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BBC1 Our Lives - Soul Boy - Northern Soul Related Documentary

BBC1 Our Lives - Soul Boy - Northern Soul Related Documentary magazine cover

Soul Boy - Our Lives Series 4

Soul Boy - Our Lives -  A teenager in care finds a home on Nottingham’s Northern Soul scene.

Details of an upcoming real life documentary due to be shown on  BBC One on Wednesday 27th May 2020. Billed as a 'heart warming' film this 30 minute documentary follows teenager Anthony Flavin as he finds his place on Nottingham’s Northern Soul scene.

Here's the BBC info...

Northern Soul is more than just music to Anthony Flavin - it’s a way of life. Anthony has grown up in care from the age of six. His great passions in life are music, fashion and films from the sixties and seventies, and his love for Northern Soul music tops them all. 

This heartwarming film follows Anthony in the run up to his 18th birthday as he finds his place on Nottingham’s Northern Soul scene. With help from his keyworker, Luke, and a collection of Northern Soul friends, he’s about to take his first steps as a DJ and towards an independent life.

It won’t be easy - the Soul Boy will need his new Soul 'family' more than ever.

As Anthony prepares for his first DJ set, his friends are there to make sure he looks and sounds the part.

Classy cobbler Pete 'The Shoe' Bullock kits him out with some fancy hot-stepping shoes; there’s a DJ masterclass from best friends and soul mates Karen and Jason Roberts; and a trip down memory lane with legendary Northern Soul DJ Richard Searling, who gets Anthony on the decks and the dancefloor at Blackpool’s famous Tower Ballroom.

A popular Northern Soul venue is hosting Anthony’s 18th birthday party and his DJing debut. Has he mastered the decks in time to get this discerning crowd on the dancefloor? You’ll have to watch to find out.

Part of the Our Lives Series.

Wed 27 May 2020

19:30 hrs

BBC ONE

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000jk57

 

 





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Anthony has no idea what he has got himself into....no turning back now:)

At about the same age, I luvvved interplay too!

The dancing will get better as 'the shoe' told him.

Just nice to see somebody who looks plugged in to the energy on the floor.

Not sure about those line dancing soulie girls. A bit intimidating when 20 of them are coming at you!

Let's hope the flood gates open with youngsters looking for salvation when the flood gates of the venues open again.

Ed

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What a little gem.

Both the programme and Little Anthony . 

Take my hat off to his mentor as well, lovely relationship they had built.

Love the scene in the shop where his care-worker had found a postcard with the meaning of the name Anthony and is reading it to him , while Anthony looks like he’s dropped a handful of bombers and is taking no notice , he just wants to dance . 

Long may Little Anthony rule, and hope those new shoes see many a floor over the years to come. 

Well done everyone who helped make that lovely short film . 

 

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What a lovely story. Its testament to the people and music of our scene, always trouble free and so welcoming, sharing our love of the music. To the people involved, his carer, wow what a guy, Karen n Jason, so kind and very inspirational, Richard Searling, always had time for everyone and you could see he was very moved, and finally the Cobbler (Bobby Bland ?) who gave Anthony some top shoes for his future on the dance floor. Will look forward to meeting Anthony at some point. Stay Soulful, Knocker x

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A heart warming human interest story. It shows what it feels like when you first discover the music. Good luck to Anthony and credit to those who support and encourage him. The best of humanity.

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My wife and I enjoyed the programme very much and our favourite bits were seeing Blackpool (obvs)

I was a little disappointed in some of the soundtrack, but enjoyed Anthony's enthusiasm and story.

If anything encourages the young to take over the baton for the future, then so be it and we can all RIP one day, knowing that the "scene" will continue in some shape or form.

The scene I knew was "sometimes" a little unwelcoming to newcomers and this proves that there is at least a push to do so, I have already noticed the comments on FB asking for "how to dance" lessons.

It made us smile and a big hats off to everyone involved.

