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Followed
the traditional route into northern; mate's big sister
(Carol Pratt) was into it. I happened to hear her records
and was “affected” and infected!! Heard similar
stuff at the school youth club and never been the same!
Carols choons were Little Anthony, The Snake, Oh My Darling
I Got The Fever all the usual suspects. The Youth Club
DJ was Phil Jepson-he played the northern stuff: Tavares,
Jackie Edwards, Jerry Butler, also played Prince Buster
“Al Capones Guns Don’t Argue!!”
Obviously had to see what this "Wigan Casino"
was all about (1977). I ended up being one of the faithful,
went continuous for 2 years, then more or less every week
till the end Didn’t really get to know lots of people
because I danced all night and didn’t do gear. Got
to know the likes of Spud Brady, Dave Raistrick, Graham
Dibb, Jane Barber, Dicky Searling, Dave/Lynn, Derek (Shades
of Soul) Pearson, Vernon and many others. When Wigan closed,
did the rounds... Stafford, Clifton Hall, Cleethorpes,
etc. Favourite choons from this era Eddie Day 4 Bars,
Paris, Soul Bros Inc Pyramid, Cashmeres, Tamala Lewis,
Inspirations.
Moved to the States 1990 and went off the boil for a while,
plus didn’t have a lot of cash. Eventualy moved
to Cali, settled down, good job, reconnected with Northern
now bigger and better! Really miss not being on the scene.
Hopefully we’ll start making up for it at Hitsville.
Recent purchases too numerous but faves are George Wydell
“ From Out Of Nowhere” George Byrd “I'm
Available” Clyde McPhatter “ Crying Wont Help
You Now” Oh yeah! Originally from Yeadon, near Leeds
(North of Manchesta). |
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REVIEW
#1
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Betty
Everett-You’re Falling In Love-UNI LP
First heard this on a CD Chris Anderton, accidentally
left in my possession when he stayed at my gaff, few
years ago (don’t tell him anyone). The theme
of the CD was all LP-only tracks. This is a great
mid tempo little ditty. Betty’s voice floats
on top of a mid tempo, bobbing, plodder. (You know
what I mean). Starts off with a flute lead, into a
nice brass mixture that swirls around all over the
shop. Mrs. Everett doesn’t get too raucous with
her vocals she balances it out nicely with a little
girly backing on the chorus On the whole, nice dancer-not
too energetic but strong enough to keep you afloat. |
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REVIEW
#2
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Jerry
Butler-Find Yourself Another-Regency (Vee Jay)
One of those choons that wouldn’t
have passed muster at the Casino. Probably would
have sounded a little too early. It chugs along
slightly above mid tempo. One of those that gets
in your head and you find yourself singing the chorus
When I first heard this I left it back at our local
record shop it was a Vee Jay W/D and he wanted $10
for it. I thought it was too much, but! All through
the week the chorus stuck in my skull so went back
and bought it (pleased I did) I think I read somewhere
it comes from 1962. Typifies Mr. Butler's characteristic
vocals. Fairly sparse accompaniment-snare drum with
guitar. I think the guitar gives it a slightly Latin
feel. Overall, another nice dancer that probably
hasn’t had the exposure it deserves I ended
up getting a second copy in better nick on Canadian
Regency. |
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REVIEW
#3
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Chuck
Jackson-What’s With This Loneliness-Kent
As far as I’m concerned-“pant creamer”
Can’t do with the debate of this wasn’t
issued on the original label so it’s not strictly
kosher (poppycock!) If it’s got the right
sound then that’s it for me. Obviously it
has to be authentic and even though this came out
in 1990, it is a 60’s choon that I believe
never got released. So this is the original (ain’t
that right Mr. Vickers!) Anyway, first heard this
on the Hitsville-sponsored Soulclub Jukebox, eons
ago. Instantly–ACE. Went straight on Soultalk
to find out more “oh it’s one of those
Kent promo finggies” Mmmmm can’t be
that difficult to get then!!!!! Wrong! I advertised
on the various sites for ages no response think
Flynny commented that he had one that he definitely
would not part with. Set at a nice mid tempo. Gravely
battery acid vocals float on top of a guitar lead
accompanied by intermittent wailing brass. |
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REVIEW
#4
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Lord
Luther-My Mistake-Shireck
Now what can I say about this?
