In The Times today – ‘Ray Davies of the Kinks: why America has really got me’

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/books/non-fiction/article3878801.ece

'The Big One 2' - 8/9/10 November

‘Americana: The Kinks, the Road and the Perfect Riff’ by Ray Davies (published by Virgin Books)

There are 240 exclusive signed copies of Ray Davies’ ‘Americana’ available to pre-order now ONLY from Random House.

Synopsis

As a boy in post-War England, legendary Kinks singer/songwriter Ray Davies fell in love with America – its movies and music, its culture of freedom all fed his imagination. Then, as part of the British Invasion, he toured the US with the Kinks during one of the most tumultuous eras in American history – until the group was banned from performing there from 1965-69. Decades later, while living in New Orleans, he experienced a transformative event: the shooting (a result of a botched robbery) that nearly took his life. In Americana, Davies tries to make sense of his long love-hate relationship with the country that both inspired and frustrated him. From his quintessentially English perspective as a Kink, Davies – with candour, humour, and wit – takes us on a very personal road trip through his life and storied career as a rock star, and reveals what music, fame and America really mean to him. Some of the most fascinating characters in recent pop culture make appearances, from the famous to the perhaps even more interesting behind-the-scenes players. The book also includes a photographic insert with images from Davies's own collection from the band's archive.

'Quadrotina - the 60s illustrations of Tina Freeman' exhibition at the VAC Gallery Northwich from 28th September to 12th October.

‘Club Soul Vol.5 -Wigan Casino Soul Club: 1973-'81’ released on 7th October

Product Description

Wigan Casino Club - Station Road, Wigan 1973-81 The Original Sound Of Northern Soul, Popcorn And R&B 2CD Set 'Wigan Casino bestrode the Northern Soul scene like a mighty colossus, creating a legend that is almost mystical today, drawing people to the music in numbers that still form the bedrock of countless all-nighters, weekenders and soul nights up and down the country. The Wigan Casino years are the golden ones, when everyone was young, when the numbers were unparalleled, when new styles of soul music were embraced and when the scene occasionally went 'over ground'.' Tim Brown, (author The Wigan Casino Years) While other clubs may be able to argue they were the birth place of Northern Soul in the UK, few can claim to have the same popularity or influence as the mighty Wigan Casino. The venue became a Mecca for fans of rare, imported soul records, with a passionate, dedicated fanbase. This new compilation collects some of the classic tracks that would have been played at the time. The 28 tracks include gems from Ann Sexton, Joe Tex, Gene Chandler and more. The release also includes a bonus disc featuring a live set by Tommy Hunt, recorded at the club in 1975.

Track Listings: -

Disc 1

1. Don Thomas - Come On, Train

2. The Appreciations - I Can`t Hide It

3. The Furys - I`m Satisfied With You

4. Gene Chandler - Mr. Big Shot

5. Ted Ford - You`re Gonna Need Me

6. Donna King - Take Me Home - Donna King 

7. Maurice Williams & Zodiacs - Being Without You

8. The Zodiacs - Don`t Ever Leave Me

9. Johnny Dynamite - The Night The Angels Cried

10. The Jerms - I`m A Teardrop

11. The Ringleaders - Baby, What Has Happened To Our Love

12. Little Richie - Just Another Heartache

13. The Inspiration - Your Wish Is My Command

14. Lydia Marcelle - It`s Not Like You

15. Blanch Carter - Halos Are For Angels

16. Skull Snaps - I`m Your Pimp

17. Bags - It`s Heavy

18. Little Johnny Blair - Momma`s Gone

19. Joe Tex - Show Me

20. The Fabulettes - Screamin` And Shoutin`

21. The Combinations - What `cha Gonna Do

22. The C.o.d.`s - She`s Fire

23. Gene Latter - Sign On The Dotted Line

24. Ron Holden - I`ll Forgive And Forget

25. The Ohio Players - Love Slipped Thru My Fingers

26. Ann Sexton - You Got To Use What You Got

27. Tommy Hunt - Loving On The Losing Side (live)

28. The Gentrys - Why Should I Cry

Disc 2

1. Tommy Hunt - I Can`t Turn You Loose

2. Tommy Hunt - Get Ready

3. Tommy Hunt - My Girl

4. Tommy Hunt - Knock On Wood

5. Tommy Hunt - Never Can Say Goodye

6. Tommy Hunt - Help Me Make It Through The Night

7. Tommy Hunt - Crackin` Up

8. Tommy Hunt - Baby I Need Your Loving

‘Club Soul Vol.3 - The Catacombs 1968-'74’ released on 7th October

Product Description

The Catacombs Temple Street, Wolverhampton 1968-74 The Original Sound Of Northern Soul, Popcorn And R&B 'The sounds hit you like a ton of dynamite and stayed with you. You remembered what you heard at The Cats. We took what had gone before, what was happening now, and set the template for what was to follow at The Torch, Wigan and beyond, and it's still following today! Basil, (aka Paul Grainger, former Catacombs DJ) The Catacombs club in Wolverhampton was one of the UK's premier rare soul clubs. An upstairs venue, housed in an old lead smelting works, what it lacked in glamour it more than made up for in influence and during the late sixties and early seventies The Cats was responsible for introducing many future Northern Soul anthems to the UK. This new compilation collects some of the classic tracks that would have been played at the time. The 28 tracks include gems from Bobby Womack, Gene Chandler, P.P. Arnold and more.

