Little Britain Does Ns

[Steve G]

Some great posts on here.

What does it all mean?

Really there are at least two very different scenes that like similar music and dance the same. And it's as simple as that.

The dominant one in terms of numbers is oldies based and is relatively commerical these days and has little to do with the aspirations of an underground music scene as say existed in the days of The Wheel, 70s etc. Retro clothes / Baggie trousers, beer towels, Top 500, Frank Wilson and Sandi Sheldon, Wigan revivals, patches and varying levels of memorabilia from the mildly puzzling to the downright offensive. The members of this scene are trying to relive something that existed decades ago.

Then a much smaller scene in terms of numbers that also likes some oldies, but also likes to hear different music too. No fashion beyond casual, little / no memoribilia. Very much not trying to relive the memories of the past.

Both scenes are broadly friendly, and clearly there is a degree of crossover between the two, but let's just be honest and recognise there are two different scenes here with a completely different outlook.

Edited February 22, 2010 by Steve G

[Guest Mrs Simsy]

Debbie, i don't think it's fancy dress and i think that you look great and the guys wear their high waisted baggies better than i did, even when i was 14.

Can you understand why some people think it doesn't make sense to adopt a retro look when most of us are trying to make northern soul a scene that is still enjoyed in 2010 and tend to think of it as a costume only worn at events?

Matt

Thats exactly what i was thinking.

No im not a sad mimic, i wear my own style..........the only sad people are the one's that insult other people, which is you!

but i have worn Victorian clothing, 1920s Egyptian revial clothing, 1930s Bias cut, 1940s Box suits, 1950s Burlesque, 1960s Bibba, Bus Stop & Granny Takes A Trip clothing, I do have a 1970s Spencers circle skirt, but that is part of my vintage clothing collection, as my profession is a vintage clothing & textile specialist from the 1600's to the 1970's,..........i have been into Northern Soul for over 20 year's, i like rare & underplayed, some oldies & i like early R n B & if people dont except me as me then its just tuff.

The bottom line is.........I DONT WANT TO WEAR MODERN CLOTHES, BECAUSE I DONT LIKE THE STYLES OF TODAY, I AM NOT A SOULIE, IM JUST DEBBIE.

Im not afraid to show my picture on here, how about you???

Debbie x

I've seen some of your photos Debbie & think the clothes look great but i can't help but think that (and this isn't a dig at you) there's way too much looking back and not looking forward. I really appreciate the 40's, 50's & 60's style & certainly would entertain (and sometimes do) going out dressed up in the style because it's getting dressed up for a night out but i wouldn't go to work or slob on the sofa in that clobber. As you work in fashion & textiles, are you not interested in seeing what styles you can develop for the future even if the past is your passion?

I can't even remember what the thread was orginally about now.

[Guest proudlove]

Theres a lot of these collectors/deejays who don't actually dance so cannot listen with a dancers ear which results in a lot of substandard stuff getting past the quality control

Nail and Head.

[Steve G]

Theres a lot of these collectors/deejays who don't actually dance so cannot listen with a dancers ear which results in a lot of substandard stuff getting past the quality control

Nail and Head.

Hey maybe some dancing lessons then?

[Guest proudlove]

Hey maybe some dancing lessons then?

I believe there is a woman in Huddersfield.........................oh never mind

[Goldsoul]

Some great posts on here.

What does it all mean?

Really there are at least two very different scenes that like similar music and dance the same. And it's as simple as that.

The dominant one in terms of numbers is oldies based and

is relatively commerical these days and has little to do with the aspirations of an underground music scene as say existed in the days of The Wheel, 70s etc. Retro clothes / Baggie trousers, beer towels, Top 500, Frank Wilson and Sandi Sheldon, Wigan revivals, patches and varying levels of memorabilia from the mildly puzzling to the downright

offensive. The members of this scene are trying to relive something that existed decades ago.

Then a much smaller scene in terms of numbers that also likes some oldies, but also likes to hear different music too. No fashion beyond casual, little / no memoribilia. Very

much not trying to relive the memories of the past.

Both scenes are broadly friendly, and clearly there is a degree of crossover between the two, but let's just be honest and recognise there are two different scenes here with a completely different outlook.

Steve- Just a reminder.... The Northern Soul Top 500 is full of all time greats. I doubt that 300 of them rarely get played by the, well.. Top 500 crowd!

[Ian Parker]

Thats exactly what i was thinking.

I've seen some of your photos Debbie & think the clothes look great but i can't help but think that (and this isn't a dig at you) there's way too much looking back and not looking forward. I really appreciate the 40's, 50's & 60's style & certainly would entertain (and sometimes do) going out dressed up in the style because it's getting dressed up for a night out but i wouldn't go to work or slob on the sofa in that clobber. As you work in fashion & textiles, are you not interested in seeing what styles you can develop for the future even if the past is your passion?

I can't even remember what the thread was orginally about now.

