Andy Dyson

One of the more open minded DJ's and collectors on the Northern Soul scene, Mr Dyson not only has some of the greatest soul 45's in his possession but is also rather partial to sneaking up on the odd impossible-to-find funk piece too. He's been at it since the early eighties, attending and then going on to play at countless soul allnighters and events with all those lovely 45's he picked up on digging trips to the states and working for legendary collector Tim Brown. No pics of Andy's records cause they are just too rare for me to find images of! If you've never heard Andy do a soul set then check this gent out if you see his name on a DJ list. Thanks to David Mackay for the photo of Andy.


1. Judy Street 'What' STRIDER.
Fuckin' what! I hear you cry, well think what you will, this 45 was the first northern 45 I bought and come to think of it probably the first one I heard! Still turns me on after all those years ago at the youth club, Conisbrough was one of those strange places that had a massive northern soul bug from the early years, although fading due to a large generation gap those commercial classics to this day are still played at youth clubs, party's and weddings - testimony to the underground scene of all time. Strange because my girlfriend was born in a close by village and had never heard of northern soul - till she fell under my spell!!!



2. Jesse James 'Love Is Allright' UNISSUED PHILLY SOUL
Kinda simple, awesome dancer and soul 45 that was only recently discovered, would have been monstrous in any club at any time.



3. John L. Walton 'Blind Man' GOSPEL UNITED
Gospel ballad - truly special to me, this was the 45 that got me into deep ballads, which to me are to this day my true love above all other styles of soul music. Screaming, funeral paced ditty's - true deep soul !



4. Elvis Presley 'Heartbreak Hotel' RCA
To me the greatest vocalist of all time (white) although wipes the floor with most black singers too! The sheer excitement and innocence of those early cuts by him that certainly paved the way for black/white music that we all are lucky enough to enjoy to this day.



5. The Crow 'Your Autumn' EAR
Raw soul that bridges the northern / funk / soul gap for sure! Who said it was something new - these different styles blending together. It was happening from the very embryonic era of the soul scene.



6. Barbara Stant 'My Mind Holds On To Yesterday' SHIPTOWN
A 45 that took so long to find, of the 4 she did on this label this one I favour cos it falls into all categories, funk, northern, modern and more importantly SOUL. Seriously rare which is probably the reason it's never gonna be appreciated by the masses. Truly brilliant!



7. Elvis Presley 'You Gave Me A Mountain' RCA
If you can get his CBS (never released) DVD then you'll understand just how great this guy was on stage, singing live with full orchestra and backing singers. The guy was a few weeks away from death and in great pain and still sang like no other man can and ever will. Truly awesome gospel song.



8. Lee Andrews 'Never The Less' CRIMSON
The absolute epitome of northern soul - powerful, exciting and the perfect getting spannered and losing yourself 45 - sheer brilliance!



9. Richard Marks 'Did You Ever Lose Something' TUSKA
A true landmark in soul music, the above side's a perfect funky crossover, the flip's the kind of funk I love ('Never Satisfied' - SoulGeneration), and on a tiny Atlanta label that's pretty much got all it's outings perfectly catering for the spectrum of soul music.



10. Bobby Bennett 'Alone With No Tears'  V-TONE
An epic record to say the least, lilting Jamaican beat ballad - obscure but has the whole shooting match! Musically perfect, it's from Philly and my good lady loves it!!!!





city you live in?
Doncaster in the frozen north

how long you have been collecting?
Been at it since school days - some 22 years (Jesus makes me about 37...)

most heart stopping find on a digging session?
A few great moments out digging ! Best times in Philly and Texas, proper job finding bits like -Mel Williams 'burn baby burn' star, probably the best moment finding the current Belita Woods c/up - gotta be one of the best double siders ever!!!

top spots for record hunting?
Top spots as said before - Philly and Texas, always had a soft spot for New Orleans. Browny's was pretty good when i worked there some 14 years ago... Tod towers...

ebay. good or evil?
Ebay any collector of records has gotta like the service, like the infamous Manship book it's brought a hell of a lot of stuff out of the wood work ! Ah not so great for dealers do we still need em? I think a huge reversal is in the midst...

motown or stax?
Both fantastic yielders of great black music, Stax just tips the scale, kinda like the southern sound a tad more

sneakers or shoes?
Boots, all the better to kick you with!!!

Creole or Gumbo?
Either... Me likes sea fooooodddsss bbeesstt

Favourite tipple?
Mmm... Tipple, not a drinker - but I like that thingy that keeps you awake errr.. and makes you shag for ages!

where can people see/hear you play?
Not one for doin' too many dj sets, although it is a great buzz being up there on stage ! One of the few places I love to play is the lifeline niters at sherridens - movin' forwardsville in music policy, probably the only niter in the world that's doing it. Also have a soft spot for the wilton niters at normanton over 10 years and still going strong..

Anything to add?
Nowt to ad other than it's fuckin' great soul music ain't it!