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The Strange World of Northern Soul WNRD 2174

Intro and details followed by review:-

"Wienerworld is proud and delighted to announce the DVD box set release of The Strange World of Northern Soul - the ultimate collectors dream.

DISC ONE
The Strange World Of Northern Soul - Part One - "The Way We Were"
We look at the origins of the Northern Soul Scene, understand just exactly what is Northern Soul, and what has made it so special to so many people for over thirty years.

DISC TWO
The Strange World Of Northern Soul - Part Two - "Hallowed Ground"
We look at the clubs. From The Torch to Blackpool Mecca to the legendary Wigan Casino. We begin to understand just what the magic was that kept people going week in and week out. And why those records are SO valuable.

DISC THREE
The Strange World Of Northern Soul - Part Three - "Sex, Drugs, And Northern Soul"
We look at the fashions, the record dealers, the promoters, and the seedier side of the scene, the sex and the drugs, Then we look at the recent past and the future. And we close with a moving and touching tribute by so many people whose lives were touched by this phenomenon.

DISC FOUR
"Motorcity" - Part One
We look at the reunion in Detroit in the late eighties of most of the legendary Motown acts who brought the world the classic Motown Sound. We see the reunion in glorious never before seen archive footage. So many of these artists have now passed away, but we see them share their hopes and dreams, and get to sing in the studio once again, after so many years.

DISC FIVE
"Motorcity" - Part Two plus "Togetherness"
In the fifth disc, we continue the story of the reunion of the classic Tamla-Motown stars. We then look at the magic of the annual "Togetherness" weekenders at Fleetwood, where every year in October, two and a half thousand eager dancers flock to a caravan site in Fleetwood to dance their hearts out for three days and nights continuously, as if the outside world has ceased to exist.

DISC SIX
The Making of "The Strange World Of Northern Soul"
And this is the icing on the cake. A four hour, in depth look, at the trials and tribulations of tracking down 131 artists, filming them and interviewing hundreds of DJs and dancers. Contains fourteen never seen before videos, not included in the original 131 performances. Plus deleted scenes that never made it to the final cut first time around.

This then is the ultimate in Northern Soul - A real collectors' dream.

Title	The Strange World of Northern Soul
Format	6 DVDs
Catalogue #	WNRD 2174
Release Date	28 April 2003
Duration	24 hours
Certification	Exempt
Bar Code	50 18755 2174 18
Retail Price	£49.99

Review:-

The long awaited, repackaged on DVD, Strange World of Northern Soul. Started life as a video package a few years ago it has now been cleaned up, re-edited and extended into this massive 6 DVD, 24 hour playing time, set. Nicely packaged with accompanying booklet. This package is a must for all Northern Soul fans, because there will be something in it for everybody, even if it is just a few minutes clip of a particular hero. However there is likely to be much more than that.

In a scene riddled with egos, factions and divides some criticism will enivitably be made but watch it with an open mind and appreciate what is a massive labour of love, not too mention incredible hard work (driven by Ian Levine). As a historical perspective no doubt there will be divided opinions on some of the things said but generally it all hangs together pretty well, and is a good reflection of the way it was.

DVD1 – The Way We Were

The basic format of this DVD is interviews with artists, DJ's and leading figures who helped shape 'Northern Soul' over backing classic sounds and 'video' packages of artists performing over their own particular classic side.

These 'video' or cameos follow a basic theme in that they show the old record spinning, and then the artist miming or lip syncing over the record, with some fancy graphics and multiscreen kaleidoscope effect images. Some of them work, some of them don't but in most cases it is great to see these artists as they are now. Whether this works in the format of a historical perspective I'm not sure – I think it does because the sounds, almost by definition were rare and low or no budget items, and it wasn't in the world of today where virtualy every release come with an accompanying video. Simply there was no other way. The artists perform with varying (apparent) degrees of enthusiasm and I would say embaressment. That said you just need to see the tracklisting below to see the effort involved.

