Chris Turnbull

Absolutely - someone should ask him again. I think his new book is just the Liverpool music scene (Eric's, etc)

Sorry yes - we didn't discuss figures but that was what he meant

I meant the 100+ that no-one has seen - only Francesco currently has access to them

This is one of a whole load of 'last night' 19/9/81 photos taken by Liverpool-based photographer Francesco Mellina which were shown at a do at the Wigan Arcade a few years ago but never published. Quite a few were on a BBC Lancashire website for ages (i.e. the one with Pat Brady, Gary Rushbrooke and RW on the stage, RW with his Wigan bowling shirt, etc) but it now seems to have disappeared. I emailed Franceso about them a few years ago and he said he has a couple of hundred which have never seen the light of day. He asked if I was interested in publishing them but of course on my own I wouldn't be able to raise the funds. Definitely a project there for someone though, or some kind of collective effort - would be great to see them all. He is on Facebook if anyone wants to contact him.

Attached Blackbeat article from issue 18 1983 with ML interview at Stoke, the night after Hinckley Wish I had been there! Cheers, Chris. Major Lance '82.pdf

Thanks Pete - some others do seem better quality when you look at reviews

Pete, also why wouldn't you use a portable such as this? Looks decent enough quality?

Thanks Pete - yes USB output so designed to do that - what would you recommend?

Thinking of buying one of these to transfer vinyl to ipod Can anyone tell me (forgive my technical inexpertise):- 1) The procedure for transferring vinyl to ipod in this way Have done it previously by burning vinyl to recordable audio CD then loading onto itunes - does this method bypass itunes? Is it relatively straight forward? 2) What loss of sound quality / how can you maximise sound quality Burning vinyl to audio CD as above then onto itunes / ipod results in a noticeable reduction in volume 3) Would you risk your rare vinyl on the Handytrax? Another post said the new Soundburgers had a poor quality stylus Advice appreciated Cheers, Chris.

Anyone else remember the Simon Soussan 1973 sales cassette John mentions under the Steinways write up? Interested to know what else was on it Or anyone still have a copy?

Thanks all, really interesting Isn't that block of flats to the left behind the Casino (bottom one of the three photos above) still there? In that case wouldn't the Casino have been further to the left than Debenhams?

Thanks for the tips - not sure which murals you mean - I saw the big black and white photos on one side and the records on the other So where in relation to what is there now would the front of the Casino have been? The back of Debenhams and the lower entrance to the car park?

Indeed

I did miss it, you are right - funny, I was a bit disappointed there wasn't more to do with the Casino, but of course now it's just a generic shopping centre so why would it

Interesting couple of hours today - had to go up to Preston for work so decided to call in at Wigan on the way back to see how it has changed with the new shopping centre, etc. Too young to have gone to Wigan but made a pilgrimage mid-1990's when the Casino site was still completely flat and you could walk up the back and stand looking over what would have been the dancefloor, as per an old RW TV feature. At that time you could look along Station Road to the right with the cinema, and it was essentially as it would have been back in the day, minus of course the most important part. However now Station Road appears to have completely gone, and the whole site is virtually unrecognisable. Am I right in thinking the front of the Casino was where the back end of Debenhams is now, directly opposite the blocks of flats? Inside the shopping centre of course you could be anywhere, other than the Casino Cafe which has some memorabilia, record mural, etc. Interestingly a big photo on the wall of the 'Major Lance with crowd' shot which David Nowell's book says was Wigan Tiffanys, not the Casino. NB. imagine living in those flats back then - can't imagine what the residents must have thought, though lucky for some I guess - a short walk home

Great photo

Thanks but it wasn't anyone that well known - more a dance type 12"

Who was it a big tune for back in the day - Searling? Presumably c. 1978 as the Destiny reissue is from 1979

No, again much more modern i.e. with a drum machine type backing and just instrumental I seem to recall All the other versions are essentially the same laid back kinda vibe but this was more punchy

Thanks Baz but neither of those - going to have to go up in the loft and dig out old Manifestos to find Sam's reviews as I'm sure it got a mention in there Again much more 'modern' sounding than either of these, though of course Buddy Miles is a fairly recent recording Faster paced and more dance oriented

Hi Andy, thanks but not that one - meant to include it in the 'no' list As above it was much more modern, definitely a 12" and probably late 80's / early 90's by the sound of it. Also fully instrumental if my memory serves me right - just a blaring sax solo