Hi Rugbysoulgirl,

Thank you for looking at the photo's & for your kind words,

Im afraid my job was as a Fashion Historian, but i used to sell vintage clothing & textiles to Donna Karen & John Galiano, they used to take the old designs apart & remake them with a modern look...........i do make some of my own clothes, the most bizzare dress i made was about 25 years ago, it looked reptilian, as i used to keep Snakes..........i named it "The Dragon Dress, it had a long croc like train, bit like a tail.............i dont think i could dance at a Soul night in it

I can't speak for other folk that where the vintage clothing...........but for myself, if this so called scene did not excist, i would still be dressing exactly the same as i do now, so my dress has nothing to do with Northern Soul & the music that i listen to........it's just the way i am

Debbie x

(p.s Sorry Paul S for going off the track a bit on your thread)

Edited February 23, 2010 by parkash

[Steve G]

Steve- Just a reminder.... The Northern Soul Top 500 is full of all time greats. I doubt that 300 of them rarely get played by the, well.. Top 500 crowd!

Yup fair point, a lot of them aren't played at all anymore.

[Wrongcrowd]

Yup fair point, a lot of them aren't played at all anymore.

Retired gracefully, to be allowed out on special occasions, but not too often because it makes them all tired again....

[Russ Vickers]

Can i just make clear that this aint anything to do with me or any other rare soul brigade from our fine town...

I know nothing of this lady but will see if Howard at Soul Up North will do a feature for future issues

Never get in the way of change and move with the times you lot...

Sharon is really gonna take the scene by storm and i am sure some people are waiting to see how this grows and then can cash in with a Northern soul workout cd... Oh yes, available in every petrol station, just like them other cds you could pick up...

Titles to look out for..

Get the perfect body "the northern soul way"...

Speed diet and tummy tucks.. The way to a nice posture

The best northern soul workout cd in the world ever.. 25 tunes that target your waist, thighs and other wobbly bits...

tracks include..

Nothing worse than being alone..... ( don't get fat then )

Touch me, hold me, kiss me.. ( only if you lose 5 stone )

Thats no way to treat a girl ( well it is if she still wobbles like a jellly )

Black eyed girl...... (Time to get them boobs firm again and pass the pencil test)

I'M stepping out of the picture.... ( not true! we can't fit you in the picture )

Hard road to hoe...... ( while you look like the side of a house )

please let me in..... ( i will have to take the bloody doors off )

I'm on my way..... ( you've been on your way for a long time you pie eater )

I'd think it over.. ( wise words lard arse )

plus many more...

Love will just slip through your fingers..... if you don't shape up.... See Sharon now....

My Grandad said...

"where there is muck, there is money"

Good luck to this fine Yorkshire lady and if some get pleasure from a Northern soul workout then who are we to judge

Rev... Kenny Lynch.... Peace.. Love.... Workout xxxxxxxxxxx

'Dont Lose Weight, Go Straight'...........

Russ

[Russ Vickers]

Some great posts on here.

What does it all mean?

Really there are at least two very different scenes that like similar music and dance the same. And it's as simple as that.

The dominant one in terms of numbers is oldies based and is relatively commerical these days and has little to do with the aspirations of an underground music scene as say existed in the days of The Wheel, 70s etc. Retro clothes / Baggie trousers, beer towels, Top 500, Frank Wilson and Sandi Sheldon, Wigan revivals, patches and varying levels of memorabilia from the mildly puzzling to the downright offensive. The members of this scene are trying to relive something that existed decades ago.

Then a much smaller scene in terms of numbers that also likes some oldies, but also likes to hear different music too. No fashion beyond casual, little / no memoribilia. Very much not trying to relive the memories of the past.

Both scenes are broadly friendly, and clearly there is a degree of crossover between the two, but let's just be honest and recognise there are two different scenes here with a completely different outlook.

Round of applause for this man............I have been saying this for bloody years, I'm not on the NS scene, the term is cringeworthy in the context that most use it in these days, 'Rare Soul Scene' (Rare meaning the rare quality in the recordings as opposed to monetary value) is a far better term & one used for years, even prior to WC........I have been trying to distance myself as much as possible from the 'Pantomime' NS scene, as I find it embarrassing, the main stream try to turn the term Rare Soul into a derogetary term............I would wear it like a badge of honour.

