Adam Buchanan: Heaven In The Afternoon
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The third (and for now) final podcast of Adam’s 80’s plays.
If I don’t say so myself a great collection of Modern Soul from the Stafford era.
Lew Kirton - Heaven In The Afternoon - Alston
Jackie Moore - Heart Be Still - Kayvette
Masterplan - Dance All Night - Amani
J. Blackfoot - Where is Love - Sound Town
Gary Glenn - Gonna Give You All My Love - PPL
Luther Vandross - I Wanted Your Love - Epic
Steve Arrington - Feel So Real - Atlantic
Kashif - Rumours - Arista
James Cobbin & Prime Cut - Caught In The Middle - Tuckwood
The Flakes - No One (Can Love You Like I Do) - Magic Disc/Salsoul
Donn Thomas - How Can I Help But Love You - Myrrh
Leon Ware - What's Your Name - Fabulous Records Inc
Lenny Williams - Messing, With My Friend - MCA
Marva Hicks - Looking Over My Shoulder - Infinity
Black Ivory - You Are My Lover - Panoramic
Laura Lee - Your Song - Fantasy
Adam Buchanan: No Tricks
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The second set of tracks from Adam featuring some great modern tracks from the day.
Chuck Jackson - No Tricks - EMI
Atlantic Starr - Cirlces - A&M
Bronner Brothers - Pretty Boys - Neighbor
Bobby Thurston - The Very Last Drop - Epic
Demetri - Got To Be Real - Stand By
Charles Veal - new Found Love - Capitol
Loveman Ronnie Stokes - Touch You Again - Philly Town
Lifestyle - Katrina - MCA
E.J. Rice - Will You Be Coming Back - Platinum Records
Alfie Davison - Love Is A Serious Business - Mercury (12”)
Bobby Womack - Home Is Where The Heart Is - Columbia
Gwen McCrae - Keep The Fire Burning - Atlantic
Chuck Jackson - Waiting In Vain - EMI
Sweet Cream - Flyin' High - Shady Brook
Ramsey Lewis & Nancy Wilson - Closer Than Close - CBS
Four Tracks - Charade - Note
Goldie Alexander - Go Back - Chaz Ro
Stafford’s Top Of The World in the 60’s!
Adam Buchanan: Easy life
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We now turn the attention on to Adam Buchanan, or simply Adam. Very much in favour of progression and championed the Modern side of the Soul Scene. Adam was a popular DJ at the time, still is to this day although he has practically hung up the slip mats as I type. A great taste in music and knew how to work the floor Adam DJ’ed at all the big all-nighters of the day and as well as Top Dog Soul Club at Stafford he was resident for the Central England Soul Club at venues such as Nottingham Oddfellows in Leicester.
James Walsh Gypsy Band - Cuz It's You Girl - RCA
Jim Mancel - Easy Life - People City Music
Annis - Don't Play Games - GTO
Moody Scott - My lovely Lady - Straight Ahead Records
Flight - Playing Your Games - SGA
Natural Four - I Thought You Were Mine - ABC Paramount
Admirations - You Left Me - Peaches
Soulville Allstars - I'm Gonna Get To You - Soulville
L. Allen - Can't We Talk It Over - Green Dolphin
Constellations - I Don't Know How To - Gemini Star
Bill Harris - Am I Hot Am I Cold - RCA
Betty Wright - Give A Smile - Epic
Harold Melvin - Prayin' - Source
Leroy Burgess - Heartbreaker - Salsoul
Mandrill - My Kind Of Girl (My Girl) - Arista
WQBC - Love Me Anyway - Thunderbay
Pretenders - Just Be Yourself - Carnival
Timeless Legend - I Was Born To Love You - Bright Light
Swiss Movement - I Wish Our Love Would Last Forever - Gold Records
Ady Pountain: I'm In With The Downtown Crowd.
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It has been a while since the last podcast, I’ve been busy chasing the DJ’s for what they played for future podcasts. I’m pleased to say that I managed to corner Ady and with his and others help I’ve managed to put together 31 tracks that Ady played in the early days of Stafford.
Ady a favourite DJ of mine and always look forward to hearing his sets, he has great taste and always has a few pleasant surprises in his sets.
