Copyright Mala591

These ‘classic’ records were very popular on the Burnley Northern Soul scene from 1970 onwards. How many of the 48 records do you recognise?

The last three records are the ‘three before 8’ played at 8am (after the all-nighter) at Wigan Casino.

90% of the label photographs are original from my own record collection.

Are any of them your personal favourites?

Here’s a treat for you

https://youtu.be/-QZdftjaqRg

https://youtu.be/WKlCSZ2WXOI

Mala
Lots I recognise and love!
Have you made that into a reproducible poster.? If so I’ll buy one!

25 of them I have in my own collection, but many of them on different labels.
I knew half a dozen others, but the rest i don't remember. A listen might bring them back.

Got 46 correct when quizzed by Mrs Siddo. Couldn't remember times a wasting was on soul clock and Couldn't remember Denise LaSalle label.
Obviously your fave is Tobi Legend, mine would be Frankie Beverley.
I have had nearly all on original labels but for Frank Wilson, the Salvadores,, Velvet Satins, Judy Street and Franki Beverley.
Great post. Burnley was right there from 70 onwards on the burgeoning northern soul scene and had many Wheel regulars pre northern, when we just called it rare soul.

As someone from the 'rare soul' era most of these passed me by as I never went to Wigan or any other all-nighter for that matter, and preferred funk then disco rather than NS. I've come to know and love most since those days, and it's what I listen to and try to collect nowadays.
Favourites? Mel Britt She'll Come Running Back I never tire of, while Tobi Legend, that's so deep, pure poetry.

I loved Northern Soul, but never got into collecting
I have Love on a Mountain Top by Robert Knight on the Rising Suns label, is that an original label?

durhamclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 09, 2021 2:55 pm

I loved Northern Soul, but never got into collecting
I have Love on a Mountain Top by Robert Knight on the Rising Suns label, is that an original label?

Original US issue, I believe

Where's Corky. Hope he is OK.

My first hearing of Northern Soul was before I'd even heard of the Casino.
I made a friend of a Burnley lad, who's dad was in the army. We went to Accy one weekend to stay with his sister. On the Saturday night he took me to Great Harwood youth club to meet his mates. The sounds blew me away. It was another 3 years before I started hitting the Casino.

some great sounds from a magical era. I'm not in the ' same league' as some of you when it comes to collecting and knowledge but the music is immortal and very much part of me then and still now. '3 before 8' (am). Just couldn't make it up.

clansman wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 09, 2021 2:02 pm

Mala
Lots I recognise and love!
Have you made that into a reproducible poster.? If so I’ll buy one!

Hello clansman. You can copy/download the file to your phone or computer and send it to an online photo developer. I’d recommend Photo Hippo of Burnley. It is a high quality collage photograph which they can enlarge to 16’’ x 12’’.

If you would like to show some appreciation for access to the original file then please make a donation to Pendleside Hospice.

COBBLE wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 09, 2021 3:17 pm

Where's Corky. Hope he is OK.

Hi Cobble, I'm fine thanks. Just seen this and a fine effort by Mala591. Obviously I haven't got Frank Wilson or stuff like Judy Street or Dean Parrish as they are not to my taste. I'm happy with blue-eyed soul like George Carrow but some is just pop. The Epitome Of Sound shown on the scan is a bootleg and the Sandi Sheldon and Triumphs are re-issues otherwise they would have the big 45 like the Billy Butler. Some of the early stuff like Ramsey Lewis I have on the UK labels. Favourite by a mile is the Mel Britt (like a lot of people I only have the lookalike reissue) which of course started off as a Modern soul record played at the Mecca by Levine rather than a Northern sound. I can still remember going to Burnley Cricket Club 70/71 and then going and getting stuff like Leon Haywood on Soul Sounds. Didn't at the time realise that it was a bootleg but you learn. The guy who did those ended up doing a spell in jail. I think MCPS finally caught up with him.