Russ

[Guest Bearsy]

Why the fook would i want to dress like my dad did in the 70s i reckon all this tat for sale is some kind of medal for some to say "Im a soulie" for me a soulie is someone that is into the music and if you into the music you can dance anyway you bloody well want, if you dont know how to dance by now you never will cos it aint exactly hard to express yourself in your own way, some brilliant dancers on the scene but the dancers i like to watch are those that dance to the record and feel every second of it

anyway must go as i got 80" flares to iron and my FW alarm clock has just gone off to say im late for work

until then KTF

[Casper]

Well said Ken

I must agree with you about the white socks im a bit fussy & i find any other colour don't look as clean with my very polished shoes

Debbie x

Im a white socks girl, as you know Debbie...but I do sometimes wear coloured socks depending on what shoes im wearing and sometimes i will wear them to co ordinate with my clothes.

but usually half way through the nite at a venue,i do change into my white socks.

from susan x

[Ian Parker]

Im a white socks girl, as you know Debbie...but I do sometimes wear coloured socks depending on what shoes im wearing and sometimes i will wear them to co ordinate with my clothes.

but usually half way through the nite at a venue,i do change into my white socks.

from susan x

The coloured sock's look really nice on you Susan

Debbie x

[manus]

It seems on reading this that some people see the fashion aspect as part of an identification with the music and others who don't see it as relevant and maybe a bit embarrasing. Personally I don't find someone dressing in baggies or whatever an issue I only find it a problem when it goes hand in hand with musical stagnation as in "if it wasn't played in the (short)era I'm dressed for then I don't what to hear it played".

I think the stereotype of a Wigan attendee is always the same "baggies, vest beertowel etc" - I went to Wigan from 74-79 and I never wore baggies or a vest although it didn't bother me that other people did. I knew a fair few other people who didn't dress that way too.

Cheers

Manus

[Guest becchio]

Round of applause for this man............I have been saying this for bloody years, I'm not on the NS scene, the term is cringeworthy in the context that most use it in these days, 'Rare Soul Scene' (Rare meaning the rare quality in the recordings as opposed to monetary value) is a far better term & one used for years, even prior to WC........I have been trying to distance myself as much as possible from the 'Pantomime' NS scene, as I find it embarrassing, the main stream try to turn the term Rare Soul into a derogetary term............I would wear it like a badge of honour.

Russ

its taken me two years to realise it but northern soul is dying or at least almost dead, it really f***ing is isnt it ?

we (old soulie friends) were discussing this at length last night and came to the horrible conclusion that the "rare soul" crowd are actually embarrassed by northern soul, want to destroy northern soul and anything from the past that reminds them of northern soul , though blame is pointless now and counter productive and its probably too late anyway .

near the end of our discussion i went in my kitchen drawer and pulled out 36 flyers , mostly for venues in the north . we all went through them and geuss what ? the term northern soul was mentioned 5 times, 5 TIMES out of 36 flyers ! plenty of "boogaloos" and "r n b" and "latins" and "rarer and underplayed" but no NORTHERN SOUL. we all bacame quite sad and silent for a while . we just sat there looking at them on the floor , trying to understand .

i guess the flyers just reflect the confusion and lack of cohesion and unity on the "rare soul" scene or whatever the hell its supposed to be called now for the sake of political correctness or groovyness or coolness or whatever . it never used to be that way , f**king hell its changed so much

why cant it all be under one banner and in one room ? northern soul has always had r n b, latin, boogaloo, funk ect so why is it all split up now into different rooms with silly names ? why cant the progressive events be across the board the way the oldies events are (mixed genres and decades). why does it sometimes feel like the dancefloor , at some events, is a secondary consideration to the record bar. i often ask people at oldies events why they dont go to the more progressive events they nearly always say "i like the music but its too snobby and the floors are crap"

you say russ that the term "rare soul " (a term iv only recently come across btw) has nothing to do with its monetery value . well in your world maybe BUT how the hell are we (the punter) reading these confusing flyers supposed to know that ? as if we actually cared anyway and as if we seriously give a s*** about stuff like OVO !

the scene isnt divided its all splintered and smashed into little peices and little rooms and its got lots of little names and rules about what you can wear without being embarrassing and what is cool and whats not cool to like ( ie northern soul !!!) or collect and people stood around posing and sneering with contempt at , yes again, northern soul and all its embarrassing cheesyness (but we still love it so deeply)

although i prefer the more progressive sounds and events i just thank god for the one or two oldies venues near me that i also attend . the ones that the rare soul zealots are so embarrassed about because even though the musics crap sometimes , its still northern soul its still truly across the board oldies(60s) and newies(70s) and all in one room . its consistent , established , fully attended and the dancefloor isnt an after thought, infact the dancefloor is the primary consideration . id rather that sometimes than the chaos, confusion and splintered divisions of the "rare soul scene" who dont even know how to advertise their events because half the time they dont even know what their own events are !

your throwing the baby out with the bath water

PEOPLE , WHY DO YOU HATE NORTHERN SOUL SO MUCH ? WHY ?

