Dazcymru

Julie Try B B King You'd Better Not Look Down on you tube. It is there but I don't know how to post the link!!! Regards Daz

Some silly bugger has tried to analyse it. His name says it all!!! CulpritsMarvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell Title The Onion Song Year 1969 Written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson Submitted by Siegfried Baboon This song's lyrics constitute one of the most tortured and inappropriate analogies in the history of popular music. The idea is as follows. "The world is just a great big onion" (this is because it makes us cry, rather than the fact that it is made up of a number of geological strata a bit like the layers of an onion). No problems so far. But then we're told about "the only way to get rid of this great big onion". Ok, so we're getting rid of the world now. Fair enough. Curiously, the way to do this is "to plant love seeds until it dies". So we've killed off the world by sowing the seeds of love. To me that already sounds a bit of an uncomfortable situation to be in, but then Marvin Gaye shouts "Hey world! We've got a great big job to do. Yeah we need you." At this point the whole onion idea really looks quite tenuous.

Another done.

But it may be if you can understand the lyrics!!! Surprisingly written by Ashford & Simpson MARVIN GAYE lyrics - The Onion Song [both:] The world is just a great big onion [MG:] & pain & fear are the spices that make you cry [both:] Oh, & the only way to get rid of this great big onion [VS:] Is to plant love seeds until it dies, uh huh [MG:] Hey world! We got a great big job to do Yeah, we need you & everybody who loves truth Don't you know we've got to clean up this place & reach far high & oh yeah [VS:] Yes we do We gotta be headstrong about rightin' the wrong & make a mountain of happy souls, oh; [MG:] Oh [both:] The world is just a great big onion [MG:] & I don't care, it's the face people like to wear [VS:] Yes it is now [both:] & the only way to get rid of this great big onion [VS:] Every one single soul's got to do their share [MG:] Tell about it, baby! [MG:] So come on, let's knock on every door Tell them love is the answer Whether they're rich or poor, oh yeah For we don't care what you do How you look, or your status claim, baby [VS:] No no, because brothers & sisters From now on, is gonna be everyone's name, oh oh [both:] The world is just a great big onion [MG:] & pain & fear are the spices that make you cry [VS:] Yes it is [both:] & the only way to get rid of this great big onion [VS:] Is to plant love seeds [MG:] Now everybody, got to plant love seeds [VS:] Come on & plant love seeds [MG:] Until it dies [both:] The world is just a great big onion

LOL.....................LOL Lessly of that mate!!!!

Just a mine of information Brian and if I remember one of your favourites!! So much so that I remember someone requesting it at Morda and I had to get it out of the van.

According to Marvin's biography "I heard it through the grapevine" written by Sharon Davis (not the swimmer) Tammi only recorded enough tracks for one side of their "easy" album. Valerie Simpson recorded Tammi's demo songs and apparently could mimic Tammi's voice. According to the book she has admitted to recording "What you gave me" and "The onion song". In another of his biographies written by the co-writer of Sexual Healing (can remember his name and can't find the book!!) it's also claimed that she recorded a whole side of the album. Marvin objected to the way it deceived the public but relented when Berry Gordy told him that Tammi's family would benefit from the royalties.

Not really that wise!! But it was in fact Valerie Simpson (of Ashford & Simpson). Never liked it back when it was released but strangely do now.

Any offers? Still looking.

Anyone got a couple of passes going spare? Accommodation not required. Please PM me. Thanks.

Geoff PM'd you mate. Regards DazCymru

Brain Well remember Chris the bouncer. You forgot to mention that he was cross eyed as hell!! For some reason no one ever mentioned this to his face. I remember one night when a couple of lads flicked some snot onto his back as he walked past. Somehow he found out who did it picked them both up (one in each hand) and out they went through the fire exit near the stage. Just wouldn't get away with it these days!! Also remember the non-soul acts who were big at the time Slade played there on 5 Feb 1972 (Sam downstairs that night), Bay City Rollers, Pans People and many more that had one off hits at the time. My best wishes to Chris Mumford as well. Regards Daryl

There was also a healthy Saturday night soul night at the Civic from around 1970 to around 1972 were many big name soul acts performed. Usually doing an early show with a later show sometimes at The Torch or Oakengates. I well remember seeing Jackie Wilson, Elgins, Drifters, Arthur Connelly, Detroit Emeralds, Jimmy Ruffin, Donnie Elbert plus many more I can't remember. Free coaches were laid on to bring people in and the night was over by around 11:30. DJ downstairs, one from a regular list (Brian Ellis, Grey Young, Pete Nielson) played more commercial soul with Soul Sam upstairs playing more rarer. Happy days Harp Lager 20p a pint!!

Also Wade In The Water and Earl Van Dyke/Funk Bros. Love Is Like An 'Itchin. Very nice surprise!!

Had an email from Steve on 17th February (copy below) seems like the credit crunch is not just in the UK. Shame had quite a few good nights there. hi i am sorry to inform you that sadly manhattans bar has had to close due to personal reasons hopefully we will meet again sometime in the future(aint no soul left in tenerife) keep on soulin' steve and cath ps i will be looking for dj work in the south of england from march onwards appriciate any contacts thanks

Great memories of The Mecca. Car load would go up (Ford Anglia) and sleep in the car in the multi-storey car park next door (part of the garage). Turned out the car park was just like a hotel loads of people all sleeping in cars. With four lads in my car it must have stunk in the morning. Pretty sure main room at Mecca was The Locarno (Ballroom?). Think capacity was about 3000? Happy days!

Brian It's a shame a lot of local support seems to have been lost for one reason and another. Guess as you suggested earlier you just can't please all of the people all of the time. I've seen Broughton go through many changes over the years but in my mind it's always delivered 100% quality. I well remember that first night actually won a CD (I've got two now!!). One thing you've not put in your post is the date of next night. It's been a long time since December!! Keep up the good work and here's to the next 9 years. Best regards Daryl

Show was recorded on 18 December as per Martha's web site https://www.missmarthareeves.com/id4.html always thought show was live! She is also on tour later in year with "Motown legends"

Brian Bit of a plug there for Neil (no relation). Of course the Temps and Tops aren't in Benidorm..............it was the Drifters I saw there last time (and Elvis of course). Trying hard to find the link between Sticky Vicky and rare box; as one advert said "She only brings out the tree at Xmas!!!!" Be there Saturday for my Xmas pint Regards Daryl

Spot on IMHO. Seen too many DJ's playing from their "rare" box and clearing the floor. It's atmosphere that counts in my book in turning a good into a great night.

For what it's worth Jobbo I agree with your post. I thought it was a great performance as well. Why the hell the thread gets pulled in other directions is a bit of a mystery to me.

Fair point and IMO it would be fair to say that 99% of punters don't GAF about the format/label either. I can't remember the last time I saw anyone running to the DJ to check the decks before hitting the floor!!!!

No problem mate. Don't give up; I'm sure that there are plenty of soulies somewhere in Yorkshire that would lend you a hand. As many contributors have pointed out, in a round about way, many people on this site claim to be DJ's some of them must be local to you. Iechyd da. Daz

Shane On behalf of "normal" soul fans let me appologise for the sh1t you have had to put up with in asking for what you probably consider to be a decent answer to a decent question. Thanks to the few who have at least tried to help someone who is just asking for assistance. Regards and good luck. Daz

Brian I understand that is spite of the successfully surgery Sam is still having trouble in getting his wallet out!!!!! . Regards Daz