Ady was one of the Yate DJ’s and one of the original Stafford DJ’s, he helped Dave secure the deal for the use of the Top Of The World Club for the all-nighters. As you can see from the playlist there is a mixture of late Yate spins, some that were considered oldies maybe although they’d only been played for a year or two at places like Wigan and some Stafford “newies”.
It is as you will see across the board as we would expect at Stafford and there is just shy of one and a half hours music for your listening pleasure.
Ady also had a full set of the Unissued Motown that appeared in the early 80’s but as I’ve included many in the podcasts of Dave Withers I didn’t use any for Ady’s podcasts. I’m also planning to do a podcast featuring just the unreleased Motown so keep an eye out for that one (or two).
- Allan Sisters - I'm In With The Downtown Crowd - Quality
- Soulettes - Bring Your Fine Self Home - Scope
- Norma Jenkins & The Dolls - The Airplane Song - Maltese
- Inticers - Since You Left - Baby Luv
- Inspirations - No One Can Take Your Place - Midas
- Detroit Soul - All Of My Life - Music Town
- The Group featuring Cecil Washington - I Don't Like To Lose - Prophonics
- Eddie Parker - I Love You Baby - Ashford
- Chuck Holiday - Just Can't Trust Nobody - Gloria
- Major IV - I Don't Believe In Losing - Venture
- Charles Johnson - Never Had A Love So Good - Alston
- Alfie Davison - Love Is A Serious Business - Mercury 12"
- GQ - Make My Dream A Reality - Arista
- Felix Cavaliere - Never Felt Love Before - Bearsville
- Ed Summers - I Can tell - Soya
- Dee Dee Sharp - Happy Bout The Whole Thing - TSOP
- Patterson Twins - Gonna Find A True Love - Commercial
- Solid Gold Revue featuring Roy Crumley - She's So Good - Castanet
- Eldridge Holmes - Gone Gone Gone - Deesu
- The Larks - Come Back Baby - Money
- The Ascots - Another Day - MirADon
- Gene Chandler - I Hate To be The One To Say - Constellation
- Matt lucas - You Better Go Go - Karen
- Nomads - Somethings Bad - Mo Groove
- Smokey Robinson - I Care About Detroit - Standard Groove/Tamla
- Margie Joseph - One More Chance - Volt
- Jimmy Burns & The Fantastic Epics - You’re Gonna Miss Me (When I’m Gone) - Tip Top
- Fabulous Apollos - The One Alone - Valtone
- Willie Mallory - You Went Back (On What You Said) - Lanor
- The Hytones - Bigger And Better - Abet
- Chuck Holiday - I Still Love You - Gloria
- Bobby Kline - Say Something Nice To Me - MB Records
- Kenny Young - Ain't It Funny What Love Can Do - Share
Above: Ady (on the right)
Below: Stafford at the Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes gig.
Both photos courtesy of Ady. Flyer courtesy of Mark Randle.
Richard Searling: Call On Me
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Following on from Richard’s Stafford set from February 1983 is a selection of other plays from his time at Stafford.
As you will see again a good number are Modern Soul and again a healthy dose of quality 60’s Soul. Quite a broad mix of music which again set Stafford apart from many other places.
Flyer courtesy of Mark Randle.
Active Force - Give Me Your Love - A&M
Attitude - Love Me Tonight - Atlantic
Tony Fox - Love, Let Love And Be Loved - Blaster
Softones and First Class - Candy - Parkway
Jeffrey Osborne - I really Don't Need No Light - A&M
Randy Brown - I'm Always In The Mood - Mr Moo
Marc Sadane - One Minute From Love - Warner Brothers
Teddy Pendergrass - Heaven Only Knows - Philadelphia International
Family Of Eve - I Wanna Be Loved By You - Full Sail
Ike Strong - Your Love Keeps Me Dancing - Maple
Larry Brown - Breaking Training - Fireworks
Curtis - How Can I Tell Her - Charm City
Chris Bartley - I Go Out Of My Mind - TM Acetate
Temptations - A Tear From A Woman's Eye - Unissued
Tommy Frontera - You're My Leading Lady - Hi-Lite
Court Davis - Try To Think What You're Doing - East Coast
Deadbeats - No Second Chance - Strata (Phantom Janitor)
Soul Blenders - Tightrope - Knight (Charles Thomas)
Marvin Gaye - Lonely Lover - Unissued
Temptations - Angel Doll - Unissued
Eddie Holman - Where I'm Not Wanted - Unissued
Martells - Where Can My Baby Be - A-La-Carte (Jimmie Williams - Won't Somebody Please)
Four Reputations - Call On Me - Millage
Eddie Holman - Hurt - Unissued
Little Ann - What Shall I Do - Unissued (Rose Valentine - When He's Not Around)
Richard Searling: What Happened To Yesterday?