Most of the video I understand is repackaaged from the initial video release, which I did not see, but it came in for criticism because of some of the performances, the graphics and the lack of original material i.e. Using modern studio re-cuts. However I have to say that it all comes over pretty well in this repackaged version, but then I've never been a purist! The video style by the end is a little irksome but in terms of the music I didn't have a problem with it, and again in real terms it was the only way.

This DVD is broken down into Chapters, all following pretty much the same format – Intro, What is Northern Soul, Underground Cult, Experts, Sounds, DJ's, Origins, Artists, Promoters, Twisted Wheel, Catacombs, Blackpool Mecca (Early years).

The opening Intros are made by Sandi Sheldon, Tobi Legend and Frank Wilson where they all give an anecdote and conclude by saying – and that is the Strange World of Northern Soul. The whole piece is a delightful collage of Old footage (of which there is precious little available), images, beats, dancing, spinning 45's, artists, old and new clips.

Most of the people interviewed will only be known by people within the scene but some like Belle and Sebastian and Pete Waterman are more universally known. All the key journalists who assisted the growth of the scene whether positively or negatively are interviewed, the likes of Dave Godin (great to see), Tony Cummings, John Abbey, Bob Kilbourn and David Nathan. Top DJ's, promoters and fans are all interviewed.

Of the artists most were enjoyable but some excelled. The better ones for me included Rose Batiste - full of emotion, Lou Johnson great to see, Pat Lewis, Montclairs, the wonderful Artistics, Montclairs, a superb Irma Thomas (sometimes it just showed which artists became and are working artists), an enthusiastic Olympics, a wonderfully soulful Barbara Lynn, a crystal Otis Leaville. But the list of artists is immense and to track them all down to do this shows incredible dedication and desire, as not many of these are household names.

I didn't find anything in the sequences that were particularly earth shattering to me, it would all be pretty well known to those within. I hope that with a resurgence of popularity right know, and a very competitive price tag, some of this crosses over.

Most interesting for me are the perspectives of the clubs the Twisted Wheel, Catacombs and the early years of the Blackpool Mecca..........and it continues from there on DVD2

Featured Tracks:- Dobie Gray-- Out on the floor, Bobby Paris – Personally, William Bell – Happy, Rose Batiste – Hit and Run, JJ Barnes – Our love is in the pocket, Lou Johnson – Unsatisfied, Bob Relf – Blowing my mind to pieces, Eddie Holman – Whatever happened to our melody, Pat Lewis – No one to love, Montclairs – Hung Up on your love, Artistics – I'm gonna miss you, Billy Butler – Right Track, Clifford Curry – I can't get a hold of myself, Mary Love – You turned my bitter into sweet, Evie Sands – Picture me gone, Edwin Starr – I have faith in you, Robert Banks – A mighty good way, Carl Carlton – Competition ain't nothing, Doris Troy – I'll do anything, Sandi Sheldon – You're gonna make me love you, Olympics – Baby do the Philly Gog, Bobby Sheen – Doctor Love, Leon Haywood – Baby reconsider, Bob Brady – More more more of your love, Bunny Sigler – Girl don't make me wait, Five Stairsteps – Stay close to me, Barbara Lynn – You're losing me, Otis Leaville – Nobody but you, Richard Temple – That beating rhythm, Dee Dee Sharp – What kind of lady, Eddie Parker – Love you baby, Philip Mitchell – Free for all, Bobby Hebb – Love love love, Billy Harner – What about the music, Jo Armstead – I feel an urge coming on, Jay and the Techniques – Are you ready for this, Orlons – Spinning Top, Laura Lee – To win your heat, Irma Thomas – What are you trying to do, Barbara Mills – Queen of fools, Willie Kendrick – Change your ways.

DVD2 – Hallowed Ground

This one sets off pretty much where the last one left off continuing the historical perspective of the major and most influential clubs starting with the Torch and moving on to the Top Rank Hanley and then the later and changing philosophy years of the Mecca. Highlighting quite unashamedly on the influential part played by Ian Levine. The same format as before interviews, anecdotes and musical video interludes.

Move on with commentary about Wigan Casino, the Ritz, Cleethorpes, Top of the World and the 100 Club. The latter commences with the 4 Vandals playing in the background over comments by Ady Croasdell, and I hope that was done with no more than a tongue in a cheek!

