Mark Bicknell

I agree with you Winston but the question was asked from a radio perspective about how it should be presented circa 2006, yes it's retro but it can still be made curret and interesting for a cross section of ages as a form of entertainment, radio is a very different animal to the live gig situation, choice and variety can be explored when you don't have the dance floor to consider. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Paul, a few years ago i took a year out of work to do a media/braodcasting course in Manchester and believe me having met many radio/media types it's exactly like that infact worse, lot's of people thinking they know it all and know better, shallow and very frustrating, i'm not sure if the station would be that concerned about the presenter being the right man for the job rather than he must be because of the 'Casino' connection, some radio/media types are masters of knowing a little about everything rather than a lot about one thing if you understand what i mean, very few are music people to be honest. If you feel this strongly about this then submit a show reel, no longer than 15 minutes otherwise they will bin it and see what happens, i tell you now what the answer will be mate, if it was about art and knowing your subject, having a passion, commitment and love of the music then you would get the job but it's not about that it's about to repeat myself knowing a little about everything etc. etc. which results in often not very good and a watered down media version of a subject rather than a worts and all approach. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Paul, i take all your points on board mate but sadly the radio world is very much based on jobs for the boys and more about who you know rather than what you know, outside of the scene the mainstream are clueless and will only see the association for example with Wigan Casino as being the be all and end of of the Northern scene, prior to XFM starting like months before i knew there was possibly an opening for a Northern based show and to be honest being happy with my Solar gig i did'nt even submit a promo show reel as again i knew what the score was, often the powers above think they know it all and have their finger on the pulse when in truth they are way off the mark. I would suggest that any such show on stations like this would be themed to be Northern Soul but somewhat watered down rather than the real deal because that's how it works, so the playlist and style of the show would be very structured and not specialist or anything of depth or substance with very much a retro 'Keep The Faith' ethic rather than having an open playlist or free style approach as i do on Solar. I suggest that thy are happy to have a Northern Soul show which is retro and safe rather than something which is a true reflection of the scene today. Mavericks and free spirits are few and far between in broadcasting and often don't exsist on mainstream commercial radio, however they can be found on specialist stations on Digital and on the net, i guess XFM and similar stations feel safe and content with their version of Northrn Soul, Mr Winstanley has presented for many years via the BBC etc. and has a good reputation within the industry and the new station would have been influenced by his CV rather than his current involvement with todays scene, i do believe that to give the best possible repusentation of a subject that you should be at the very least current in the present rather than looking through rose tinted glasses in the past. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Martyn, just hire the one Rolls Royce mate and let the brides maids walk to the reception...lol Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Did this not hit seven grand??? oh what i could buy with that kinda money and more than one record...lol still each to his own i guess? Mark Bicknell.

Hi Mark, i bet Tim was pleased...lol, next time i play it i'm gonna convince myself mine is slighty off centre...lol record collecting don't you just love it. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Interesting comment about Roy Robert with some being pressed off centre, i think i'm on my third copy and never come across this, always a safe bet buying from Mr Anderson at Soul Bowl and for £40.00 only a few years ago. Stunning tune. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

What's the 45 on offer this year then?........save me one Ady...lol Mark Bicknell.

Just a quick question on this record, i have a light blue promo had it for years now, just wondering if there is a Black stock/issue copy of this out there as The High Keys - 'Living A Lie' / 'Let's Take A Chance' as i can't ever remember seeing one? Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Good call Paul, everything you say about the man, the venue, his commitment, attitude, dedication, passion etc. is spot on, Ady was one of the first promoters to give me a go at the 100 Club way back about 1980/81 and for that alone i thank him, without question there is something just that little bit special about standing in front of the big 100 sign and playing tunes, is a special place, when we all look back on this scene in years to come The 100 Club, 6T's, Cleethorpes, Ace/Kent and everything decent and pure connected with Ady will go down as one of the most respected, honest and soulful people who have been involved with it, Ady has without question an untarnished record, like you stated Paul simply one of the lads....happy birthday Ady.

Now the big question is what was the 10th record played on the first night?.....lol Mark Bicknell.

Well there you go....lol Mark Bicknell.

Blimey £300.00 for Jerry Jackson....result i think it's still upstairs...lol Mark Bicknell.

Was it not The Sherrys - Put Your Arms Around Me???? followed by Dottie Cambridge...not that i was there i was only 13...lol Mark Bicknell.

George Wydell has to be worth £150.00 of anyones money, two fantastic sides. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I saw on the news and in the papers a couple of days ago that they may be relaxing these restrictions in the next week or so??? i can see this Italy / Milan trip being a nightmare.....let's just hope it all works out soon, strange the actions of madmen and everyone suffers..total bollocks. Mark Bicknell.

Mines light green, looks nice sounds even better, if a few more jump on records like this then we have nothing to worry about....................superb. Mark Bicknell.

Good luck Grant...you will have a blast mate, hope it all goes well. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Jimmy Gilford - Heartbreaker - Solid Hitbound....Don't really get much slower or better in my opinion. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Neil Jones is a nutter....lol yellow logos indeed, really enjoyed the show tonight with Neil, always a good laugh doing it with a really good mate, some choice tunes throughout. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

The Hollywood Flames - Dance Senorita - Symbol, ok so your flicking through a box of records at a gig, you see this record, take a peek at the title and move on through the box, well if you do have the pleasure of finding this record, give yourself a treat and give it a spin, cue the record enter a touch of the old Mexican flava intro then this just bursts into so right for now quality Northern, arranged by J.J. Jackson for Symbol records part of the mighty Sue, Eastern, Crackerjack set up in New York, this is certainly worth looking out for and will be a pretty big record if a few people get behind it, strange title which like i say needs to be played, certainly will become a regular spin for me on the show and out and about at the gigs, price wise i reckon now about £30.00 if you can find a copy...but watch it go up pretty quickly once given some turntable action.......fantastic record. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

The Inverts - Time Will Change - Broadway Willie Wade - When Push Comes To Shove - Nite Life Roy (Cortez) Butler - A Dream - Boo - what a tune awesome version. I'll think of a few more. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Ian...4 minutes that long....lol, this record is finally having it's moment on the scene, pure class. Mark Bicknell.

Just off to that there London Saturday lunch time for the Soul Shack Soul Night at The Marine Broker in the City, just wanted to bump this thread to remind you all that Mr Jones will be joining me in the Soul Shack on Sunday from 8pm www.solarradio.com a fantastic show is promised. Regards - Mark Bicknell.