Dave2

Wonderful. To me, this is a bit of soul archive. Wigan Casino probably not yet open - no mention of the list. 'Decimalisation' 2 years previous, package and posting 5 pence...! There's a Richard Selwood thread on here circa 2007 re:Jerry Williams - If You Ask Me. Could the Jerry Williams "Stu-pendous" reference a mate/ dj called Stuart/ Stewart? Who's he then? Maybe not - just the way it's typed it on the list. Seems Cheltenham & Gloucester was a pioneering area of Northern Soul for the midlands. And this list proves it!

mate, I think it's "Before you pack that bag..." and, "Strong I might be..." but I'll be singing your's/ Glynn's variations every time I hear it from now on!

That was when we were young and hungry... Now we're just old, hungry and knackered.

Thanks for posting the clips. Quite interesting! Footwork jive, but the upper body (inward/ outward turns) reminds me of East Coast swing (which is a Country & Western dance). You need a certain degree of dancefloor etiquette for partner dancing, and it shows. These folks are lovin' it. Popcorn backdrop @ 8:43 ! atb Dave

Probably already happened. Half a dozen Northern uk soulies (on a long weekend in Brussels), just about to turn in for the night.... suddenly 'hear' mid-tempo Motown, coming from a basement of a nearby club. They investigate further... !

Absolutely. Brilliant intro. Sublime mix of strings and horns throughout.

Cheers for that. Found the majority on YouTube, but not all. I imagine Valerie and Nick - It Aint Like That (Glover) are Ashford & Simpson. These tunes have a similar chararcteristic, unfortunately it's a beat that I can't dance to

I wouldn't think its a totally 'different type of dancing' - just slowed somewhat to the record tempo/ feel, because people still 'spin' to mid-tempo soul. (But not the usual 'balls out' aeroplane spins associated with Northern records.) I've always thought Popcorn to be lighter, poppier RnB/ 60's dance music associated with main Europe Mods. Does anyone know if Belgian popcorn has a typical and distinct sound, and if so, what songs would make a 'Belgian Popcorn' favourite top ten? Or is it simply a term defining popular Belgium soul music?

Do you think he'll slip in some obscure freestyle jazz?

Always good to know how life is with our Soul brethren mainland Europe. Never been to Aachen though, sounds good. Nice one!

Bang on! If I don't feel it, I aint dancing! If something 'feels strange' mid-song, i'll stop dancing and get off the floor. (usually me sock suspenders riding a bit too high...)

Very wise quotes from Andy J. Reminds me when i was a kid, local youth club disco, waiting for the first time (right time) to give it a go. There is no right time. The other 'fantastic dancers' you see may look good, but the're just doing their own thing too. No-one cares if you look a fool. You can't define what a fool is on the floor (viz someone with drink in their hand/ or pissed). It's not about competition (unless you are in a competition), so just go for it! The more you wait, the more you're missing dancing to your favourite sounds sista! Consider dancing when there are lots of people on the floor - and you wont feel so exposed. atb Dave

'So high... you can't get over 'em...' lol!

Book 'em Frank, for the next Motte Allnighter. KTF.

Martha Reeves & Vandellas - Jimmy Mack Frankie Vallie - You're Ready now Diana Ross & Supremes - Baby Love Chairmen of the Board - Give me Just A Little More Time Tempations - Get Ready Footsie, was also played. I remember the car horns bit and thinking WTF!

No info on the band, but have always identified the Jubilee 'Dig The Way I Feel' groove with Cecil’s late 80's material. There’s no doubting the talent of the late Mary Wells; considering Motown’s 'My Guy' and 'Can't You See You're Losing Me' (Atco), and, amidst all the music business sh*ite she had to endure at the time. Add Cecil to the equation and the Jubilee A-sides are well crafted with lighter melodies, different direction and added variety. Cecil comes in 3 seconds before the run out on 'Dig The Way I feel' reminding me of late 80’s album ‘Conscious’ a funk/ electro flavour of Soul of it's time. ('Teardrops' single going massive in Europe of course). The flip to ‘Dig the Way I Feel’ is pretty dire though. Incidentally, a track I’ve enjoyed on the floor this year is a Womack brothers beauty! - The Valentinos ‘Sweeter Than The Day Before' (Chess). A totally 'uplifting' light-hearted dancer penned by Mary & Cecil. Could this have been their own love song before they married?

Cool. Thats what its all about! Getting out to different venues and once in a while, you hit and feel that special 'vibe'. It sometimes takes the effort to travel to new places to find it. But its worth it. All the best, Dave

No doubt you're right Bob!

Always loved 'Ball of Fire'. Vocals have it all. Soft mellow sweetness, turning to powerful siren in an instant. RIP Marva

'Rovers Returns to Soul!' (Circa 1960’s Alldayer. The North...) As Albert Tatlock drops ‘Kings of Soul’ (Betty Turpin’s fave!), the Rovers erupts to the sounds of sublime XO and frenzied chin stroking... All the best for the holiday season...

There's a few choices for S conicals (S for spherical tip) for the Ortofon concorde: DJ (Blue plastic, orange "DJ" written on the top, bit tacky looking) NIGHT CLUB (Bright Yellow plastic) PRO (Silver with a red spot on the top) PRO S (Black with red spot on top) S seem more robust than the Es. But they all sound good and do the job. There are others: Scratch (Pink), and Digitrack (orange plastic, Qbert (white); havent used these - I imagine for specific use, and no doubt, others. You can get S or E stylus for DJs and yellow Night Clubs. Basically, suck it and see what sounds good for you. I started on DJs, the Pros are the cheapest, Night Club the dearest. When you get an S, you can compare it to your nightclub E. i.e. a battered soul 45 can actually could sound better with an S, because it's limited contact in the groove may miss undesirable noise that an E will detect. However... sometimes using an E is better with a worn record as the S may struggle to pick up mids and those desirable highs! I've played in pubs and found myself slipping on a white Arkiv E, just to milk as much high end from a battered Al Green 45 (on London) as physically possible...

Aalon Butler & The New Breed - It's Gotta Be Something (PKC)

There's a time in your life when you step onto a dance floor for the first time. You're nervous, slightly unsure of yourself, trying to find your feet. Take a 'Look at Me Now' was that classic that always calmed me down, and made everything in the world feel ok. What a track, what a voice. RIP Terry. Thanks man. Dave

Gotta be true the ballast inadvertantly got mixed together during rough sea voyages That's where 'water damage on label' comes from

In some small towns & cities are 2nd hand shops called 'Cash Exchange' & 'Cash Converters'. They generally sell DJ kit, and its worth looking. Be prepared to fork out for a new cartridge & stylus on top though - these are generally missng, and bulbs are not working anymore etc (a good haggling point!). Take someone with you who knows about 1210s/ decks:- the arm has to function correctly/ check the pitch and platter isnt completely shot. Its already been said, 1210s are generally bomb proof. But its worth looking in these sort of shops as an alternative to ebay if on a shoe string budget. As for vinyl, it will come later! Hopefully your dad has some good classics to raid! And there is nothing like planning your own dream set(which varies as you hear more and widen your experience!) All the best.