John Moffatt

How about the 'Faith-keeper'? "If it wasn't played a Wigan then it's not northern soul: it's probably not soul of any kind." Still wearing the same (now very badly fitting) bags, shirt and bowling shoes, this individual hasn't actually slept since 1983. Wide-eyed, fast talking (utter gobbledegook), usually sounds drunk when totally sober (which is rare). Went to every all-nighter EVER. The bane of every DJ who ever refused to play 'The Snake'.

Excellent point Dave. There are more and more of these chill-out sessions starting up, mainly, but not always, on Sunday afternoons. The H&G in Donnie was the first locally (for me at any rate), before I started the Washington in Sheffield. Then there's The Kingstone in Barnsley, The Castle Bar in Conisborough and others. I can see it now - the scene in another 20 years where they run northern soul tea afternoons at the Happy Valley Retirement Home, where you'll be able to try the Zimmer backdrop or wheelchair spins . Hey Ho! Bet they won't let us use talc though. Time for a nap nurse.

There is a pub here in Sheffield called the Washington which specialises in all kinds of musical styles. One monthly night is all Mod stuff - northern soul, Motown, R&B, ska, 60s beat sounds etc., etc. There is always a large crowd of very enthusiastic young 'uns in, who dance to everything and really get into it. Yet, I don't think the vast majority have too much idea what it is they're actually dancing to, or care particularly. The point may be that there is such an enormous range of music available to younger people now (far more than we ever had a chance to hear) that following any single style, be that rock, soul or whatever, isn't the same issue to them. Did any of us in the 70s go out to hear music from 40 years earlier? Not a chance on earth - our music started about 1960 or so! The fact that any of them appreciate our sounds at all is tremendous. I believe that, in general, musical appreciation has changed to a more eclectic base. Are we to see, therefore, soul music being played as part of a mixed music scene more generally? Possibly, but whatever form it takes in the future, it won't match the way we have seen it over the last 40 years. Hopefully, the tunes will survive and be loved. We'll see. John Moffatt

Hi Jim Only fell over it by accident going through a box at home. Forgotten I'd got it. Gonna give it a spin tonight at the Horti. It'll be on the next CD. All t'best John

This is a belter from Skip Mahoaney and the Casuals....

For the main room at Brid then Rob, or shall I save for the Hipster lounge?

You got a copy then Don?

A thing came out a few years ago with Pat Lewis - Geni on one side. Can't remember the label or the other side, but it was absolute shite - sounded like it was turned on an industrial lathe.

How about this beaut. Hardly ever hear it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsCx6r8SmJM

A seller mate of mine went through the process of claiming from the Post Office a short while ago, but was stumped when they refused to accept his valuation of the missing item They demanded proof, which he hadn't got, so they refused to pay up. Has anyone got any thoughts on this one? Thanks John

Hi Sven Thanks very much for the link. I hadn't seen this one. I thought there was a 45 of the original on UA (not the poorer live version), so that's the one I'm looking for, but I'll consider the LP if nothing turns up. I've noticed a couple of LPs on sales sites, but the asking price seems a little high (or am I trying to kid myself on?) Cheers John

Hi all, has anyone got one of the above for sale. Looking for 45, but will consider LP. Please send PM with details. Thanks a lot John

The worst experiences I've had were when, on two occasions, our wonderful British Post Office couldn't deliver parcels from the States because I wasn't in, didn't leave a failed-to-deliver card, and promptly returned both to the sender. I eventually got both records about nine months late thanks to the honesty and professionalism of the US sellers involved. Otherwise, apart from a couple of minor delays I've never had an issue sending to, or receiving from, anywhere in the world. Ok, that's only maybe a couple of thousande transactions over ten years, but it's not a bad record from posties generally. John

Properly only available on the LP 'Would You Believe' on Smash or Philips. Two went last week on Ebay for around £100, which is actually a bit high (I paid £70 for mine). There is a bootleg on Stardust which for some inexplicable reason has gone for £102 and £159 recently (lots of stuff here on SS about that one). Hope this helps John

Hi all, just going through a bit of a space clearing exercise, so these need new homes. Always open to offers if you think I'm asking too much. All issues and audibly VG++ or better. Sound links where I could find them. P&P £1.80 UK, £4 ROW. Paypal preferred. The Moon Man - The Moon Man Is Back (Good Sounds) £25 Very rare hard-edged Mod stomper. Imperial Wonders - Love Coming Down (Musicor) £15 Little Milton - Grits Ain't Groceries (Checker) £8 Joe Tex - I've Got A Song (Michelle) £40 Etta james - Tell Mama (Cadet) £7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8pcNIGjJX0 Little Milton - So Blue Without You (Checker) £8 Jan Bradley - Please Mr. D.J. (Chess) £7 Jnr. Walker & Allstars - Baby You Know It Ain't Right (Soul) £7 Dells - Wear It On Our Face (Cadet)£7 Willie Parker - Don't Hurt The One You Love (M-Pac) £25 Thanks for looking. Please send PM if interested in anything. John

Is the decimal point two places out to the right ?

I had one of these and it auctioned for about £12 if I remember right just a few months ago. That was what I expected. I think a real one (either label) should be about £250 or so. Anyone got any advance on that? Interestingly, I've only seen one for sale recently, and the asking price was £400, which I reckon is a wee bit high. In any case, you can't blame the seller, unless you want to ask why fixed list prices keep going up and up when there is apparently not that much spare cash knocking around these days.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220945864515?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Sent PM. ta. John

Thanks Azza - it seems a remarkably difficult item to track down, unless you want one of the millions of pressings !

Hi all, anyone got an original of this for sale, VG++ or better? Please send PM with sensible asking price. Thanks John

How about 'X-Rated Movie' by the 'Commodores' on the LP 'Natural High'? Near as I can find anyway. Not exactly a name, but it starts with the right letter. John https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0-fBBMa6x4

The story I heard was that the cheering on the intro was taken from the 1966 FA Cup Final and that you can hear 'Wednesday Wednesday' (as in Sheffield Wednesday) in the backround if you listen carefully. Can't say I've bothered myself.

I'll bet . Stick with '7 Days'. That's kept its credibility all through - and rightly so. ATB

Just don't let anybody see it .