Mike Lofthouse

I didn't think so and it is hard to judge anything with the benefit of 10-20-30-40 years hindsight. They were well written and gave an accurate picture of what was going on to the wider BM readership.

Tony Cummings was my favourite writer at the time - his in-depth pieces in BM were always something to look forward to. I thought the three articles he wrote about Northern Soul whilst provocative, were very well written and accurate. Mike

Fantastic set - have to have it! Just out of interest The Fantastic Violinaires I m Not Worried is also on 45 - wonderful track!

I was at the London show of Albert King, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells. I have always attended all the Blues shows I can in the North East - Robert Cray at the Kirk (as well as Lowell Fulson and Louisiana Red). Joe Louis Walker and Sherman Robertson amongst others at Harveys in Stockton. Whilst I did not travel to Switzerland I saw Henry Gray upstairs in The Central in Middlesbrough. What does someone who likes Soul and Blues look like? how can you tell?

'Tryin' To Love Two' made the top ten in the Billboard chart and sold over 1 million copies.

the 100 club anniversary singles pisses me off - two days after the event you see the Sales section - 'got a spare copy - £50' - very nice, why not give it to someone then?

I wasn't going to comment on RSD Paul but since you mention this... I went down to 'Sound It Out' in Stockton yesterday (the official RSD day shop for 2011), there was a queue outside and they were letting people in as others left - after about 15 mins the owner came out and asked what people were after - I asked after this box set and the Clarence Carter EP- no Fame box and he had sold the CC. So I left. Now I thought the idea of the exercise was to support your local shop, however, I log onto ebay today and what do you find , over 2000 items listed https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l2736&_nkw=record+store+day+2012 including the one you mention So instead of having a pleasant day buying records for a change , I'm left frustrated. Sadly, like everything else it has just turned into a money making racket !!

harmless fun? you can cut that out Mooney or I'll take you down the Erimus and give you a good hiding

Well he couldn't help having money - and he used it in a way we could dream of back then and to all our (northern Soul fans ) benefit. '.... and even less inclination' - you're joking - we would of killed to make trips to the US back then its what we dreamt of - we knew there was big wide world beyond Station Road but the furthest I got for Soul was Torquay!!

Hi Richard - Parkash posted this up the other day....what a great talent.

Thanks for sorting it out - great effort Chalky.

Let's hope there is a good turnout at Newcastle next Sunday - £8 to see a real Soul legend !!!!

Yes R.I.P. Sylvia - from R&B to Rap and all points in between - especially thanks for those wonderful Linda Jones recordings....

....But if you love him you'll forgive him Even though he's hard to understand And if you love him Oh be proud of him 'Cause after all he's just a man Stand by your man.....................................

What a shame - Booker T is appearing in this country the same week!

One of those artists that reminds you this music is not about bits of plastic and all the nonsense that surrounds it. A truly great talent. Been playing his last CD from last year lately and it really is a great effort all things considered , give it go if you have not already. Mike

Good review in the Daily Express on Friday along with the other Ace offering 'Black America Sings Lennon & Mccartney' which includes the often overlooked version of Yesterday by Linda Jones (not on the Loma album). Well done Ace! Mike

When it was first mentioned I quickly got my tickets for Monday night at the Jazz Cafe, booked the train and hotel and sat back and looked forward to it. Now all of a sudden it is - 'this is Bobby's first appearance for quite some time we are proud to bring him to the UKs number one soul night' - he's doing FOUR nights at the Jazz Cafe first!!, - he was ''crap' last time!, - it clashes with something else!, - he's not doing enough dates! I was so looking forward to it

Maybe those who used her name to 'cover up' their exclusives - when she was still actively performing - can chip in !

There is also a great wet fish shop round the corner from you too - not many of them left either - I get my skates from there, Mussels and Halibut too!!! I have just posted some stuff about Alan Fearnley's on Facebook Mike

Ironic that shop should be picked - its awful! Saw Alan walking up Linthorpe Road the other week - he looked well - we exchanged emails a year or so ago and yes , he does miss the customers. I certainly miss his shop - a sad day when it closed. Remember buying Johnnie Taylor's Who's Making Love for my brothers Christmas present for 8/6 in 68/69. Went in on the last day to wish him good luck - I bought Bettye Swann's Honest John CD. Hard to believe it was December 2004 not 2008!!! We should re-open Austin's round the corner from you in Parliament Road - you never know it could become a Soul quarter lauded by Mayor Mallon Mike

I'm in Middlesbrough and can't get one!! Record Store Day's are a great idea if your town has a record store that is

Been listening in the car for the past few days - great stuff, like all Daptone a lot more authentic than most of the stuff coming out now.

Thank God - a shop where Lily Allen and Pete Doherty once went in has been saved for the nation !!!