Twoshoes

I was lucky in two ways when my marriage ended, a mate at work had gone through a very messy break up where his wife made it very difficult for him to see his daughter until eventually all contact was lost to the point she moved with her daughter to the US. seeing the pain and heartache he went through I swore to myself that if it happened to me I'd do all I was able to do to ensure the children came first. When it happened my kids decided to stay with me, I bent over backwards to ensure my wife saw the kids as much as she wanted, she called virtually every day, she had complete access. Hard as it was and believe me it was hard the kids came first for both of us, after the break up we had few disagreements but not many, after many years we had an amicable divorce without going backwards and forwards through solicitors We have stayed friends to the point myself and Lou went to the ex's wedding to the guy she left me for. we all get on though it did take me years to stop swearing at him as he drove past in the car. Her hubby has been great with the kids,in fact done more for them with their home improvements etc than I ever could. Whether my experience is not the norm or not I don't know but I can't imagine depriving children of a parent unless there was a very good reason. I now find myself in the position of not having seen my youngest son for three years due to a disagreement with his sister that escalated into him cutting himself off from the whole family, grandparents and all. I can't imagine Len missing out on the whole growing up years of my children, the last three years have been bad enough, I've only seen his children about six times if that. Luckily for me I have the mindset that people will do what they do regardless of others feelings and as long as he is happy good luck to him, he knows where I am should he need me. It might be a naive simplistic view but I feel that if people at the starting point of a break up could just sit down and think why they were together in the first place and use a bit of common sense and decency and not make it a war where there has to be a winner and a loser. Very happy for you Len to have reconnected with your son and daughter and wish you all the best for the future.

Enjoyed the blog last time Mal, look forward to looking in how you are doing and reading a few stories of the people you meet along the way and of course the photos. Wish i had done at least part of the Camino when I looked at it early 2000's when I was fit enough and had nothing to prevent me other than the nervousness of never having holidayed solo.

I've enjoyed this thread and can agree and disagree with comments on both sides of the divide.I did enjoy the Prom but it wasn't until just now that I realised on what level. After playing recently bought contemporary soul I then played some 80's electronic pop which I collect in a small way, my guilty pleasure if you will. Now much as I like some of the electronic that's about it, I don't love it with a passion as I do all the different genres of soul that I collect. Hence as much as I enjoyed the prom it was with an open mind, I didn't expect it to be blown away by it and wasn't, they did it very well but for me it was what it was. Had I been there would I have been up dancing in the aisles , no, were all the vocals top notch,no. Where I do feel slightly aggrieved if I am reading some of the adverse replies correctly is in some way my taste or respect for the legacy if you will is questioned, if that's the case I'll take my place on the naughty step next to some long standing members on here, who though I don't know them personally I have the upmost respect for. That said I also have have respect the detractors to, many who are far more knowledgeable than myself.

Much as I expected Mal which is why I put in my reply someone would be able to give a more realistic price as to what to expect. I'm not sure how sales history works on Discogs whether it's general sales or just sales on there.

I'm no expert on prices, Discogs has last one sold 2022 £325 with a couple of very good plus at £130, I'm sure someone with better knowledge of what you could realistically expect will reply.

As I said during the performance definite highlight for me

I don't disagree with most of what you say though I don't see any exploitation in this case.Much as the majority who have contributed to this thread whilst listening enjoyed it and I may well be wrong here I doubt many would buy a recording of it were such a thing made available taking it into the realms of exploitation depending on your view. Much as we might like to think of the music as ours it never has been and never will be.

I wouldn't be interested in such a break but followed the link to see what was on offer, still not interested. I guess for some people if you're going to have a weekend break at a hotel that provides entertainment you might as well go to one that offers something approaching the music you like. I don't think they are cashing in they are just providing a service which going by the amount of breaks and the various musical genres there is an obvious demand, you pays your money and takes your choice. I don't think it fair to compere these with the Prom concert. Only my opinion but two entirely different things which no doubt will be covered on the relevant thread. Would you consider events like the Jersey Weekender etc where you book the full package to be cashing in or are they ok because they are run by people involved in Northern soul, just asking and only mentioned Jersey as it's one I've been to in the past.

