Modernsoulsucks

It is Steve and you're being very generous with that mild criticism. The tailor-made stuff is usually abysmal and as you say a lot of the "soul" content is easy on the ear. I do like the 50's stuff that gets played as it's kinda Jump R&B/Blues and preferrable to what masquerades as R&B on the Northern Scene. However overall some of them are so bad they're good. Kinda "kitsch" I think. "Meet me with your black drawers on" by Gloria Hardiman was one of my faves. There were tracks by Anne Murray,Bee Gees,Delbert McClinton which ought to be awful but your foot starts tapping. I think some of the Northern guys on here have got the wrong idea about it all. They see compilations featuring 60's soul and assume that's what it's like now. You do hear a little of that on Beach radio but zilch in the clubs and that goes especially for Northern orientated 45s. It's a bit like as if the modern scene had taken over here completely from 76 onwards and we no longer played 60's uptempo sounds. Beach influence though on our scene has been huge. I think Dave Thorley will confirm he was playing tracks at Stafford picked up from Carolinas like Cannonball,Fantastic Shakers. Beach dealers like John Swain musta supplied hundreds and hundreds of Northern 45s to guys going over to the States; Anderson,Clarkie,me. Lew Stanley was a "shagger". I reckon it's also had an influence on the blues/soul/R&B released in the Southern states in that labels like Malaco would aim product at that market. Finally I can't help thinking that from the 50's onwards a scene that embraced Black music may have contributed quite significantly to easing the racial tensions of the times and contributed to mutual understanding. So sorry I can't put it in Room 101 but I don't want to see the Northern scene go the same way in that the dance is more important than the music. ROD

A THRILL A MOMENT, KIM WESTON; BREAKAWAY, STEVE KARMEN BAND; SHARE A LITTLE LOVE WITH ME, THE MONITORS; COUNTDOWN HERE I COME, THE TEMPOS; OUT ON THE FLOOR, DOBIE GRAY; THE STARS, BARBARA LEWIS; TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS, KIM WESTON; GIRL DON'T MAKE ME WAIT, BUNNY SIGLER; THE DRIFTER, RAY POLLARD; COMPETITION AIN'T NOTHING, CARL CARLTON; SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE (NEEDS YOU), DARRELL BANKS; SLICED TOMATOES, JUST BROTHERS; and finally, the great I'M ON MY WAY, DEAN PARRISH. Paul, are you sure they're paying attention to detail re the music. Apart from Karmen and Parrish Im not sure any of those records remind me of Wigan main room. However the film is not there to re-create an accurate historical truth so it probably doesn't matter. ROD

Whilst I sympathise with Russ's Scott of the Antarctic like endeavours to get to Wigan each week I think he should spare a thought for those of us who arrived by car from 45 minutes away. Many's the time we were unable to keep the Chablis chilled due to the primitive air conditioning available in most models of cars on the market during that period. And of course there's nothing worse than cucumber canapes when the edges begin to curl. But we were no less committed!! Im definitely with the cynics, going off previous experience, and I think it is important to try to capture the moment but as regards to the choice of music provided by Jeff I think it's going to be awfully difficult to fit them into the film chronologically. Leaving aside the fact that there's quite a few that I don't remember hearing at all at Wigan, although I didn't go into Mr.M's, unless he sticks to titles that "shout" Wigan the soundtrack can only provide an accompaniment to the action/emotion on the screen and can in no way identify the time and place. Not to labour the point but you wouldn't have Connie Clarke followed by Executive 4. So to get it right you need a hell of a lot of research IMO. Finally I was 21 when Wigan opened. Looking back I have no idea what I was thinking or feeling at the time. I think some of us now are transposing our attitudes built up over 20-30 odd years since the Casino closed onto how we were then. Im not saying that we weren't into it passionately back then but I think there is a difference and we can't expect the film maker to reflect the hindsight we now possess. Hope that makes sense. ROD

Im pretty sure the term "Uptown" soul was in use in USA at one time. I'd say most Northern but not all would fit into that description. Less of a nod towards the Blues. ROD

Thanks a lot for that. ROD

I didn't dream this,did I? Anyone know what it is on. Ta ROD

"The plot looks riveting" I checked it out yesterday. My thoughts exactly,Paul. I can't imagine that the Northern scene is that interesting to an outsider or that we are that narcissistic that we'd put up with any old derivative tosh ["Dirty Dancing" and "Save the last dance" spring to mind] just to see ourselves reflected on the screen. I caught that "Function..." short at the time and to me it was extremely vacuous and amateur. Sometimes see the actor outta "Brookside in our local Sainsbury's and I keep meaning to go up and ask him WTF it was all about!!!! Still think the vampire angle is the way to go and there's plenty of undead extras available at your local modern soul night. ROD

