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How to do Northern Soul Properly - The Book

How to do Northern Soul Properly - The Book magazine cover

HOW TO DO NORTHERN SOUL PROPERLY - A Handbook for the 21st Century by Tony Ellis - now available

With my tongue planted firmly in my cheek I take a none-to-serious look at the Northern Scene

Have you ever thought that sometimes we take our scene a little bit too seriously?  After all this seriousness is not apparent when we go to a soul night, there has always been a large amount of piss-taking and general larking about in and around the scene.   However this hasn’t been reflected in the literature of Northern Soul - until now.  I was inspired to write “How to do Northern Soul Properly” by a book for cyclists called “The Rules” in which the many unwritten rules and traditions that apply to  life as a roadie were  collected and laid down as a set of rules.  There is a convention that dictates that the valve of a tube should always line up with the logo on the tyre, which in turn must line up with the logo on the wheel. This may sound poncey but you’ll always know where the valve is! It was while I was reading this that the connection between the soul scene and cycling occurred to me; until recently cycling was an obscure sport with no media interest, the same with the soul scene, every few years we become trendy and the media and punters start taking an interest and like cyclists we have a set of unwritten rules & conventions that you learn as you go on.  Seemingly trivial things like when to clap during a record, dancefloor etiquette, how to navigate across a flooded toilet and not get your beer towel wet, why the Chinese connection theory is bo***cks and many more snippets of useless information. The book itself has evolved into more than just a book of rules, it’s part autobiography, part fiction and all tosh. There are chapters on dance lessons, health matters, a potted history, what to wear, taking gear, what record dealers descriptions really mean, what we want from our DJs and much more.

I don’t pay much attention to individual records.  This subject is covered better than I could hope to do in many other publications. This was and is a light-hearted look at the Northern Scene through the eyes of someone (me) who has been loitering around the Northern Scene since 1972. The book is more suited to the reader who has been around for a while and seen the changes, both good and bad, that have taken place over the last 40 or so years.

The book 102 pages x A5 wire bound (by me), full colour photos and illustrations. It costs £ 11.50 inc postage from me.

You can Paypal me at
tone5446@tiscali.co.uk
or send a cheque to
37 Thornhill Rd, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7TN

Both John Manship and Derek Mead at Soulmine Records also hold a stock of the book.

 

Here’s what some readers have said about HOW TO DO NORTHERN SOUL PROPERLY.

Its Tony’s comedy take on Northern Soul behaviour over many decades.  If you are a newcomer or have a loose connection to NS, it may not suit your palate, for those who have lived it since its inception it’s a real rib tickler.
KEV ROBERTS

Totally brilliant lolled my head off thanks Tone x
SUE FISHER

One of the best books (On Soul) I've read.
KEITH ROBINSON

So that’s what you used to get up to.
TONY’S MUM

A must read for all real northern soul fans (nsf). Incredibly witty & spot on!
ANTHONY HANNINGTON

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Extremely funny book!  I couldn't put it down once I had started. There are also quite a few serious points but made in a 'tongue in cheek' manner.  If you cant afford it then put it on your xmas list.

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I first met the author back in '72 at the Wheatsheaf soul sessions in London.

A fine figure on the dance floor demonstrating the "walk". OK, it was the Lambeth variety but I knew then he was one day going to run his own jellied-eel franchise. I was wrong about that but I'm sure I'm not wrong about buying this book, but if I am I can always claim a refund as I used PayPal.

Finally an apology to the author as down the years I've always confused him with Tony Smith, and if I'm truthful, Phil Mitchell and Bert from Mary Poppins.

 

 

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I just wish someone had told me that it was meant to be funny, i have spent the last few months putting the Ellis rules into practice and i am getting close with the clapping. i personally loved it and devoured the thing in one sitting well done that man.

 

Trout Out

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I managed to get a special exemption from the author regarding footwear due to my wide but smallish feet as the 'regulation brogues' are very uncomfortable for me....

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Sounds Superb ,Just what I need after Post Brexit Blues ,give mequote to include Postage to the Sunny Costa del Soul ,Malaga, Spain. LOL , Johnny Hart.

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Sadly I have had to take issue with him over a number of errors regarding sartorial elegance. Something I have in abundance but is clearly lacking in Mr E.

One of which is that it is clearly perfectly acceptable to go sans socks whilst wearing loafers. Said loafers should be suede, of course.

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Mine has now arrived.

It will make a fine coffee-table book as unfortunately I failed to fully follow the Ikea instructions so one leg is shorter than the others.

When Tony told me he hoped to make a wedge I didn't realise he had my table in mind.

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Ordered my copy yesterday and hey presto it's here today. .....Must thank Rod for giving me the inspiration .......I have a perfectly good coffee table but this book has inspired me to saw an inch off one of the legs :wicked:........Enjoying what i've seen up to now ......keep stopping though to throw another pair of baggy trousers on the fire .!!!!

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17 minutes ago, Keeper said:

Ordered my copy yesterday and hey presto it's here today. .....Must thank Rod for giving me the inspiration .......I have a perfectly good coffee table but this book has inspired me to saw an inch off one of the legs :wicked:........Enjoying what i've seen up to now ......keep stopping though to throw another pair of baggy trousers on the fire .!!!!

 I'm now on P.49

For a Londoner he's done really well.

There's punctuation and a lot of the words are spelt correctly.

I don't think he's gone for the Liverpudlian market though.

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It's a great read. Tony has avoided the term 'Under the Radar' as it might upset too many record sellers ;)   The author is DJ-ing tonight at the Hoodoo,Hersham Social Club, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey and tomorrow night at The Nightshift, Lakeside Club (no talc or darts please),Frimley Green, Surrey.  Mr Ellis will be spinning  some top tunes no doubt - plus checking for genuine brogues (although slippers permitted with a note from your chiropodist). 