Cheers for that, the question and answer part with Joe Duddell is very enlightening as to the process involved. I hope somewhere we find out the reactions of some of those involved in the night. To the naysayers I'd say a British institution , The Proms has paid homage to the music we all love and did it very well, shouldn't we be in some small way proud of that.

I just said this one shows just how good Edwin was, good attempt though

Well she who must be listened to went to the loo and came back when Darrell Banks was on, yes ,she said well this one sounds very good ,

For a change I can't see anyone having any reason to complain about this, cracking "you're gonna love my baby", my highlight so far

Having to listen on a Chromebook so sounds a bit limited, annoying not being able to see who is singing so looking forward to watching when I'm home with better sound.So far so good.

I up voted Benji's comment as it was something I thought myself and then found I was up voting Chalky's as well as I hadn't considered as he says "it's their's to make a mockery of". Another lesson in listen to all sides of a discussion before coming to a conclusion. I went a couple of years ago to if my memory serves me right something called The Northern Soul Orchestra in Manchester. I have probably got the title wrong but it was compered by Richard Searling in a gold suit (what was he thinking). To be honest only went cos a mate had two spare tickets so it cost me nowt. The music was fine but to my ears some of the singing fell way short but the people were dancing in the aisles enjoying it far more than I did. I was left feeling very underwhelmed by it all. Hopefully the vocalists at the proms will deliver and we will all be pleasantly surprised.

I've checked out the singers on youtube, as you'd expect they are all decent singers.I'll let you judge for yourselves if you check them out. Only one for me doesn't have a particularly soulful voice, pick of the bunch going off the limited posts on the tube would be Vulu Malinga, Frida Touray has a lovely voice but the clips make it hard to judge what she'd make of a Northern song. Pick of the male singers for me would be Brendan Reilly.

Don't see any harm in it personally. I have no real desire to Dj but myself and a mate have often talked about finding somewhere where like minded souls could meet in an afternoon and bring along a few records ,not just northern to play and listen and chat about soul music in all its genres. Dancefloor not a essential, kinda like when you have a couple of mates round . Before someone else says it I'd call it Chin Strokers Corner

Anyone watching the French thriller I Killed My Husband? Interested in any thoughts as I'm on the verge of giving up due to for me too many unlikely events.

I've been there many years ago having to have our dog put to sleep. It's a situation nobody wants to be in and sadly it's something you do for love. You are doing the best thing for him and have tried all you can possibly do to help him. Take comfort that his pain will be over and he will feel nothing. For you as I'm told the Queen once said "grief is the price we pay for love". There are people who won't understand the unconditional love given by a pet unless they have experienced it and the pain in having to make the decision you have,what you are doing is an unselfish act putting Taffy's suffering to an end. The feelings of guilt are inevitable but knowing you did the right thing will come in time.

Had this in a drawer from a record I bought some time ago, came to the top again toady and the thought crossed my mind did it have happy memories for someone, realise its a very long shot they are likely to be on here, the "you" on the signpost has always intrigued me, girlfriend perhaps 25 miles away? Mods feel free to move, did wonder about Freebasing.

Most of the obvious already mentioned, I'd nominate Green Book if not for the music for the social aspect ,saw an episode of the American Pickers where they picked from a hotel that was in the actual Green Book.

I came across this on Youtube and found it fascinating , a guy searching for African music, might interest a few on here, feel free to move Mike if you feel it fits better elsewhere.

A few shots taken in Rhodes this week

I've got the British Mojo release which states it as a Ronn release so I guess it will be the same mix on that one.Would be interested to hear yours Mal , is there a a video on Youtube or was it just a comment?

First decent walk since being ill over Christmas and New Year. Walk up to New Mills Reservoir Smithills Bolton. Looking across res towards Winter Hill

Twas me Mal, glad you liked it, I have a collection of World Cinema dvds many of which I'll probably not watch again so if you come across anything mentioned on this thread or elsewhere if I have them you're welcome to those as well. Bear in mind I haven't bought any for some years so most are I would guess prior to 2015, might have some later ones though.