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Great programme and I'm envious of the journey he's got ahead of him. Just an observation, but nearly all the tracks featured were on British. Not complaining just an observation as I don't mind PP Arnold, Solomon King and Kenny Lynch. Can't stand that Helen Shapiro song though!

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13 hours ago, Tomangoes said:

Anthony has no idea what he has got himself into....no turning back now:)

At about the same age, I luvvved interplay too!

The dancing will get better as 'the shoe' told him.

Just nice to see somebody who looks plugged in to the energy on the floor.

Not sure about those line dancing soulie girls. A bit intimidating when 20 of them are coming at you!

Let's hope the flood gates open with youngsters looking for salvation when the flood gates of the venues open again.

Ed

Great short Doc and a really feel good 30 mins,  What was that track the girls were line dancing to ?, it was the only track i didnt know.

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17 hours ago, Tomangoes said:

Anthony has no idea what he has got himself into....no turning back now:)

At about the same age, I luvvved interplay too!

The dancing will get better as 'the shoe' told him.

Just nice to see somebody who looks plugged in to the energy on the floor.

Not sure about those line dancing soulie girls. A bit intimidating when 20 of them are coming at you!

Let's hope the flood gates open with youngsters looking for salvation when the flood gates of the venues open again.

Ed

Do people really believe that sort of televised display portrays the 'Real' Soul Scene !?! I think not.. and won't serve to give a true reflection of the Soul Scene in it's entirety - with 'non-soulie's' totally convinced that what they watched for the half hour duration of the programme is what Northern Soul is all about !! 

Tin hat on.. fire away.. But you won't change my view !!

I feel the enthusiasm and sense of belonging young Anthony is experiencing, but I DO hope he also gets to experience the wider aspect of the scene and in particular some of the 'up front' promotions usually available

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I'm not sure what we saw last night is not the 'here and now' world of northern soul, outside of a few premier events.

Every town has nights like those shown last night, very often, and collectively it's the biggest chunk of today's northern soul world, whether you like it or not.

The 'real deal' is a minority scene.

I went to a skeggy butlins weekend a couple of years ago and definitely felt like a fish out of water by not being in uniform!

The 100 club is where the lad needs to head off to next. I hope he is still bouncing about at 6 in the morning!

Ed

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Sat with a huge grin on my face throughout, got to say I loved the young fellah and everyone associated with this story. He's got some proper friends. Inspiring stuff.

Good for you Anthony, I'll look forward to meeting you.

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 Glad to see Anthony enjoying the scene so much, really great how it brings so many people together. Keep spinning the wheels of steel and wearing your shoes out on Northern Soul Dance Floors up and down our wonderful land. All the best and Keep the Faith!

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I enjoyed it, 30 minutes of escapism on a Wednesday night does no-one any harm.  I hope Anthony's love of soul continues for as long as mine and other's on here, if his friends teach him well he's in for the ride of his life as there's far more knowledge now about the music than there has ever been, and with a curious mind he'll go far.  Good luck to him, maybe see him at the 100 Club sometime.

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He comes to Groovin' at The Tavern in Derby run by Kev Rogers and Rob Kay. He's been at the last couple with his carer. A nice kid who really enjoys himself and seems really into it and this is not an oldies type venue like the TV program, so hopefully he's got a broad mind.

I think this is him tucked away in the corner (bottom left)

Andy

groovin.jpg

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On 28/05/2020 at 16:10, Ficklefingers said:

Do people really believe that sort of televised display portrays the 'Real' Soul Scene !?! I think not.. and won't serve to give a true reflection of the Soul Scene in it's entirety - with 'non-soulie's' totally convinced that what they watched for the half hour duration of the programme is what Northern Soul is all about !! 

Tin hat on.. fire away.. But you won't change my view !!

I feel the enthusiasm and sense of belonging young Anthony is experiencing, but I DO hope he also gets to experience the wider aspect of the scene and in particular some of the 'up front' promotions usually available

It doesn't matter what the viewers watching thought of the scene or the music played. The programme was all about a teenage lad who loves the 1960's/70s era and has a big  taste for Northern Soul and dressing up smart getting out and enjoying himself, and making lots of new friends. With no new young blood like Anthony coming into the Soul scene it will gradually die away and it won't matter then what music happens to be played at any promotion  in the future.