For anyone thinking of investing in vinyl I cannot recommend highly enough all the stuff issued by Ace records on their Kent label. And if you want a laugh have a look at their Kent Footstompers LP. The handsome well dressed dancer on the left (in the F) is me, taken in 1984 at the 100 Club in London.

Mala
Thanks for that. I will do as you suggest and make a donation. Keep the faith and UTC !

I've got Angel Baby by Stevie Wonder on his Down to Earth album but have heard it was released in Brazil as a 45 anybody got one in their collection ?.

Not particularly knowledgeable about Northern Soul, but as a trader of used records I am aware of it's ever popular appeal and have stumbled across some sought after items from time to time. I have seen a good number of those pictured.

Soul in all its different forms always sells well.

Yep, always popular are rare soul records. Chuck Cockerham Have I Got A Right just sold for over £5,000. Now that is a record worth having on Mala.

rufus lumley wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 9:50 am

I've got Angel Baby by Stevie Wonder on his Down to Earth album but have heard it was released in Brazil as a 45 anybody got one in their collection ?.

Yes it was released in Brazil on the B side of Sylvia. Not particularly rare you can probably pick one up for £30/40.

Corky wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 10:48 am

Yes it was released in Brazil on the B side of Sylvia. Not particularly rare you can probably pick one up for £30/40.

Are you the same person who went to St Theodores in the 60's/early 70's?
Always seemed to have your leg in plaster?
"Potleg"

You certainly know your Northern Soul vinyl Corky! I’m particularly pleased with acquiring good clean copies of Chuck Wood, Ruby Andrews, Denise La Salle and Lou Johnson (all via eBay from small American dealers). Tuesday nights at Burnley Cricket club were brilliant and I attach a flyer which may bring back a few memories. Geoff Salter, David Jackson, and Eric Knowles (and yes I think he still has his original collection) were great lads and introduced me to many new and brilliant rare soul/northern soul sounds.

Targetman wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:08 am

Are you the same person who went to St Theodores in the 60's/early 70's?
Always seemed to have your leg in plaster?
"Potleg"

Yep that was me. I started rock climbing when I was about 12/13 and ended up putting too much stress on my left leg which messed it up for a few years. Had my leg in plaster on and off for 2 years. Moved to London in 72 for work and met and am still friends with some of the most fervant soul fans in the country.

Corky wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:06 pm

Yep that was me. I started rock climbing when I was about 12/13 and ended up putting too much stress on my left leg which messed it up for a few years. Had my leg in plaster on and off for 2 years. Moved to London in 72 for work and met and am still friends with some of the most fervant soul fans in the country.

I thought it might be you from some of your previous posts. I was in the same year as you at Teds and seem to recall another lad with the same name as yourself in that schoolyear, although it is a long time ago and maybe I just dreamt that!

What area of London do you live?

Corky wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:06 pm

Yep that was me. I started rock climbing when I was about 12/13 and ended up putting too much stress on my left leg which messed it up for a few years. Had my leg in plaster on and off for 2 years. Moved to London in 72 for work and met and am still friends with some of the most fervant soul fans in the country.

Did you meet up with the Burnley lads who went to work at the Reform Club from 72 onwards? These included Hopper, Laney, Pete and Jim McDonough, Ants Howarth, Keith Johnson and a few others.
I used to see Hopper on his weekends at home and give him a list of my wants and you would not believe what he brought back from the record shops and market stalls for me.
All on import and originals, Moses Smith, Rufus Lumley, Tainted Love Demo, Darkest Days, loads of Okeh stuff, yes big 45, all the Ric Tic stuff and many more.

Then off course all the Verve, MGM and Mirwood stuff arrived at Bostocks in Bradford and a lot of these were to be found in the Record exchange on Standish Street.
Happy days!

Corky wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:06 pm

Yep that was me. I started rock climbing when I was about 12/13 and ended up putting too much stress on my left leg which messed it up for a few years. Had my leg in plaster on and off for 2 years. Moved to London in 72 for work and met and am still friends with some of the most fervant soul fans in the country.

