Ian Dewhirst

I'll second that Pete, except the bit about the Carstairs LOL..... Ian is one of the most knowledgeable people about Soul Music that I've ever met too. He's ALWAYS been controversial and outspoken as long as I've known him and even his best mates will acknowledge that he can be a pain in the ass at times. Once you get past the shameless self-promotion and arrogance, there's a guy who knows more about Northern Soul then 99.99% of most people. Plus he's being remarkably well-behaved this time around IMO. A few years ago he'd have been immediately banned..... Ian D

It may be of interest for readers on here to know where you got the inspiration for The Exciters "Reaching For The Best" from? Ian D

Funny this thread came up as I was looking through Ginger Taylor's box recently and came across his copy of Lenny Curtis "Nothing Can Help You Now" and for some reason decided to check the condition and saw "A Frank Discovery" stencilled-into the dead wax! I can't remember doing it but it was deffo my old copy...... Still looked great too! Ian D

I think we were en route back from an all-dayer somewhere in the Midlands (Whitchurch possibly?). I was in the car with Sid, Smithy, Rod etc from Cleckheaton and we'd just got back in the car after stopping @ Knutsford services when another car pulled up next to us and ejected you and record box LOL.... I think you were trying to make it back to Blackpool and Andy Hanley was definitely driving. It was probably a row and he probably came back and got you eventually I guess. We were watching the whole thing wondering what was going on and we got out and talked to you. It was probably just a flare-up but actually quite funny at the time....... Ian D

Yeah, but you're easily misunderstood Ian. The people who have known you a long time have a tendency to accept you as you are since that's the way it's always been as long as I've been around. But, as you know yourself, it hasn't always been easy. The first direct experience I ever had of you up close, was seeing you being booted out of a car in the early 70's @ Knutsford services by Andy Hanley, presumably because you were driving everyone nuts at the time LOL.... The fact is that you've always made yourself an easy target in many ways. It's unfortunate really as I've always seen you as being one of the great arbitors of taste on the scene - without a doubt one of the most influential people on the Northern Soul scene period, as your track-record in discovering great records plainly demonstrates. However, I've seen much more humility in your recent postings on here and, unless I'm mistaken, I think that many of your recordings are currently receiving much more attention then they originally received which is probably a good thing. So keep with the humility angle Ian. It'll work wonders mate........ Ian D

Beautifully put Jim! I thank the lord for being born in 1955. In my opinion we just witnessed the greatest half century of musical culture ever known to man. We should be so lucky. The fact that I happened to be 15 years old living in Mirfield, Yorkshire in 1970 with an affinity for uptempo Soul music means that I was surely blessed. The Northern Soul scene was the eighth wonder of the world IMO. The greatest scene in my experience and I've been around forever. Pure magic. Ian D

That's the spirit Sarah! It's a serious thing this Northern Soul..... This film thing is a bit like the old "irresistible force meets the immovable rock" scenario, i.e., very likely to throw up some fault-lines along the way LOL..... The film better be halfway decent! That's all I can say LOL..... OK, "Family Guy" time now........I need to get a bit of distance........ Ian D

Hey, this ain't a confessional Sarah. If you've got some issues to sort out with Beeks then nip round and see him. We're talking about a film here - I'm watching "Motor City's Burning" for the third time on BB2 as we speak........ The "Souled Out" film's got almost no chance with the stalwart traditional N.S. audience I reckon. There's simply too many things that they'll slip up on with SS'ers. After all, this is the most critical Northern Soul forum in the world - most of the time we can't even agree with ourselves LOL...... For a film company to get every single last nuance of the scene right is frankly impossible. Take it with a large pinch of salt on your popcorn and it may be halfway enjoyable. If it finds an audience and turns into a huge international hit, it will fuel interest in a scene which, frankly, could probably benefit from a massive injection of youthful energy. Which, after all, is what fueled the scene in the first place. Great thread though! The advance PR machine certainly got it's money's worth here but probably much more than they bargained for methinks........ Ian D

