Mike Lofthouse

wonder if anyone can throw any light on the following... Bob A maybe? when did the US start issuing albums sealed? How come some 'cut out' albums are resealed? (I've bought a few sealed that had the seal over the cut out hole!!!) What's the score with the actual vinyl sealed within the cover - got a Columbia one today - looks totally un-played but the cover is a bit rough. And finally I have a number of LPs with multiple 'staple' holes in the top corner, is thus just another way of indicating a cut out? Mikw

Think I's rather hear some Gram Parson 's played out than that other 'country' star Mac Davis When I was in California back in 2010 I called in the Joshua Tree Motel where sadly Gram departed this mortal coil ! Mike

Is that not Gram Parson's original band before the Flying Burrito Brothers?

and the other side is Run One Flight of Stairs!!

but how did come about? Tony?

I hope it was before he died

Often wondered how southern Otis got involved with recording northern big city Maxine Brown, anyone know the background ? great version mind!

Very interesting read Roburt(ert). Always been a big fan of Bobby Bland and always thought his early post Duke stuff (on ABC) was superb - 'California' would be in my top 10 albums any day of the week. I think he is being very unkind to Michael Omartian who along with Steve Barri rescued Bobby's musical career. It is documented elsewhere that by the end of the 60's (the Duke) period he had financial problems with his band broken up, he suffered from Depression and subsequently Alcohol dependency. The early ABC stuff was triumphant return to form. On another point - the author sings the praises of Joe Scott, Whilst his contribution cannot be overstated, some of his stuff has always niggled me with its over arranged intricate horn parts - at times Bobby sounded liked the featured vocalist in The Joe Scott big Band!! Guess these things are all down to taste! Mike

I sure did! - it was at the time of his 'People Got To Talk' album which I had bought and enjoyed - and of course I knew him from his Howling Wilf days, so was really looking forward to it. Saturday night too - he was already on stage at 8:00 and was gone by 9:10 - his 'patter' was awful - he came across as 'Del Boy' - he kept doing a 'fast' number then a 'slow' number. He really didn't want to be this far North ! the more he tried to engage the audience the more withdrawn they became - people didn't want to be dancing that early in the proceedings. As I say there must of been plenty of complaints as they refunded half the admission price! Sadly, I can't bear to listen to him now! Mike

He was the worst act I have ever seen live - the only act I ever had a refund because the performance was so poor

Some cracking compilations there Dave - I would like to see a separate listing for them - as much as I love them they are not 'proper' LPs conceived as a new distinct piece of work - like 'Greatest Hits' or 'Best Ofs', they should not be included either. IMHO of course. Mike

the lead guy mentions 'Born a loser' and Frank Wilson ? Both of these were discovered a good few years later......... Its a well known fact in the North East that it was actually Sergeant Bacchus who originally discovered Frank Wilson, after years of tirelessly trying to break it in the North East he passed it on and it ended up being played by Russ at Wigan and of course the rest is history!

Interesting the mention of the 'Tex-Mex' style brass being a common denominator - never thought about that before!

strange how this album - despite having the same cover - has different tracks on the UK vs US copies. I had a sealed copy of the US copy for years I never opened because I had the UK copy and then by chance I noticed their version of 'Nothing Can Stop Me' (the Cissy Houston song) on the US copy!!!! Mike

Not sure if it was mentioned on the other LP thread but it is a great album ...side 1 clocks in at 10 mins but has got to be the best 'Northern' side on any album ever !! - "Come Go With Me" (C. E. Quick) 1:53 "Finders Keepers" (Toni Wine, Carole Bayer) 1:52 "Heartbeat Part I & II" (Ed Cobb) 4:17 "Run One Flight Of Stairs" (Ed Cobb) 1:58 Mike

bought mine as a new release in Callers in Newcastle and does not look like that! Can't believe it got bid up to over $300 when he clearly says twice 're-mastered' and it looks so dodgy. One of all-time favourite double siders BTW Mike

One I have forgot...'I'm in Love' - Wilson Pickett - Atlantic. The 'Wicked' one and Bobby Womack at their best

and two great ones on Aware - 'John Edwards' and 'Cry to Me' Loleatta Holloway

Was going to mention the Hesitations but I knew you would Kev!

and not forgetting - James Carr 'You Got My Mind Messed Up' on Stateside/Goldwax

Freddie Hughes - 'Send My Baby Back' on Wand

nice - 'Woman to Woman' on Stax too

But neither of those two statements has any bearing on what a Doctor Bird copy of 'Where Is The Love' is worth does it?

two more from me ..... Here Is Barbara Lynn There Is' - The Dells

Well I would say that the Blackpool Mecca punters were the connoisseurs of the northern soul' including the many that went on to the Casino nighter. It was never Mecca OR Wigan until the Mecca switched exclusively to new release Soul or disco. As for slagging off, I would hardly say Pleasant but just like a thousand others" and "A Supremes rip-off" is slagging off ? and the quote about Eddie Foster is from a punters brother not Tony Cumming's brother, perhaps the person in question was in the know, maybe he stood on stage and saw it played like many did? Mike