Did you meet up with the Burnley lads who went to work at the Reform Club from 72 onwards? These included Hopper, Laney, Pete and Jim McDonough, Ants Howarth, Keith Johnson and a few others.
I used to see Hopper on his weekends at home and give him a list of my wants and you would not believe what he brought back from the record shops and market stalls for me.
All on import and originals, Moses Smith, Rufus Lumley, Tainted Love Demo, Darkest Days, loads of Okeh stuff, yes big 45, all the Ric Tic stuff and many more.

Then off course all the Verve, MGM and Mirwood stuff arrived at Bostocks in Bradford and a lot of these were to be found in the Record exchange on Standish Street.
Happy days!

That would be David my half cousin. He lives in Yorkshire now. I live in Fleet Hampshire. Don't get up to the NW that much since my mum died. But my son and I do try to see as many Burnley games as we can including travelling to the Turf. As you see although he was born in Guildford, I brought him up right.

Siddo wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:24 pm

Did you meet up with the Burnley lads who went to work at the Reform Club from 72 onwards? These included Hopper, Laney, Pete and Jim McDonough, Ants Howarth, Keith Johnson and a few others.
I used to see Hopper on his weekends at home and give him a list of my wants and you would not believe what he brought back from the record shops and market stalls for me.
All on import and originals, Moses Smith, Rufus Lumley, Tainted Love Demo, Darkest Days, loads of Okeh stuff, yes big 45, all the Ric Tic stuff and many more.

Then off course all the Verve, MGM and Mirwood stuff arrived at Bostocks in Bradford and a lot of these were to be found in the Record exchange on Standish Street.
Happy days!

Names don't ring a bell but there are still a few Burnley folk in the south particularly still see Shay Richardson regularly. I managed to get a lot of good stuff from Cheapo Records stall in Rupert At Market in London West End. Also got a lot of good stuff from Record Corner in Balham. Even now I never pass up an opportunity to go crate digging in second hand shops.

Got 17 of those singles in my collection.

Corky wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:32 pm

Names don't ring a bell but there are still a few Burnley folk in the south particularly still see Shay Richardson regularly. I managed to get a lot of good stuff from Cheapo Records stall in Rupert At Market in London West End. Also got a lot of good stuff from Record Corner in Balham. Even now I never pass up an opportunity to go crate digging in second hand shops.

Trust me Corky, that lot is once seen never forgotten and they only did a few months before they all returned home.
I had a root round a few record stalls last time I was in lockdown just before lockdown. Got Mel Torme on London for a tenner and passed on an early Motown lp at £30, but it was reasonably priced. (The lp with the classic cars on the front).

Siddo wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 6:09 pm

Trust me Corky, that lot is once seen never forgotten and they only did a few months before they all returned home.
I had a root round a few record stalls last time I was in lockdown just before lockdown. Got Mel Torme on London for a tenner and passed on an early Motown lp at £30, but it was reasonably priced. (The lp with the classic cars on the front).

A number of years back now I was in Surbiton, at a loose end for an hour or so , as I was waiting for my wife who was visiting her Mother. Spies a junk shop over the road, pops in and the guy has a couple of boxes of singles on the counter with some imports in. All priced at 15p. He didn't have a deck to play anything on but I thought if he has anything that looks good I'll buy it. I walk out with Mighty Pope's version of the Jesse James song If you want a love affair on Canadian RCA and 2001 Black Essence Change In My Life on JWJ. Sold the Black Essence to Rod Dearlove for cash and trades. A very profitable couple of hours.

Siddo wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 6:09 pm

Trust me Corky, that lot is once seen never forgotten and they only did a few months before they all returned home.
I had a root round a few record stalls last time I was in lockdown just before lockdown. Got Mel Torme on London for a tenner and passed on an early Motown lp at £30, but it was reasonably priced. (The lp with the classic cars on the front).

We all did a few Months alright....that was par for the course.I never did Work at the reform club...though I'm always down that way happy days then and Now.

tim_noone wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 8:44 pm

We all did a few Months alright....that was par for the course.I never did Work at the reform club...though I'm always down that way happy days then and Now.