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On 28/05/2020 at 16:10, Ficklefingers said:

Do people really believe that sort of televised display portrays the 'Real' Soul Scene !?! I think not.. and won't serve to give a true reflection of the Soul Scene in it's entirety - with 'non-soulie's' totally convinced that what they watched for the half hour duration of the programme is what Northern Soul is all about !! 

Tin hat on.. fire away.. But you won't change my view !!

I feel the enthusiasm and sense of belonging young Anthony is experiencing, but I DO hope he also gets to experience the wider aspect of the scene and in particular some of the 'up front' promotions usually available

The story was a story of hope and coming of age for your Anthony. It wasn't about reflecting the soul scene in it's full varieties.

Anyway, everyone has their own journey through the soul scene. If someone is loving their music and the friendships and the events...then that soul scene works perfectly for them and many others...

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Well I truly and sincerely hope Anthony;s personal journey is not skewed by the line dancing display because that is DEFINITELY NOT anything to do with the Soul Scene I am passionate about

Northern Soul Line Dancing ?????????????/ FFS 

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1 hour ago, Ficklefingers said:

Well I truly and sincerely hope Anthony;s personal journey is not skewed by the line dancing display because that is DEFINITELY NOT anything to do with the Soul Scene I am passionate about

Northern Soul Line Dancing ?????????????/ FFS 

I understand your views,  but i totally watched the programme as it being a journey Anthony was starting on, he will decide what rocks his boat, the scene has been debated to death on here and its apples and pears,  some love the oldies some want new stuff constantly, it gave a lad whose had a shit life joy and thats enough for me, forums are about opinions and long may that continue. 

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1 hour ago, Ficklefingers said:

Well I truly and sincerely hope Anthony;s personal journey is not skewed by the line dancing display because that is DEFINITELY NOT anything to do with the Soul Scene I am passionate about

Northern Soul Line Dancing ?????????????/ FFS 

Next thing will be dancers dancing in pairs....heaven forbid.

I've seen those popcorn wallers...doing it...keep it on the continent thank you:)

Must admit doing the conga a cleethorpes winter gardens under the influence and direction of BUB...

Ed

 

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Viewing from the outside probably yes they do believe it portrays the scene.

In reality it is about as far removed from the real scene as you can get.

But the lad has to start somewhere.  I doubt he will move on from the parody that is Shirebrook and its line dancing but he is enjoying himself.  

He has had a tough start to life, one most cannot imagine.  The relationship between the lad and his carer(s) was heartwarming and those who have shown him friendship and love deserve the plaudits that come their way.  He wouldn't have found the kind of friendship or acceptance down the town on a Saturday night that this scene shows to people.

He may at some point decide to delve into the murky waters of the real scene but I somehow can't see that happening. 

He or those around him won't affect what we do but best of luck to him and his friends.

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Totally agree chalky great to see Anthony and his carer's with such a great relationship, great to see his enthusiasm reminds me of when I first started, As for the 3 Nottingham soul clubs he visited. Coming from Notts myself having been on the scene 46 years I can safely say I didn't know any of the so called soulies. I wish Anthony every success and if he's visited groovin in Derby he's on the right road. 

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Having been to “the parody that is Shirebrook” and quite enjoyed it, could the experts please give me (as a non-soulie who only goes because the wife is a dancer) an idea of which venues are seen as the real deal and acceptable? Heaven forbid that we are going to be seen as uncool   
interlopers.

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On 30/05/2020 at 11:16, Ficklefingers said:

Well I truly and sincerely hope Anthony;s personal journey is not skewed by the line dancing display because that is DEFINITELY NOT anything to do with the Soul Scene I am passionate about

Northern Soul Line Dancing ?????????????/ FFS 

are people not in danger of putting their own paradigm of what a good soul event is on to their hopes for this young kid . I just hope he has a laugh , meets good people and enjoys the music and dancing ...if it makes him happy to keep enjoying those nights - then good on him. If he explores other elements , then fair play too ..

