Probably the most well-worn compilation path in recent years, but if you’re after a ‘starter set’ of northern soul, you might want to check out the Northern Soul Story volumes 1-4.
Each one based around a particular venue – The Twisted Wheel (volume 1), The Golden Torch (volume 2), Blackpool Mecca (volume 3) and the Wigan Casino (volume 4). The press claims they present ‘the most definitive, best researched and most authoritatively annotated survey of Northern Soul ever released on CD in the UK’, as well featuring a 12 page full colour booklet covering the tracks and the clubs concerned.
They’re available from 30th July 2007 – with reviews likely to be on sister site Modculture before then. And if you want to know the tracklistings, read on after the turn.
The Twisted Wheel
1. Magic Potion – Lou Johnson
2. Hide And Go Seek – Bunker Hill
3. That’s What I Want To Know – James Carr
4. Ride Your Pony – Lee Dorsey
5. No Sad Songs – Oscar Toney Jr
6. My Elusive Dreams – Moses & Joshua Dillard
7. Shake A Tail Feather – James & Bobby Purify
8. A Little Bit Of Something – Little Richard
9. It’s The Beat – Major Lance
10. A Quitter Never Wins – Larry Williams & Johnny Watson
11. Don’t Leave Me – Al Green & The Soul Mates
12. I Can’t Get A Hold Of Myself – Clifford Curry
13. The Cheater – Bob Kuban & The In-Men
14. Look What You’ve Done To My Heart – Shirley & The Shirelles
15. Let Love Come Between Us – James & Bobby Purify
16. Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again) – The Spellbinders
17. I Need Your Love So Desperately – Peaches & Herb
18. Breakin’ Down The Walls Of Heartache – The Bandwagon
19. Everybody’s Going To The Love-In – Bob Brady & The Con-Chords
20. There’s Nothing Else To Say – The Incredibles
21. Soul Time – Shirley Ellis
22. Ain’t No Soul (Left In These Old Shoes) – Major Lance
23. Right Track – Billy Butler
24. Cause You’re Mine – The Vibrations
25. You’re Gonna Make Me Love You – Sandi Sheldon
The Golden Torch
1. "Unsatisfied – Lou Johnson
2. Stay – The Virginia Wolves
3. Investigate – Major Lance
4. Crackin’ Up Over You – Roy Hamilton
5. They Say – Ovations
6. Earthquake – Bobbi Lynn
7. Free For All (Winner Takes All) – Phillip Mitchell
8. I Don’t Want To Discuss It – Little Richard
9. I’m Coming To Your Rescue – The Triumphs
10. Blowing Up My Mind – The Exciters
11. Love On A Mountain Top – Robert Knight
12. He Who Picks A Rose – The Carstairs
13. Change Your Ways – Willie Kendrick
14. I Worship You Baby – The Glories
15. You Don’t Want Me No More – Major Lance
16. Hold On To My Baby – The Cavaliers
17. Honest To Goodness – Herb Ward
18. Angel Baby (Don’t You Ever Leave Me) – George Carrow
19. Gonna Get Along Without You Now – The Vibrations
20. Too Late – Larry Williams & Johnny Watson
21. I’m In A World Of Trouble – The Sweet Things
22. Walk Like A Man – Johnny Moore
23. K-Jee – The Nite-Liters
24. S.T.O.P. – The Lorelei
25. Scrub Board – The Trammps
Blackpool Mecca
1. Too Darn Soulful – Morris Chestnut
2. I Can’t Hold On – Lorraine Chandler
3. Temptation Is Calling My Name – Lee David
4. Ever Again – Bernie Williams
5. Paris Blues – Tony Middleton
6. Stranger In My Arms – Lynn Randell
7. Save My Love For A Rainy Day – The Van Dykes
8. Trying To Find My Woman – Lou Courtney
9. What’s It Gonna Be – Susan Barrett
10.I Need You – Shane Martin
11. Turnin’ My Heartbeat Up – The M.V.P.’s
12. Branded – Robert Knight
13. Moonlight, Music & You – Laura Greene
14. Love Trap – T. D. Valentine
15. I Travel Alone- Lou Ragland
16. Shy Guy – The Uptights
17. Hang Up Your Hang-Ups – Bobby Lester
18. Didn’t Say A Word – Patti Austin
19. Talkin’ ‘Bout Poor Folks Thinkin’ ‘Bout My Folks –
Lou Edwards & Today’s People
20. Soul Improvisations Pts 1 & 2 – Van McCoy
21. Hold Back The Night – The Trammps
22. Are You Ready For This – The Brothers
23. I Just Can’t Say Goodbye – The Philly Devotions
24. Happy Feelin’ – Earth, Wind & Fire
25. Phoenix – Aquarian Dream
Wigan Casino
1. I Can’t Help Loving You – Paul Anka
2. You Don’t Know Where Your Interest Lies – Dana Valery
3. I’ll Always Need You – Dean Courtney
4. Man Without A Woman – Michael & Raymond
5. Panic – Reparata & The Delrons
6. I Don’t Want To Talk About It – Nancy Ames
7. More Today Than Yesterday – Spiral Staircase
8. It Didn’t Take Much (For Me To Fall In Love) – Percy Wiggins
9. Sweet Music – Christopher Cerf
10. Hearts Desire – Billy Joe Royal
11. Eternally – The Charmaines
12. It’s All Over Me – Otis Blackwell
13. (Ain’t That) A Lot Of Love – Taj Mahal
14. I’m Where It’s At – The Jades
15. Of Hopes & Dreams & Tombstones – Jimmy Fraser
16. Born A Loser – Don Ray
17. Interplay – Derek & Ray
18. You’ve Got Your Mind On Other Things – Beverly Ann
19. Don’t Pity Me – Sue Lynn
20. The World Again – Honey Townsend
21. I Still Love You – The Seven Souls
22. Can We Share It – Rick Sheppard
23. Hold On – Judy Freeman & Blackrock
24. I Go To Pieces (Everytime) – Gerri Granger
25. Time Will Pass You By – Tobi Legend
