Dave Moore

Sorry, I meant in a songwriting/production capacity. Did you ever collaborate on any songs with him? I think you and him would make a good team, his 'ears' are some of the best in the business over two decades imo.

I sincerely hope so. Mike Terry's son is also gaining a foothold in the business and Terry Jones is a becoming more and more well know. It must be in the genes!

Ian, Did you ever work with Billy Jackson in any capacity?

Sadly yes, a couple of months ago. That was exactly the point of my posts on this thread. I am absolutely delighted to report that Kae Williams Jr (himself a musician/producer of some note in Philly) had at least the knowledge that his father (A local DJ/record producer and label owner) was held in extremely high regard by group of fans a world away. I met him, enjoyed his company and, like a few others, treasure the memory.

In NJ on SoulTrip New York. The trips are a goldmine of memories for some of us. I know Kev Robert's has lots of detractors and I'm sure there are some things he's done that he'd rather he hadn't (same as all of us I suspect), but his obvious enjoyment as far as the artists and their 'coming out of the woodwork' is concerned is the equal of anyone's I'd venture, and it's that experience that we go for. Sure, the music is a little predictable, sometimes the admin is skewiff, the record dealers charge UK prices, but.......having Archie Bell point out Melvin Steals!!! Priceless! Sitting with Norman Donegan, chatting to him about the life and times of Otis Blackwell, then taping him singing "Think Of Me" of which he was stunned that we even knew the song. Priceless! Being introduced to Kae Williams Jnr and seeing the delight on his face as we talked about his father...Priceless! Singing all their classics acapella with Ceasar of the Tymes on a street corner in Philly....Priceless! Playing The Unifics songs on soulclub.org whilst sat next to Al Johnson at the reception desk, (He had no idea we knew who he was), ...PRICELESS! One of the greatest memories I have of my time on the "Soul Scene" was taping the sound check/rehearsal of the Del Larks in the afternoon before their performance. Now, I've had some luverly 45s over the years and still have quite a few ( ), but nothing and I mean NOTHING has given me more pleasure than watching Sammy Campbell weave his magic that afternoon. Absolutely priceless! And best of all, this is an experience shared with a group of L...o...n...g time friends/collectors who all feel the same. You should come with us next time Ian. I'm sure Simon W will be there. Bring Gavin, he and I will look after you!

Absolutely. And I give you the utmost respect for that. For people who had the honour to meet and spend time with Freddy Scott a couple of years ago it must be have been poignant to have realised, as I did, that he wasn't going to be around much longer, therefore we hung on his every word and cherished every note he sang. A great memory and one I wouldn't trade for all the copies of Frank Wilson in the world. His jubilation at simply being recognised as contributor to the legacy of black music was overwhelming. Not just for him...but for us also. I realise that NS for many is simply a night out dancing to great records (and there's nothing wrong with that at all), but the efforts involved in SWONS were monumental and could only have been accomplished by people who's motives were to get the artists and their performances out there before it was to late. I really wish it had made everyone involved a pot of money, as it would probably have inspired others to try to continue the theme.

Then it's a bloody good job you'll be dancin (prancin'?) about on the Decks/Dancefloor with us on the Meditteranean beach then that weekend eh? He He! Who needs cafes in Wigan when we've got the soul, sand, sea, sangria as an option for that weekend. Oh...and the 100 Club Anniversary. Yer spoilt fer choice you lot! Did you get in touch with our Kid?

