The Golden Torch Story
BY MICK FULLBROOK
The CD offering,( GSCD61 also available as a vinyl LP [GS6192]) this time is The Golden Torch Story – A collection of 30 classic Northern Soul shakers. It provides an insight into the sounds played at The Torch in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. Ask most Northern Soul fan the name of the most influential venues in the scene and they will say The Twisted Wheel, Wigan Casino and The Torch.
The Torch started off as The Golden Torch in 1966 as a Mod club but as music preference and youth fashion changed it gradually became one of the Northern Soul scenes biggest venues. It attracted class soul acts such as The Drifters, Fontella Bass, Oscar Toney Jr, James and Bobby Purify, Ben E. King, Edwin Starr, J.J. Barnes and Jr Walker and the All-stars to name just a few. The D.J’s featured Keith Minshull, Chris Sweeting, Colin Curtis, Alan Day, Martyn Ellis, Johnny Beggs and Ian ‘TNT’ Turner.
The tracks on the album are:-
This compilation has a lot of famous tracks and the Torch was so influential that you begin to miss the tracks that were left out – One wonderful moment, Soul self satisfaction, but maybe a second album is in the offing! Look for this compilation on Goldmine. Anyway that’s all folks!
Keep the faith and keep on keepin’ on, MICK FULLBROOK
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Brilliant revue there Mick and thanks,
Don't forget folks you can get a real feel for were Northernsoul started by visiting this great site: Imber Village Soul Club
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Soul For Sale
Every Northern soul fan must have at least one Piccadilly/Pye Disco Demand 45 in
their collection even if they won’t own up to it (especially after the cheesy
‘Footsee’ by Wigan’s Chosen Few!) However the Pye record label was very
influential in the Northern Soul scene by finding and releasing tracks by
British artists.
Soul for sale – 30 British Northern Soul Dancers is an album of some of the well
loved tracks (usually re-released on Casino Classics) and also some rarer tracks
from the Piccadilly/Pye vaults. The track listing is as follows:-
That’s what mamma say – Leonard Whiting. A slow number which is a copy-cat
version of Walter Jackson’s soul classic. It was actually the flipside of ‘The
Piper’ which was originally recorded by Sam Cooke.
Hey Girl – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds. This 1975
offering from the big soul name from Jamaica. He originally charted with a
version of Neil Diamond’s ‘Red Red Wine’.
When love slips away – Margo & The Marvettes. This is a reworking of Dee Dee
Warwick’s soul slowie which only gained popularity in the early 90’s.
I’ve been hurt by love – Geno Washington & The Ram
Jam Band. This mid tempo classic from ‘hand clappin’, foot stompin’, funky butt’
Geno and his boys is a bit different from his normal 200 mph offerings but still
good.
Soul for sale – John Schroeder Orchestra. The
football hand claps made this an instant hit on the niter scene issued on
Piccadilly. However he is more widely known for his instrumental version of
Edwin Starr’s ‘Agent 00 Soul’.
Ask the lonely – Bobby Rio. The version of the Four
Tops track was a flipside for another northern slow ballad ‘Be lonely little
girl’.
Stay a little while – Joe Brown. A track from this London all-rounder was cut on
the Pye label in 1967.It has recently found popularity with UK label collectors.
(Accept my) Invitation – A Band Of Angels. This a
non rarity on the Northern scene and was sung by Michael D’Abo who replaced Paul
Jones in the 60’s R&B outfit Manfred Mann.
Emergency 999 – The Alan Bown Set. The fire brigade
are out in force in the horn section of this nine-piece soul band who covered
many Edwin Starr and Little Anthony as well as performing many originals like
‘Emergency 999’.
Ain’t no big thing – Jimmy James. Another hit from
one of the Pye stables biggest soul stars.
You’re the one – Petula Clark. Downtown Petula proves she’s more than a house
wives favourite with this mid tempo sweet blue eyed soul track.
Don’t mention her name – Tonny Rich. This Welshman
produced this track for Piccadilly in 1965 with another 45 cover version of Don
Covey’s ‘See-Saw’.
In the deep of the night – Dodie West. This blue
eyed soulstress offering sounds a lot like a Bacharach tune but was written by
Tom Jones’ manager. She also has a minor hit with Little Anthony’s ‘Going out of
my head’ in 1965.
I stand accused – Tony Colton. Another slowy cut on
Pye in 1965.
Stop what you’re doing – The Playthings. A Casino
classic which has been unfortunately played to death. However they also released
that other classic ‘Surrounded by a ray of sunshine’ in 1974.
Then, only then – Julie Grant. This Blackpool singer
cut many cover versions for Pye in the early 60’s along with Gladys Knight’s
‘Giving up’ and the Marvelettes ‘As long as I know he’s mine’.
A most unusual feeling – James Galt.This beat group
from Scotland produced ‘Unusual feeling’ as a B-side. When US copies turned up
on the Aurora label they were thought to be black Americans!
Send her away – Jackie Trent. Jackie Trent and her husband Tony Hatch were one
of the most successful UK soul partnerships. She also covered ‘You Baby’ by The
Ronettes. This track enjoyed a good run until a reissue on Casino Classics wiped
it from the playlist.
Goodbye (Nothin’ to say) – Nosmo King. A flop for
Nosmo in 1974 it was re-released under the made up name The Javells and flew
into the top 30! It also inspired Maxine Nightingale’s ‘Right back where we
started from’. The dubious name came from a sign in a hospital waiting room, ‘No
Smoking’!
Tell her – The Blue Chips. A beat band from the
north-east, The Blue Chips recorded this Dean Parrish hit in 1966.
Soul sauce – Timebox. This is an instrumental of Cal
Tjader’s Latin soul classic. They also cut a version of The Detroit Spinners’
‘I’ll always love you’.
I can’t help myself – Donie Collins Showband. An up
tempo version of The Four Tops smash. Maybe without the soul of Levi Stubbs but
a good version anyway.
I will be there – Shirley Abicair. Shirley was an
Australian singer who produced this Peggy March reminiscent track.
Living in a dreamworld – Rainbow People. This track
became popular on the scene for a brief period in 1978 which prompted yet
another Casino Classics re-release.
Let’s go somewhere – David Garrick. A very northern
orientated orchestral version of R.Dean Taylor’s flipside.
Burning in the background of my mind – Tina Tott.
This faster track was cut in 1966 and is well worth a spin.
Lullaby of love – Antoinette. Antoinette was known
for solid covers of such tunes as Tami Lynn’s ‘I’m gonna run away from you’ as
‘Why don’t I run away from you’ and Carla Thomas’ ‘I’m for you’.
Backstreet – Felder’s Orioles. This is a good beat
cover of the Edwin Starr track. They also copied Bobby Bland’s ‘Turn on your
lovelight’.
You can’t take it away – Tawney Reed. This is a
brilliant track from the Cardiff teenager.
It keeps rainin’ – Keith Powell. Here is a track
that I always wondered why it hit big on the Northern scene with it’s almost ska/reggae
beat. However Keith manages to bring justice to this Fats Domino hit.
So there you have it. A good compilation however maybe not so fashionable on the
scene nowadays and this compilation would be for collectors instead of those
after a collection of today’s favourites. At best this album brings out some
forgotten tracks that would otherwise have gathered dust. At worst I think if
anyone wants a better , more popular slant on the whole Pye Disco Demand scene
they would be better off picking up a few of the Casino Classics compilations.
Keep the faith and keep on keepin’ on, yours in Soul, Mick Fullbrook.
Don't forget folks you can get a real feel for
were Northernsoul started by visiting this great site:
Imber
Village Soul Club