Barry

Their mates put money on who would be the 'winner'. I never took me Dad again after that.

I stuck to Ten Bob wally meself. Not much safer in reality due to the 5mm of piss that your ten bob had to surf through on it's way to the wall before you picked it up. Pie anyone?

Ha ha I can see that mate. In my view covering the information on records up is definatley a form of onanism. Now what does that make the coverees?

We all saw some very odd things in the bogs at ***** but by far the scariest practise was the lads that used to shoot air into their veins, via a syringe, and let the air bubble travel up their arm (Bearing in mind if the bubble went over your shoulder - VHOOM! - into your brain and you weren't gonna be in the bogs next week), whilst the two opposing groups of 'friends' of the topless bubble armed gamblers, laid bets on who would bottle out first. Basically, the lad who allowed the air bubble to travel the farthest up his arm, won. They then forced the air bubble back down the vein and out the puncture-hole. FFS!!

As far as the practise goes on the Northern scene I don't know but check out the book 'Bass Culture - When Reggae Was King' by Lloyd Bradley Malc, it explains the origins of the selfish, wicked, yet ultimatley understandable deed.

On the FFRR UK release yes, not on the Italian 'New Music' original issue though; Eg: Arthurs (Italian released) records had possibly the worst picture sleeves in the history of mankind btw, laughably bad. Italian pressings (always nice heavy thick cut and well produced/pressed vinyl as a rule of thumb), had more response than the majority of the vinyl churned out by their UK 'dance' counterparts in the early 90's(that sounds so pseudo dunnit? Apolgies). As for the Mavis argument, I'd say you are right yes, in a purist manner, but hasn't there always been a wonderful urgency on this scene for current, soulfully sang, cover versions - just reel 'em off. It's hard to cripple certain records (Ooops! cue "I beg to differ" posts). I've said it often on here but there was such a wealth of fantastic original soulful dance productions coming out of Italy in the late 80's/ early 90's. There was an awful lot of US stuff that used to get licenced to Italy, and poorly remixed for their market at the time too, the occasional gem used to turn up though. I know I've gone off on one now but apart from stuff that was never going to fail once played on the soul scene, such as Arthur Miles, the problem a lot of it (Italian soulful dance that is) had was, it was too housey for the Soulies and soulful for the House lovers, which led to it being a very untapped source...by many, not all that is. I remember the shipping rates for Euro 12"s going up, which brought about a lot of distributors shunning Italian product for a good spell. It appeared to me that during that period Italian producers, knowing that there product wasn't going to be shipped to the US & UK in as great a quantity as before, changed their sound and in doing so the soulful sound they once used got left behind to a degree. Their productions as a whole became a lot more stripped down, minimal even, which was a great shame.

I read this forum, and others, and see the good people (of which there are many these days) who put there money where their mouth is and start their own event. I also see the many ways that these events are branded nowadays (obviously things have moved on from my epiphany). Nights seem to be branded these days in a much cooler manner (Flyers and their images, message board blogs, sound systems and venues are better than BITD etc.) than in my day. Does this extra 'gloss', if you will, actually work though? I ask, you that are regular followers these days that is, as I am not. I've been to nighters recently and picked up some God-Awful 70's style photo-copied, poorly printed, badly grammatised flyers (not knocking 'em - they may be belting nights). I have also picked up some very flash glossy, on the money flyers (not bigging 'em up or knocking 'em, as they may be belting nights too). I think I'm asking... ...does 'clever/urban marketing help these days?- or does quality still shine through? (Even without my poor and shallow view).

By the way, I never bore of listening to Dave on that documentary, each and every time I watch it. He delivers such an eloquent yet beautiful naievity in his view of the Northern Soul life he lived at that time that will stay with me. His words were/are so bang on.

Dave's Missus (Wendy) used to be the manageress of our local BHS Cafeteria (Warrington, early 80's). BHS was the area we used to congregate in after our Friday away-day All Nighter (whizzing, drinking tea, playing with sugar etc). Culminating with our blue and white 'BHS BREWMASTERS' T-shirts (around Oddfellows, Hinckley, Buzzard-time). Just a memory.

I actually preferred the 'Way Of Life' version meself Jocko, as white (in a way that only cowboys can be ) as could be, but a better version (for me that is). In retrospect, I must add that I too caught the Arthur Miles bus back then. I find his efforts, on re-appraisal that is, those of an owd fella jumping on a bandwagon fuelled by us UK Soulies creating enough buzz in for Tong's FFRR label to sign it (I sent 'em it) - but that was then wasn't it? May I add that records and people such as Arthur Miles were part of the development of this scene and tracks like his helped move things on, so I'm not being negative, just stating where I sit now - but his tracks were very much, again for me that is, a time and a place. Give the 'Way Of Life' version another go Jocko - that was the version that got the most air play of the two at Bradford anyhow.

Where did you get the photo of Martin from Congleton Malc?

What is your view on it? You know what I'm on about, terms such as - 'Official second issue, pressed from the original plates' etc Are the amount of 'credible' references attached by 'dealers' to non-original pressings simply yet another marketing ploy as to move their sub-standard (Ouch!) stock? Devils advocate question, I hope some of you don't bite too hard on your pillows now.

The version I, embarrassingly, can't remember puts a belting slant when compared to the original, for me it has a better production and also a more thoughtful (nay, sophisticated) delivery. Not in any way knocking the barn-storming childhood memory that is BP's.

Yes it was: I've gone brain (beer) dead I have it on the 70's album by.......?(apologies, I'm sure someone'll fill in the gaps). 'Put It In A Magazine was the released 7" with Per-son-ally on the flip, I think, Bobby Paris was on backing vocal chores on the same album.

Well said Ollie, you can't buy experience, no, but you've gotta love a lad with common sense and passion.

I have a few of those Ian (it seems that you have to say things like that in message board responses ), nice, but may I ask you, or anyone as it goes, about the Babe Ruth boot that I have - apologies if this is baby stuff but I'm sure you all know how it is (you can't know everything now, can you) - the Capitol release is the cleaned up version and in my opinion, the poorer version and not the version that I own on the boot. I've recently bought the Babe Ruth album, after reading someones views about that LP version on here - and to my detriment haven't played it yet....! Anyway is the bootlegged version I have a boot of the original independant release prior to Capitol picking it up? Is that clear enough or have I done my usual job of clouding a very simple issue?

John Alderton and 'Please Sir!' - good random shout!

Willing to pay a £100er for a M-.

I agree with everything you say Paul about how the NS scene is portrayed, when it is, within the media (but it is always going to be portrayed given the nature of the scene). And I know how a single throw away comment's like yours can be stripped and dissected on boards like this. All I was attempting to get across was the fact that there are scenes that accomodate people who have grown up with, still buy, and love Northern - it's just a shame that they tend not to be dedicated Northern Soul events. The fact that Northern do's are attended by an older crowd isn't a problem either - the older attendee's get, the more beautiful and true to it's roots the scene proves itself to be. I've re-read my post and I possibly could have worded it a tad better, my apologies if I came across in a poor manner, it wasn't intended.

Ay oop Mossy - reply to one of my more white-hot topics and you may get more of a response.

Let us not allow this exchange to degenerate ay fella? I respect you, end of.

The only answer I have left just happens to tie in with your board name mate. And as Magic Lady said (82) - Hold Tight (Don't Let Go). I hope that answers my question!?

...for the right price of course. Please pm me.