[Pete S]

its taken me two years to realise it but northern soul is dying or at least almost dead, it really f***ing is isnt it ?

we (old soulie friends) were discussing this at length last night and came to the horrible conclusion that the "rare soul" crowd are actually embarrassed by northern soul, want to destroy northern soul and anything from the past that reminds them of northern soul , though blame is pointless now and counter productive and its probably too late anyway .

near the end of our discussion i went in my kitchen drawer and pulled out 36 flyers , mostly for venues in the north . we all went through them and geuss what ? the term northern soul was mentioned 5 times, 5 TIMES out of 36 flyers ! plenty of "boogaloos" and "r n b" and "latins" and "rarer and underplayed" but no NORTHERN SOUL. we all bacame quite sad and silent for a while . we just sat there looking at them on the floor , trying to understand .

i guess the flyers just reflect the confusion and lack of cohesion and unity on the "rare soul" scene or whatever the hell its supposed to be called now for the sake of political correctness or groovyness or coolness or whatever . it never used to be that way , f**king hell its changed so much

why cant it all be under one banner and in one room ? northern soul has always had r n b, latin, boogaloo, funk ect so why is it all split up now into different rooms with silly names ? why cant the progressive events be across the board the way the oldies events are (mixed genres and decades). why does it sometimes feel like the dancefloor , at some events, is a secondary consideration to the record bar. i often ask people at oldies events why they dont go to the more progressive events they nearly always say "i like the music but its too snobby and the floors are crap"

you say russ that the term "rare soul " (a term iv only recently come across btw) has nothing to do with its monetery value . well in your world maybe BUT how the hell are we (the punter) reading these confusing flyers supposed to know that ? as if we actually cared anyway and as if we seriously give a s*** about stuff like OVO !

the scene isnt divided its all splintered and smashed into little peices and little rooms and its got lots of little names and rules about what you can wear without being embarrassing and what is cool and whats not cool to like ( ie northern soul !!!) or collect and people stood around posing and sneering with contempt at , yes again, northern soul and all its embarrassing cheesyness (but we still love it so deeply)

although i prefer the more progressive sounds and events i just thank god for the one or two oldies venues near me that i also attend . the ones that the rare soul zealots are so embarrassed about because even though the musics crap sometimes , its still northern soul its still truly across the board oldies(60s) and newies(70s) and all in one room . its consistent , established , fully attended and the dancefloor isnt an after thought, infact the dancefloor is the primary consideration . id rather that sometimes than the chaos, confusion and splintered divisions of the "rare soul scene" who dont even know how to advertise their events because half the time they dont even know what their own events are !

your throwing the baby out with the bath water

PEOPLE , WHY DO YOU HATE NORTHERN SOUL SO MUCH ? WHY ?

Well said Bechio, very passionate and f*cking spot on with most of that.

All these people complaining about the watering down and commercialisation of Northern Soul; it doesn't matter anymore - it would have done 30 years ago but now the scene is just too small and it's getting smaller, eventually it'll disappear if elitism starts to rule again. Okay so theres dance lessons and soul mugs and Frank Wilson watches - but really, so what? How does it actually affect you? Does it do any harm?

[Little-stevie]

Been talked about so much and will again for many moons to come..

This topic is about what some people see as being naff/ tack/ without taste...

Its the people that push the stuff that use the words northern soul all the time.... That is the problem for many people..

Its all oppinions, nowt is gonna change there...

Some like to shop in a underground bunker while others like the shopping center

I don't like the really deep dark bunkers or shopping center, my gender is all confused and trying to find a nice place to shop without comiing across the little Adolf brigade or those that choose to dance outside specsavers...

My flyer says underplayed Northern along with other stuff... If i just put Northern soul on my flyer then i know from past experience of many years that i will get some customers coming and asking for certain classic northern soul tracks that i don't feature....

There are enough places to go to listen to Classic northern soul and plenty places to go to listen to something a liitle different now, at least we have plenty choice, some would say toooooooooooooooooooo much...

More info the better for me, i could make the trip and end up very pissed off with music that don't rock my boat....

I too would like a mix of all styles in one room but many folk have closed ears to certain sounds.. I have always pushed my events a mix of styles and look for a people who l ike the same thing,

i just don't push the classic northern events game or the it as to be £1,000 tune or more ( look at dick ) brigade..

My event plays black retro gender benders.. Another new name to go along with folks

Maybe not rare as in price all the time but something you won't find on the shelf at Tesco...

All these different names/ styles It can be confusing

Shop around folks and watch out for stale bread and snide iffy watches that cost a lot but don't ever really tell the time...

Edited February 23, 2010 by little-stevie

[Paul-s]

i guess the flyers just reflect the confusion and lack of cohesion and unity on the "rare soul" scene or whatever the hell its supposed to be called now for the sake of political correctness or groovyness or coolness or whatever . it never used to be that way , f**king hell its changed so much

why cant it all be under one banner and in one room ? northern soul has always had r n b, latin, boogaloo, funk ect so why is it all split up now into different rooms with silly names ? why cant the progressive events be across the board the way the oldies events are (mixed genres and decades).

[Guest Dave Turner]

I'm keeping a close eye and starting to get worried about these ads that appear at the bottom here

Light hearted folks, don't chew me 'ead off

[Paul-s]

Okay so theres dance lessons and soul mugs and Frank Wilson watches - but really, so what? How does it actually affect you? Does it do any harm?

