Mick Howard

Yeah sorry about that First time I've tried to insert a refosoul clip but obviously I haven't done it correctly. Mick P.S. I was at Mark Bicknells a couple of weeks ago & he was telling me about the van trip.......

Here's a mad mental one I've just remembered from the Stafford days (Keb spin as I recall) KING GEORGE-IM THRU LOSIN YOU-MIDTOWN - Mick

Yeah but you should Grant - I effin loved it when Keb played it & still think its great - mental yes but tremendous. Cats Eyes - that's the first time I've heard it in about 30 years and it's effin crackers but one of the reasons why I got into the scene in the first place 'cos there was nothing like it in the charts at the time - fantastic..... Here's one for ya; Paul Peek - I'm Movin Up Town Mick

Sure I've heard one or did I dream it? Mick

Ought to be massive? It was when it was played by Keb mid 80's or at least to my ears it was. Effin' top, top tune & still makes me want to dance. Mick

Mike Soul is a pretty difficult thing to put ones finger on particularly when you discover that a tune which you have always believed was sung/played by afro-americans isn't. To me then its a feeling both from the artist and yourself so I guess you are right in a way although I don't get most of those artists you mention. Mick P.S. I have an eclectic taste in music (so I'm told) and like loads from punk to reggae to rock but most of that 'ain't Soulful.

The 'characters' then: Kev 'Fev' Featherstone for his seemingly endless knowledge of 'our thing' & for his wicked sense of humour (like keeping me on the phone for ages even though he knows I don't like it) Keb Darge for his North East Scottish outlook (they are of a certain type) & keeping us 'waiting for the beat'. Pete Lawson for being completely barmy but also for his passion about 'our thing' - anyone remember his mental dancing at Stafford? Mickey Cruise also for being completely barmy & being misunderstood (not because he's misunderstood in a psychological way but because without his teeth he's er misunderstood....) Anita from Oldham for her nuttyness & listening to me when I told her to listen to 60's newies. Mark Bicknell for being larger than life & for being my mate for over 25 years. Scotty from Stockport for his whistling..... There have been many more over the years but these guys come to mind first. Mick

Always loved to dance to the Seeburg Spotlite Bands version of Nowhere To Run which Guy used to play back in the day. I think that Seeburg was a bit like the US's version of the UK's Top of the Pops albums in 60's and early 60's - cover versions of hits of the day, although the Top of the Pops covers were s***. Mick

Got totally p****d off one night at the 100 Club (mid 90's) when one well known wheeler/dealer refused to sell me a copy of Slowly Moulding which he had in a box along with a few other nice bits and pieces. The really galling thing was not half an hour has passed since I had asked him how much he wanted for it and he gave me a price!!!!!!! Why the f**k did he bring the tunes with him if he wasn't selling them? Perhaps he had a special clique of buyers and I wasn't in that circle...... Mick

I would think a lot of people will have seen this but I only came across it today. Although I wasn't a part of this crowd it certainly brought back memories of 76. Does anyone from Fintry recognise themselves or others? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQOBmF1i_CU Mick

Mick

The very ones Chalky, although you is too young to remember those surely? Yeah I reckon if you're hurting with your brogues something has definitely worn out. It's DM's for me now anyway - once worn a bit the grip goes and they're great for spinning... By the way, will probably be going to Radcliffe... Mick

Yeah agree with Old Soul, shoes before the mid 70's were brogues or loafers but then we got another style in about 75/76 which was extremely popular all over the Soul scene and great for dancing. Can't remember their name but they were usually black with leather strips over the main front bit crossing over each other. You could also get them in brown and a two-tone black and maroon/plum. The bags held changes of clothes, talc, deodorant/anti-perspirant, toothbrush/toothpaste (for getting rid of that horrible gunge/breath build up from you know what) and yes records that you'd bought at the all nighter - basically to hold 'stuff' really because remember that some people had travelled hundreds of miles and wouldn't be getting home before Sunday evening - the motorway service stations East, West, South and North of Wigan were always full of Soulies having a wash, getting changed and so on... Happy times... Mick

Tony Clarkes Wrong Man when he sings "with my sweet cakes by my side" - ooh I get all unecessary then.... Also the whole of Walter Jacksons After You There Can Be Nothing which not only makes my face screw up but brings tears to my eyes nearly every time... Mick

1965 definitely closely followed by 1966 not least 'cos it was also the year that England won a certain football trophy. Mick

Is this what you're talking about?? Mick

Tommaso That's the one - shows you how out of touch I am... Mick

Jez Never seen the LP before & like Sean I might have bid for it second time around had I seen it. I recognise at least two of the tracks: Kelly Brothers - Crying Days Are Over which came out on a US label the name of which escapes me. I remember it's orange in colour and it is the label that nearly all the Kelly Brothers' songs came out on so perhaps the one on the LP's A side came out on the same label.Johnny Wyatt - This Thing Called Love which came out on US Bronco - massive back in the dayMick

Anyone got one that they want to off-load? Mick

Rob Both Rick & Rob were at the Wilton in March & both looking great. Rick & I were together at RAF Cosford back in the mid 70's & went to the Casino a couple of times. Mick

These 'mags' were very irreverent but always meant to be in fun. Produced by my good friends the 'Elephants of Soul' from Nottingham - Graham & brothers Rick & Rob Scott. Mick