Chalky

Wake up call, I don't need one I'm wide awake, I'll need one at 3.30 in the morning though. And I don't need a hobby nor am I bored. Wear what you want, I've said as much too. What has been said and is the opinion of more than just me is that the fashion of the 70's (as bad as it was then and still is) doesn't do much to help get youngsters onto the scene. Like it's been said they and others think it is cringe worthy to dress that way...and at the end of the day getting youngsters onto the scene is part of this discussion, it will help the scene prosper and carry on long after we've gone. Youngsters of today aren't into what was the dress code of some 30 years ago, they want something a bit more hip and they will go elsewhere to find it, not on a backward looking dance scene. But like I said each to their own If you want music like the antellects you'll have to venture to venues a bit more upfront than some of the venues in the Midlands. Maybe you should try somewhere like Lifeline and then you will see it is not all insipid midtempo and crossover. There are venues that are upfront that do cater for the dancers, not just the chinstrokers!!

I have plenty of friends who wear the baggies, their choice and if thats what they like to wear, like I said who am I to complain, they are cringe worthy though, the clothes that is not the mates There aren't that many chasing newies mate, there are only a few who can chase and turn them up, can probably count them on one hand. In fact even the top newies DJ's will be the first to admit that the records are not there to be found anymore. Thats not to say that thye aren't turning up, just not that many and over a longer period of time. But there are decent upfront venues out there, if you travel as far as you say then travel to Lifeline, about an hour and three quarters from Barnsley (where I djed regularly at the Tracky Club btw), or maybe USOS, about the same distance. Give the Wilton a try, just up the road from you. There are venues that do play dancers you don't hear every week. Not all are insipid crossover and mid tempo, I don't even want to hear that at a night out, I want to hear dancers. There are hundreds and hundreds of records the returnee brigade missed out on just waiting to be rediscovered if only they were given the chance.

I sell one for that price and chuck in free post

weasels who? offensive and pathetic, you should read your post. I wouldn't listen to many of the midland s DJ's if they were on the garden, they are boring, nothing to interest me at all, playing the same stuff that we've been listening to for years and years. please name drop the "more to the top 500", lets see just how interesting it is? give me some examples of these rare and fabulous records by Ian and others that keep the Midlands scene interesting, cause it's been far from that when I've attended venues down there. I used to go all over the Midlands at one time when I lived in Chesterfield but as certain promoters and DJ's got a foothold it became really boring, so boring I would sooner stop in than go to a venue 20 minutes away. So please give us some examples, you never know it might convert some of us back to the oldies nights if it's that interesting. I help with one of the chin stroking events you mention but all I see when there is over three hundred soulies packing out the venue enjoying themselves and hardly a baggy pair of trousers or ridiculous circle skirt to be seen. And I didn't see any so called jumped up fool deciding when it will be over for you?

but the venue you attended isn't the future of the scene, its a totally retro look back full of like minded people wanting it to be as it was at Wigan. The venues in the midlands are no better than the venues on the rock and roll scene with everyone living in the past. Nothing wrong with that each to their own and if thats what you enjoy who am I or anyone else to complain, but there is another scene out there, totally different to the backward looking scene that is found in the majority of midlands venues. I love oldies, many will never be bettered and many newies aren't as good but that doesn't mean I want to hear the same records week in week out with DJ's (so called by themselves) Djing for themselves at their own venues and for their mates. Look at the DJ line up at many Midlands venues, there is no one from outside the area, each djing for each other!!!

I neither wish to hear insipid mid tempo/crossoverish records that you can't dance too out at a venue. But there are venues out there that are upfront and play dancers, try Lifeline, the best of the lot and the best nighter in the country IMHO. Plenty of others, soul nights and venues that have more progressive attitudes to the music too. United Sound of Soul where I was last night was great, hardly anything you would hear in the Notts/South Yorkshire areas yet the vast majority (99%) were dancers. I'm sure the same can be said about the 100 Club and Burnley which were also on last night, I haven't even looked at what Soul nights were on last night to comment further.

see you Sunday mate in Hibs hopefully

bags were the fashion of the time, why does everything of times gone by have to be associated with today's scene or to make it stand out. Its the music that makes it stand out and different to any other dance scene, not the clothes we wear. Flares were a terrible fashion back then and are just as bad now but hey, each to their own. I see more out and about who don't wear yesteryears fashion and still dance the night away and have a good time. Many young uns I've seen who you say are into it are just a younger representation of their parents, same dress sense and same taste in music. The young un's who don't really have any attachment to parents at venues, or who's parents who do attend venues have moved with the time don't dress in yesteryears fashions and don't feel the need to. Are they any less into it? They don't look it. And just which upfront venues play town centre disco/funk or are you making sweeping generalisations not based on experience??? Name the venues!

I've heard plenty of youngsters DJ but IMO they have very little to offer that isn't already on offer. In some cases all they jhave is there parents taste which isn't hardly forward thinking. They don't have the knowledge or experience that many older DJ's have to offer so why shun the older generation just to give youngsters a chance. As far as DJing is concerned knowledge and experience should come over youthful exuberance. In any other music field knowledge is god, rarely do you see younger inexperienced DJ's at the top or even on the radio. Anyway who cares how long it will last, enjoy it while you can or for as long as you want. I will . Even if I stopped attending venues I will still have the same passion for the music that I always have had.

that's where the boot came from isn't it, album version cut to 45 and titled Towanda Barnes.

many thanks

been out a few years but now sold out by the publishers/Bob McGrath.

got to agree with that Brett, luckily I managed to get volume 4, can't believe I left it so long to get it though. I need to try and get them hard bound or protected, any ideas anyone????

Can anyone post decent quality refosoul posts of... Billy Sol Time Time on Domar and Richard Moorhead Don't Try To use Me - Aura

I can't see me travelling all over to venues in 10 years let alone 20. Knackered now with trying to fit home life, work and soul into one week. Don't think there are nowhere near enough young un's to carry on the scene, certainly not nationwide, maybe the odd local night or so. Kids in general aren't interested in vinyl, most weren't even born when cd's were introduced. They all live in a digital age and Northern Soul isn't in the digital world...maybe at home to a certain extent but not in the venues.

he hasn't any of volume four left that I can confirm!!

I think it's an acetate that was sold few years ago by someone in the midlands area, Mick Holdsworth????

your only chance is either someone who stocked them (not that many a far as I know) or someone who is willing to sell your their copies. Have you tried ebay etc?

is that first time anywhere?

what is the "relative" unknown? As you've won sure you can spill the beans

Larry Hammond Sad Sad Day (Sidras Theme), Larry Hammond - Whenever I'm Without You (backing to Happiness Is Here), the alt of Elijah Rocking With Soul. What are/is the other one Dave? Apart from 6x6. It was about ten years ago Dave, I remember Dave sent me an e-mail telling the full story but over the years it got lost somewhere. Maybe someone should get the full story from him once again.

there is also an instrumental version with some male harmony in the background and an acappella version of the Prophets - One Gold Piece.....magic stuff. To say the label is shite is a bit of an overstatement, true there are some average tracks on it but there are also some of the best northern recorded as well IMHO. JD Bryant is in my all time top ten, Ray Pollard, Sidney Hall, Cautions etc top drawer!!!

four andantes is usually vg+ at best when they do turn up. not seen many minters.

Brain's waking up...one of the Larry Hammond tracks uses the Happiness Is Here backing called Whenever I'm With You.

yep thats the one Mike, just trying to remember name of track and artist....