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Richard (at The Mecca).
Now it’s time to feature one of the greatest and most influential DJ’s of all time on the Northern or Rare Soul Scene, Richard Searling. This podcast is what he actually played at Stafford TOTW on February 26th 1983.
Richard had been at the top of the tree for getting on 9 or 10 years but with John Anderson behind him his sets the last couple of years or so at Wigan changed the face of Northern Soul. Many exclusive plays that still remain firm favourites to this day. Several were what can be considered ground breaking for the time and they were also a breath of fresh air after some of the what went before during the mid 70’s at Wigan.
Come Stafford though many of his big 60’s plays had gone to other DJ’s, Dave Withers for example, and Richard seemed to be changing direction totally for a more commercial sound. Many of his sets featured records freshly released, David Joseph was actually on Top Of The Pops with “You Can’t Hide Your Love” the month after the date of this set at Stafford. There was still quality 60’s featured in the sets at Stafford an almost all remain highly sought after and still to this day are as hens teeth.
Richard’s radio show at the time was at Sheffield’s Radio Hallam and Richard would then hot foot it over to Stafford to get behind the decks around midnight. It wouldn’t be long though before Richard would turn his back on the All-nighter scene and concentrate on his radio show. 
Maxine Nightingale - You Can't Run From love - Connection
Norman Connors & Adaritha - Take It to The Limit - Arista
Walter Jackson - Touching In The Dark - Kelli Arts
Jerry Knight - Nothing Can Hold Us Back - A&M lp
David Joseph - You can't Hide Your Love From Me - UK Island
Doug Parkinson & Southern Star Band - I'll be Around - Southern Star
Sunfire - Stop In The Light - Warner Brothers lp
Marlena Shaw - I Just Want This Feeling - South Bay
Webster Lewis - Let Me Be The One - Epic
Webster Lewis - Touch My love - Epic
Janice McLain - Smack Dab In The Middle - Warner Brothers RFC Records
Mr Soul - What Happened To Yesterday - Genuine (Maurice McAllister)
United Four - Baby Don't You Do It - Unissued Acetate (Leo Wright & The Elbejays)
Johnny Honeycut - I'm Coming Over - Triode
Herman Hitson - Love Slipped Through My Fingers (Herman Hitson)
Q - Thats The Way - Hound (James Lewis & Case of Tyme)
Dave Thorley: First Taste Of Hurt
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Marshall Donavon & Broomfield - Since I Found My Baby - Augusta
James Walsh Gypsy Band - Cuz It's You, Girl - RCA
Valerie Lamar - Shame - Dee Dee
Debby Dobbins - Glad I Found You - Spirit (1981)
Willie Tee - First Taste Of Hurt - Gatur
The Vines - Hey Hey Girls - Sutter
Carl Holmes & The Commanders - Soul Dance Number 3 - Blackjack
Kontetts - You Got Me Baby - Audio Sound Acetate
Bobby Wisdom - Handwriting On The Wall - Out A Site
Thee Chekkers - Lack Of Love - Look
Accents - Who You Gonna Love - One-Derful
The Globeliters - The Way You Do - Philtown
Bobby Wisdom - Girl I Cll My Baby - Out A Site
Gene Barbour & Cavaliers - I Need A Love - Hit
Albert Jones - Up To The Sun - Bumpshop 153
Willie Tee - Please Don't Go - Nola 737
Matt Brown - Thank You Baby - JarVal 0006
Attractions - Why Shouldn't A Man Cry - Bell
Dave Blocker - Nothing's Gonna Change Me - Robere
Samuel Moore & the Chi's-TNT's - I'm So Jealous - DJO
Preston Peters - Got To Have Piece Of Mind - Markhap 6467
Tommy Hunt - Words Can Never Tell It - Dynamo
Charades - You Better Believe It - Harlem Hitparade
Kenny Gamble - (I'll Just) Keep On Smiling - Arctic
Dena Barnes - Who Am I - Inferno
Lee Edwards & His Continentals - (I've Gotta Have Her) Need I Say More - Lantic Gold
Edwin Johnson - Ain't That Enough To Make A Man Cry - Post
Fabulous Apollos - Some Good In Everything Bad - Valtone
Four Tracks - Like My Love For You - Mandingo
Kenny Gamble - Chains Of Love - Arctic
Flyers courtesy of Mark Randle. Echoes advert courtesy of Cliff Steele.