A touch of humour and contradiction follows with a feature on perhaps the less well known Scabby Donkey.

As a general comment I sometimes wonder if, and this applies to many if not most historical retrospectives, at times we look at things through rose tinted spectacles. Yes sure it is based on fact and memory but the memory plays tricks. I mean I was there at the time, at least the post Torch period, and I didn't belong to any particular clique. I remember most of the happenings discussed and whilst it is beneficial to accentuate the positive there is a tendency perhaps by some to overdo this.

The perspective picks out most of the things going on from all areas, as the Chapter listing shows, media, artists, producers, the modern advances. Most concentrate on the cultishness of the Northern Soul World. This is of course the mystery and the 'strangeness' that will appeal to 'newbies' seeing these DVD's.

Personally I find the artist sections of most interest, maybe if only to see what their living room is like! But nonetheless there are some pretty exceptional performances. Of course there are so many, they do not all reach such heights and some are mediocre, but the ones that I enjoyed seeing were the Superiors - What Would I do, a Torch Stomper. The Apollas and the fastpaced Mr Creator. The Blossoms wonderful That's when the tears start, predominantly a Mecca sound. Great to see Mel Britt on the Epitome of Mecca Sound – She'll come running back. Melvin Davis and the Detroit Wigan floorfiller Find a quiet place. Alfie Davison on the 70's groove of Love is a Serious Business. The wonderful sweet soul of Deon Jackson That's what you do to me.

The more you think about it you can think of little things that might have been included, various venues and happnings but that is always going to be the case because these things are so personal. Maybe Yate, maybe Hinckley in the 80's, maybe concentrate on the regions, or the legions of little (and big) Soul Clubs that prevailed, maybe the recent rise in the internet and websites, but Hey.

The Producer section is interesting with pieces by Billy Jackson, Carl Davis, Frank Wilson, Popcorn Wylie, Bobby Eli, Jerry Ross and Ian Green.

The Chapters in full are Torch, Top Rank Hanley, Blackpool Mecca the later years, Wigan Casino, Ritz Manchester, Cleethorpes Pier and Winter Gardens, Top of the World Stafford, 100 Club London, the Scabby Donkey, the Sounds, the Artists, the Dancers, Obsession, The Magazines, The producers of the Music, Northern Soul on the Radio, The Northern Calendar, Compact Discs and Reissues, How Northern Soul Changed our lives.

Featured Tracks:- Dramatics – Inky Dinky Wang Dang Do, Jimmy Thomas – The Beautiful night, Vonettes – Touch my heart, Cindy Scott – I love you baby, Jimmy James – A man like me, Superiors – What would I do, Royal Jokers – Love game A-Z, Johnny Moore – Walk like a man, Tempos – Countdown here I come, United Four – She's putting you on, Apollas – Mr Creator, Carstairs – It really hurts me girl, Three Degrees – Contact, Blossoms – That's when the tears start, James Fountain – Seven Day Lover, Vel – Vets – Gotta find me somebody, Mel Britt – She'll come running back, Barbara Pennington – 24 hours a day, Terry Callier – Look at me now, Gene Chandler – I can take care of myself, PP Arnold - Everythings gonna be alright, Melvin Davis – Find a quiet place, Tony Middleton – Paris Blues, Alfie Davison – Love is a serious business, Sisters Love – Learning to trust my man, Gil Scott Heron – The Bottle, Ronnie Walker – You got to try harder, Del Larks – Job Opening, Velours – I'm gonna change, Sam Dees – Lonely for you baby, Tommy Ridgley – My love gets stronger, Gwen Owens – Just say you're wanted and needed, Deon Jackson – That's what you do to me, Four Larks – Groovin at the go go, Sidney Barnes – I hurt on the other side, Dells – Run for cover, Lee Andrews and the Hearts – Nevertheless, Freddy Butler – That's when I need you, Tymes – What would I do, Jackie Day – Before it's too late, Diane Lewis – Keep a hold on me, Dynamics – Yes I love you baby, Platters – With this ring, Erma Franklin – I get the sweetest feeling.