Apologies, I thought you were one of the lads that went down to the club. Jimmy did though, or have I misremembered that as well?

Siddo wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 10, 2021 10:05 pm

Apologies, I thought you were one of the lads that went down to the club. Jimmy did though, or have I misremembered that as well?

James did...and MJ. Mick Jolly....and Ray Tapper.

Burnley Cricket Club on a Tuesday night, followed by Accrington Royal British Legion on a Friday. Those were the days of claiming to be 12-years-old on the train (to travel half-price from Burnley Central to Accrington) and, 30 mins later, 18-years-old on the door at RBL in Accrington in order to gain entry .... The reality was somewhere in between those ages. Despite all that has come and gone since, I still enjoy listening to Northern Soul.

Interesting we visited
Wigan Casino midweek in the late 60s with Blackpool Mecca on Saturday after home games
Frank Wilson is on my M4 driving playlist

Anyone remember the free coaches from Burnley bus station to the Northern Soul Highland Room at Blackpool Mecca on Saturday nights? Set off at 7.15pm I think and you had to be back on the coach by 1am or you would have to book a ‘cheap and cheerful’ B and B across the road from the Mecca.
At the end of the night the coach park behind the Mecca was full of dozens of coaches from all over Lancashire (and further afield - Scotland and London) and it was quite a task to find the right coach when mildly/moderately inebriated.

I remember those free coaches very well.

I also remember coaches visiting the Mecca in Burnley on occasions from other areas of Lancashire and also from Yorkshire.

Free For All Phillip Mitchell my all time favourite.

I remember those free coaches very well.

and the fighting in the Car Park afterwards

Love Factory - Eloise Laws - must have been one of your favourites?

Great tune discovered by Ian Levine I think.

https://youtu.be/nMXyexCmUJw

Love Factory was played as a new release in London and then got picked up later by the Northern/Modern crowd.

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 11, 2021 11:35 am

Interesting we visited
Wigan Casino midweek in the late 60s with Blackpool Mecca on Saturday after home games
Frank Wilson is on my M4 driving playlist

Northern soul all nighters started at Wigan casino started sept 23rd 1973. Was rare soul played at the casino in the late 60s?

The following Saturday saw us beat Man City 3-0 at TM.

Those were the days, all right...

Thanks for the post mentioning Shay Richardson, it brought back forgotten memories of Camp School and listening to soul singles while playing table tennis. If you see him tell him he was right about Amen Corner and some of their covers (eg In the Pocket.)
Anyway back to the original post, I found this in the loft a few weeks ago

14 in my collection
KTF

appleton wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 14, 2021 7:30 am

Thanks for the post mentioning Shay Richardson, it brought back forgotten memories of Camp School and listening to soul singles while playing table tennis. If you see him tell him he was right about Amen Corner and some of their covers (eg In the Pocket.)
Anyway back to the original post, I found this in the loft a few weeks ago
GOINA.jpg

Will you take a fiver for it? You must have some more interesting stuff up in your loft
Was Shay a Brierfield lad, ginger, a mate of Waddy’s? If so, what a sound guy

longsidetrumpet wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 14, 2021 7:39 pm

Will you take a fiver for it? You must have some more interesting stuff up in your loft
Was Shay a Brierfield lad, ginger, a mate of Waddy’s? If so, what a sound guy

Doesn't everybody?

levraiclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 14, 2021 8:28 pm

Doesn't everybody?

Well you do

https://youtu.be/-QZdftjaqRg

Test (proof of concept) YouTube video to accompany the tracks on the Northern Soul poster.

First track is a mid-tempo beat ballad with excellent lyrics and a great vocal performance from Tony Clarke. If you don’t know it play it a few times because it will grow on you.

longsidetrumpet wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 14, 2021 7:39 pm

Will you take a fiver for it? You must have some more interesting stuff up in your loft
Was Shay a Brierfield lad, ginger, a mate of Waddy’s? If so, what a sound guy

Yes Shay was a Brierfield lad. His bother still lives in the area and Shay and his partner Jackie visit fairly regularly.