Yes it does Pete. It means that the conncern is for making money, rather than making a cohesive, open minded scene. People who want to make money from the scene via mugs, lessons, baby grows etc, seem to be taking more than giving. Its also not why a lot of us got into it in the first place for, so i guess we should be able to voice our horror and derision at these HIGHLY COMMERCIALLY motivated enterprises.

Im not into football, but from observations, people go crazy if teams are sold to, for example, to Arab owners who are not at the games, in the country or really give a shit about the team. So if this passion and concern for authenticity pervades football (which everyone seems to be very passionate about!) why should we not be as concerned.

Sharon? who is she? I never see her out and about? Or does she nip to her local do? After Wigan, did she go to Stafford...carry on through all those wilderness years, after a load of Wigan goers stopped and a small group of dedicated soulies continued on (where dance styles changed)?

Does she teach that history and style? If she reckons herself a genuine authority and Guru, surely she must! Its just seems to be motivated by money and no sign of 'soul'.

As for mugs, baby grows etc...come on ...its just f--king naff and as embarrassing, same as seeing a 50 year old Punk Rocker walking out with a mohican, bondage chains and piercings! Sad in fact!

[Guest Simon]

This discussion has been done on here so many times it's unreal & i've yet to hear a definitive answer, think you can only go on instinct & personal experience.

One thing i will say though, i think the 'NS scene' started to go down hill at about the start of the millenium/2000, one of the big reasons i feel for this is certain parties started to get back into NS as it was getting big again & wanted a slice of the action, unfortunately some of these people did it for money & ego, all of a sudden you had KFC adverts, tacky paraphernalia & lots of wannabe Northern Soul fans including many celebrities, i don't think NS has ever recovered nor will it ever, it's gone too far.

All you can do now is choose your dos carefully & support those promoters who you respect & trust.

Simon

[Pete S]

Okay so theres dance lessons and soul mugs and Frank Wilson watches - but really, so what? How does it actually affect you? Does it do any harm?

Yes it does Pete. It means that the conncern is for making money, rather than making a cohesive, open minded scene. People who want to make money from the scene via mugs, lessons, baby grows etc, seem to be taking more than giving. Its also not why a lot of us got into it in the first place for, so i guess we should be able to voice our horror and derision at these HIGHLY COMMERCIALLY motivated enterprises.

Im not into football, but from observations, people go crazy if teams are sold to, for example, to Arab owners who are not at the games, in the country or really give a shit about the team. So if this passion and concern for authenticity pervades football (which everyone seems to be very passionate about!) why should we not be as concerned.

Sharon? who is she? I never see her out and about? Or does she nip to her local do? After Wigan, did she go to Stafford...carry on through all those wilderness years, after a load of Wigan goers stopped and a small group of dedicated soulies continued on (where dance styles changed)?

Does she teach that history and style? If she reckons herself a genuine authority and Guru, surely she must! Its just seems to be motivated by money and no sign of 'soul'.

As for mugs, baby grows etc...come on ...its just f--king naff and as embarrassing, same as seeing a 50 year old Punk Rocker walking out with a mohican, bondage chains and piercings! Sad in fact!

On the surface I do agree with you, but that's the way I used to feel "in the old days", I thought it was sacrosanct, I'd have hated all this commercial stuff - but 30 years later, priorities change, it just bypasses me and to be honest I'm one of these parasites making a living from Northern Soul because my only income is selling the records...though I don't manufacture and sell them.

[Guest Dave Turner]

On the surface I do agree with you, but that's the way I used to feel "in the old days", I thought it was sacrosanct, I'd have hated all this commercial stuff - but 30 years later, priorities change, it just bypasses me and to be honest I'm one of these parasites making a living from Northern Soul because my only income is selling the records...though I don't manufacture and sell them.

Truth is though Pete we did have the commercial stuff going back to around late 73/74 time. Admittedly not on the same scale as now. I remember Chris Burton's "International Soul Club" from around that time advertising keyrings, and I have an idea there were also mugs. I disliked it even then, even by a promoter. Personally I was a "one club, one badge" kinda person but that was me and not necessarily how everyone felt. I could never get into the miriad of badges being sold never mind any other tak.

Edited February 23, 2010 by Dave Turner

[Little-stevie]

On the surface I do agree with you, but that's the way I used to feel "in the old days", I thought it was sacrosanct, I'd have hated all this commercial stuff - but 30 years later, priorities change, it just bypasses me and to be honest I'm one of these parasites making a living from Northern Soul because my only income is selling the records...though I don't manufacture and sell them.

A good honest post indeed...

You will also get a difference from folk who are still out on " the scene " and those that stay home and get pleasure/soul fix in other ways....

[Casper]

Debbie, i don't think it's fancy dress and i think that you look great and the guys wear their high waisted baggies better than i did, even when i was 14.

