Craig Strongman

Hippo girl, thats exactly what it is, you coming?

Just been re booked for Sat 28th March. Looking forward to doing it, and seeing you there too! Spread the word and ktf!!

Oops! Well I'm sure you'll agree his surname doesn't actually fit his height !! Oh, I popped in yesterday to see Jim, and he told me there's a distinct possibility that him and another guy will be setting up a similar shop. Dont have any more details at present, but that would be good!

Pete (Zab) now you mention it, I do remember John going to the States, as for the Selecta in Soho, I believe that was sold some time back, Ive been by it a few times, and as far as I can remember, it sure isnt called Selectadisc anymore. During my stint on Goldsmith St, it was my birthday, and the guys bought me the album on Chrysallis by Sir John Betjamin (sorry if thats spelt wrong!) I remember too, talking to Brian Selby about Rufus, and saying to him I thought it was "pseudo soul" compared to the stuff I was into. The trademark black decor with the spotlights, and loud music will be sad

My first purchase from Selecta was the Family LP, "Music In A Dolls House" from Arkwright St. After that, being employed on Goldsmith St, I was literally only yards away from their shop, and many hours were spent there, mainly at lunch time, looking through the many racks of albums, and in the time there, getting to know the team, including Jim, Kev Thomas, John with a Polish surname (Jablonski?) and Phil, who at the time had a typical 70's tash....thats not the current owner is it? In hindsight it seems that Brian (Selby) sold it at just the right time, but what a crying shame it is that

Sorry to hear that Mick, hope the springer is ok, ours seems a bit down today, he was taken on Wollaton Park for a run, but towards the end, just didnt seem himself! Frank, as I said earlier, it was really good to meet you, pity you didnt stay nearby a bit longer! As for the salsa demo, you are not the only one to pass that comment! Over on Soul Source forum, Michael, a guy thats been a good "follower" of mine since Love Shack, passed a similar comment. I have to admit from my point of view, I enjoyed it, apart from the fact that "plumbing in" the guys laptop caused some problems from a te

What a great gig! Also finally managed to meet a fellow Nottstalgia dweller, Frank, great to meet you mate! It was also really good to see a lot of my "regulars" from Ilkeston/Long Eaton, and if comments that I was given were anything to go by, I didnt do too bad a job. Good to see too, quite a few people I knew from my days at The Baltimore in the late 80's, early 90's ! The next one is planned for the 28th March, as of yet I dont know if its me doing it, Ill keep you informed. In the meantime, The Westgate gig in Long Eaton is next Friday, the 27th, look forward to seeing you!

Just to let you know, theres a "Legends of Motown" show coming to The Arena, June 24. Martha and the Vandellas, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Jr Walkers All Stars, (note it doesnt say and!) The Commodores, and more. I stayed up to watch the Motown thing last night, after The New Avengers, it was good. If you have the dvd of the made for American tv, "The Temptations Story," it gives an insight to the workings of the label, and its artists. Its also sad to see how David Ruffin went, leading to his untimely premature death.

Thats near my school, Claremont, well at last the Sherwood annexe, I recall a mate living on Edingley Sq, his name is Wayne Kerry , ring any bells/

Pete, take a look at the "westgate Suites" thread, still in this section, ive posted when stuffs happening there, plus, starting June, theres another night on a Saturday in a venue a bit north of Nottm, not too far away though! Just noticed youre in Giltbrook, thats even closer for you/

Pete, if you and the Vespa are free saturday night (21st) Im doing a Motown and soul nigh at The Baltimore (Exchange) Castle Marina, theres obviously a charge on the door, but it should be worth it!!!!

S'pose id better not either, its still in my collection since that day in 67 that I bought it.

Charlie, It was indeed Shory Long on Motown doing that song. As for the Direction label, Inez and Charlie Foxx did a couple on there too, at the mo I cant remember any others, but I probably will!

Some good songs there folks! I must admit that when I first got "Hit The Road Stax" I couldnt understand why Carla Thomas' Gee Whiz was included, why on earth include an almost doo wop track on a soul album? One track I did love though was " Last Night " by The Mar Keys, great piece of music! Singles that I loved on Blue Stax included " Happy" by William Bell, and "Let Me Come on Home" by Otis

Well, at least one member knew it was me driving the front car in the motorcade! We started for outside Jane's folks newspaper shop on Valley road ( or was it actually Scotland road?) and drove into town to the Market Square. Looking back, the Radio Trent news car, which was a Bedford whatever, wasnt exactly of a Lincoln or Cadillac quality to lead a motorcade! Ive since seen and spoken to Jane during my work at the NIC, shes a nice person!

Its A Wonder .......that fishy duo Salmon Dave!

!clapping! Nice one Fynger! Charlie, I agree, Smokey is a superb songwriter, but, my faves are THEE trio, Holland Dozier Holland!

And guess which member here drove the front vehicle in the motorcade when they were honoured by the city of Nottingham after they had the success in the contest?

Hi Dee, yep, I knew Dina, assuming its the same one, didnt she work at either (or both) The Beach beauty place on Friar Lane near where Walkabout is now, and The Casino when it was Stakis Regency, and a good place to go, not like the flippin bingo hall it is now! (actually I might be thinking of Audrey, but I think they were friends too anyway! ) And is the Dave you are talking about the sculpter? Used to have a skull in the back of his Jensen?...Actually, cancel the last question, the Dave that was Dinas husband/partner, is not the Dave I described! Some of the other regulars there then

When they were doing the "soulie" stuff, like the cover of Edwins Headline News, Alan Bown was known as The Alan Bown Set, as im sure you know! Anyway, I saw them actually at The Dungeon, and imitated the lead singer sticking his finger in his ear so he could tell how he was singing, obviously before stage monitors were thought of! Ive also got the More Midnight Soul LP, and at the time wondered what the album cover was all about!

Hi Jan, Charlie. Ive mentioned before that at The Dungeon, it wasnt all soul and Motown, I remember dancing to Pretty Flamingo there by Manfred Mann!!! There was a fair splattering of things by Rod Stewart (in Shotgun Express etc) Monkees, Mamas And Papas, The Action, The Easybeats, and even The Beatles "Theres A Place!" Obviously The Who and Small Faces were played often, but, and quite rightly, the soul and Motown took pride of place! Anyone else here buy "Hit The Road Stax" when it first came out? In response to the "My Girl" question, at the time, I thought Otis, but now its The Tem

Hi Charlie! Wow....Cleo's Mood, that takes me back, I had two LP's bought from a Freemans catalogue, one was Hitsville USA, and the other was Motown Magic, both mono, cos back then, I didnt have a stereo record player, hey, I was only 14! But, Cleo's Mood was on one of them...cant remember which one, the one I still have is filed away, and the other disappeared while I was still at Radio Trent. Anyway, excellent track, with lots more organ on it than Jr was noted for normally, Ive just re discovered a track by The Vows, called Tell Me, its on a cd that I did have somewhere, but saw it in H

Thats sad, I spent many a happy lunchtime in there, and a few evenings with Vals mum and dad.

When I was at The Babel in 79, Kurt would have me play the Candido version of Jingo, and play along on his bongos! ( I bet that hurt!)

Are you the one wearing a jacket?