Seems like yesterday when i entered the huge locarno building in Blackpool for the final night at the Blackpool Mecca,s Highland Room. It ran from 1967 to 1979 with the latter jocks taking over at the start of the 70,s...these events were not "all-nighters" and ran from 8 pm until 2 am on Saturday evenings with most of the punters going down the motorway to the Golden Torch/Wigan Casino all niters in the former/later period.
To give you an idea of the size of the place the main ballroom was downstairs and held about 3000 souls.Apart from all dayers it was used to entertain the "pop music" crowd who soul fans referred to as "wallys" or "Divs" not very complimentary i know but thats life..we were all in our own bubble...still are...lol!...,but to get to the Highland Room you had to go up 2 very long escalators and down a long coridoor and there you were. It had the best sound system of any club i have attended..period, it really was that good. Original DJ,s were 2 guys called Tony Jebb & Les Cokell who were superseeded by Ian levine and Colin Curtis who put the place on the map with their incredible discoveries. Later in the 1970s, the Highland Room became synonymous with a more
contemporary and less frenetic style of Northern soul music, typified by
records such as The carstairs classic,Because of the change in tempo, a slightly different
dance style developed at the venue. This newer sound and dance style
caused some controversy and led to the formation of the parallel Modern
soul subgenre, which still exists today within and alongside the
mainstream Northern soul movement.
Here,s an old but excellent very rare boot i have digged out..i know there are many other compilations on the mecca out there but this is something special as it does highlight the great "Sounds" broken at this hallowed venue. Sadly now demolished but never forgotten by yours truly..Every track a Gem!
AMM
**********REQUEST**********
The Tasters!
25 comments:
Thank you very much AMM much appreciated
What a great compilation for Northern Soul fans! Thanks for review, P.
Some classics on this!(Made in Thailand??) Be interesting to see their club scene!
I wish I was there at the time! Many thanks AMM!
A great review, thanks
I remember just about all of these by name others by listening great set love it this at the time still do brings tears to my eyes if only we could bring are youth back back drops here we come Thanks AMM
Cheers Pedro
I agree with you. Here are some pieces of anthology thanks to our Thai friends.
Thanks AMM for sharing.
Yves
Thanks for this review AMM. Looking forward to listen to it. Tasters are very tantalizing!#
Wow, real cool anecdote/(hi-)story you wrote. That really rounds this review up, thanks a lot :) 🙋🏼♂️☮️🌞✌🏻
Thanks AMM. Nice details in the story.
Very interesting. Thanks amm. Stay cool over there.
Thanks for this review
Great review.
Une excellente compilation avec quelques raretés que nous offrons les Thaïlandais Encore merci Collins .
Pierre
More thanks AMM. This is the rare stuff!
Thanks
Very nice compilation... many thanks for the review AMM
I worked the Mecca circuit for many years back in the seventies, with various bands...and the 'Tiffanys' and 'Locarnos' and the various other ballrooms owned by EMI (who bought out Mecca). A great reminder of those great days (and nights).
BigD
Thanks, AMM. I liked your background story to this. Thumbs up, mate!
thanks for the review AMM seems great place you should dream of
Great review thanks AMM
great looking compilation AMM thanks Reb
Nice compilation!! Thank you AMM
A Great comp for all of us to hear. Thanks AMM.
Some great memories on this one.Thanks AMM
Many thanks for this review,other rare singles
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