Bought it blind quite a few years ago. I had seen
it listed here and there but never heard it. When
I first played it, I was a little disappointed,
but over the years it got more and more regular
plays. Now I really rate it Not too popular sounding-doesn’t
really grab you instantly (obviously). Moves along
at a slightly up tempo speed. Vocals very good-another
husky voice that sounds like a soul singer pushes
and strains a little on some of the higher notes
almost turns into a shout which is okay by me. Intro
a little odd-don’t think it would help it
on the dance floor It starts of with brass sounding
a little like the dat dat dash dash dit dit of a
telegraph soon picks up with brass and guitar accompaniment
it’s the vocals that get under your skin.
You need to be in the mood for it and play it a
few times. |
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REVIEW
#5
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Marty
Lewis-Can’t Do Without You-Big Deal
Out and out dancer from New Orleans. This used to
be a Winstanley regular at the Casino (That’s
where I bought this). Because it’s New Orleans,
does sound a little different in it’s structure.
There’s a touch of blues in there and of course
some nice stabbing southern brass, a few piano riffs,
all set at an up-tempo pace. I think there’s
a few more choons on this label. This one doesn’t
seem to pop up that often. |
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REVIEW
#6
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Ascots-Another
Day-Mir-A-Don
Well what can you say about this? I believe I first
heard this played by one of my favourite DJs Gary
Rushbrooke (who!) at a Leeds all nighter (not at that
hotel ) Seem to remember this was being played around
the time of of the Soulset “Will You Ever Learn”
and The Vondells on Airtown so it had a lot of pedigreed
competition. I don’t think it’s all that
common. Comes from a great label. I’m surprised
at the quality of northern dancers relative to its
output (similar to Shrine in that respect). This is
nice group harmony number, not unlike the East LA
Chicano choons it has a latin feel to it emphasized
by a trumpet solo I used to think it was a mid tempo
harmony number but it’s a little faster than
that. Easy to dance to; gets a little messy three
quarters of the way through, but regains it’s
composure towards the end. Love the beginning as it
builds. |
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REVIEW
#7
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Rita
Da Costa-You & Nothing More-Tower
Set at slightly above walking pace. I guess it could
be considered a big production beat ballad. I thought
this was relatively unknown although have seen it
listed. I bought it blind yonks ago... Well wouldn’t
you? Rita Da Costa on Tower...worth a shout anyway.
Played it once and thought sounded more like something
Cilla would do. Fairly polished, well orchestrated
effort, set at a floaty beat ballad pace. Nothing
like the “ball banger” she’s known
for. Either way, this is another one of those where
the chorus gets in your head and just sits there.
It’s been a few years since I bought it and
pleased I didn’t let it go. It's really grown
on me. |
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REVIEW
#8
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Billy
Stewart-Crazy ‘Bout You Baby-Chess
Typical Billy Stewart record-starts off with a spoken
intro, then moves into nice punchy up-tempo effort.
Full orchestration with an emphasis on brass. Billy
uses his patent “doubling” of his vocals
to full effect. Has that Chicago sound about it-a
little bit of a catchy choon seeing as Billy tends
to repeat the chorus a lot, ably backed by some nice
girly singers. I know most northern songs are short,
but for some strange reason, this record sounds even
shorter! |
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REVIEW
#9
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Platters-I
Can’t Get Used To Sharing You-Musicor
Another on the Chris Anderton CD and this is why LP
tracks deserve to be played. Lazy laid back mid tempo
intro with a piano lead. Song breezes along with good
vocals and a swirling polished accompaniment. Sounds
like the type of track that would be part of a nightclub
set. Don’t let that put you off-it’s a
nice dancer-you could either do one of those skippy
half beats to it or it’s a little feet stuck
to the floor shuffler. The albums cheap and this is
a quality track. |
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REVIEW
#10
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Ruby-Feminine
Ingenuity-Gold Token
Been after this from the first time I heard it. I
expected the price to come down, but it just kept
pulling away so I had to “bite the bullet”
This is because of the record's construction not as
popular, as it should It sounds like a pretty messy
production, which with some records is a typical of
northern choons-the Illusions on Llamon a good example.
However in Ruby's case, she has a great voice- maybe
a little whinny or penetrating for some, but she does
a good job of holding this one together. The music
competes with her instead of accompanying her, I think.
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