DVD3 – Sex Drugs and Northern Soul

The Chapters:- The Fashions, The Record Collectors, The Journalists, The Bootleggers, The Pills, The Artists keep on coming, The Books, The record dealers, The Feuds, The infamous Simon Soussan, The TV programmes, The influence on pop music, The Tailer mades, sex on the scene, the Les Cokell Story, The Motorcity Story, The funniest moments, Northern Soul in the 80's, Northern Soul in the 90's, The Mecca Revival night, The future, Northern Soul Reunion Dinner

Following the same format but starting to dig a little deeper, the interviews become more meaningful, more thought provoking and maybe more controversial. They do not actually lift the lid on anything particularly as everybody knew what was going on, but there snippets of information that is informative.

Touching on the more controversial topics but also looking at 'the scene' from a wider perspective and it's influences both introspective (such as say the Blues and Soul vs Black Music issue) and on the world at large (such as commerciality from Wigan's Ovation to Fatboy Slim).

There are comments by the likes of Dave Mcaleer of Pye Disco Demand saying how successful their product had been and how such things like Wigan's Ovation emerged. This was separate from what became known as Tailer mades which were successful but pretty much they all came from the same source, Ian Levine. Not necessarily to everybody's taste from the inside but the beauty of them was that they were built on the knowledge from the inside. One of the greatest and featured later was Lucky Number by Ronnie McNeir.

A personal tribute and tribute to Les Cokell is included with comments by many of his close personal friends. Whilst a very personal thing, and being something that Ian wanted to include for those reasons plus the fact that he was a well known name on the scene, there is a validity in including it because it emphasises the togetherness and tolerance within the scene.

The Motorcity project is introduced, more of which in the later DVD's, but featured here is a wonderful piece Timeless by Carolyn Crawford. Probably low down in the context and consciousness of Northern Soul but an excellent piece. However one that did break through was Lucky Number by Ronnie McNeir, but the big one was Frances Nero and Footsteps.

On the artists front some good commentary and video from the likes of evryones favourite Maxine Brown, Detroit's Barbara Mercer, Gwen Owens, Artistics, Edwin Starr, The Dells, Betty Lavette, Emanuel Lasky – mellow typical Detroit mid 60's, Four Larks, Barbar Mercer, Sandra Phillips, a highlight being Marvin Smith. Bunny Sigler contributes an accapella of Girl don't make me wait. Jerry Williams with the ever popular If you ask me.

Particularly liked the Volcanos actually and the interpretation of the song, lesh harsh than the original.

Moving into the 80's there is a great song featured, too slow for the early years, the deep and emotive let me Down easy by Betye Lavette.

The enthusiasm on the scene picked up in the 90's and this is evident in the video. This happened in terms of a wider variety of styles, embracement of newer material but also ironically in digging deeper and deeper into the vault for rarities.

By design or accident a Little Anne, on one of the better videos, is introduced following a dissing of expensive rarities. Whilst a comment that I agree heartily with I wouldn't connect it to this artist or this track.

The DVD closes looking forward optimistically to the future.

Featured Tracks:- Maxine Brown – One in a million, Sheila Ferguson – Heartbroken Memories, The Gems – I'll be there, Sapphires – Gonna be a big thing, Herb Ward – Strange Case, Jimmy Burns – When I love you, Barbara Mercer – Hey, Sequins – A case of love, Sandra Philllips – World without sunshine, Theresa Lindsay – I'll bet you, Kenny Bernard – Pity My feey, Marvin Smith – Have more time, Lou Ragland – I travel alone, Herbert Hunter – I was born to love you, Ken Williams – Come back, Shirelles - Last minute miracle, Lorraine Chandler – I can't hold on, Frank Wilson – Do I love you - Barbara Lewis – The Stars, Richard Popcorn Wylie – Rosemary What Happened, Just Brothers – Sliced tomatoes, Robert Knight – Love on a mountain top, Yvonne Vernee – Just like you and me, LJ Johnson – Your magic put a spell on me, Evelyn Thomas – Weak Spot, Tommy Hunt – Cracking up over you, Jerry Williams – If you ask me, Major Harris – Call me tomorrow, Volcanos – It's against the Laws of Love, Ray Pollard – The drifter, Jackie Ross – Keep your chin up, Garland Green – Ain't that good enough, Carolyn Crawford – Timeless, Ronnie McNeir – Lucky Number, Frances Nero – Footsteps following me, Emanuel Lasky – Lucky to be loved by you, Bobby Hutton – Come see what's left of me, Bettye Lavette – Let me down easy, Chuck Jackson – All over the world, Kim Weston – You hit me where it hurts me, Little Ann – Who are yo trying to fool , Brenda Holloway – Reconsider, Flirtations – Stronger than her love, Dean Courtney – I'll always need you, Tobi Legend – Time will pass you by.

