Mick Howard

Jock You certainly are serious sometimes but as ever the voice of reason - as Stevie says nothing really more to add. Appropros the 'as ever' bit - as ever you haven't replied to my e-mail about my 50th Birthday bash on 1st May - coming over to Paisley or what? Mick

Tony Yes indeed the man was a singer of some calibre. Unsatisfied was amongst the first batch of Northern Soul tunes I got to recognise back in the mid 70's and look forward to hearing the out-take. I absolutely love 'If I Ever Get To Love You' which I'm sure is on the CD. Going to Stafford young man? If so I'll see you there. Mick

I remember that Ken although I don't have it. Scan of the acetate I recall as well as scans of Troy Dodds and The Cairos I think. Mick

Ady Long time no see.. Anyway yeah pretty sure Keb played the inst - called it 'The Dance Track' I recall See you at Stafford perhaps? Mick

Macca Although perhaps that's how the article reads, I know Keb and suspect he and Matt are actually referring to 'weekend' or 'fair-weather' Soulies who just happened upon the scene by accident - basically people who were not on the scene before the late 70's mod revival and who didn't stay the course. Some mod/scooter revivalists did embrace Rare Soul but in my experience the scooter scene is another animal altogether where the music happens to be secondary. Personally I haven't met many scooterists who know the difference between Detroit and Chicago Soul and remember the article is by Rare Soul DJ's about Rare Soul music and that scene. Mick

Chalky How lucky was that, not only do you find an article about Northern Soul whilst surfing but it survives all that time submerged - wow! Mick

Here are a couple which I have'nt heard for a very long time: Playing Hide & Seek - Eddie Regan Help Me - The Outsiders By the way, I absolutely love the Jobell - latin really does it for me.. Mick

Baz/Kath Take a look at these.... Wow - taken back in 1976...... Mick

As someone said the lyrics aren't all that great (they're terrible really) and probably the reason why the things was never released. I do love the rythym track though as it's pure Northern Soul to my ears. Top sound at TOTW for Guy & Keb - think Guy played the vocal and Keb the instrumental. Mick

Well said Rob. Mick

My tuppence worth.. Mid to late 70's: Soul Sam - for his passion (until he started playing the wierd stuff like Cartoon Candy Carnival et al) Richard Searling - for his status Brian Rae - for his classic MC'ing Early to mid 80's Richard Searling - for some awesome tunes Pat Brady - ditto Mid to late 80's Guy & Keb - for their complete disregard of the 'status quo' (and I don't mean that rock band either) & spoiling everyone with the amount of 'new' tunes they played Mark Bicknell - 'cos he'd be upset if I didn't mention him Keith Whitson, Jock O'Connor, Colin Law, Alan & Steve Walls, Andy Dennison, Jim Tennant, Mark Linton - for showing us an effin good time ("get up on the floor ya b******s") Roger Banks - for championing the R&B side of Soul 90's Dean & Kitch - for carrying on where Guy & Keb left off Can't really say anything about now 'cos I don't travel often enough to have a valid opinion. Mick

What about all those black 'scotsmen'? Jock Mitchell, Maurice McAllister, Billy McGregor etc.. Mick

Oh & then there's 'chuckin' the chips' of course Stafford Joan/Tony? Mick

and Russ, i agree with everything you said about NS, except the bit about "seriously cool people, who were dressed super sharp ", sorry mate but the fashion of the northern scene was and still is horrendous, theres nowt worse now seeing some 50+ year old woman in circle skirt ballet shoes and white ankle socks...makes me roar.. pre '71 and after '80 was ok but basically the 70's fashion wise was comical..........IMO

Richard Consulted Craig Butler who's into those labels and he doesn't know of any other CD's in addition to those on Regency that Tony referenced, but went on to say that Relic Records put out some great vinyl LP's in the 80's although most of those may now be out of stock. Mick

Yeah, how DO you post a refosoul clip? God knows I've tried but can't figure it out and its not clear in the help function either Mick

Definitely Heartbreaker by HB Barnum but, probably the best two non-Soul IMHO are: Positively 4th Street by Bob Dylan: Yes, I wish that for just one time You could stand inside my shoes You'd know what a drag it is To see you (You're not worth the) Salt in my tears by Martin Briley You ain't worth you ain't worth the salt in my tears Treated like dirt I'm hurt I ain't hanging round her You've left me crying left me crying for years But you ain't worth the salt in my tears Ouch.... Mick

Ian Ha yeah I remember those tunes from St Ives & Peterborough - do you remember these from around the same era: Heartbeat - Bill Purcell Ten To One - Lou Roberts & The Marks By Yourself - JD Martin That's Not Love - Holly St James Salt & Pepper - Esko Affair Tough Girl - Billy Arnell Stranger In My Arms - Lynn Randell Playing Hide & Seek - Eddie Regan Mick

Ian My first all nighter was Peterborough Wirrina followed very closely by St Ives back in the summer of 76 (they alternated week about I think). I preferred it to the Wirrina as the dance floor was slightly bigger although couldn't get my head around the Theatre which was pitch black save for the DJ lamp over the decks (although I now know why quite a few people liked it like that if you catch my drift). My mate Danny and I had a motto "Chubby Checker for Prime Minister" - our fave tune was of course You Just Don't Know (in my top 30 on here). Mick

Debbie Here you go. A few more from St Ives circa 1976. Top left is Keith Dunhill who was dancing behind Billy Whizz in the This England film (he has a white shirt, black tie & baggy jeans on). The photo under that one is Cheryl Bush who was in the year below me at School - always a well dressed young lady. The photo to the right of that is Keith again dancing with Mal Rose in front with the beige bags. Can't remember the name of the guy in the last photo (he wasn't one of our crowd) but what a dancer he was - a shuffler extraordinaire...... Mick

Martyn Cheers mate - yeah Jacko was the man. Nice guy. Mick

Thing is though Mark its 'horses for courses' isn't it? £50 back in the 80's was quite a sum in those days & I seem to remember a certain person getting Troy Dodds off me for that price..... (oh and Gerri Hall I think)..... Those two records I didn't think were crap but just needed the 'brass' at the time - ah well ces't la vie as they say in Belgium... Mick