Steve G

I went to Kops last time i was in Tornonto about 3-4 years ago. It was shockingly poor for rare / northern soul.

A bar-gin. The other side is a bit "suspect" though.....

Mine is yellow - Italian I think. Played it at Plinston years ago, completely bombed. Went into the garage after that

Ken I do not think Rita Lee is a boot, think Major Bill Whatshisface or whoever owned the label just kept pressing his stuff up.

Hi Carms, in my third year on the soul scene was still shaping my thoughts, taking it all in and learning. In my 38th year although still learning, I have a pretty god idea of what I like and don't like. I am not a promotor and I do go out sometimes (not just when DJing). I do think the scene has suffered as a result of far too many competing events and weekenders in particular. It's lost a lot of it's excitement, and fragmented.....and far from being a grumpy old man, I'd like it to be more exciting than it actually is today. For that to happen I'd like to see a lot fewer venues and a flight to quality. Smaller venues too which are a bit more atmospheric, and exciting records played. Fat chance of any of that happening then.....

Sweet Geraldine - would that fit ?

Hi, You obviously missed the letters page in Blackbeat then Then it was more 60s versus 70s but newies versus oldies also featured quite often.

I think there's room for 92 of these homes......Franchise deal anyone?

OK time to fess up. You are right. We hadn't planned to go public just yet, but as you've let the cat out of the bag...... Northern Soul is indeed "A way of life" and plans are well advanced for a soul care home for ageing soulfans, where likeminded soulfans can live their remaining years in secure accomodation, and in peace with all their life needs catered for. The 'luxury' accomodation will comprise a series of specially designed chalets (based on a design pioneered by Sir Billy Butlin) so that our residents can re-live fond memories of old weekenders past. These chalets will be asbestos lined so that they are cold and damp, and so that you can hear what's going on in the chalet next door - 24/7! Alternatively for the financially challenged a limited amount of budget accomodation will be available in a series of neatly arranged caravans full of horse brass and chintz. Mentioning 24/7 - we plan to have a special "bar" that will be open all day and night every day* serving watered down beer and spirits and the worst wine you'll ever have tasted (this we guarantee). There will be a daily diet of piped "northern soul" music into the communal accomodation areas and people can either sit and listen (not recommended - it's NS f.f.s), dance or be wheeled around to the music by our sympathetic carers - all hand picked because of their love of soul music - well we asked them on their job apps anyway! There will also be defined 'break out' areas for all specialist needs (oldies, newies, funky, rare, modern, R&B) - details to be finalised - and so there will be absolutely no need to go off site ever again. There will also be a quiet garden** where chinstrokers can go to talk about vinyl, or moan about immigration and the price of petrol. An exciting array of guest DJs will be brought in everyday to entertain the residents - we have already signed an exclusive deal with a well known former Wigan Casino DeeJay who is chomping at the bit to become a resident. We're still working on prices for this exclusive lifestyle choice, and demand is sure to be very high. However we can reveal we are thinking of an exciting payment plan as an alternative to cash by way of handing over your old unwanted vinyl records(3) to us, but that is subject to further agreement. * Excluding Xmas Day, boxing Day, New Years, Easter, Whitsun and any other time we feel like shutting up. ** The garden is subject to planning permission and may eventually end up being a shed. (3) We absolutely reserve the right to reject pressings or old Soul Pack filler trash.

Same dude then.

Actually Ian it's identical to the issues the northern scenes have, except I don't see so much 'backbiting' as you call it (it sounds unpleasant!!). The only difference is there was never really such a Niter scene as there has been with northern. But most people just want to hear the same old boring stuff, a "crossover / 70s Top 500" if you will. The people wanting to hear something new are in a minority there too. Too many weekenders, second string DJs playing last hour anthems from 2 p.m. onwards everyday. Soul music used to be about hearing something new and exciting, now I fear too many just get blotto as soon as they arrive and spend the weekend singing (badly) to Flowers, Beloyd, and Channel 3. Whilst there are pockets left, much of what was the 70s / xover scene has most definately becoming "Ordinary Joe". Maybe a topic for a different thread though.....

Loads indeed. I am staying home

Gavin tells me there are 126 soul weekenders globally next year.....

If you think the northern upfront scene is having it bad, you should see the state of the 70s and crossover scene.

If you are talking about Shake off that dream - yes there are at least three variants of this recording on at least 4 labels - maybe 5 (brain died). The best conclusion that anyone could come to (and I think it came out from the John Richborg interviews on Sound Stage 7) was that Eddie was a journeyman who touted this song round to any label that would have it - 77 being another. Why he recorded it more than once - maybe he was trying to improve on it. I'd have to try and find em all to give you a better answer I'm afraid.

Looks great

....First Sunday of the month 4 p.m. Solar on Sky 0129 + internet. Yesterday's playlist Dennis Lee & Notables "Sunday afternoon" (theme) Broken Melody "What's happening baby" Sundray Tucker if it was me (formerly the artist known as Cindy Scott) Jocelyn Brown "If I can't have your love" (2 Step) ..... A tribute to a hot October day in London Carol Williams "Catch the sun" Leo's Sunship "Give me the sunshine" ..... Harry J Templeton "So happy" A Stroke of Luck "I'm in love with you" ..... Crossover 5 Shirelles "Let's give each other love" (70s) The Soul Injection "Stay off the moon" The Tymes "Find my way" Twenty Dollar Friendship "People say we're in love" (Detroit) Laueda Holloway & Equal Rights Band "Show me" ..... Beloyd "Today all day" Moody Scott "My lovely lady" De'sire "I don't care" Dyna-mite "Fallin' in love again" ..... Group Perspective - this month The Persuaders "Too sweet to be lonely" (D'Or) (as "The Internationals" before they changed their name / evolved) "It's love" (Calla) "Another time another place" (Brunswick) ..... Kim Tolliver "Standing room only" ..... Funky Underground Express "I never found a girl" L C Steels "Losing boy" (local version of Eddie Giles) Lee Fields "My world" (2009) ..... Robert Montgomery "I need you girl" Phillip Mitchell "The world needs more people like you" ..... Recent 45s JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound "To love someone thy don't love you" Paramount 4 "Sorry ain't the word" (Kent) ..... Ronald Jones "My kind of girl" J Jocko "I'm getting over" Caviar "Never stop loving you" C Coulter "Can't fight the feeling" Mebus "Love's journey" Sideshow "Sexy lady"

Larry Clinton falls firmly into the category of "Trophy Record" so there will always be those that want it. meanwhile plenty of good unknowns which are as rare or rarer going cheap / unwanted....It's a funny old game.

John Peel used to buy loads of soul records. Freddie Starr? Didn't he just walk into the casino because he was appearing next door? Not sure I'd call him a fan.

There have been at least 3 maybe 4 up this year on the bay alone (not all on Popsike before anyone comes back). VG- ? Would you like some sizzle with your record sir?

Hi Simon think 10s are quite novel, and I am sure they'll lok cool -only problem with them though is they won't fit in a singles box.

But in answer to your question Len - after 5 pages . No it's not. I think there will continue to be people who are looking for new soul sounds, and people who are looking to go out and hear new sounds as well. Maybe not in an aircraft hanger, and maybe a smaller scene, but as long as we're going, we'll be doing it somewhere.

But Geese there's always been collectors, you couldn't move at the bar at Wigan on many nights. Dancing isn't mandatory for goodness sake, and I say that as a collector who does dance. Post of the day for me. Bang on the money.

The guy that did this is on here. So maybe he can answer some of these points? Steve

Johnny on the Spot ffs? The other side ten times better - rock 'ard Detroit.