Dave Thorley Soul On The Modern Side
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Been a few weeks since I’ve added to this story so though it was about time I put that right. Been a few hours of 60’s posted since we focused on the Modern side of Stafford so time to redress the balance with almost an hour and half of Modern, 70’s Soul and a bit of Crossover from Dave Thorley.
Johnny Scott - Let Me Be A Winner (Spoken Intro) - Portra
Anacostia - What Kind Of Love - Columbia (Van McCoy cover up)
Exportations - I Want You - Vir-Ro
Storm - Can't Nobody love Me Like You Do - Rosette
Webster Lewis - Let Me Be The One - Epic
Hiroshima - Never Ever - Arista
Jerome Jones - Don't Change - Jham For Life
David Martin - You're Mighty Right - Jay Pee & Rekord
Pheeroan Aklaff (Michael Gregory on Vocals) - Fits Like A Glove - Gramavision
Kashif - Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On) - Arista
Geater Davis - Don't Give Up - MT
Marc De Noel - Heartaches - Marc
Fantastic Shakers - Biggest Mistake - Fantastic Shakers 17041(Dexter Jones - My Mistake)
Centre Stage - Hey, Lady - RCA
Reo Lane - Give Me Your Love - Bren
Willie Johnson - What Am I Gonna Do Without Your Love - Savannah
Five Special - The More I Get Top Know You - T.E.A.I.
Electric Express - Hearsay - Key Vac
Gene Dozier & The United Front - You're The Best Girl I Ever Had - Mercury
Chuck Brooks - You Can't Be In Two Places At The Same Time - Chimneyville
Brand New - Thousand Years - DuVern
John Simeone - Who Do You Love - TNT 1001
William Bell - Tryin' To Love Two - Mercury 
Echoes clip courtesy of Cliff Steele.
Gary Rushbrooke Part Three
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Welcome to Gary’s third and final podcast, this should just about complete what Gary played during the early part of Stafford give or take a few records. As one person commented Gary had his on unique style sticking mainly to 60’s dancers. Again a few oldies in amongst the section abut also a fair few Stafford classics and as with the other episodes many still played up and down the country to this day, some have remained extremely rare and are seldom heard which isn a shame really.
Bobbie Smith - Walk On Into My Heart - American Arts
Lee Bates - Why Don't You Write - Instant (George Blackwell - Write Me A Letter)
Casinos - If I Told You - Del-Val
Little Ron & Esquires - I Found Someone - Charade (Simms Twins)
Ray Agee - I'm Losing Again - Soultown (James Conwell - Love Is A Losing Game)
Eric Mercury - Lonely Girl Part 1 - SAC (Roy Hamilton)
Frankie Beverley & Butlers - I Want To Feel I'm Wanted - Fairmount
Kris Peterson - Just As Much - Top Dog
Magnetics - When I'm With My Baby - Sable
Lost Soul - Secret Of Mine - Raven
Fascinators - In Other Words - Bombay (Magnetics)
Oracles - I Ain't Got Time - O-M (Jackie Lee & The Tripps - Everybody's Doing The Jerk)
Moovers - One Little Dance - Brent
Porgy & The Monarchs - That's My Girl - Sylves
Specials featuring J Finch - Everybody Say Yeah - Satch SA 512 B
Soulville all Stars - Nobody To Blame (But Myself) - Soulville
Magnificent Seven - She's Called A Woman - Eastern
Nomads - Somethings Bad - Mo-Groove
Twilights - You're The One - Aqua (Bobby Diamond)
Passionettes - My Fault - Path (Norma Jenkins & The Dolls - Nobody's Fault But Mine)
Yvonne Vernee - Does He Love Me Anymore - Correc-Tone
Ty Karim - You just Don't Know - Romark
Bobby Valentin - Use It before You Lose It - Fania (Rex Garvin)
Ascots - Miss Heartbreaker - MBS
Richard Anthony & The Blue Notes - No Good - Swan
Bobby Samson - Happiest day Of My Life - Acta
Magnificent 7 - Never Will I (Make My Baby Cry) - Dial (Frank Dell)
Bernie Moore - Oh No - SSI
Gary and Robin at the Stafford Reunion at the TOTW in 2010.
