Steve G

I don't wish to rain on the parade of those beach folks "shagging away" on another thread, and I do accept the beach scene has kept some old soul singers careers going way past when it would have otherwise time expired, but (deep breath) at the risk of being controversial most (note: most not all) of this beach stuff sounds incredibly commercial / poppy to me. If answering don't provide a list of good beach records or refosouls - as I probably have them, but am more interested to know am I now a lone voice in the wilderness in thinking this way?

My copy says "Featuring Tommy Brown" on it - as for "which" Tommy Brown, I can't help with that I'm afraid.

Ha ha a friend of mine was also asked about being an extra in this film. She turned it down because she felt she was too old. I told her she could play Hilda Woods on the door then and she thumped me! Anyway good luck with the film.

Don't think this is right Bob. Tommy Brown was lead singer on the Magic Touch 45. You know I couldn't stand lurking around anymore when the MT label got a mention......Steve

Yes plenty, as you were going post 76, you would have heard them?

Quite big at The Castle iN tunbridge Wells actually Simon. I kid thee not.

About 1980 Simon. Check your old Blackbeats

Must admit I always thought she was either a session singer or a "psuedonym" / moonlighter. Nothing in any of the Chess story writings about her? Always been a cracking good record.

Prsumably booted under the alternative name because they were worried about being found out I guess and sued by Frankie Valli Ltd? Thanks for the clarification on the Fantastics / Velours Ian - I knew there was a connection wasn't sure what it was - someone told me the Velours became the Fantastics, buit I knew that was not right.

Hmmm...Paul Parfitt....John Miles etc etc

Yeah WC did become very odd from 77 onwards - some excellent rare soul, and some awful stuff - two extremes. Some would say it was always that way but now looking on the outside back in - it does seem it got more extreme from 77. Not sure what Dustbin Stanley was playing at towards the end - but he certainly played some stonkers. And in response to the comment that no one stopped going because of the pop - us lot from Kent stopped going exactly for that reason - well documented in old Blackbeats at the time. We preferred the 6Ts thing of Randy and Ady to travelling 200 miles to hear Muriel Day and "Love hustle" five times a night. Now feel that WC is like an old corse that keeps getting dug up every five minutes, looked at, then reburied.

Agree with your principle but Johnny Dilbert with his box of bootlegs make just as many appearances at non charity events from what I can see. At 3 Greyhounds, and Soulgate apart from the odd "carver" it was 99%+ original vinyl - no boots at all as far as I could tell - and I do keep an eye on these things being an honoury member of the "soul police". As for Chrissie's event I expect the same looking at the line up - nothing offensive likely to be on the decks..........unless Chrissie plays her copy of Holly St James or Liz Verdi of course

Get yer tin hat on. Haven't seen that many, but if you don't like them don't go. The scene is getting older. As we get older priorities change and I think more people are happy to put something back in which will benefit charities that are either helping the less fortunate or researching illnesses and cures. Everyday when I go through Liverpool St there's someone shaking a tin at me for some just cause. Every week someone at work is doing something for charity - it's the way it is these days. There remains no shortage of good causes to support. I choose which ones I sponsor, or put money in the tin for. I wouldn't really have a beef if every event in soul land was a charity one - you pays your money and takes your choice. Having been mentioned by name I will reply to the comment about charity soul do's. I have appeared at three events that include a charity element this year - 3 Greyhounds which was a charity all dayer, Soulgate (as Toby says not a charity event per se more a celebration of Randy but with a charity element), and Chrissie's (again a birthday bash but with a charity element). I am quite happy with this and do not think it is overkill. If I think that way as a DJ, why would the paying public have a problem with giving something to charity? Or are you really a big promotor in disguise?

"Go and post up a request on Soul Source I am sure one of those people will know a suitable venue" Goodness I'm a cynic.

Too true - Kelly Garrett - black and as poppy as they come.

In it's day it was the place to be. But that was 25-30 years ago. I think a lot of the hostility comes about because the scene for many of us has moved on.....but some still hanker back to the days and fashions of Wigan, and musically haven't moved on either. OK it's well known I don't rate russ winstanley and a few others as well, but as Dell says Richard Searling was just awesome there week in week out, and he wasn't alone.

I know I was shocked when he put it on my turntable claiming it to be the first local release. He was shocked when I told him it was a boot.

Yeah we're agreed on that. And as I have said on other threads - the vast majority of people, soul fans and civilians alike don't really appreciate hearing new music. Think I likened it to people at work - grew up liking Quo, still like them. Grew up liking Abba, have their greatest hits CD in their car. Get all wet when a Cliff concert at Twickenham is anounced etc etc. A few trendy dads into one or two of these pop girlies but mainly because their kids like them BUT for the vast majority, music was a part of an era of their life (when they were teenagers), rather than an ongoing interest that they've stuck with. Same is true with the oldies fans on the soul scene - musical stagnation I call it. I just don't understand the mentality that says "I don't want to hear anything new or different ever again".

I agree deffo a different mix. Strings more prominent on RCA as you say and the F&E local release is more beefier sounding. + The vocals. To the untrained ear not paying attention in a club it might not sound that different, but it most definately is. SImon can't tell the difference? That means one of two things 1) bad sound system 2) yer ears need a wash out Steve

Hallelujah and well said Sean. By the way I never understood "Mr M's" either - thought it was for the older guys who couldn't keep up with post "Twisted Wheel" developments on the soul scene and who were quite happy to spend the rest of their lives buzzing round to the "Good time tonight" and "Dust my broom". My moments in there were brief, thankfully. Now I understand it was just another way of getting another 250 through the doors of W*** C****.

Believe he plays it from the beginning when correct play (for the northern scene) is from the first instrumental breakdown. record should be faded out after about 4.30. This and other soul police advice about playing old house records to northern soul punters available at this useful website: www.nsstompertohouseclassic.co.uk

"Seen listed at" - alternative meaning "I can't believe it myself but someone listed it at that price so I might as well try too"

My copy of Benny Sigler on Phil La has "A Fenn" in the run out groove. My copy of Billy Prophet oN Sue has "Steve Snook" in the deadwax I know who A Fenn is ,but S Snook? Who he?

Oooo wow!

John Anderson knows him, and he confirmed it's his son. John told me this when he sold me the Ralph Jackson on the Rajac label.....and I remember saying at the time "oh I got one by Jr Jacksonon the same label"....."Yeah that's his son" came the reply.