Rich B

Gary Rushbrooke sound wasn't it?

Like everyone else I am completely shocked to hear this. Nothing but good memories of Gary, just a genuinely good guy, always laughing and he made me do the same. So glad we caught up a couple of 'Just Soul's ago. Best wishes to Piddy and the family. RB.

I had a (moderately) interesting story about this record and Rob Marriot, but was overwhelmed by the knowledge shown by other members of this forum, so it's back to the wine for me!

I have certainly had a Today promo (same colour as the issue) back in the day. I have never seen a sound Gems copy though?

Good call Dave, who'd even look at a tune by Duff Thurmond! best, RB.

Anybody mention Paul Thompson "Special kind of woman"?

I don't have a (northern) collection anymore, but I know for sure mine wouldn't have been the best, as when i was thinking of selling up a well known figure from the scene came to take a look and his parting comment was "I thought it would be better!"...

It seems to be a sad fact of human nature, that people just can't live and let live. I don't think, really, for most of us (certainly isn't to me) it is an issue of whether Italians, mods or whoever else wish to assert thier own identity, on thier own 'scene'. However it is a shame that they can't just get on and do it without the negativity. That also applies to northern fans who don't like modern soul, and fans of modern soul who don't like northern. Who cares what other peole think anyway? Regards, RB

As I have no credibilty to lose I thought I would add my two penneth. I didn't record serial numbers, but when I sold up, in my collection (on the yellow/green label design) was; Robert Thomas "Salvation" / "Soul of a man" - no mention of Six feet under as far as I can recall. Men from Macon "Salvation" / "Soul of a man" Cresa Watson "Salvation" / can't remember The Men from Macon and Cresa Watson still had the cover up damage and came from one of the Mecca dj's (though as an intermediary got them for me I'm not sure if it was Colin or Ian). The Robert Thomas was in a Record Corner soul pack. In the 70's the purple/white Rita Lee's were considered to be bootlegs as they only turned up en masse with lots of other Major Bill related cuts didn't they? So, is current opinion that all of those things were originals? i.e. Edie Robin etc? Or am I missing some irony here? Aound that time I also coveted a Pic & Bill "Talk about love" (?) on the yellow/green Charay label - anyone know whether that ever became cheap as chips? best, RB

There was an issue of Connie Laverne in my collection when I sold up in 2000, and I have had a couple of issue copies of thelma Houston over the years - I thought it was the promo of that that was hard to find.

I still have mine - odd when so much has gone by the way. It's a blue gents card and dated June (no year shown though it was 1974) # 1416. I'm not too sure they were meticulous with thier numbering though, MoodySoul's is a higher number but he got it earlier than I did by the looks of things - do you think they just chose a number at random? I had always been quite proud of my 'low' number, now I'm not so sure... best, RB

Yet another track I forgot to record/should never have let go when I sold the 'northern'! I don't know about "Cooking with Nixon" being a backing track to something else but I used to have the same track issued as "Cookin'" by Don Gardner (?) on Spectactular if I remember rightly. Was it the flip of "I can't help myself"? best, RB

After reading that I really wish I hadn't forgottent to record the Joey Dee track when I sold up! Always on of my favourites from that time. best RB

Don't forget the version on the LP 'Uptown' on Maple credited to Gloria Barnes, slightly different, but a really nice version - some other tracks on there worth having too. While I'm on can someone remind what track was used as the flip of the 45? best, RB

I know it's an old Poke spin from the early 90's, haven't heard it for years though. best, RB

Never heard Andy play out,though I occasionally talk to him becaue of work., He is a really nice guy, a great collector, hugely knowledgable and is a gifted detective. Ady is also a very nice chap - and clearly his work with Kent is of considerable benefit to us all - a top three dj? now possibly, I'll let you be the judge of that. But not in my top three. As for Dave, I have bought records off him, never heard him play. Is he any good? But if you wanted me to generalise? Yes, we would. best, RB.

Without wishing to be disrepectful (yeah, you're right, I am going to be....) only dj's from about 20+ years ago (Butch and Searling excluded, really count. So; Searling Curtis Poke Why because? they knew which way was up, they knew what a soul record sounded like and they knew you didn't have to play pop (Poke's Joan Moody cover up aside). There were many other exceptional dj's over the years, but they were my favourites. Can't say as I have heard a 'northern' dj in 20 years that I would have paid in washers. Obviously a personal point of view, and one that I don't expect everyone to agree with. best, RB.

I used to be tee total & celibate- I'm not now. So what? best, RB.

Was it to promote the LP on Lost Nite? Which I think is a 'live' LP - I have it somewhere and I am sure the version of 'Can't do without you' is definitely a live recording. Top tune whatever the story is. best, RB.

Heard Robert Thomas 'out' for the first time at Cleethorpes in '75 and the dj clearly announced that "Levine is desperate to get hold of this one!" to which my mate heckled "he can have mine for a tenner!". Then he remembered he had bought two soul packs, both of which had a copy of RT in, and he had already given me his spare...something he reminded me of just last week oddly enough. He was more irritated by the fact he also gave me a Four Voices from the same soul packs. That's when soul packs were soul packs! best, RB ps always loved Pic & Bill "Talk about love" too.

I was always under the impression that the ones with the yellow label and green print were the originals - Pic & Bill "Talk about love is yellow green also, for instance. The white labels with different colour printing all turned up at the same time and were sold everywhere that sold 'northern'. Along with Edie Robin' "There must be a love somewhere". I always figured Major Bill had been persuaded to reress a bunch of them. My Men from Macon & Cresa Watson were straight off a dj and were still covered along with a Phyllis Brown on LeCam (also seemingly put out again at the same time as the rest). The Robert Thomas version turned up in quantity in Record Corner soul packs just prior to it being played out. All that said, I have never noticed the '6 feet under' part of the credit before - Robert Thomas & the Men from Macon (covered as the Insights) take the honours for me. best, RB.

Wasn't there a Flo Ballard track on ABC with a title something like that - not that I am suggesting she was really HB Barnum or anything! best, RB.

Wasn't the Outriders one of the Godin's recomendations? best, RB

Sadly I only have the Expansion re issue - which doesn't have "All my lovin'" on. Sorry, just needed to share my disappointment with someone.... best, RB.

Though I prefer the Jackson Sisters, the Marc Capani isn't at all bad, I thinks its got something going for it at any rate. I think it is the passing of time and your 'taste buds' maturing or something. I would like to hear his version of "A day in the blu" though as I am rather fond of the Jackson Sisters version, so if anyone can post it in refo or point the way to a youtube it would be appreciated. Best, RB