Davebanks

Just checked my itunes playlist and record box and relevant to this forum my top 5 of 2013 were; Soul children Were getting too close Gloria Shannon Tears Al Mcarther His true love for you Bobby Bland Members Only Monitors You are my destiny (bit of a dark secret I know, but I like it!) Bobby Womack and Nile Rodgers featured quite heavily but no particular tracks also started to rediscover the Isley Brothers. What a back catalogue they have. Dave Banks

Obtained the complete set from John in a record deal a few years ago and there are only 26 in the series. But what a collection of tunes, many not available on CD even to this day. Dave Banks

Surprised no one has mentioned Backtrack 6, as it was that album that opened many of our eyes and ears to the joys of Detroit soul away from Motown. The thrill of hearing those artists; Parliaments, Precisions and Al Kent for the first time on that album started the search for more more more, that still carries on today. Dave Banks

Some of you mentioning reggae stuff reminds me of when those albums like tighten up and prince buster would be played alongside our soul stuff. Mind you some of it we had to hide from my Gran. Bang Bang Lulu and Big 5 were considered quite risque then. It is also forgotten now but in the late 60's early 70's most of us were just discovering what a great collection of tracks the Drifters had laid down over the years. the album I'll take where the music is playing was still new and fresh then. Still gets an airing on CD in our car. Dave Banks

In the days when we only used record players to listen to soul music, you could leave the disc stacking arm open and the LP below would play repetitively. In our house in the late 60's the Temptations Gettin ready album took up residence, fending off me Mums Cliff Richard and my sisters Herman Hermits! What 60's or 70's album monopolized your player? Later on the Impressions - "Young Mods" album would be the backdrop to many a night in helping a "friend" with her homework! Dave Banks

Since I first heard this nearly 40 years ago this has been to me the epitome of NS. Super vocal, so neat lyrics and soooo rare, its what NS is all about. And one of those rare records that is great on the dancefloor, thru the headphones, in the car or under the sheets. The reason you travelled all those miles stayed up all night; just to be part of a scene that could find and play such superb soul, the essence of black America in the 60's that chimed so well with northern England in the early 70's. It still moves the heart and the feet to this day nearly 50 years after it was made; artistic brilliance. Now, where did I put the wifes gold credit card ?????? Dave Banks

When I were a lad in the 60's most dancers at youth clubs etc danced with partners or girls danced around handbags and then lads joined in. Only a few hardy souls danced alone to club sounds and then Northern soul but they may have seen this at the Wheel. I didnt see NS dancing proper until I attended the Torch, then WOW. Then we started attending other NS events large and small and everyone was NS dancing, but in "mainstream" clubs it was still dance around your bags time. Where did this solo style of NS dancing start, the Wheel? We did do some solo dancing in the youth clubs to specific records like Harlem Shuffle and I seem to remember one dance probably best forgotten called the shitshaker where you stood still and waggled your legs!! Well we were young and foolish. Dave Banks

As lots have said, hate is too strong a word, but 3 that leave me cold are: I`m you pimp skull snaps.....just too strange Fickle finger of fate Bernard Purdie..... Russ Conway meets the philly strings The Joker any version!!! But Soul is a broad church and I wouldn`t deny others the right to play these....out of my earshot! Dave Banks

WOW !! Thanks for that. It is Don Hollinger on Red Rooster. After you told me, OscarP, I found it on you tube and relived a thousand memories. What a track, was playing it when it was first released back in 80's and it meant so much to me then, played at full volume after a few too many beers at 2 in the morning. Soul music sure touches ya soul!!! thanks again Dave Banks

Mmmmm could have written the topic title a little different? Can anyone help in identifying a deep soul track called "love on the telephone" the middle eight lyrics go something like; Every night a bottle of Courvoisier, pacing the floor, wondering if your gonna make it. Had it on a tape, and my wants list but have now lost both. Thanks Dave Banks

Went to the victoriana a few times, saw the Showstoppers there and acquired an autographed "eeny meeny" on MGM from their manager. not much of a claim to fame sadly!!! Now if I`d known about the four perfections then, it would have been a different story. When I was at Liverpool Uni I did manage to book the Victoriana house band to play at a student do. It was free booze and food and we had booked the band to back 10 strippers, as you do! As you might imagine cant remember much about the night other than it ended in a riot with dustbin lids being used as shields against the flying glasses! I know I know sexist and shameful, but its what you go to uni for isn't it? Dave Banks