I thought group dance thing was fun for those involved ..doesn’t the history of black dance have a deep heritage with formation dancing ? ..whilst it may not be seen as rare soul “cool” here, it certainly would in many places, through many decades, around the world .  Just looked like a bit of good fun to me .

 

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47 minutes ago, bigwheel said:

Northern Soul Line Dancing ?????????????/ FFS 

As taught at butlins skeggy along with dancing competition with road cones to mark your area and trainers with flashing lights 😂😂😂 this is soul but not as we know it. 

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1 hour ago, Speedlimit said:

As taught at butlins skeggy along with dancing competition with road cones to mark your area and trainers with flashing lights 😂😂😂 this is soul but not as we know it. 

You are of course joking..

You ARE.. aren't you ????? 😮😧😠

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On 30/05/2020 at 17:16, Magpie69 said:

Having been to “the parody that is Shirebrook” and quite enjoyed it, could the experts please give me (as a non-soulie who only goes because the wife is a dancer) an idea of which venues are seen as the real deal and acceptable? Heaven forbid that we are going to be seen as uncool   
interlopers.

well northern soul was always about self expression.  Line dancing (leave it for other scenes), the dress and the rest that goes with the kind of events in question are as I said far removed from the all-nighter circuit, not your Kings Hall, Tower Ballroom events but your week in week out venues that still show a desire to stick to the ethos and spirit of the original all-nighters.

As I said he is enjoying Shirebrook and the rest and best of luck to him, thats all that matters at the end of the day. 

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2 hours ago, Ficklefingers said:

You are of course joking..

You ARE.. aren't you ????? 😮😧😠

 

47 minutes ago, Magpie69 said:

Oh well, if we have to go to all-nighters to experience the real thing we are stuffed - at 66 years old we need our kip!

 

 

53 minutes ago, Chalky said:

well northern soul was always about self expression.  Line dancing (leave it for other scenes), the dress and the rest that goes with the kind of events in question are as I said far removed from the all-nighter circuit, not your Kings Hall, Tower Ballroom events but your week in week out venues that still show a desire to stick to the ethos and spirit of the original all-nighters.

As I said he is enjoying Shirebrook and the rest and best of luck to him, thats all that matters at the end of the day. 

I mentioned line dancing in Blackpool some time ago and got a right telling off from Mike

What goes around eh !!!!

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On 30/05/2020 at 17:16, Magpie69 said:

Having been to “the parody that is Shirebrook” and quite enjoyed it, could the experts please give me (as a non-soulie who only goes because the wife is a dancer) an idea of which venues are seen as the real deal and acceptable? Heaven forbid that we are going to be seen as uncool   
interlopers.

Spot on mate!!! Why do some want to make the scene "Elitist"? If that happens it will most certainly die when we've all passed on!!! I too have been to the Shirebrook event and even DJ'd there. An excellently knowledgable crowd & run by very good people! Certainly not to be knocked. Soul music is soul music, wherever and whenever it's played. The "I'm more a 'proper' Northern Soulie than you" attitude doesn't help anyone, especially the young ones joining the scene.....

I'll wait for the flak from those 'Proper', 'Elitist' Soulies.....😆

 

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maybe it's time to draw a line under this topic as we do seem to be getting with every post further and further away from the 'original' topic

which was about a mainstream documentary about a young lad, as in

A teenager in care finds a home on Nottingham’s Northern Soul scene.

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52 minutes ago, Mike said:

maybe it's time to draw a line under this topic as we do seem to be getting with every post further and further away from the 'original' topic

which was about a mainstream documentary about a young lad, as in

A teenager in care finds a home on Nottingham’s Northern Soul scene.

 

offtopic posts dropped

topic temp closed

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