Flyers courtesy of Mark Randle.
Gary Rushbrooke Part Two
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28 more tracks for your listening pleasure all from the early 80’s playbox of Gary Rushbrooke. Again a mixture of the odd late Wigan spin (one or two ex Richard Searling biggies) and Gary’s Stafford newies, many having gone on to be Stafford classics and still heard around the country today.
Bud Harper - Wherever You Are - Peacock
George Blackwell - Mr Loser - Smoke
Jeff Dale - Where Did I Go - Atco
Charades - Key To My Happiness - MGM
Aspirations - You Left Me - Peaches (Timothy Wislon)
Leo Wright & ElbeJays - Baby Don't You Do It - Unissued/Cover Up
Ascots - Another Day - Mir-A-Don
Bobby Wisdom - Handwriting On The Wall - Out-A-Site 11
Les Chansonettes - Don't Let Him Hurt You - Shrine (Yvonne Vernee - Someone's Gonna Do You)
Bell Boys - I Don't Want To Lose You - Jamar
Gasoline Powered Clock - Forest Fire On Main Street - GPC (Lord Sitar & The Baltimore Band - Running Away)
John Edwards - Ain't That Good Enough - Unreleased
Jackie Beavers - I Need My Baby - Revilot
Ascots - Anytime - Mir-A-Don (Mistake with this one, believe it was Guy and Dave Thorley who first played this, on the same night incidentally, Dave covered up, Guy uncovered).
Lonnie Russ - Say Girl - Kerwood
Naturals - Don't Just Stand There - Path (New Wanderers)
7 Sons - Don't You Dare Say No - IGL
Specials - I Can't Find Another - Satch
Cashmeres - Don't Let The Door Hit You Back - HEM
Gene Toones - What More Do You Want - Simco
Little Stanley - The Stran - Out-A-Site (Jimmie Raye - C’mon Baby)
Sophisticates - I Can't Stand It - Mutt
Freddy Butler - You Better Get Hip Girl - Kapp
Magnificent Men - Keep On Climbing - Capitol
Wayne Anthony - You Ain't Wrapped Too Tight - Roulette
Tommy Dodson - One Way Love - Uptown
Bernie Moore - I Wanna Be Loved To Death - Burdette
Jimmy Ruffin - How Can I Say I’m Sorry - Soul
Ticket and scan courtesy of Mark Randle.
Gary Rushbrooke 1st/2nd May 1982
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Another DJ at the top of his game in the late 70’s and early 80’s made him an obvious choice for Dave Thorley as one of his leading “newies” Dj’s, that DJ was Gary Rushbrooke Whilst many others around him were moving towards newer releases Gary bar the odd exception stuck firmly to his belief in 60’s Rare Soul. The following podcast is what Gary actually played in May 1st 1982, inn the same order, right at the birth of the Stafford All-nighters. As expected given the time there are still some records that were big at Wigan yet still relatively new to the scene, also the odd big oldie giving us a set of records most DJ’s today would love to be able to deliver not 30 years ago.