DVD4 – Motorcity – Part 1

From a reunion of old Detroit artists held in 1989, including never seen before archive footage. There is an enormous tracklisting of some 61 tracks recorded by Ian Levine for his Motorcity outlet. A dream project by Ian which spanned 5 years, 800 songs were recorded by 108 former Motown artists.

From hitmakers Martha Reeves, Mary Wilson, Marvalettes, Velvelettes, Mary Wells, to lesser known artists aand musicians through to complete unknowns of the era.

Introduction by JJ Barnes and further commentaries by Eddie Singleton and others from the US and Ralph Tee and Neil Rushton from the UK. Some fascinating comments by Clive Scott (the musical arranger for this project as well as the DVD set in general) about how the 'sound' was processed.

It is so good to see some of these artists, in some cases with careers being rekindled, if only for a snapshot in time. We see them here in concert, in the studio, in rehearsal, doing accapellas, doing interviews and so on. The musical footage is mixed between studio footage, the Motown concert and some commercial 'videos'.

Some of the Motorcity cuts actually are rather good, for example, Kim Weston's Signal your intention, JJ Barnes talk of the Garapevine, Ronnie McNeirand Lucky Number which is shown here as a full length video cut in Las Vegas. Also full lengthis Timeless by Carolyn Crawford.

Whilst clearly a labour of love by Ian Levine, and it transpires a financial disaster, he is now able some 15 or twenty years later to sit back and review the whole thing objectively. He recognises the mistakes and the follies butabove all his love and passion for these artists and this era in time shines through. Why he is criticised for some of the musical output by the purists on the Northern scene is beyond me, this was a 'Northern' project in any shape or form. The fact that one or two cuts did break through is a testement to what came out.

The documentary style of this package works and for some this will be some of the last glimpses as an astonishing number of artists, such as Marv Johnson, are now no longer with us.

Some of the footage is fascinating such as Ivy Joe Hunter showing Frances Nero how Footsteps should be sung, followed by the full length video of the hit version, remixed later. Some footage is fuzzy and hazy, perhaps not surprising, and it is padded out with picture collages.

The piece becomes most interesting when Ian starts to introduce and add commentary and to listen to the likes of Kim Weston, Jimmy Ruffin, Edwin Starr and Pat Lewis.

Subsequently assitional footage was reviewed and previously unissued pieces were added, such as an interview with Chuck Jackson talking about the song All over the world.

Some of the comments are particularly moving such as those from Brenda Holloway, JJ Barnes, Hattie Littles, Louvain Demps (Andantes) and especially Wanda Rogers. I would also concur with Ian that the highlight is the late James Epps from the Fantastic Four singing To Share your love with gospel tinged harmonies from the motown crew. I would imagine that these unscripted and spontanious moments are the ones that hold the memories and are held the deepest. Another good vocal piece, although short is Linda Griner and there is a fantastic piece by The Monitors doing Going to a Go Go.

The list of interviews, although short, is endless and includes Chris Clark, Barbara Randolph, Eddie Singleton, Undisputed Truth. Also many poignant pieces by people who have since departed like Mary Wells, Hattie Littles, Herman Griffin (who does a Not wonderful One chance in a million), Earl Van Dyke and Barbara Randolph.