Track Listings

1. Saxie Russell - Psychedelic Soul (part 1)

2. Johnny & Lilly - Suffering City  

3. Bobby Womack - What Is This?  

4. The Fi-dels - Try A Little Harder

5. The Whispers - Remember Me

6. Five Stairsteps - Change Of Pace

7. The Ad Libs - Nothing`s Worse Than Being Alone

8. Jerry Williams - If You Ask Me (because I Love You)

9. Joe Simon - The Girl`s Alright With Me

10. Sandy Wynns - The Touch Of Venus 

11. Mill Evans - I`ve Got To Have Your Love

12. Kelly Brothers - Love Time  

13. John Williams & The Tick Tocks - Do Me Like You Do Me

14. 'Big' Al Downing - Medley Of Soul

15. Bobby Jones And The Para-monts - Beware A Stranger

16. Leon Haywood - Baby, Reconsider

17. Bob Wilson - Suzy`s Serenade

18. Showmen - The Wrong Girl  

19. Gene Chandler - Nothing Can Stop Me

20. The Du-ettes - Every Beat Of My Heart  

21. Fred Hughes - You Can`t Take It Away  

22. The Neptunes - House Of Heartaches  

23. Victor Knight - Chinatown - Victor Knight 

24. Dee Clark - That`s My Girl  

25. The C.o.d.`s - Michael 

26. The Peaches - Music To My Ears

27. P. P. Arnold - Everything`s Gonna Be Alright 

28. Kenny Young - Ain`t It Funny What Love Can Do

John Smedley Mill Clearance Sale

“We would like to invite you to our next John Smedley Mill Clearance Sale. This event is open to all so please feel free to invite your family and friends.”

When?

Friday 4th and Saturday 5th of October 2013.

Between 10.00am – 4.00pm each day.

Ray Charles honoured with US stamp

America's postal service pays tribute to singer Ray Charles with a limited-edition stamp.

Ray Charles is being honoured with a limited-edition US Postal Service stamp, which was released today as part of the 'Music Icons Forever' series.

Georgia-born Charles, who died aged 73 in 2004, was a singer and songwriter who pioneered the soul and rhythm and blues genres.

Events are being planned in Atlanta and Los Angeles to celebrate Charles's inclusion in the stamp series.

The release of the postage stamp coincides with a new compilation album, Ray Charles Forever, which features a previously-unreleased recording of They Can't Take That Away From Me, a song he frequently performed in his live shows.

‘The Difference We Make’ book by Pete Wilky and Grov Moluvsky

"The Difference We Make is a straight-talking, no-nonsense view of the world we all inhabit! It deals with the abuse of power, the corruption of authorities and corporations and the attitudes of those of us who actually care about this planet.

Music has historically been the voice of protest for many causes but it has sadly been diluted by a corporate music industry recently. We cover the history of the Mod, Punk, Indie etc.

We speak to many musicians from the 1960′s to present who have provided the soundtrack of our youth, individualism and independence. We spoke to Small Faces drummer Kenney Jones. Steve Marriott’s family, Sex Pistol’s original bassist Glen Matlock, Darron J Connett, Housemartins/Beautiful South front-man Paul Heaton, James front-man Tim Booth, Inspiral Carpets founder and member/XFM prime-time DJ Clint Boon, and many other credible, cool musicians. Gary Shail who played Spider in Quadrophenia is interviewed, as is John Hellier, one of Britain’s leading Mod authors and event organizers. Plus many more unique profiles of some seriously cool people from the British Mod scene and the scooter scene!

There is poetry, exlusive pictures, and we conclude with an interesting section on the unreported global-awakening which is happening all around the globe, right now, including contributions by some of the world’s leading authors, writers and journalists! If you don’t know about this awakening then this book might promote some thought. We do not beat our chests or bang our drums – we merely show you where to look without telling you what to see. This is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but… Life after all is all about making a difference and the difference we make as individuals – isn’t it?"

Breaking News: The 45s withdraw from Heavy Soul Records!!!

Adam Cooper from Heavy Soul records says, "Just received an email from the band's management that they have decided not to release on Heavy Soul now - the single is at the test pressing stage so a real shame. Good luck to them in the future."

A couple of Vintage photos...