Lamont Cranston - Takin A Chance - Waterhouse (Williams & Watson - No One Ever Said It Was Gonna Be Easy)
Ree Flores - Look At My Heart - M&H
Cassadons - Two Sided Love - Beltone
Delettes - Look At Me - Blue Rock
Chuck Flamingo - What's My Chances - RoJac (Bobby Sanders - Lost My Chances)
Vernon Greene - Look At Me Look At me - Minit
Creations - Just Remember Me - Globe (Steinways - Remember Me)
Gary Sole - Holding On - Knight (Agents)
Mill Evans - Why Why Why - King
Moses Dillard - Pretty As A Picture - Mark V (Little Richie)
Tee Fletcher - Happy Loving You - Shurfine
Frank Beverley - Because Of My Heart - Fairmount
Charles Brandy - Can't Get Enough - Blue Cat (Bob Relf)
Magnetics - Lady In Green - Bonnie
Chryslers & I'm not Going To lose You - Je Jody (Mad Dog & Pups)
Yvonne Vernee - Just Like You Did Me - Sonbert
Tamala Lewis - YoU Won't Say Nothing - Marton
Soul Blenders - Tightrope - Knight (Soul Shakers - Walkin A Tightrope)
Johnny Watson - Ain't Gonna Move - Jowat (Billy Williams)
Vondells - Hey Girl You've Changed - Airtown
Willie Mallory - You Went Back (On What You Said) - Lanor (Deon Jackson - I Might As Well Be Dead) (from Tim Ashibende late Wigan)
Elbie Parker - Please Keep Away From Me - Veep (Pookie Hudson)
Vontastics - I'll Never Say Goodbye - Satellite (Eddie Daye & 4 Bars)
Royal Esquires - Aint Gonna Run - Prix (Embers - Playing The Part Of A Fool)
Dave Withers And Rod Shard Part Two
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Okay, I hope you enjoyed the first set from Dave Withers which was what he actually played in May 1982 at Stafford. This second part features more records from late Wigan leading into Stafford with discoveries of his and his good mate Rod Shard. More from the Motown tapes to some great uptempo dancers. Again many of these are still in demand to this day and would coast a small fortune to acquire. Others in the set pretty much forgotten about and some probably unknown to those who missed out the whole of the 80’s, returning in the mid 90’s to what they left behind when Wigan shut.
Gordon Keith - Look ahead - Calumet (Maurice Williams)
Pat Thompson & Archie Powell - Darling Darling - Mir-A-Don (Ad-Libs)
Spoilers - Something About You - GMC
Ron Alston - Something Ain't Right - Philips (Bobby Robinson)
Blue Steam - I Want A Girl - Catamount
Cody Marshall - The Thought Of Loving You - Sound Judgement (Pierre Hunt - late Casino)
Buddy Conner - When You're Alone - Breakthrough (George Jackson)
Martha Reeves & Vandellas - Spellbound
Velvevettes - Stop Beating Around The Bush
Monitors - Words
Kim Weston - Absent Minded Lover
Kim Weston - After The Rain
Combinations - I'm Gonna Make You love Me - Kimtone
Combinations - What'ca Gonna Do - Kellmac (Chessmen)
Harthon Band - Eddie's My Name
Vivian Carroll - Oh Yeah Yeah Yeah - Merben (Roddie Joy)
Venturas - Baby Be Mine - Daniels
Martells feat Clifford Russell - Where Can my baby Be - Al La Carte (Jimmie Williams - Somebody Please)
Lonzine Cannon - Quit While I'm Ahead - Philips (Earl Jackson)
Young Brothers - What's Your Game - Soul Power(Experienced Heartmenders)
Deltours - Sweet And Lovely - Starville (Earnest mMsley/Mel Wynn)
Classics - So Glad That i Found You - Yan-G
Richard Anthony - Keep On Living On - Virtue (Kenny Hamber)
Phonetics- Just A Boys Dream - Trudel
Little Tony Talent - All Thats Good - Symbol
Limelights - Don't Leave Me Baby - Uncle (Silhoutettes)
Young Brothers - Baby - Soul Power
Dave Withers And Rod Shard
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Continuing the Stafford Story we now turn to a duo who between them discovered and introduced to the scene some amazing and exciting records. Although Dave Withers is the one who takes the credit as he was very much the public face being the DJ it was very much a partnership, Rod preferring to stay behind the scenes and source records, not just with and for Dave but for other DJ's as well as future podcasts will show.
Thanks to George Sharp who passed on a venue report I have been able to produce a podcast that reproduces what Dave played at Stafford on May 1st/2nd 1982. A look at the list and it shows just how exciting it must have been in the early Stafford days when all the unreleased Motown turned up and with a mix of late Wigan biggies the set still stands up today with almost all the records still featuring on today's scene and many most DJ's would love to have in their record boxes.
The Originals and Temptations must be in everyones top 50 if not higher up the ranks and many of the records that did see a release still remain extremely rare to this day.
Dave DJ'ed at Stafford from the very first one but stood down a year or so later. Shame he became disillusioned with it all and decide to call it a day he could have been and should be better remembered than he is as a DJ and talked about in the same breath as other top DJ’s by everyone and not basically the collectors, dancers and fellow DJ’s who were there or who have a passion for the music of the time.