What i don't understand though is why you've decided to wear a style that was fashionable on the scene ten years before you got into northern soul? I started going around '78 and even by then baggies and circle skirts were starting to go out of fashion. By the mid 80s they had disappeared. Take a look at the Oddfellows clips in the video section, there isn't a circle skirt in sight, most of the girls are wearing jeans or pegs and that's 1984. I expect when you came along around '89 things we're pretty much that way too.

Can you understand why some people think it doesn't make sense to adopt a retro look when most of us are trying to make northern soul a scene that is still enjoyed in 2010 and tend to think of it as a costume only worn at events?

Matt

Hi Matt,I have been into northern soul since 1974. I wore the circle skirts then, and i do now. I didnt go souling thru the 80s as i was bringing up my kids and living through my non souling stage. However, when I did return to the"scene"after my kids had grown up and fled the nest, I chose to wear my old style soul clothes...

I dont think its important WHEN you first came on the scene,wether its 30 years or 10 years, or even a month...its the music that counts and if people want to relive those days or even want to join in those memories from us "early years" soulies,and want to dress in the retro clothes from the era...then in my eyes thats a good thing...theres some young blood coming into northern soul and they love the old dress sense because they feel its where they belong... why is it so many people feel that because they no longer wear the 70s style northern soul clothes they have the right to critisize those that do?

if they want to wear that style of clothing then thats up to them....if it wasnt still popular no one would wear it... there are more Retro soulies around on the scene than most people think and if they all congregated it would be a quite a large number..as it happens there are some young uns on the scene who ask "where can I get a circle skirt from?" or "who makes your baggies cuz i want some" ......i rest my case

KTF Susan x

Edited February 23, 2010 by casper

[Guest Trevski]

PATHETIC! No wonder I have despaired of the NS scene of late............

[Guest alanbonthrone]

The coloured sock's look really nice on you Susan

Debbie x

Sock,s should never be underestimated.

[Casper]

Sock,s should never be underestimated.

Exactly....you dont very often get a ladder in your socks!

Tee hee

Susan

[Guest]

Retro soulies

KTF Susan x

An oxymoron, surely?

[Guest James Trouble]

PATHETIC! No wonder I have despaired of the NS scene of late............

I do find myself having similar feelings.

"Retro Soulies"? Is this a badge worn with pride? I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.

All this is like another nail in the coffin holding the decaying body of the once proud and strong Northern Soul scene.

It's about time it was buried, put down, let go and forgotten about so things can get back to how they used to be and how it is now done in many parts of Europe.

Back to basics. Back to exciting promotions and energetic promoters, energetic and enthusiastic crowds who are hungry for exciting and energetic music played by exciting and energetic DJs. All put together with strong principles and purpose.

Because I'm afraid, with all honesty, it's getting pretty desperate in the UK at the moment.

[pikeys dog]

The Northern Soul Scene IS Dead, Long Live The Northern Soul Scene!

and for those wishing to shed a few tears over it's demise, you could do a lot worse than buying a few of these:

 

I've got a raft of them left back in the Wankco lock-up.

[Guest becchio]

we should all get together apply for funding , buy a massive dancehall type venue in a central location and have oldies , newies, prog nights or just work it all out by whats popular and what the people want , sigh ! oh well

[phillyDaveG]

Ahh , you can't beat a classic SS thread

From the "advanced" Northern dance site;

Quote "Originally the Northern Soul was high energy dance with a fusion of Martial arts and street dance"

I knew I hadn't studied the ancient art of ecky thump for nothing

Quote "the softer floaty Northern Soul style is more popular today commiserate with age of the dancers"

You poor old sods!

[Guest proudlove]

An oxymoron, surely?

Edited February 23, 2010 by proudlove

[Guest proudlove]

An oxymoron, surely?

Love that word....................

And the word retro comes from the Latin ,meaning outmoded,backward looking...............of the past...........sums it up I suppose........................

Steve

Edited February 23, 2010 by proudlove

[Ian Parker]

Love that word....................

And the word retro comes from the Latin ,meaning outmoded,backward looking...............of the past...........sums it up I suppose........................

Steve

No, i think this sums it up!

Debbie x

[macca]

Where did that the come from in 'Northern Soul'?

It's a bit like 'they play records that were popular at The Wigan Casino.

The Twisted Wheel yes. The Torch yes. But The Wigan Casino? NO!!!

Linguistic aberrations like this are far more sinister than dance schools in Fylde.

[Guest proudlove]

No, i think this sums it up!

Debbie x

Nope,thats not me. Got a lot more hair,my own teeth and have quite a sunny disposition................

Edited February 23, 2010 by proudlove

[Guest Trevski]

What I can't understand is this: Say NS began in 1970, (I know it was earlier, but for the sake of round figures..) So we have 40 yrs of NS. Now.. I can remember baggies, vests, circle skirts et al appearing around '71 and, after the Granada documentary, vanishing rather quickly, until, by 78/80 they had gone. Didn't see 'em in the 80's, didn't see 'em in the 90's, so; when did a clothing fad that lasted for 8 years out of 40 become 'iconic Northern Soul wear'? It's nothing more than Wigan nostalgia wear, IMHO. Furthermore, to those who say 'We are not dressing up, it's our normal wear" did you wear it in the 80's? 90's? do you go to work in it? Push your trolley round Tesco's in it? or does it just come out of the "Norther Soul dressing up box" at Weekends? "The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there" They sure do!

[Guest]

do you go to work in it?

Its possible. Though I reckon you'd get the sack for bringing your employing organisation into disrepute

[Guest Simon]

What I can't understand is this: Say NS began in 1970, (I know it was earlier, but for the sake of round figures..) So we have 40 yrs of NS. Now.. I can remember baggies, vests, circle skirts et al appearing around '71 and, after the Granada documentary, vanishing rather quickly, until, by 78/80 they had gone. Didn't see 'em in the 80's, didn't see 'em in the 90's, so; when did a clothing fad that lasted for 8 years out of 40 become 'iconic Northern Soul wear'? It's nothing more than Wigan nostalgia wear, IMHO. Furthermore, to those who say 'We are not dressing up, it's our normal wear" did you wear it in the 80's? 90's? do you go to work in it? Push your trolley round Tesco's in it? or does it just come out of the "Norther Soul dressing up box" at Weekends? "The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there" They sure do!

Spot on! it's the same at some Mod rallies, some mod life crisis types bring out their parkas with Who patches on just for the weekend,

then it's back to their normal gear for the rest of the week.

I dress in a 6ts style but then i do it 24/7 & have done for 30 years, that's the distinction imo.

Simon

[Ian Parker]

It's 'Dance wear' , nothing more , nothing less. as for Debbie wearing it in Tesco's..... that's been known too

please people, enough of the slagging off of the folk who wear what they feel comfortable in. personally i can wear bags at a good oldies event, i can also wear vintage 20" bottom Spencers. but when it comes to tops, I wear MODERN ones. Ben Sherman's latest designs or anything else that looks good will do me. no bowling shirts or the like. Shoes ? I love my Icon shoes, they look fantastic regardless of what is with them. so its not all 'wigan casino' styles or era. I will also add that EVERY single event we go to, Debbie gets polite, positive and nice comments about her appearence. she looks good, she makes an affort (more than can be said for a lot of you) and she enjoys to dance. end of. can we get back to the original thread regarding the dance classes?

ta, Ian

[macca]

Spot on Trevski. I'd rather the levis, brogues, loafers, blazers and ben shermans of the 69/70 look than the abominations of 1974/5, even though I partook. The reason they choose this particular attire probably has something to do with what they perceive as the 'peak period' of NS, sadly ignoring the straight cords, dungarees, mohair jumpers and plastic sandals, and of course, great music, of the end of that decade. There's a whole seam they could exploit there! Interestingly enough, there are people leaving disparaging comments on the Leicester Oddfellows 80s videos about 'NS loving Eastern Europeans', so I can see why they'd rather not explore that period.

[Sheldonsoul]

What I can't understand is this: Say NS began in 1970, (I know it was earlier, but for the sake of round figures..) So we have 40 yrs of NS. Now.. I can remember baggies, vests, circle skirts et al appearing around '71 and, after the Granada documentary, vanishing rather quickly, until, by 78/80 they had gone. Didn't see 'em in the 80's, didn't see 'em in the 90's, so; when did a clothing fad that lasted for 8 years out of 40 become 'iconic Northern Soul wear'? It's nothing more than Wigan nostalgia wear, IMHO. Furthermore, to those who say 'We are not dressing up, it's our normal wear" did you wear it in the 80's? 90's? do you go to work in it? Push your trolley round Tesco's in it? or does it just come out of the "Norther Soul dressing up box" at Weekends? "The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there" They sure do!

here here that man,couldnt agree more

[Ian Parker]

What I can't understand is this: Say NS began in 1970, (I know it was earlier, but for the sake of round figures..) So we have 40 yrs of NS. Now.. I can remember baggies, vests, circle skirts et al appearing around '71 and, after the Granada documentary, vanishing rather quickly, until, by 78/80 they had gone. Didn't see 'em in the 80's, didn't see 'em in the 90's, so; when did a clothing fad that lasted for 8 years out of 40 become 'iconic Northern Soul wear'? It's nothing more than Wigan nostalgia wear, IMHO. Furthermore, to those who say 'We are not dressing up, it's our normal wear" did you wear it in the 80's? 90's? do you go to work in it? Push your trolley round Tesco's in it? or does it just come out of the "Norther Soul dressing up box" at Weekends? "The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there" They sure do!

The answer is yes................i did go to work, go to tesco's etc etc............through the 80's & 90's,

But my dress is not really a typical, so called Northern Soul style & i dont think i look anything like, what they used to look like in the 70's, the only thing that is the same, is that im wearing a full skirt..............I was really inspired by Audrey Hepburn & i started wearing the late 1940's New Look Circle Skirts.........i do wear some 70's one's, & i have some brand new one's, but i would wear a full skirt even if i was not into Northern Soul, just because i like this design.

I can't speak for the other ladies & gents who wear the old styles, you would have to ask them

But the music i listen to, has nothing to do with my clothing................so i dont understand why alot of the men on here seem to have a bit of a problem with what i wear or you just can't get your head around it???.................It's a big old world out there & not all of us are the same

(Sorry again Paul S)

Debbie x

Edited February 23, 2010 by parkash

[Guest Trevski]

The answer is yes................i did go to work, go to tesco's etc etc............through the 80's & 90's,

But my dress is not really a typical, so called Northern Soul style & i dont think i look anything like, what they used to look like in the 70's, the only thing that is the same, is that im wearing a full skirt..............I was really inspired by Audrey Hepburn & i started wearing the late 1940's New Look Circle Skirts.........i do wear some 70's one's, & i have some brand new one's, but i would wear a full skirt even if i was not into Northern Soul, just because i like this design.

I can't speak for the other ladies & gents who wear the old styles, you would have to ask them

But the music i listen to, has nothing to do with my clothing................so i dont understand why alot of the men on here seem to have a bit of a problem with what i wear or just can't get there head around it???.................It's a big old world out there & not all of us are the same.

Debbie x

Being a big fan of Ms Hepburn, I don't recall her ever looking remotely like any of your pics, even in the Dior 'New look' period. If you want to adopt a Hepburn look, try the black loafers, slim black pants and tight black polo neck from "Funny Face" THAT'S Style, and looks as fresh and contemporary as it did then!

Edited February 23, 2010 by Trevski

[macca]

It's 'Dance wear' , nothing more , nothing less. as for Debbie wearing it in Tesco's..... that's been known too

please people, enough of the slagging off of the folk who wear what they feel comfortable in. personally i can wear bags at a good oldies event, i can also wear vintage 20" bottom Spencers. but when it comes to tops, I wear MODERN ones. Ben Sherman's latest designs or anything else that looks good will do me. no bowling shirts or the like. Shoes ? I love my Icon shoes, they look fantastic regardless of what is with them. so its not all 'wigan casino' styles or era. I will also add that EVERY single event we go to, Debbie gets polite, positive and nice comments about her appearence. she looks good, she makes an affort (more than can be said for a lot of you) and she enjoys to dance. end of. can we get back to the original thread regarding the dance classes?

ta, Ian

I wouldn't call it slagging off Ian, it's merely expressing opinions. For example, if I see a 'city gent' in 2010 wearing a bowler and dark pinstripe, five buttons, carrying a nicely furled umbrella and a freshly ironed copy of the Torygraph, he's going to spark interest and debate if I'm with friends/colleagues. As long as the comments aren't spiteful, I don't see there's any harm in passing comment. As to whether people 'make an effort', 'look scruffy', 'look smart', 'look cool, look daft etc, etc, it's all a matter of opinions, and as the Spanish say, opinions are like colours, there's lots of them, different shades, hues etc.

[Guest JIM BARRY]

It's 'Dance wear' , nothing more , nothing less. as for Debbie wearing it in Tesco's..... that's been known too

please people, enough of the slagging off of the folk who wear what they feel comfortable in. personally i can wear bags at a good oldies event, i can also wear vintage 20" bottom Spencers. but when it comes to tops, I wear MODERN ones. Ben Sherman's latest designs or anything else that looks good will do me. no bowling shirts or the like. Shoes ? I love my Icon shoes, they look fantastic regardless of what is with them. so its not all 'wigan casino' styles or era. I will also add that EVERY single event we go to, Debbie gets polite, positive and nice comments about her appearence. she looks good, she makes an affort (more than can be said for a lot of you) and she enjoys to dance. end of. can we get back to the original thread regarding the dance classes?

ta, Ian

TELL YA WHAT. IT MUST TAKE A LOT OF THOUGHT AND EFFORT FOR DEBBIE TO OBTAIN THE LOOK THAT SHE WEARS AS WELL AS EXPENCE. WHICH IS MORE THAN CAN BE SAID FOR A LOT OF SOULIES THAT I SEE. SHE DOES LOOK NICE BY THE WAY

[Ian Parker]

Being a big fan of Ms Hepburn, I don't recall her ever looking remotely like any of your pics, even in the Dior 'New look' period. If you want to adopt a Hepburn look, try the black loafers, slim black pants and tight black polo neck from "Funny Face" THAT'S Style!

I dont want to look exactly like someone else...........but yes that is a great look, the film Roman Holiday is my fav, have a look at the full skirt, a full skirt always gives you a tiny waist........it's stunning!

Im also inspired by Betty Page & a Burlesque look, a bit of Biba & my fav Victorian Book, Alice In Wonderland, so i just like to add bit's of what i like, not a complete image, if you see what i mean?

Debbie x

Edited February 24, 2010 by parkash