Ian Dewhirst

Yeah, he's the real deal for sure. Wonderful voice. Cunnie was good enough to put me onto a great mix of this t'other month:- Cee-Lo "I Want You" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZY8g96fMgg Ian D

Yep, he's a major vinyl fan. I did the 180 gram vinyl pressings for both "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction" soundtracks and he loved 'em! Ian D

:thumbsup: Ian D

Yeah, weird ay? Since I never played it off the original LP because the U.S. 7" copies came in immediately, I never really thought about it. I presume that the original album version is different from the 7" versions? Great thread though innit? I mean, this is what we live for......................... Ian D

Completely forgot about that Tony and that's probably where they got the tune from now that I think about it.............. So presumably the next big international ad will be snagged from Tarrantino's FANTASTIC use of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich's "Hold Tight" from Deathproof.........? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIwiUXCA6W0 I mean, that's a pretty effective use of a tune innit? He's very good at that................... Ian D

Yep, if ever there was any doubt about the reach, emotional resonance and viabilty of a Northern Soul record to reach a mainstream international audience, then this Nike ad puts those fears to bed. This was a key record in my own musical education and one of the records which drew me into Northern Soul. The amount of interest that this will gather purely as a result of this ad is virtually incalculable. I mean the previous benchmarks were Felix Cat Food, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Lambrusco. This is a whole new league. If anything was going to provide a surge of interest in this music at a time when everyone's questioning whether it even has a future or not, I would suggest that a pan-world Nike advert is better than a kick in the derriere......... Didn't see this coming at all. Smart move by Nike and their ad agency. Maybe we're not as dead as we thought we were ay? Ian D

Yep. Of course it is. Occasionally even I can get a bit puritanical about records but when it comes down to it I was brought up with all the Motown stuff plus a lot of UK only hits like "Baby Now That I Found You" and "Build Me Up Buttercup" - The Foundations, "I Feel Love Comin' On" - Felice Taylor, "Sweet Inspiration" - Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon and UK produced Northern hits like "A Man Like Me" - Jimmy James, "What Love Brings" - Kenny Bernard, "Serving A Sentence Of Life" - Carl Douglas, "Our Love Is Getting Stronger" - Jason Knight, "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" - P.P. Arnold, "Stop What You're Doing" - The Playthings and numerous others. The Northern Soul audience in the mid 70's just loved an irrestible beat, a great song and a vocal with conviction and "Elusive" is simply another fine record in that tradition. It was the biggest record in the country at it's height and rightly so. Still a fantastic performance and I'm glad we were right on it! We generally got the best of the most 'soulful' records throughout most genres in my opinion. I mean, Babe Ruth never saw a Northern Soul classic in a zillion years and neither did we at the time........... Ian D

Y'know , sometimes something happens that's just perfect. If ever Northern Soul was going to appeal to an international audience and turn more people on to this music, I always thought it would need to be branded a bit more snappily. Well, we just reached that moment. I was busy on the Babe Ruth thread in the 'Look In Your Box' section, when suddenly the TV started blasting the Human Beinz "Nobody But Me" from out of nowhere and I looked up and watched some brilliantly filmed sport footage to a hundred mph Northern classic that kept me mesmerized for the next 60 seconds. Yes folks, welcome to the brand new international Nike ad: Nike Throwdown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAe9SpuxtYI Not bad ay? To think it all started some 43 years ago at a little club in Manchester. From little acorns etc, etc. Great stuff! Ian D

This whole UK re-recording thing has kinda thrown me. I've nothing to compare it to other than "Elusive", which I've got both on U.K. and U.S. promos, but sadly, nothing else by 'em. I actually met Steve Rowland, the producer, at a Lonnie Liston-Smith gig at the Orange in the 90's and had a great conversation with him. He produced one of my favourite pop records, "Central Park Arrest" by Thunderthighs, a sort of very accomplished, wall-of-soundy, Phil Spector pastiche by a UK studio group. It was like the Ronettes on acid. Great record. In fact, here it is:- "Central Park Arrest" - Thunderthighs UK Phillips 1974 Wow! How about that ay? What a f*ckin' REKID! I wish I'd realised at the time that he'd produced "Elusive"! That wouldv'e been an extra 20 minutes conversation LOL......... I'll try and track him down and ask him what the deal was. Also, I'll ask my colleague, Val, 'cos he's pretty good on this stuff too and this will be right up his street LOL.... Ian D