Classic! Ian D

I'm racking my brains wondering if there's a precedent for this type of film? I seem to recall "Velvet Goldmine" was about the Glam Rock era and loosely based on David Bowie's career and, in fact, the title of one of his songs. However, Bowie didn't like the script and vetoed the use of any of his songs in the film. The film took a dive at the box office and make just $1.5 million on a budget of $9 million: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_Goldmine Also there was a film called "Shag" which covered the Beach Music scene which similarly bombed at the time but I never saw that, so I can't comment if I thought it was any good or not. The best film I've seen about the music scene was Michael Winterbottom's "24 Hour Party People" which documented the rise and fall of Factory Records and the Hacienda. If "Souled Out" gets anywhere near that, I'll applaud it! Ian D

It'll stand or fall on it's own merits Mossy. I'm a film buff and hard to please anyway, so if it is any good it'll be a nice surprise...... Ian D

Well now you put it that way........ As I've always said no one can fault your commitment, belief and passion for Soul Music even if you can be an arrogant bombastic twat occasionally LOL.... Good to have you back on here. Always guaranteed to blow away the cobwebs! Ian D

I'm usually deadly accurate Ian and actually very supportive of your more credible ventures dear - check the SWOLS thread for instance. Don't be falling out with me mate - you've got enough on your hands haven't you? Incidentaly, I'm gonna ring ya re a perfect venue for your next launch, so try not to piss me off too much LOL..... Ian D

Like what? Ian D

Morning Gavin. Plenty of action on here now LOL... Ian D

Blimey, I tune into "Family Guy" for 20 minutes and look what happens! This should be fun...... Ian D

Plenty of places still around - I was there 18 months ago. But they come and go. I'd pop down to the Village, check out the shops and ask the incredibly helpful people behind the counters - Bleeker Bob's, House Of Oldies etc which shops are still going and they'll direct you from there. Also check out the flea markets in Manhattan on Sundays as there's a few and there's always stuff knocking around. Good luck! Ian D

Just a bump. These two releases are spurring quite a bit of interest with substantial re-orders from all the main sellers and lots of enthusiasm generally. I've done about 20 of each since last week and still got some going from the batch I got allocated, so check 'em out if ya can. Ian D

That was one of mine Sebastian (albeit uncredited I think)! Glad you liked it LOL. Look what it started! Ian D

There's some interesting titles in there which I don't know. Always thought it was a great New York label with some well-produced stuff on. Anyone know these?:- GSF 6875 Classic Example That's Groovy / Hey There Little Girl GSF 6880 The Passions A Toast (May There Be No Last Time) / One Night Affair GSF 6886 Jackie Ross Woman Get Nothingn From Love / Do I GSF 6888 Jay If It Please You / Thank You GSF 6890 Coldwater Stone Outside Love Affair / When He Breaks Your Heart GSF 6895 Jackie Ross A One Woman's Man / Take The Weight Off Me GSF 6899 Jene Smith and Mickey Stevenson When Love Calls You Home / Please Go GSF 6900 Liberation Little Green Piece Of Paper / In The City GSF 6902 The Diplomats I'm Your Pimp / ? (Misprint I presume?) Ian D

Tremendous records. Both of 'em! From the vintage Disco era......... Ian D

Wish I could give sound-files on these two! The more I listen to 'em, the better they are. These are looking more popular than the Joe Bataan 7"'s I put up a couple of weeks ago and they sold out quick! Ian D

Two interesting looking limited-edition 7" pressings outta Canada....... "Why Am I Crying"/"Good Thing" - Rhonda McDaniel Soul Tribe "Give In"/"Feel The Warm" - Norris Vines & The Luvliners Soul Tribe £8.00 each inc UK P&P or £15.00 the pair inc UK P&P! Highly recommended - both of 'em! PM me and grab 'em whilst they're here........ Any Europe/USA/ROW buyers PM me and I'll figure postage out. Ian D

I'm pretty sure it doesn't exist KJW. Had me going for a moment there......... Ian D