Wasn't going to post on this thread but found myself getting drawn in about the SWONS project so here goes... Before posting this I need to state that Ian and I are not friends I have no axe to grind, although he did once call me the 'Devil Incarnate' after I criticised some records on a playlist of his. Don't worry, I managed to get over it! Many people on SS constantly bleat that they only 'promote' their gigs 'for the love of the music', that theirs is a 'labour of love'. Well playmates, setting up a gig and losing a few of quid once a month pales into insignificance when compared with 'professional' losses incurred on soul projects. The history of the UK scene is littered with people who stepped up and lost LOTS of $$$. SWONS was doomed as financial outing from the outset because the people involved took it on as a 'labour of love'. To have produced it must have been a administrative nightmare and kudos to all involved should really be the order of the day. Sure...it ain't perfect, but then which one of us can claim that all the stuff we've done is? It seems that some people resent the fact that a few people make a living out of soul music (or at least attempt to), in my opinion it's the green eyed monster. As someone who tries to help get the artists stories out there in a format that is vibrant, colorful and glossy I would love to make a few $$$ at the same time but that's never gonna happen. To do it the way we want to do it just costs too much money. So we subsidise it and ...it becomes a 'labor of love'. People who contribute to these projects usually do it gratis. They do it for the same reasons most of us do....to pay respect to the people who created this wonderful music and to see them bask in their 15 minutes of fame at last. It gives you a warm feeling. Ian Levine has his idiosynchracies, many of which come across as unpleasant I'll grant you. But the SWONS is in my opinion his crowning glory. It ranks above the records he discovered and the music he created. In years to come people will recognize it for what it is. A living, breathing pictoral record of artists who provided a large swathe of British youth/adults with the musical backdrop to their lives. It's a fantastic achievement and one I wish I could have done for sure. I'm off to Weinerworld to order the latest offering. If you want to pay respect to the artists you profess to love, I'd respectfully recommend you do the same and maybe, just maybe, they'll see some recompense for their wonderful songs. As Kev Robert's name was also mentioned in this thread, for lovers of the artists, I'd also recommend attending SoulTrip USA in Chicago. Once again, it's not perfect but it allows us, as fans, to put money DIRECTLY into the pockets of the artists. Surely no one could think that was a bad thing?? I go with a group of long time collectors and we buy every T Shirt, CD, Photo, Trinket that the artists have on sale. To sit with Ronnie Walker for an hour and then stuff $$$ into his 'fund' was a joy! When they are gone it'll be too late. I know this will piss some people off....but there's a bigger picture to the Northern Soul Scene that sometimes gets smothered by the monthly gigs, promotion squabbles, bootleg v ovo, laptop DJs, oldies v newies, Ebay sucks etc. That picture is a montage of artists, producers, songwriters, backing singers, musicians, label owners etc and the tapestries of their lives. I for one congratulate Ian, Neil and the rest of their 'little helpers' for bringing me their performances to my front room. Thanks guys....it's appreciated. Finally, I genuinely believe that if Ady or Richard or someone else had undertaken this project it would have been better received. It's something that Ian will no doubt flare up at but there you go. Most 'business' people would try to keep the customer happy at almost any cost, but Ian needs to be kept happy first and foremost and that's probably his Achilles heel as far as the customer service side of business is concerned.

Mark Bicknell has a Willie Hutch for sale in the Sales forum.

OOPS, Sorry Matey. Too lazy to dig the book out. I remember reading it though and thinking it was a great piece about great records.

Dave Rimmer wrote a great piece about Jack Montgomery - Marvin Jones (?) It's in his Rare Soul Bible I think. It relates the story of all the Jack Montgomery records which were all recorded at the same time and then 'smugled' away by unscrupulous 'industry types'. If memory serves correctly it was all told in an interview with Mr Davis?

There's only the Pink One on Revilot. Came out on Atco too dinnit?

I'm stunned! The Soul Notes sound like the Four Vandals ?

Ian, Lots of good info and anecdotes on the thread, you'll keep 'em comin' hopefully. Here's a few questions for you... When you did the MotorCity reunion were there any 'Motowners' that you couldn't locate that you would have liked to have been there? Did you ever work with Mike Terry or any other arrangers that seemed to have slipped the 'Funk Brothers' net? If you had to choose ONE and only ONE musical icon (not personality, or 'experience' based), that you feel is the most important contributor to the Rare/Northern soul genre who'd you pick? Apart from yourself of course! (Only joking Matey ).

Can't remember hearing these in the 80s? (Maybe I was at the bar though!) Poets - Wrapped Around Your Finger - J-2 Topics - Hey Girl, Where Are You Going - Chadwick Both absolutely TOP notch.

Hi Ian, I think Ms Barnes may well be lost to us forever. I also tried everything and everyone connected with Harry Balk and Duke Browner's set up to try and find her a couple of years ago. Tim has no contact for her but confirmed he'd met her. I even worked my way through every Gardenia Barnes in the US phone system. One point of note is that Harry Balk is adamant that she and Duke Browner cut at least 4 tracks together. Be fantastic if someone found them.

Hi Paul, I was at the Wirrina that night. Ian & i had a close friend called Sheila Hart (recorded later for Ian) she & i flitted up from London where we had both moved to in 74, Got a pic somewhere in the waiting room at Peterborough station..good days! Heres Sheila ,my wife & i at Oceanside S Cal in February Ian. The V Sign was for Dave Burton who wouldnt believe we were meeting up! Regards David Ferguson

Steve, Any chance of a good quality scan of the stocker please?

My W/Demo looks like a 60s 45. It also has a vintage distributors sticker on the label (not conclusive I know), but I'd be very surprised if it was a 70s issue. The Cat #s are a quandry that's for sure.

Marc, Check out Issue #7 of There's That Beat! for a scan of the Redd Coach Demo.

Original is on Redd Coach. (At least I'm presuming thatw as the frst label. Only seen W/Demos though. Anyone seen an stocker? Great version.

Jas, Did Al remember meeting us a couple of years ago? Good luck with the project, I know it's been an ambition of yours for a while.

Alan Pollard has a minter too.

I think the song was actually written for The Dells but they originally turned it down, then of course Tom Jones' version sort of put it in the shade when it became a worldwide hit. Isn't there a version by The Belles too? Or is that the instr?

Classic!