Russ Vickers

I think older folk look silly in Spencers etc, but its thier choice. Some of the yougsters look kinda cool. I dont mind NS oldies within context of a Nighter playing some newies aswell. Now & again I enjoy an all oldies Night. I dont like folk who slag off venues that are trying to keep it real every time someone posts something they see as detrimental to thier idea of the scene.. Russ

Yeah, one that plays interesting, exciting soul music for the dancefloor...that includes new discoveries, under played oldies & big rareities, with a splash of Modern.....errrmmmmm remember when the scene embraced this as the norm, instead of looking down thier noses at it...... Russ

Thank f*ck that these folk believe this tripe, that way we can avoid em.... Russ

I wore Spencers & my 'made to measure' Roxy Threads suits with 36" inch bottoms, blazer with badge, buttons to the elbow, ticket pockets every where etc, etc...I thought I was the coolest thing on the planet, we would usually travel to & from in a suit like this & change into ya dancin pants n vest or whatever at the venue.......79 onwards I was in pegs. I loved the fashions, but they are very unflattering on older folk, I still like my clothes & some would probably still be critical of my dress sense, but its more contemporary these days. I would prefer not to see Soulies in 'fancy dress', but to be fair, the places I atttend tend not to dress like this on the whole. The London kids on Youtube look kinda cool tho'. I always like the 'Soul a Billy' look ala Darge n Trickster...... Best Russ

I agree Bob - Steve, did you mix this directly from the decks or use a digital mixing tool like Pro DJ ?. Great Mix & all the better for actually mixing it.....it does make a difference & flows fantastically well, I'm envious.....I really do need to take a master class. Note to self.... Best Russ

Now I have messed about with some substances in my time, but by far the most addictive is vinyl.......& I love the smell of acetate, especially new...ish acetate with that luverly purple sheen....I could sniff it all day....balloney to the smell of new born babies & puppy dogs........smell the acetate !!!. As I work away from home, by the time I get home there is usually a nice pile of boxes for me to open....its as good as Xmas. Russ

Welcome to the dark side lol Russ

That was brilliant Steve, some of the best soul music I have heard for a while...how do you download from Mixcloud anybody ?. Russ

Thing is you have to totally dismiss the original before you can make a solid opinion about this version.......its not about whether its NS/trad Motown, its about whether Marvin would have approved & putting it into a contemporary enviroment, I think he woul have, on the whole approved...keep in mind where he was going with his music......to compare it with the original version is bordering on the ridiculous, but it stands up pretty well in its own right....... Russ

Was this not something to do with 'Ready Steady Go', summat to do with performing rights, there are Redifusion acetates of Motown material too I think ?.....maybe I have dreamt this or confusing two different things, but it might jog someones memory.....hope it helps anyway. Russ

Wasnt there two label variations of the demo ? Russ

AKA August Moon of course. Russ

Sounds very 'Islands' to these ears, deffo has that influence goin on in there...love the girls. Can I be third in the que pse. Russ

'kin rare lol Russ

Nothing about rareity in the original post, so why the problem....post ya set, its about good record innit ? Russ

The Vanguards is an amazing record, that should be a MONSTER......unfortunately it lives in the shadow of GTBT.....a little more subtle granted, but GHL is a beautiful group harmony dancer THAT will eventually have its day.... Russ

A record I would never part with.....TOP TUNE. Russ

I think that you can enjoy both, in fact I wish we could hear the best of both, on one dance floor, one room & mixed by the same DJ.............mmmmm sounds like 'Deep South'.....Dave Thorley was magnificent recently, playing across the decades & genres seamlessly with barely a blip in the dance floor. Enjoy the quest for Soul, but dont let one exclude you from enjoying it all . Best Russ

F*ck me Andy, your never alone at a Nighter.......it takes me 5 mins to get chatting, I wouldnt really care anyway, s'long as the music is good, get ya sen out youth !!! Russ

Nina is a top girl, one of the best people I have had the priviledge to meet on the scene. I would class my other half in a similar vein, was bang on the scene with & without me for years, but when we had a family Jenny made the decision no more nighters until Izak was older, her decision & whilst I wish she would still travel with me, she's happy with her decision & generally very supportive of me whislt I continue to be 'Peter Pan'. Theres an occasional conflict, but generally we muddle by. We forget sometimes, that us lucky ones couldnt do what we do without the support of an understanding spouse or partner, god only knows how the ones that married civilians get on.... Best Russ

You can do both Len, I have for years....pse dont become normal, its not normal....... Russ

Vicki Styles is great, been played for years now, but still under the radar.....theres a great male group vocal with the same backing track, still covered up though so dont want to say too much...... Glad that it was another great night, wish I could have been there........... Best Russ

I get back from Baggers on Thursday night, but I'll still be at Soul in the South Saturday night in B'mouth.....be home on Sunday early, do the family thing, back to Baggers Friday having ticked all my personal boxes....right excited about seeing my family & very excited about SITS too woohoo. Russ

Just enjoy ya self Len & dont over think it...especially after a Nighter ......love to Nina. Best Russ

I think you have probably done more for the scene than I ever have or will do, I'm just passionate about hearing great soul music with like minded folk....I dont think people should feel they have to give excuses, they should do what they want....if the music dont move em any more then fine, its the lame excuses some people give......I'm sure my family dont think they are being deprived because I still go nighters, you work it out & manage your time, its about whether you can be bothered or not really......i am not & have never been on a crusade, its what I enjoy & is just as much a part of me as my family & proffessional life, it just is....when I stop getting excited about getting in the car & travelling to hear great soul music I'll quit, but theres life in the old dog yet & I can still swing a wicked hoof when I'm out...... Russ