore u too much...something i wrote a few years back on the first live wigan tape i got... here goes...... What Wigan means to me If not going to Wigan Casino didnt change my life which it did ,the day my mate Bof gave me my first taste of how Wigan Casino used to sounds like ,wow what would i be doing now if not. Anyway heres a run down of my favourite live tape at Wigan Casino Its 1978,its the 5th Anniversary its a lock out and Russ is on the decks and here is what he played on that night .. Adlibs - New York in the dark AGP rarity that is still hard to find today. Nice oldie to start off with. Was booted on a white label then also released on UK Inferno ,popular with the crowd. Tommy Bush - I dont like it - Just been pressed came the annoucement This is a great oldie that rarely gets played today maybe cause originals are again difficult to trace.Will have its day again no doubt. Charlie Gracie - He'll never love you like I do next on Stomp,stomp, stomp, huge applause at the end,nice forgotten oldie on Diamond Dana Valery - Backtracking as Russ puts it,,that thunderous beat pounds out of the speakers.Going for big money now on Colombia (glad i got mine cheap) also booted on CSP and Pusseycat which I'm told is one the very first Wigan pressings. Barry Gray Orchestra - Joe 90 Theme Alot would say the worst of Wigan and Russ sounds embarrassed by announcing it but you get the impression by the atmosphere and the claps in all the right places that people are dancing to it and enjoying it Lou Roberts - Ten to one - Back to the Classic Wigan tracks and maybe a classic Wigan artist ,Ten to one being one of his best gets the place going yet again. Stemmons Express - Woman Love thief - Wow this wakes the place up immediate handclaps to the opening beats to this Wand/Karma rarity This is classic Wigan Atmosphere. One clap then a hundred then five hundred ,fantastic. Honeybees - She dont deserve you - Think a Russ exclusive a super mid tempo floater on Fontana that would probably go down great today. Bobby Paris - Night Owl - Although a torch record I think this is one that Wigan adopted and certainly the crowd on this night go wild and is again fantastic to listen to Sergio Mendes - Love Music - One of my all time favourite Wigan sounds and one I spun at my spot at Lowton. The reaction to this record is superb with everyone it seems , cruelly forgotten 45 but I try to play every time i Dj. Paul Anka - I cant help loving you - the next to come thundering through the speakers and this classic uptempo track just belts out no wonder its remained a favourite many years later. Peggy March - If you love me - I gather this was massive for quite a few months,,massive reaction and instant clapping greet this tune,,poppy vocals and you see why it was big but would probably be frowned upon if played today. Tobi Legend - Time will pass you by - Again super reaction to this Wigan anthem although I have heard it was first played at the mecca - who knows and who cares.Uplifting just listening to it,Handclaps galore just utterly fantastic! Carmel Strings - I hear a symphony - One of Russ's faves as he plays this in 76 too, Instrumental to the Supremes motown vocal.Sounds great live but one of those thats a bit flat on your record player! Esko Affair - Salt and Pepper - 'Right up to date' Russ announces and this very poppy but catchy tune from Mercury that I personally love but again would not find many fans these days.Sounds good though and goes down well with the crowd in that night. Teddy Vann - Colouredman Again a monster from this period ,not classy but a 'right for the time' sound I suppose.Anyway the clapping on this is superb with the last part of the record a crescendo of atmosphere and handclaps. Royal Vibes - The joker One of many versions of this instrumental and this is one certainly get the wigan treatment. Pressed on Bee and is very uptempo Casusaleers - Dance Dance Dance - This brilliant oldie carries on in the same previous sounds ,uptempo,atmospheric and 100% northern soul.Quite hard to pick up on Roulette. Diane Newby - Everythings wrong - Three versions of this and for me this is easily the best.On the US Kapp label this is more upbeat than the other two.I think itd be safe to say not played at all since the Wigan days. Revival time methinks! Lesley Gore - We know we're in love - Pure 100% uptempo pop which seems popular but well disappeared long ago,there were a few sounds from this lady but all in the same vein,not regarded as classics Dean Courtney - I'll always need you - Classic 45,sounds great on this tape...superb! Paulbearers - Music with soul - This is one of my favourite uptempo Wigan oldies .Fast ,frantic and forgotten , On fontana (also on Delphi) this too could have its day once again. Ambassadors - Too much of a good thing - This Pee Vee rarity still sounds good today as it does on this tape.Those horns immediately hit you and youre off ,great stuff Mystic Moods - Astral Trip - Instrumentals again and this is one of my all time favourite Wigan sounds,If this came on these days I'd probably be the only one the floor but I love it as I do with all the tracks on this tape Libra - Appollo 11 - This was covered as the mystic moods - out of this world and I suspect didn't do alot but is quite an atmospheric tune and extremely difficult to find and is on Ranwood ,picked mine up from Dave Raistrick about 84. Karen Young - Too much of a good thing This a UK item on Major Minor and one popular enough to be booted on US Soul Fox and this again very poppy and very Wigan I suppose,price is shooting up again ,one I think for future revival Holly St James - Thats not love This record seems to have been big forever ,,it certainly was in 1978.I know this was big for Richard but obviously Russ a copy too or he may have been playing of the Soul Fox pressing,Either way this record brings the house down Buckinghams - Dont you care One of my favourite Wigan sounds,poppy but catchy and moody vocals make it a winner for me. They had a few sounds played at Wigan (You misunderstand me is good too) but this has it for me and its still a cheapie on Colombia and UK CBS Reflections - Like adam and eve Wow it sounds like the whole place is in its element here superb handclaps and atmosphere.You can just close your eyes and you think you were there.Superb!! Black ABC issues are quite scarce Johnny Hampton - Not my girl What Russ playing detroit!! Yes this monster on Dottys is next on the turntable and sounds great. Again this was pressed about this time but the original has remained rare. Edward Hamilton - Baby dont you weep No introduction need for this baby jane and UK grapevine rarity. Im not sure if this was a Wigan sound or discovered at the Torch Danny Monday - Baby without you This one a Wigan Discovery announces Russ and how brilliant it sounds too.I havent played this for years.One lucky things is that the boots are near perfect Deena Johnson - Im a sad girl I once had Gary Rushbrooke and Steve Whittle in the car outside stafford trying to identify this 45 on US Simpson(im still doing this 20 years on!!).Great little tune and not too expensive. Linda Elliot - I fell in love with you baby One of my ALL TIME favourites this ,same as the Charts on Wand but more soulful and midtempo and one I just had to get and I obtained mine at stafford for 3 quid. Its on US Josie. Superb Dena Barnes - If you ever walked out of my life Another classic and also a difficult Grapevine 45 to pick up Barry Gray Orch. - Joe 90 2nd time around for this and again no boos either!Someone must have liked it,Im glad I was too young you cant blame me Ral Donner - Dont let it slip away Another one of those 'right time at the right place' records which was big enough to be issued on Inferno. Probably would never see a turntable nowadays but still sounds great. Lee Roye - Tears Fabulous oldie that gets the Wigan treatment here. The clapping at the first chorus has to be heard to be believed.Superb there you go 20 years later and 101 live wigan tapes on,,still collecting the tapes and then the records from them,,, if u have any im always interested in buying ..selling or swapping for more regards mark 'fluff' freeman

===== cheers dan ill give him a bell,,, havent seen him for a bit...