Another powerful vocal highlight is Ortheia Barnes Without your love, this kicks in at about 2 and a half hours, and by this time some of the backing tracks (done in England and shipped out to Detroit and elsewhere) start to sound a bit samey and uninspiring. Again I don't have too much of a problem with this because a huge amount of effort went into them and the whole thing wouldn't have happened the way it did if this had not been laid down previously. To track the artists and musicians down, and then to lay down musical arrangements would have been pretty impossible. The contra argument I guess would be that it was too ambitious ot that quality would suffer.

I have to say that I wasn't particularly looking forward to this DVD as I thought it would be full of substandard concerts pieces, but I did thoroughly enjoyed the documentary styling, which assisted in giving the project prominence and relativity.

DVD 5 – Motorcity Part 2 and Togetherness

Pretty much the same and a continuation of DVD4 but this time put together as a selection of songs introduced by Ian mainly. Paul Tams interjects with interesting anecdotes from time to time, such as the rift in the Vandellas, as does Ralph Tee. Also some more Detroit TV news footage particularly jus prior to the Detroit Motorcity Concert, fromwhere some of the concert footage comes.

As before the fooage is variable – some of the new cut stuff is not very good (eg wasn't very keen on JJ Barnes), some of the old footage is poor in that it is only really camcorder shots taken at the time (even if the subject is sometimes interesting), but then all of a sudden comes an absolute gem. Ronnie McNeir's wholeheartedly is absolutely tremendous and almost worth the money alone.

There is what became a successful beach record by Ivy Joe Hunter, a virtusl house record by Mary Wells, one that was accepted as a 'Northern' sound of the modern variety in Chuck Jackson's all over the world.

Another highlight for me is Betty Lavette's Let me down easy. Of the concert footage The Contours is one of the better ones. The Elgind footage though old and fuzzy is good too.

Concludes with a full piece that was in the originally trimmed and included in the previous video issue. A precis of interviews features and recollections from the people mentioned above, and posing the question MotorCity – Right or Wrong?, and a recognition of some of the mistakes.

Ok some of it is just an advertisement for Motorcity and stories still abound about this, but as a project whether handled correctly or otherwise, it is very interesting.

Togetherness

The soul scene has evolved in the UK and as it reached the year 2000,and one of it's pinnacles is Richard Searling and Kev Roberts's Togetherness Project and principally it's weekenders.

Following the same theme of interviews, recollections and clips and footage of the live concerts at the events. Richard and Kev give their views, as do other people like Ian Levine, Andy Davies and Ralph Tee pus some of the artists like Frank Wilson.

The Modern Room, one of the evolutionary concepts within UK Soul, is given a good deal of prominence. This will be where the UK scene progresses from and there are signs now in 2003 that it is kicking on from here, the digging for sounds, the turnover of sounds is as furtive as ever.

The live acts, I have been told in general that at Togetherness thaye have been anything ranging from good to awesome. Not sure that this particularly comes across but one of the things about a live act is that it is never the same as being there. It never is so I cannot really comment.

For me when seeing say Gene Chandler particularly, but JJ Barnes to some extent also, the performance, the voice mainly was nothing like when I have previously seen them. Live acts, personal memories, thats whats in me, that's what I'll recollect and remember.

However to see the likes of Frank Wilson and particularly Bobby Patterson is wonderful.

Onto the Northern secion clips of the main DJ's and pieces by Richard Searling and Ian Levine. A small piece on the Capitol Soul Club and Dave Flynn. The headline here was Frank Wilson and he is featured strongly together with an interview with Kenny Burrell who purchased Do I Love you for £15,000 and a particularly moving live rendition of the song.

Encompasses the whole weekend including the record buying experience and the collecting mentality, the dance competitions, the backing band.

A special mention again for Bobby Patterson, who is seen here performing What a wonderful night for love and My baby's coming back to me. Midtempo magic and a powerful performance.

DVD 6 – The making of the strange world of Northern Soul

The concluding DVD concentrates on the making of this epic, an in dpth look, bits that have not been seen before including 14 video performances.