The list shows the original artist with the cover up name/title in brackets)
Originals - Suspicion aka Baby Have Mercy On Me (Prophets)
Temptations - Forever In My Heart aka Come On Back To Me Baby (Detroit Emeralds)
Marvin Gaye - This Love Staved Heart (Is Killing Me) (JJ Barnes)
Topic - Have Your Fun - Dream (Phil Orsi - With Me You'll Want To Stay)
Gladys Knight & The Pips - It's Too Late For YoU and Me (Lorraine Chandler)
Marvelettes - Sugar's Never Been As Sweet As You ((Patty Gilson & Torments or Little Lisa) Played twice on the night.
Holland, Dozier, Holland - On The Avenue (Duke & Detroit Sounds - It's Uptown Night)
Velvelettes - Let Love Live (A Little Bit Longer) (Adorables)
Velvelettes - Love Is Good (Adorables)
Mr Caldwell - Love Bandit - Scorpio (Bud Harper - Treasure That Can't Be Found)
Marvelettes - The Boy From Crosstown (Lillian Dupree - He's The Boy I Love)
COD's - She's Fire - Kellmac (Mickey Valvano - She's Fire, She's My Burning Desire)
Shadows - My Love Is Gone - USA (Jimmy Georgetowns - Stars Above)
John & The Weirdest - No Time - Tie (Spyder Turner & Webs)
Exectutive Four - Gotta Good Thing Going - Lu Mar (Robert L Martin)
John & The Weirdest - Can't Get Over These Memories - Tie (Spyder Turner & Webs)
Judy Hughes - Fine Fine Fine - Vault (Judy Street - He's So Fine)
Main Change - Sunshine Is Her Way - Nebula (Rock Candy)
Court Davis - Try To Think What You're Doing -East Coast
Monique - If You Love Me Show Me - Maurci (Martha Starr - Love Me Or Let Me Go)
Royal Robins - Something About You Sends Me - Tru Glo Town (Imaginary Visions - There's Something About You)
Jimmy Wallace - I'll Be Back - Alpha (Chip Tyler)
Dave Thorley Part Three
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Ok, last two sets from Dave were Modern and Crossover Soul (hope you enjoyed them) so it is now time to redress the balance and get some
60’s in the mix. We have what I think is a fantastic selection for your listening pleasure so get downloading and enjoy.
Mel Wynn - I Don't Want To Lose You - Wand
Turks - The Bad Brought The Good - DJO
Empires - You're On Top Girl - Candi (Johnny & Mondells c/u)
Larry Davis - I've Been Hurt So Many Times - Kent (came from Neil "Nogger" Allen)
Fabulous Apollos - Determination - Valtone
Fabulous Moonlighters - For Granted - Blue Eagle
Porgy & The Monarchs - Congratulations - Bell Sound Acetate
Ringleaders - Win You Over - Int. Recording Co. Studio Disc
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I Care About Detroit - Standard Groove
Mamie Galore - No Right To Cry - Sack
Roger Hatcher - Sweetest Girl In The World - Excelllo
Black & Blue - What I Got - Mercury (came from Tim and Butch)
Gino Washington - Rat Race - Test pressing (Detroit Five)
Otis Leavill - I'm Amazed - Limelight
Sam Dees - Lonely For You Baby - SSS International (Dan Brantley c/u, came form Ady Pountain)
Houston Outlaws - Ain't No Telling - Westbound
Classics - So Glad That I Found You - Yan-G
Ringleaders - All Of My Life - Int. Recording Co. Studio Disc
Billy Kennedy - Sweet Things - Thelma
Blenders - Your Love Has Got Me Down - Mar-V-Lus (Dave originally played an alternate take from a Studio Disc)
Charlotta Tillman - Baby I'm Serious - Josie
Oscar Perry - Face Reality - Feron
Moments - You said - Deep (Sweethearts c/u, Late Yate/Early Stafford)
Chuck Holiday - Just Can't Trust Nobody - Gloria
Kell Osborne - Quicksand - Titanic (came from Rob Moss)
Johnny Gilliam - Room Full of Tears - Cancer (Charles Johnson c/u)
Dave Thorley Part Two
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I hope you enjoyed the first podcast highlighting the music Dave Thorley played at the Stafford All-Nighters.
Here is set two featuring more Modern Soul, Crossover Soul and a couple a little on the funky side.