I see the vampire angle is not to be then. What about an allegory for the ill-fated invasion of Iraq? Russ had a tash and so did Saddam.I don't think Russ had anyone killed though. Also the Beachcomber cafe conjures up in my mind the image of sand and I knew a guy at Wigan called Derek whose name could be changed to Derrick so that's the oil sorted. Jane could wear a tank top. G.I. Joe obviously. Needs a bit of tweaking yet to get Ken Loach interested. ROD

Will there be any vampires as being open all night we obviously had quite a few in. That part of the scene has always been glossed over by those who went and I'll probably get it in the neck for bringing it up now. I think this would widen the film's appeal especially if you throw in some gratuitous nudity. Jane that is,as I have no wish to see Joe's dangly bits. ROD

No Tony, Sean has it on the "Burning" issue which I assume is the local release and he will tell us more about it later ROD

How come it's round then, like Chess and Checker 45s,Sean? ROD

I'm not!. I've known people set up events for Charity so they get the venue they want for free (or much cheaper) I'll bet some folks have used it as a way to test a venue (I haven't however!), cheaper venue and DJ's will tend to do it FOC when its for charity. So many people just want to run a night or DJ that this is a great way for them to find the opportunity OK Jayne,99% and the other 1% are still raising the money so no problem for me. ROD

I don't think the Charity in question would be too concerned with the motives of the organisers as long as they got the cash. Im also sure that the motives of 100% the organisers are entirely honourable. Man,I thought I was a cynic!!! ROD

I don't buy this justification that people dropped off cos they didn't like the 60's pop shite or the modern stuff. Think I agree with Byrney that for some it had run it's course. I remember sitting in the record bar at Wigan on a slow night towards it's end with Butch,Tim A,Pete Lawson etc and there was no lack of interest or enjoyment cos there were still nice records to hear from both the 60's and 70's. It was never at that time a matter of the quality of the modern stuff but more to do with the balance between the 60's and 70's. Im not great with dates but the modern 45s say in 79/80 were a whole different thing to the modern stuff played at the Mecca in '77 which did cause a split between the two camps. Larry Houston is a soul record whilst something like "Mal", "Nice and Nasty" or "The Stranger" isn't. I don't really see either that the modern element in the Northern scene can be considered progressive so that when the 60's backlash is referred to it comes across as reactionary. You only have to look through this site to see that a lot of the popular modern 45s played at ATB do's are just oldies cherry-picked from various stages in it's development. For instance Innersection[Mecca], Pages[Wigan] and Flight [sam and Arthur 80's]. I have no idea what the current really modern Modern scene plays so I leave it to those more informed as to whether it is possible for the two to come together as say back in 74 at the Mecca. Personally, I think the styles are too far apart, just basing that on the odd house/nu soul[or whatever it's called] track I've had a listen to on this site. ROD

Soul Energy" WDJ Misty Graham CRS M- Modern, old Wigan spin [5] Al Johnson "Im back for more" UK CBS EX [5] Karl Tarleton "Along came you" UNI DJ EX [20] Barbara Mercer "Hey" GW Ex [5] Vibrations "Canadian Sunset" OKEH DJ VG+ [5] Forest Hairston "We go to pieces" M- VINEY [10] Bob Wilson "Suzy serenade" WDJ Ex Sound Stage 7 [5] David Morris "Stoned on love" M- RADNOR [60] Admirations "Wait till I get..." One-derful VG+ [5] Girls Three "Baby I want you" WDJ CHESS M- [bit of a water stain on label but not too noticeable][10] Mandells "Do'in the look" WDJ M JUBILEE [25] [75 on JM's site] Innocent Bystanders "Frantic Escape" DJ ATLANTIC M- [20] Jamo Thomas "I spy..." TRANS WORLD M- [Canada] [10] Uptights "Academy awards of love" DJ MALA Ex Girlie stomper from years ago[15] Chantels "World of soul" Soul Kitchen M- Unknown? Good instrumental[40] Last copy Robert Moore "Jo-ann" De-Luxe DJ M- Good semi-known [25] Incredibles "I cant get over losing....." Audio Arts Ex [10] Freddie Scott "Hey girl" VG+ UK COLPIX [10] Superbs "Better get your own....." Dore 704 DJ M- [20] Entertainers IV "My garden of Eden" Dore 802 VG+ [slight click during track] [25] Sugar Pie de Santo "Be happy" Soul Clock WDJ Ex [40] Eddie&Ernie "I can't do it" Eastern Ex [10] John Ladrew "What's the matter with me" Roulette DJ Ex [15] Artistics "Price of love" Brunswick DJ VG+[10] Gino Washington "Like my baby" instr Do De Re VG[5] Showmen "The honey house" DJ Swan Ex [8] Bobby Miller "Im for the girls" VG Constellation [5] Bobby Sanders "The way I feel" Pick-A-Hit Ex [400] Decisions "I can't forget about you" Ex A&M UK [20] Tami Lynn "Im gonna run away from you" PS French Atlantic Ex/Ex [5] Kennard Gardner "Do the skin" Dore VG+ [slight tear near centre hole] [5] Delta 67807 Entertainers IIII "People don't look no more" Ex DORE [delta 59379] [5] Lee Rogers "My one and only" M- D-Town DJ [10] Ernie Andrews "Fine young girl" VG+ Capitol [15] scuffs Embers "It ain't necessary" Ex Bell DJ [15] On reverse paper pressed into grooves but doesn't affect play i.e. no clicks Replied to your PM. First post is an old list. For anybody looking at thread current 45s available are above. ROD