Unseen footage of the following - Dells, Otis Leaville, Pat Lewis, Bob Relf, Delfonics, Lee Andrews and the Hearts, Tobi Legend, Chuck Jackson, Bobby Paris, Eddie Holman, Frank Wilson, Sidney Barnes, Bettye Lavette, Dee Dee Sharp, Tymes, Royal Jokers, Bobby Hebb, Bunny Sigler, Sandra Phillips, Tommy Ridgley, Kim Weston, Jackie Ross, Gwen Owens, Mary Love, Maxine Brown, PP Arnold, Jimmy Conwell, Marvin Smith, Ronnie McNeir, Bobby Hebb, Barbara Lynn, Bobby Hutton, Jo Armstead.

Some amusing moments when artists such as Jimmy Conwell, Gene Chandler confess to not remembering songs or hearing the finished product of stuff they recorded so many years ago. Great fun with Teresa Lindsay saying how much she hated pretty much everyting that she recorded.

Some of the previously unseen videos are:-

Gwen Owens – You better watch out

Lee Andrews and the Hearts - I've Had it

Bobby Paris – I walked Away

Maxine Brown – Let me give you my loving

PP Arnold – I go to pieces

Pat Lewis – Look what I almost missed

Jackie Ross – Selfish One

Tobi Lark – Happiness is here

Bobby Hutton – Come see what's left of me

Bobby Paris – Night Owl

PP Arnold – Everythings gonna be alright

Kim Weston – Helpless

Mary Love – Lay this burden down

Som bits just come together, for example the video of Bobby Hebb – Love Love Love as previously seen is not one of the best but here we see tha take as done, without backing track, just guitar, vocals and sea lashing round your feet and it works so much better. Also on this vido Ian explains how the music had to be put together, that is mostly home recorded on poor equipment to aa backing track of the original, taken back and non original especially made backing put back on, because it was not possible to license the original. Whilst this is pretty obvious criticisms have been made and I wonder whether this explanation should have been made right upfront.

Wonderful footage of the unmistakeable voice of William Hart of the Delfonics, who to this day are one of the best live aacts I've ever seen and that was nearly 30 years ago.

Also some interesting comments by Dee Dee Sharp about the early days of Cameo Parkway and the start of her relationship with Kenny Gamble.

Another nice piece with the Dramatics and Pat Lewis reminiscing the early Golden World days.

A couple of feature taken out of the original video are included. A brief section of interviews of recollections of midweek venues and Steve Brookstein and All Points Bulletin covering three Northern Songs. Whatever you think about the merits of this kind of thing Steve is a very fine singer.

Also contains Eddie Singleton talking frankly about the Shrine label and the rumours and actions that conspired against the success and demise of that project.

A tribute to Otis Leaville, which is both amusing and interesting. It features him singing Um Um Um Um Um Um and Love Uprising. One of the most crystal clear falsettos and (seemingly) genuine nice guy.

An interesting piece and comparison of Motown and Philly featuring Dave Brown, a Philly expert who I had the pleasure of meeting recently, and a brief sight inside Sigma. And a great accapella by Lee Andrews and the Hearts (Nevertheless) complete in Tuxedos. Plus I have to mention again the terrific Delfonics, or at least William Hart and Major Harris, doing Just my Imagination. We are taken around Val Shiveley's record shop!

This leads into an extended piece with Bunny Sigler performing 5 songs, in his night attire in his living room, culminating in a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. A fascinating and amusing piece.

Quite a bit in this final section is not 'Northern' per se like some of the pieces mentioned above even the piece about Major Lance and Curtis Mayfield. For me this therefore holds much more interest but it is understandable why it was not included in the original piece.

Well that's pretty much it – so in overview I am sure that there will be something on here that will be interesting and of use to everybody. It may be the piece as a whole, ora particular feature or artist, it may just be an intereview, it may be curiousity, it may be that you are in the background of a dance feature. Whatever, it is a mammoth, interesting, cost effective, worthwhile piece. Ian Levine gets lots of criticism, a lot of detractors, lots of suspicion, maybe those will judge this otherwise, or one sided, or unrepresentative. I think though there is something for everyone.

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