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Ordered yesterday & received today. Cheers Tone. I've read the first couple of chapters, and already i've polished up my davey lamp ready for the long trek up north to return to the fold. Is Pete Waterman still a top DJ?

 

Paul

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On 22/09/2016 at 16:52, Corky said:

Sadly I have had to take issue with him over a number of errors regarding sartorial elegance. Something I have in abundance but is clearly lacking in Mr E.

One of which is that it is clearly perfectly acceptable to go sans socks whilst wearing loafers. Said loafers should be suede, of course.

What do you know Cork? you're  from Burnley at town not really at the centre of alll things sartorial. I believe the absence of socks is a local tradition intended to show how had the non-wearer  of socks is.  It dates from the time when all inhabitants of the town would wear clogs rather than suede loafers which were an introduction from the south .  The very idea of suede shoes, especially brown ones would be enough to get you banned from t' miners institute for being a bit of a girlie.

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21 hours ago, Paul r said:

Ordered yesterday & received today. Cheers Tone. I've read the first couple of chapters, and already i've polished up my davey lamp ready for the long trek up north to return to the fold. Is Pete Waterman still a top DJ?

 

Paul

Don't forget to take extra wicks for the lamp and perhaps a budgie to test the air. All the chip fat in the air around Blackpool makes the air a bit toxic.

Sadly Pete Waterman's Mojo doesn't work anymore. You'll find him in a railway siding just outside Hampstead now letting off steam

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On 23/09/2016 at 19:53, jez bishop said:

It's a great read. Tony has avoided the term 'Under the Radar' as it might upset too many record sellers ;)   The author is DJ-ing tonight at the Hoodoo,Hersham Social Club, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey and tomorrow night at The Nightshift, Lakeside Club (no talc or darts please),Frimley Green, Surrey.  Mr Ellis will be spinning  some top tunes no doubt - plus checking for genuine brogues (although slippers permitted with a note from your chiropodist). 

Sorry Jez,, forgot about " Under the radar" It'll be in the next edition

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On 23/09/2016 at 18:13, Steve S 60 said:

I'm a big fan of "How To" books so i'll have to put this on my Christmas list.  Just need to finish this one first..

slide_219652_856197_free.jpg.

This book is unputdowable and at 5,000 pages is unliftupable

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On 23/09/2016 at 18:12, modernsoulsucks said:

 

 I'm now on P.49

For a Londoner he's done really well.

There's punctuation and a lot of the words are spelt correctly.

I don't think he's gone for the Liverpudlian market though.

Well its like this guv, sum of us Cockneys do 'ave a bit of heudcashun gor blimey.  We've got nuffink like Manchester Grandma School or The Clitheroe Kid Academy to learn us proper like.

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On 22/09/2016 at 17:12, modernsoulsucks said:

Mine has now arrived.

It will make a fine coffee-table book as unfortunately I failed to fully follow the Ikea instructions so one leg is shorter than the others.

When Tony told me he hoped to make a wedge I didn't realise he had my table in mind.

Ha Ha

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On 22/09/2016 at 12:54, modernsoulsucks said:

I first met the author back in '72 at the Wheatsheaf soul sessions in London.

A fine figure on the dance floor demonstrating the "walk". OK, it was the Lambeth variety but I knew then he was one day going to run his own jellied-eel franchise. I was wrong about that but I'm sure I'm not wrong about buying this book, but if I am I can always claim a refund as I used PayPal.

Finally an apology to the author as down the years I've always confused him with Tony Smith, and if I'm truthful, Phil Mitchell and Bert from Mary Poppins.

 

 

I'd rather demonstrate the "Walk" rather than "The Mince" that you used to do. NO REFUNDS or Jelllied Eels. I did have a jelllied Potteries Oatcake franchise but it failled to take off and I lost a packet

 

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6 minutes ago, tone5446 said:

I'd rather demonstrate the "Walk" rather than "The Mince" that you used to do. NO REFUNDS or Jelllied Eels. I did have a jelllied Potteries Oatcake franchise but it failled to take off and I lost a packet

 

Well, I'll go t'fut of our apples.

Never been so insulted since I last spoke t'trouble.

Mince ? Sashay, I can live with.

PM me re international sales. I owe you.

 

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does it have the night at nelsons club,wimbledon fc ,where many took up the beer induced chant of " be a c--t vote national front " ha ha ha !great days,i totally agree too many soulies take it too seriously,got to have a laugh,keeps you young and livens the night up,good on yer mate

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On 24/09/2016 at 13:16, Paul r said:

Ordered yesterday & received today. Cheers Tone. I've read the first couple of chapters, and already i've polished up my davey lamp ready for the long trek up north to return to the fold. Is Pete Waterman still a top DJ?

 

Paul

Eee Paul you'll need that Lamp once you get past the M25 ring road as all the lights go out after that as is grim up North, as you Plastic Southerners like ta keep tellin us & Pete's too busy wit train sets to go Deejing. Weel aft ta make do wi tha DJ's we ave up ere.

Kirsty

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15 hours ago, petegroover said:

does it have the night at nelsons club,wimbledon fc ,where many took up the beer induced chant of " be a c--t vote national front " ha ha ha !great days,i totally agree too many soulies take it too seriously,got to have a laugh,keeps you young and livens the night up,good on yer mate

Thanks Pete

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On 9/22/2016 at 09:53, tone5446 said:

Article Highlight:

How to do Northern Soul Properly- A Handbook for the 21st Century by Tony Ellis - words and details of this now available book

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Hi Tony i paypaled you on Sunday did you receive the payment ? if not can you let me know as i have had email confirmation the payment went , i was really wanting the book for my holidays !!!

 regards

     Cress 

 Book arrived now thank's Tony 

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