Jaco

Saw it at the Cornerhouse in Manchester which was sold out. The review essentially splits into two halfs. The first an objective view from a cinematic stance - the direction, the storyline, the acting, the pace etc. This was a reasonable success so the cinematic experience was a good, solid one. The acting was good all round, the portrayal of 70's life in the industrialised North was excellent, the characterisation was, in the main, spot on and the direction offered a clear basis for the characters and the storyline to develop. Some cliched elements detracted a little, the cockney geezer for example, and did every single person in the queue at Wigan have to wear a long leather coat? Well that's how it seemed. Maybe nitpicking but that's what you do when a film attempts to portray a subject matter that the reviewer has a first hand experience of. The second part of the review, for somebody who was on the scene in the early 70's, focuses on the music and associated content that created the magic and emotion that came from the era, whether it be that first night at Wigan, those first opening bars to the Salvadors, those first bombers etc. This was achieved in a very positive manner because that sense of excitement about the scene was definitely captured. It matters not if tracks were played out of any real timeline, the blending of the selected tracks with the plot worked really well. The drug taking was not overdone in my opinion though the transition from pills to jacking up seemed a little hasty and perhaps could have been avoided. I enjoyed it, would recommend people to go and see it and hats off to everybody who made it happen. I went with somebody who has absolutely no experience of the soul scene from any era, other than knowing that the Snake is a northern track! And they enjoyed it so it works from that perspective too. And finally it received a decent round of applause from the crowd so that tells you something.

Fastest finger first. Godz.

Guitar Ray - You're gonna wreck my life. Shagg

Excellent stuff, Chalky, as always.

Normal? What spectrum are you using to define what's normal. Forget the beer swilling badge wearing, KTF mob. What about people who have no interest in soul music but might actually want to go and watch a film? You know, like normal people do.

So if I've got this right, if you don't like soul music or listen to soul music, but want to go and watch this film, you are a moron?

Yes please. More of the Keith Barrow type will do it for me all day long.

Couple from me that's in the current CD swap Ted Ford - I can't give you up (Budd) Masqueraders - Please take me back (Bell) Gritty as you like.

Gary That Brenda and Albert track is on my CD for the latest swap. Awesome.

He was there because I was too! Bit later than 1970, would have put it at 1972. The Hard Rock definitely had a Torch allnighter there after it closed. He was amazing from my memory of the night. I have a clear vision of him lying on his back playing as if that was the norm. I think I saw him at the Hard Rock as a nighter after he had played earlier on at the Stoneground in Gorton but I'm not sure about that.

The person who only buys if £100+ must have forfeited the right to own 90% of the stuff available. Mental.

Perhaps our Kevin can explain why a single that topped the US charts and sold over 2 million copies can be so valuable. Perhaps that market stall in Manchester has something to do with it.

Now I might spend 3 hours in work on Saturday.

Said it before and I'll say it again. Top, top podcasts previously and now some seriously rare stuff. That couple of hours in work on a Saturday will not seem so bad now.

That's the one.

No need, but thanks.

Correct.

Well at £4,800 it looks like the buyer ignored this thread and the 'attempt to talk the record down'

Yes indeed, Dave. A majestic track.

Yeah but look at the "vintage" sleeve.

If I must then! Will try and get mine out sooner this time - promise.

Looks a great list and bet it took some time to put together. Agree that it's almost impossible to digest in its form.

One thing is for certain, any programme that features the scene, should always include the words of Searling. He always comes across so informed, intelligent, ego less and a perfect antidote to the talking heads that these programmes seem to insist on having. I thought it was pretty good if not predictable. And as been said, you cannot ignore the 30 years plus since Wi**n closed if you really want to portray the scene as it needs to be fairly represented. But an hour simply can't do that adequately so maybe there is another chapter for somebody to pick up on.

Always liked "Uphill climb" a Searling favourite from his Red Rose radio days. Sad news and I can't imagine he was very old.

TU-7001 - Optimistics - Optimistics with Billy Butler from the Del-Capris [1971] You Put Something New In My Life/Let's Love/Love Is God Almighty//Should I Let Myself Go/Man/If I Could Influence Man/Say It Baby TU-7002 - The New Sounds - The New Sounds [1971] Having You Around/Don't Take Your Love/Here I Am/I Don't Wanna Lose You/Everybody Wants to Be Free/How I Feel Inside/Tell Me Your Name/Goodbye Little Girl/Two of a Kind/Just As I Am/Sweet Memories/Moving TU-7003