Yes, boot for Beach Music scene. ROD

Yeah Mark, Im not knocking the record cos it does bring back memories, mainly of getting good 45s for it!! It's just odd that stuff like this and "Pour your little...", "See you when I get there", "Party time man", "Integrity", Gayle Adams and others were all popular back then over there and have all been taken up over here in past few years. Although it would take too long to explain here the Northern scene has followed a similar trajectory to that of Beach Music. ROD

Thanks for info guys. I just had a listen to refresh my memory. It is what I figured it was and maybe you shoulda covered it as Bobbie Jean "Bland" !! I mean really no offence but I was swapping these for Northern 45s at the time and whilst I have a soft spot for Beach Music from being involved with it for some years I think they're so mechanical and usually less than exciting. Last time I was in a Beach club the dj was playing off a laptop, which kinda added insult to injury. ROD

Mark, the Norma Lewis was a big Beach 45 back in 90's. It's on UK but have forgotten label. I think other side was something like "Maybe next time". Could even have come out twice with some kinda re-mix. Had around 200 that I got from that place in Telford that used to do a 45 catalogue and took them all to Carolinas where it took off big-style. What's the "Queen City" label then? USA? Didn't think it had a release over there other than most likely booted for Beach scene. ROD

Then the simple answer is to run your auction to finish on a Friday so that prompt payers get the first available delivery. If the others dick you around by making you wait for payment then it's their look-out as to when you can get to the PO. Whatever happened to both sides of a transaction acting responsibly. And it's always the guys first on the phone to order who are the last to pay!! ROD

Pikey, are you nuts!! As a buyer if I've paid my money why should I have to wait 14 days for my goods. Will you wait 14 days till you spend my money. If you have time to buy 45s and sell them then you ought to make the time to post them as soon as you can. I think it's called "customer service" which of course is pretty lacking in the UK. ROD

Yes I agree. When I say "now" I guess I mean it's a kinda Stafford sound which seems to be an accepted style today but actually it's no different to my ears than "Paris Blues" which was a Wigan sound. Faster tempo probably too. I have no problem with the record at all and don't understand the "uptempo" allnighter crowd objections. Maybe it wouldn't have fitted in at the Torch between Sweet Things and Triumphs but then there were a lot of midtempo 45s around in collections that had their day later. On the Patti Austin thread someone raises the point that why do we have to always choose between records, in that this 45 is better than that 45, when in reality I've rarely heard a bad Northern 45 in nearly 40 years. Unfortunately for "Beeker" Frankie Valli is one of those!! ROD

If I had a quid for every "top-end collector" or dj who used to spend top dollar on 45s but have now disappeared I still wouldn't have enough for Tommy and Derbys but Im sure you get my drift. Perfect 45 for now though I would have thought. ROD

I still have it but no takers at £400. I was under the impression that it's pretty rare with maybe Manship having another copy but maybe someone on here knows more. It's a nice copy but not Mint. A few surface marks. ROD

Until I read James' post I thought I may have been a bit harsh referring to the bidders as "Morons" but to reiterate what appears to be the majority view Im sure a "top" dj would have used £700+ to better effect if the ethos is to keep ahead of the crowd. Can't see the point of spending that amount of money on a 45 everybody was talking about 6 months [or whenever] ago when you coulda bought something people will be talking about in 6 months time. ROD