BrianB

Dave, Any chance of posting the answers to the Funk Bros competition. I am stuck on 6 of 'em. Brian

Is there enough room on the server for PaulB's reply to this thread. There certainly is some crap out there, but look at the good work Ady puts in, and some of the Goldmine lable and venue compilations have been well put together. Overall I'd estimate 30% fine to good, 70% crap. Even the Motown ones have some inexplicable choices on them.

Stevie Wonder "I Hear a Symphony" is just sheer emotion. On Motown Sings Motown CD. This was played at our 25th wedding anniversary do, and will be played at my funeral. What a record!! Ask the Lonely not far behind. Played this in the car the other day and the goosebumps on my arm nearly had my eye out.

Jess and James and the JJ Gang with Move. Had it on English yellow MGM(?) Can someone post it up?

Quitter Never Wins

Imagine having the only known copy of This Old Heart of Mine by the Isley's. Manship played it at his 40th and the place went wild.

Thinking back to 71/72, our scene evolved from the mods, through the wheel, and smart dress was the norm. Levi Staprest pants, black button down shirt or Ben Sherman, brogues, black blazer, red or black socks, crombie, etc. The Mecca kept the standard high, but Wigan, for personal comforts sake, did start to drag it down a bit. Now, I agree that anything goes but still look at the shoes. I wear Loakes, which are imitation "Royals" but a classic shoe, but my son wears trainers. I have noticed a trend of suits amongst the lads, which I personally think looks great. Yes we were distinguishable by our clothes, but not as much nowadays. We are a cut above musically, I feel we should get our identity back!

Geoff, I am sure that everyone on the Forum sends their condolences to you and your family at this sad time. Our thoughts are with you. Brian

Massive at Wigan 1973 to 74

Underplayed gem What a record!

Brian, Check the site out again in a couple of weeks. Some good stuff going up, I Hope! Spoke to Kev a couple of weeks ago. He's doing the Oz National with Bev. Was gonna go but business caught up with me. Off to Vegas in a couple of weeks to meet Fergie. Regards, Dave www.hitsvillesoulclub.com link

Thank you for your contribution. However, I think it is fair to say you missed my point on the forum. Half the replies are yours! London, we are thinking of you.

Never seen anyone defend their opinion on a forum as much as this. Make your point and throw it open. Don't try to overcome every one elses's opinions. It is a forum not the "I'll Defend JB Until the Day I Die" platform. Musically, not my cup of tea. Morally, not my cup of tea. Has a lack of dignity and is unethical, but that's life, particularly for a black singer in the early/mid seventies in the US with all the associated difficulties. Remember what Edwin said. "Everybody has to do what they have to do to get by" JB has got by. Let people have their say.

Blackpool Mecca downstairs (!) July 1970 You Gotta Pay the Price Al Kent and Nobody But Me Human Beinz, played by a woman DJ.

Further to my last note, there are some incredible tracks available on LP only. What a CD compilation that would make.

Got to agree. Not a bum track, superb harmonies and the cream of Detroit/New York writers, producers, arrangers and musicians. Someone wrote to my previous note ref. this LP that they thought the vocals were poor!!! In reply to that just listen to I'll be Right There. Up there with the very best the Temps could offer, and I'm a major Temps/6ts stuff fan.

Ian Levine may have sullied his reputation over the last few years. SWONS was well intentioned but turned out to be a big mistake. However, don't forget his massive contribution to NS. He discovered some of the biggest records ever, prior to his attempts to turn the Mecca in Studio 55. I know you can't live on past reputations, and Ian would be the first to admit that he is not the most likeable chappie, but I was at loads of venues in 1971 and he was at most of them as a fan and collector, and I know he still really loves the music. He made his choice though, tried to make money out of NS and we all know that is almost a cardinal sin. Be interesting to see what he plays, newies, 80s, 90s oldies or jazz funk type stuff.

Tony Jebb. Top DJ who spread the word in the very early 70s

Did anyone spot that BBC4 was showing Standing in the Shadows of Motown at the same time as Soul Deep?

Epitome of Sound -You Don't Love Me - Moses Smith Checkerboard Squares - Strings a Go Go-Bob Wilson Sounds Is All Turned On on CD?

Good topic Paul. The scene needs new blood to survive, fact. I'm impressed by the thirst for knowledge of the "youngsters". We used to go for weeks trying to find out the title of a record, the label, how much, is it bootlegged, but the point is we did it weekly, and records were discovered and introduced weekly. You and your mates are coming into an established scene that has circa 30k plus records available. It must be mind blowing. Tell your mates to ask if they are unsure of etiquette, rules, records, titles etc. The scene has always been the friendliest and most people would be pleased to be asked for their advice from a young 'un.

I agree that the Temptations in the Ruffin/Kendricks era were almost unbeatable, but from a Northern point, I'm going for the Hesitations. Awesome.

Now then son. What happened to you looking like someone who is revising for his finals?!!!!!

The aliens have landed, you've been taken to his leader, and he says, "What is Northern Soul"? Which one disc would you play that IYO best decribes Northern Soul? Tough I know. I'd play You Don't Love Me by the Epitome of Sound, not my fave by a long way, but it just sums Northern up for me.