Yep, that's right. My brain can't be that defective then although the c/u title would be more likely to be "Trying To Find You" surely?. Ruth Brown is bang on the money though......... Ian D

Yep, agreed. But who's Black Wolf...? And did he ever make it to plastic or local fame? Ian D

Maybe you can get 'em to kick in for a new dancefloor whilst they're at it? Ian D

My thoughts exactly. Aging eyesight and those f*ckin' 60 watt energy efficient light bulbs don't make reading those stupid fonts very easy do they? I'll pass it on to Mike but I think he's probably aware. I pulled him on the no creditation for the Kent Washburn article (which was John Smith by the way), so he's suitably humbled already. This'll make his week LOL.... Ian D

Who's Black Wolf? Anyone....? Ian D

Excellent stuff. I love it when stuff like this happens because it makes people realise the quality of old music that they wouldn't ever get to hear under normal circumstances. It was a similar thing when Boots raided that Soul Jazz album for the previously generally unknown "Here Come The Girls" - Ernie K. Doe and probably pumped up Soul Jazz's sales nicely. So good for them. Same for Numero. They go to a massive amount of effort to dig up this stuff so it's nice when something like this happens. Well done to all! Ian D

Canned Heat surely Kev? Most of those 2-22 releases are ridiculously difficult to find. My mate (Sid from Cleckheaton) actually had a complete run back in the 70's but I haven't seen him for 35 years so I dunno if they're still intact......... Ian D

Nope, just U.S. Ian D

Sure did. Don Haywoode from the Velours actually lived in Leeds when the Fantastics got established in the UK and he confirmed the connection. I used to go out with his daughter Emma so I'd see him quite often........ Ian D

Frank Beverly & The Butlers - Maze Rotary Connection- Minnie Ripperton The Poppies-Dorothy Moore Ian D

Currently going through the entire One Way/Al Hudson albums from the late 70's to mid 90's. There's gold in there somewhere! Ian D

Landa was pre Philly International (and even pre Arctic I think). It was released in the UK due to Northern Soul demand - Route routinely issued quite a few in-demand Northern tunes at the time including Sheila Anthony, Elsie Strong and Mistura among others. Actually, whilst we're on this subject, does anyone know whether the Teddy from Teddy & The Fingerpoppers of "Soul Groove" fame on Artic is actually Teddy Pendergrass? He used to be a drummer so it's feasible isn't it? Ian D

The only shack in town is Stevie G's shed. Tickets going fast. Might have to put the last few up for auction............... Ian D

Wow. Unbelievable. I've actually received PM's from people who would be happy to pay a fortune for a night in Butch's living room or Steve's shed. I've already kinda sold about 6 tickets.............. I think the events could even go bi-monthly............... Ian D

Mmmm. That's pretty interesting. So are some rare Soul DJ's ironically keeping their appearances rare to maintain interest or mystique and therefore could be playing to the same audience much of the time or preaching to the converted? And presumably there's others who click up the miles most weekends and are probably decent crowd-pleasers in many regions and that's why they're never short of bookings? A little bit of both attitudes could be the perfect balance maybe? Ian D

You see. There's another one who doesn't gig anywhere near enough. What is it with these guys? No bloody work ethic. It'd be easier just to go round to Steve's shed rather than trying to actually catch him at a gig! Maybe that's the future? Since Butch and Stevie G don't seem so keen on driving hundreds of miles and playing multiple venues every week, then let the punters come to them. Brilliant idea Ian! "You are cordially invited for an evening of special listening pleasure in Butch's living room. From the comfort of his armchair Butch will play from his very, very exclusive triple A rated personal favourites box which will include several 'never previously played out' gems, his 'home-only one-offs' and 'the secret living room sound of the month". Just 2 x £500 tickets left folks, so don't delay! or "Exclusive! We are down to the final 2 x V.I.P. tickets left for the November date for "Steve G's Secret Shed". This heavily sold-out monthly event includes Steve showing his label runs and his extensive alphabetical and colour-coded filing system from the comfort of his own shed". A mere snip @ £750. Do these guys have agents? Ian D