Manhattans - Crazy - CBS/Columbia
Jewel - Paradise - Jewel (Late Yate/Early Stafford)
Bobby Womack - Trying To Get Over You - Beverley Glen
Richard "Popcorn" Wylie - How did I Lose You - ABC
Jessie Henderson - I Did It Again - Land Of Hits/Lasso
Johnnie Taylor - What About My Love - Beverley Glen
Earl White Jnr - Very Special Girl - Cygnet
Mel Williams - Sweet Girl Of Mine - Buddah (came from Tim Ashibende and Butch)
Rochelle Rabouin - This Is My Year - Cygnet
Sir Henry Ivy - He Left You Standing There - Future Dimension (came from Mick Godfrey)
James & Truitt - What's Wrong With It - Juca
Memphians - South Memphis - Bluff City (late Yate/Early Stafford)
Whispering Shadows - Stop The World - Mr D's
21st Century - Your Smallest Wish - BeeGee
Wali Ali - (Oh i) Need Your Lovin' - Jobete
TSU Tornadoes - What Good Am I - Atlantic
Guitar Ray - You're Gonna Wreck My Life - Shagg (came from Tim Ashibende and Butch)
Bobby Sheen - Something New To Do - Warner Brothers (came from Tim Ashibende and Butch)
Soul Brothers Inc - Pyramid - Golden Eye (Mel Britt c/u)
Dave Thorley Part One
Right Click to Download
Welcome to my series of Podcasts dedicated to the music of the Stafford All-nighters.
The Stafford all-nighters held at The Top Of The World club in Newport Road and ran under the Top Dog Soul Club banner and it’s promoters were Dave Thorley and Keith Minshull. It opened it’s doors in April 1982 and closed it’s doors on the 22nd/23rd February 1986.
To begin with it can be best described as a coming together of two legendary venues, the recently closed Wigan Casino and The Yate All-Nighters with a line consisting of and including the best DJ’s from both venues, Richard Searling, Dave Thorley, Ian Clark, Gary Rushbrooke, Ady Pountain and Dave Withers. Upstairs featured Mick Smith, Nick Marshall, Pet Widdison, Budgie and Dave Alcock.
Over the time the all-nighter ran Dj’s came and went, Adam Buchanan, Robin Salter, Soul Sam, Chris Plant, Pat Brady and of course the 60’s Mafia Keb Darge and Guy Hennigan. Many others also featured over the years in both rooms. Many many new records were introduced to the scene and the crowd were eager to lap them up and new records were continually sought by all the Dj’s and many have since gone on to be classics still played up and down the country, many records from the era are still unknown to many who missed out when they left the scene after Wigan closed, later returning in the mid 90’s.
The venue was also truly across the board featuring 60’s right up to new releases, probably the last venue where this was done on a regular basis in the same room.
Now rather than ramble on I thought I would let the music tell the story so I decided to do a series of podcasts, each about an hour long but each one will be music from one of the DJ’s, collectors and movers and shakers of the time, those who found some of the music from the time. My aim is to do at least one podcast of all the DJ’s and I am pleased to say the first three will be of the music played by Top Dog himself Dave Thorley.
I did wonder if Dave would agree as he is one that doesn’t dwell on the past, always moving forward but he was more than happy to help, providing a list of records and sound files for some I couldn’t locate so I am grateful to Dave for this, and also to the others who have already helped me with lists of what they played back then….they probably think I’ve been a pain pestering them.
The music of the era is what I love the most it is what has shaped by beliefs, ideals and attitude to the scene as a collector and later as a DJ myself.
Now all that is left to do is download and enjoy the music.
Paul Simpson Connection - Use Me Lose Me - Rams Horn
Marlena Shaw - I Just Want This Feeling To Last - South Bay (Hot Traxx remix one spun by Dave)
Kathy McFarland - Memories - Jobete
Baiser - Summer Breeze - Polystar
Colorblind - Crazy - Capitol
Colors - Am I Gonna Be The One - First Take
O'Jays - Put Your Heads Together - PIR
David Joseph - You Can't (Hide Your Love From Me) - Island
Ze-Brazz - Feels So Good - Atlantic
Bobby Womack - Tell Me Why
Loveman Ronnie Stokes - Touch You Again - Philly Town
Vivilore Jordan - All Work And No Play - Task
Family Affair - You Can't Stop My Loving - Jobete
Glenda McCloud - No Stranger To Love - HGEI (came from Stuart Cosgrove0