Hi bluesoulman, I remember the Hotsy Totsy, my wife and I used to go there regular, by the old tunnel entrance up a side street wasnt it. Not the biggest club as I recall but you did play some good soul sounds especially "early doors" I also remember the cavern playing some good stuff in the early 70`s. Billy Butler is of course a legend on Merseyside for his Hold yer Plums radio show. The funniest show ever on radio. And if some of you reading this have never heard it and think that is an exaggeration have a listen to some clips on youtube especially the potato woman. Dave Banks

In Liverpool the Mardi Gras and Victoriana both played "old soul" from about 1968 thru to 1972. The Mardi Gras in particular was popular as local DJ Billy Butler had USA imports that at the time were unavailable anywhere else in UK. Billy Butler was probably the first to play the Kittens Aint no more room; Cigarette ash; and Darkest days by Jackie Lee. Once saw the Invitations at the Mardi Gras, probably 1970, masquerading, or at least billed as the "Original Drifters", a common practice in the early 70s. They were astonished to find that UK kids were still dancing to their Whats wrong with me baby track. Dave Banks

I thought it was covered up by Sam as Jeanette Barnfather - Fools Paradise ?????? :D

Surfing youtube and came across this video. Well it made me smile. What a great train set. Dave Banks

The Andy Rix article about FW reminded me that quite a few boots in the 70's were actualy speeded up to make them "more acceptable" to the dancers. Anyone got a list? Can remember the Billy Paul track Let the dollar circulate being totally altered by being speeded up. Just wonder as sounds have got slower has anyone slowed anything down on the decks? This also brings to mind the golden moment in the 70's when Sam, after playing the almost undanceable (for us) but great fast track the Inticers Since you left, followed it with the Isleys Rumour baby at that time an album only track but he played it at 45rpm. Needles to say it cleared the floor for 30seconds before he realised. Dave Banks

It is always hard covering a well known tune and adding your mark on it. always thought Al Green and the Hi team were very brave tackling the Beatles "I want to hold your hand", if anything is straight pop that is it. But Al turns in a very gritty performance, that is unmystakably an Hi production.

Aparently Bono thought the Chimes version the best cover of this song and is quoted as saying "at last someone has come along to sing it properly" I agree Dave Banks

I agree about Marvins version of Yesterday, it is stunning and still sounds great today despite the fact you have heard the song a million times. Surprised no one has mentioned Eddie and Ernies take on Lay Lady Lay a pretty good soulful version there I think. Dave Banks

Have sold a few via Johns auctions and always pleased with the service and the price obtained. It seems to me John has the contacts/subscribers to reach a wide audience. Mind you have only sold Northern stuff via the auction. Dave Banks

Being a bit of a soul snob and purist in my youth, I usually dismissed soul artists covering other artists songs, especially hits as "not soul" Oh dear what a fool. anyway things have changed a bit now and many of these tracks find their way onto my ipod playlist or my late night record playing. Recently though I was blown away by rediscovering Bobby Blands version of Aint no Sunshine on Malaco. Boy this has grabbed me like no other track I've heard this century. I cannot understand it as before, the original of this song grated something awful with me. But Bobby just makes this track his own and the production is superb. It reminds me of the job his mate B B King did on the old song the thrill is gone, raising the song to another level. What covers have caught you unawares and headed up your favourites list? dave banks

One of the exciting things about going to a Northern Soul dance is the participation of the crowd. Some records just lend themselves to more than just a few steps on the dancefloor and clapping in time to the beat or the break becomes part why that particular record is popular. so much so that many Northern tracks "lose" a certain excitement when played at home even loudly. Did this clapping start at the Wheel? It was certainly well established by the time of the Torch. Whats your favourite participation record then? Epitome of Sound "You dont love me" does it for me, the clapping bit is not so obvious but sounds fantastic echoing around a venue. Dave Banks

Turned this out of my Christmas decoration box. Thought a few old soulies might be interested. Christmas greetings to all who remember friday nights at the Raven Dave Banks

Plenty of snow here in Devon, but that just means more time at home reading the message boards here. Mind you I am retired now so have bags of time to listen to quality soul like "I've got the need" Cheers mate, must catch up some time. Dave Banks

This is such a great thread. We soul fans should not underestimate the wider interest in this record. Mentioned it to a mate of my sons who years ago I had given a CD to of Northern stuff including FW, he liked it. This guy is now a world famous recording artist and said he would be interested in bidding for FW, I did tell him the likely price but lucky bugger didn't bat an eye!!! I did give him JM's web address, and John you owe me a pint if he makes the winning bid. Tell you who it is when I see you in a few weeks. Point is, this record has charisma beyond NS and Motown fans. And if like my sons mate you have not heard it before it still has the power to move you. Its still got soul! Dave Banks