Russ Vickers

There still some venues & DJ's doin the right thing...I will continue to support these oasis's of Rare Soul as much as I can...that is what is truly Keepin the Faith..... Russ

Colin Curtis was a NS legend, his current Modern Soul sets I believe are still hugely inspirational. I think by doing the nostalgia circuit playing from CD the man is doing himself a massive injustice, I just dont understand why anyone would feel the need to do this, add to this the way it is defended & justified by others then Im just mystified. I would also add that I am not angry, just disappointed & frustrated....Im at a loss as to how anyone can defend some of the current practices, not only that, but it seems to be generally exceptable....if you question this, you become the brunt of all kinds of stuff, when essentially your right....whats happened to make this not only exceptable, but almost the norm, were the divs are running the show, re writing history & watering down the essence of Rare Soul. Russ

In response to a post on another thread, I wrote this reply: Some people are just sh*t scared to tell the truth.....originaal format or dont bother to DJ, I dont care who the f*ck is DJing. Everything that I ever held dear about this wonderful scene is being eroded, not only that, when you state the obvious you'll beaten into submission by an endless stream of folk defending why apparently its now fine, for some to commit herasy because theyre considered royalty. You can come on SS/FB/ & any type of media social network you can name & defend this practice until you are blue in the face....you are all fakes who have forgotten what this is all about. I dont really give a f*ck, I would rather stick pins in my own eyes than pandy to this watered down, sad imitation of an excuse for a rare soul scene....now some will be, calm down, whats the problem, we've done this before blah, blah, blah....but I for one will not let the 'divs' n fakers get away withit......nothing anyone can say or do will make this right within the context of the rare soul scene & I refuse to give in or shut up about it, its what they want..... Dont give up the dream & do not except anything other than the real deal....we may now be in the minority, but we are in the right & we have right on our side.....even tho on other forums you'll get the snide comments & the ones that will s*ck any old DJ's c*ck just cos they heard em play a great set 35 years ago in some god forsaken Northern town or city....if you aint got the gear dont except the gig......not only that avoid the places that except this fakery, you dont have to except it & you are right not to except....dont be brow beaten into thinking this is right, stand up & demand your right to be given the original format not a cheap immitation.... Roger Williams in reply wrote 'Drama Queen' Now altho we havnt seen each other for some years, I class Roger as a friend. I know Rogers feelings on such things & I respect them, however Roger writes from the perspective of a Modern Soul fan looking in on the NS Scene, my comments were aimed directly at the Northern scene & have very little do with the Modern scene. I stick by my guns & would add that if you pop over to EMS you may think that the same comment 'Drama Queen' could be applied when he who cannot be named (2) along with others in a left field way, make comment on the previous thread on this subject....its obvious that regardless of what is said on SS it hit a nerve, cos said person obviously feels he should comment, albeit in a round about way. Its a pity that the legend couldnt respond in person on SS. Please feel free to lock this thread now I have replied. Many thanks Russ

Some people are just sh*t scared to tell the truth.....originaal format or dont bother to DJ, I dont care who the f*ck is DJing. Everything that I ever held dear about this wonderful scene is being eroded, not only that, when you state the obvious you'll beaten into submission by an endless stream of folk defending why apparently its now fine, for some to commit herasy because theyre considered royalty. You can come on SS/FB/ & any type of media social network you can name & defend this practice until you are blue in the face....you are all fakes who have forgotten what this is all about. I dont really give a f*ck, I would rather stick pins in my own eyes than pandy to this watered down, sad imitation of an excuse for a rare soul scene....now some will be, calm down, whats the problem, we've done this before blah, blah, blah....but I for one will not let the 'divs' n fakers get away withit......nothing anyone can say or do will make this right within the context of the rare soul scene & I refuse to give in or shut up about it, its what they want..... Dont give up the dream & do not except anything other than the real deal....we may now be in the minority, but we are in the right & we have right on our side.....even tho on other forums you'll get the snide comments & the ones that will s*ck any old DJ's c*ck just cos they heard em play a great set 35 years ago in some god forsaken Northern town or city....if you aint got the gear dont except the gig......not only that avoid the places that except this fakery, you dont have to except it & you are right not to except....dont be brow beaten into thinking this is right, stand up & demand your right to be given the original format not a cheap immitation.... Russ

Whilst Rich Chorley & myself will only be running the Deep South Soul Party's a few times a year, mainly due to my infrequent forays back to the UK, you can count on us 100% to do our damndest not to clash with anyone, Well, done Alfie for speaking sense, but dont hold your breath mate.... Good luck my friend Russ

Yep, thats pretty much got me to a tee......junkie for life, meaning addicted to making the most of it, if it aint worth doin well, dont bother... Russ

Sex, Drugs n Northern Soul....your a long time gone, use it before you lose it...... Best Russ

Original ethos = a passion for discovering, hearing & dancing to new/newly discovered soul Music.....remember when this was the scene, not a far distant memory.... Best Russ

I like reading them, but from a promotional point of view it doesnt matter....altho I read some where recently that a venue was ill attended because the playlists scared the punters away cos they didnt know any of them...to me, thats the point & I would be more inclined to attend if I didnt know what was being played.....its a sad state of affairs, but unfortunately on the whole most punters want to be spoon fed the same records, preferably on thier doorstep, its soooo sad, a once vibrant & exciting scene based on newly discovered records has come to this....& now some newly appointed NS expert will tell me i'm talking bollox, not only that, they will brow beat you continuously until you think f*ck it, why bother....every thing we held dear is now used as a weapon or a form of abuse against the few left that actually care about the original ethos.....so playlists, nice to read, but thats about it..... Russ

That is fantastic news Andy...thank you for your continued hard work & pse pass our regards to the wonderful Ms Scott....look forward immensly to the full interview. Many thanks mate Russ

Now this is sold - you do realise its a boot doncha. Russ

Not at all Tony, have posted in a few places to get a better over view of the current price. Best Russ

Why what Tony, not sure what your saying mate ? Russ

As ever Gareth, the voice of reason... Russ

I have it Steve - was just interested. Hope you are well mate. Best Russ

Is this a realistic price ?. Thx for posting BTW. Russ

What was the condition Tony & was that $ or £ mate ??? Russ

Charlene & the Soul Serenaders: How much would you say a Mint, unplayed issue on VOLT in company sleeve is worth ? Heres both sides, the bottom clip is of course the double sided Demo, the issue has both sides. Also came out on Paradox, but need the valuation for the VOLT issue. Best Russ

1,896.51 GBP.....I would have bloody had this, but cash flow probs right now, top tune, top condition too by the sound of it ,Russ

A Mr M's Classic stomper...... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWoQ_pZtXCY

Not keen on this at all myself, but it was played !

And this ?

How about this ?

A genuine question here, would something like Vicky Sue Robinson get played at an oldies Nighter these days & if so how well is it received ? Just interested. Best Russ

I'm sure there are people out there that didnt attend Nighters in the 7ts & in particular WC, that are confused by the huge diversity of music that was played, I think that people who didnt attend sometimes have a pre conceived idea of the playlists, fact is only a tiny fraction of what was actually played is ever heard out these days, some with good reason, others should get a new lease of life IMO. I owe a lot to this period of time for my massively eclectic tastes in Soul Music. Best Russ