Tim Richmond

Here we are in our Motorhome on a campsite on Lake Iseo in Italy in earshot of the bar/restaurant, ‘easy going’ music, not intrusive, nothing of interest to us. I’m not really listening, but I hear something that I am familier with, I know the chorus ‘ your'e so sweet, so fine’ , but can’t immediately get it. Then it comes to me- Papa Bear and The Cubs/You’re So Fine. Bloody hell! Amazing when you hear something in a strange place, it sometimes takes a while to recognise it. Obviously a professionally produced tape they have bought to play in the bar. Who the hell puts these together? No Italian release, so obscure in the USA-wow! Tim.

Stunning!!!! Every home should have one! Many thanks to the guys at Soul Direction for all the hard work that must be behind this fabulous collection. Been listening to great Soul music since 1971, the music just keeps on 'giving' when I hear things like this. Tim.

And more......highly unlikely Sandi S 'signed' to Okeh, more likely the record was a Van Mc Coy 'project' licensed to Okeh to leverage their distribution. Okeh licensed lots of stuff from other 'Cities' the Larry Williams produced NS monsters cut in LA spring to mind.

Poor article, no mention of Van Mc Coy, I understand he and M/S Spotswood were 'an item' ! Surely YGMMLY is one Van Mc Coy's greatest recordings? Also, 'Touch My Heart' on Okeh, now that would be an auction item!!

Irma Thomas, 'In Between Tears', Loleatta Holloway 'Cry To Me' Doris Duke, 'A legend In Her Own Time' Esther Phillips, "From A Whisper To A Scream' Sandra Wright, 'Wounded Woman' and not forgetting the boys- Otis Redding, 'Otis Blue' The Esquires, 'Get Up & Get Away' Leroy Hutson, 'Hutson'

Slightly off topic, Franny O'Brien, still around and promoting events true to the music of The Wheel era. Not aware he DJd at The Wheel, but he is a true original who has remained faithful to the music and fashion of that era.

I read somewhere (can't recall exactly where) that Bob Babbit played bass on 'Please Operator', Paul Mc Cartney was in town and sat in on the session to observe the Detroit bass maestro!

Wow! What a great read, I'm sure we all dream of a 'find' like this, great respect to the guys who accumulated this fabulous collection. Tim

A big play for Levine at The Highland Room, can't really recall hearing it anywhere else, but my memory ain't what it used to be!

Most of my top double headers have already been posted, but what about Linda Jones on Neptune, That's When I'll Stop Loving You/I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow? Pure George Kerr magic, you can buy it for a tenner. Proper SOUL music!

Stop Her On Sight No equal as far as I am concerned ! Tim

My one and only visit to Va Va's, a rumble on the dance floor with local drunken idiots, after it calmed down, a bloke pulled a knife on me in the gents toilet,I don't recall us staying all night! Tim.

There were T shirt sellers at Blackpool last weekend, saw some peeps wearing then on the Saturday night, obviously purchased the day before- oh dear! Tim

First time I went it was Tony Jebb & Keith Minshull, blew me away, I had joined the 'big boys club'. ! Tim

I think I recall visiting a club on Central drive in Blackpool, up two escalators if I remember correctly, two superb ground breaking chaps spinning tunes, puzzled that there is no mention of this venue, OK, it wasn't an all nighter, but as I seem too recall it was quite influential. Tim (in a cynical mood)

Back to Lester Tipton. Stuart Cosgrove's excellent "Detroit 67, The Year That Changed Soul", has a chapter dedicated to the Detroit riots in July of that year. The legendary Fox Theatre was in full swing with a show headlined by Martha Reeves when the order to evacuate the theatre was given.Waiting to take stage (next?) was Lester Tipton, and JJ Barnes. In the dressing room, awaiting the call were The Parliaments, Deon Jackson & The Dramatics. What a show that could have been!

Seaside Soul at The Floral Hall,Hornsea, you can park up in the car park, need to let 'em have your registration number to avoid being caught by CCTV/ANPR etc.

Some great albums- I'd add, Esther Phillips first 4 on Kudu Esther, Good Black Is Hard To Crack Irma Thomas, In Between Tears Otis Redding, Otis Blue Sam Dees, The Show Must Go On Doris Duke, A legend In Her Own Time Loleata Holloway, Cry To Me Bobby Bland, The California Album Esquires, Get Up & Get Away Aretha, Almighty Fire LeRoy Hutson, Hutson Curtis Mayfield, Curtis Frankie Beverley & Maze, Maze Gil Scott Heron, Pieces Of A Man Jackie Wilson, Higher & Higher Tommie Young, Do You Still Feel The Same Way Jimmy Lewis, Totally Involved Laura Lee, The Two Sides Of Avoiding compilations, but what about, JJ Barnes/Steve Mancha, Rare Stamps So much stunning soul music out there!!!

This'll make you smile. I was bidding on Bay earlier in the year, UK seller. I noticed that VAT was added to my bid. Evil Bay showed me as being in the US, I live in West Yorkshire! I messaged the seller, who confirmed that he was UK based (Newport, Isle of Wight) and was a regular seller, never had any VAT issues. We agreed to cancel my bid and re bid via my wife's Evil Bay account. Won the record, no mention of VAT. Took this up with an idiot at EB who told me that the Channel Islands were not classed as UK, hence VAT was payable. I told him that Newport, Isle of Wight, although not connected to the British mainland, was a part of the UK and defo not one of the Channel Islands, he wasn't having it, so I swore at him and hung up. You really couldn't make it up!!

Mine arrived yesterday.Usual George Kerr quality. What a double header.

I used to own a Soul City black & white demo of The Valantinos - It's All Over Now. I have often wondered if white demos exist of Billy Butler, Chris Jackson, Shirley Lawson & the Major. Anyone ever seen one?

Steve Jeffries website has a 'licensed' Joseph Webster, 'fully licensed from his owners in the USA, at considerable expense'. So, the rights may be out there to be secured for a CD issue!!

One Minute Every Hour was played last Saturday at the 'Seaside Soul' event in Hornsea. Haven't heard it for what must be 45 years! Enjoyed it. RIP John Miles.

Wow! this is so good, many thanks. Tim.

Coolnotes mentioned Heatwave & Hi Tension, we saw then both on the same night at St Georges Hall in Bradford, what a night, the whole place dancing and going crazy!! Tim.