||||Bold Soul Brother

WILSON PICKETT RADIO DOCUMENTARY ON BBC RADIO 2 MONDAY 12th MARCH

A one hour radio documentary on Wilson Pickett featuring some of the main people in his life such as Bobby Womack, Steve Cropper, Bobby Eli, Willie Schofield, Eddie Floyd, Sir Mack Rice, Rick Hall, Spooner Oldham and many more as well as some archive footage that we came across from Wilson himself.

Presented by Roger Daltry from The Who.

It will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Monday 12th March at 10pm and will also be available on their listen again feature on their website for the following 7 days http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01d5nn0

Gil Scott-Heron

I awoke yesterday to the sad news that Gil had passed away at the young age of 62.

Whatever I say here will never sum up the influence this man, his words, his music has had on my life. I was not born to a life of hardship or depravity, but often seek solace in his words.

I first encountered the music of Gil and Brian Jackson in a sweaty club many years ago as we all shuffled around the dance floor to the rhythm of ‘the bottle’, yet it was many years before the message hit home and put an end to my years of alcohol abuse. Similarly, ‘your daddy loves you’ was a constant play (alongside Bill Withers’ – I’m her daddy) in the years following my divorce from the mother of my three daughters.

I am sure his words will continue to encourage, support and nurture thousands for many years to come…

Gil Scott-Heron April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011. Peace go with you brother…

Mel Britt

Summer feels like it’s here in the UK, with amazing temperatures of 22 (71) degrees and clear blue skies, which means it’s time to cut the grass, clean the patio and sort out the borders.

After a back-breaking day of gardening chores yesterday, I figured I deserved some ‘me’ time and laid down some tunes for your audio delight this morning. For a week or so I have been rummaging in my ‘Northern’ boxes, pulling out records that I consider classic Northern Soul; and this morning took the time to throw a few together for an hour’s music.

The mix I prepared is a collection of classic (instantly recognisable) Northern Soul tunes. All 45s, which are mostly original issues, some are re-issues and the odd one is a bootleg. I hope you enjoy and pop back soon for a follow-up mix:

Tina Britt – The Real Thing
Young Holt Unlimited – Soulful Strut
Len Barry – It’s That Time Of The Year
Vickie Baines – Country Girl
Rose Batiste – Come Back In A Hurry
Bob & Earl – Your Time Is My Time
Brothers Of Soul – Come On Back
Betty Baker And The Jaxsis – Marching Out Of Your Life
Yvonne Baker – You Didn’t Say A Word
Don Thomas – Come On Train
Johnny Bragg – They’re Talking About Me
Dena Barnes – If You Ever Walk Out Of My Life
James Brown And The Famous Flames – There Was A Time
Franki Valli & The Four Seasons – Beggin’
The Casanova Two – We Got To Keep On
Frank Beverly & The Butlers – If That’s What You Wanted
Mel Britt – She’ll Come Running Back
Darrell Banks – Angel Baby (Don’t You Ever Leave Me)
Connie Clark – My Sugar Baby
Jackie Lee – I’ll Do Anything
Jerry Butler – Moody Woman
Beach Girls – Skiing In The Snow
Cannibal & The Headhunters – Mean So Much
The Salvadors – Stick By Me Baby

Hope you enjoy: