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BBC2 Culture Show - Northern Soul  

  1. 1. BBC2 Culture - Northern Soul - My rating ...

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Posted

 By now we all know where the  definition of "Northern" came from,  it  was people looking back instead of listening to the  modern of the day?

 So it's just a matter of degrees?

 

The point made by the poster i quoted was about the turn over of records, and my point was it ain't/ can't /wont, happen in this day and age.

Posted

That scene is a nostalgia one because of many closed minds wanting the same 200 or so records mainly from their few years on the scene. Or perhaps that scene is open to the wealth of discovered, played, broke and now underplayed records that received plays between Dec 81 and now. I thought not, they struggle with Searlings post 78 playlist :)

As I've said before, Butch's mighty lovers C/U would clear most floors in my neck of the woods ( East Mids); one of the best Northern Soul records I've heard in decades - but it falls outside of that narrow comfort zone. This I cannot get my swede around.

 

I'm with Toad on this mate, its anything after 78 I reckon

  • Helpful 1
Posted

 By now we all know where the  definition of "Northern" came from,  it  was people looking back instead of listening to the  modern of the day?

 So it's just a matter of degrees?

 

The point made by the poster i quoted was about the turn over of records, and my point was it ain't/ can't /wont, happen in this day and age.

 

The turn over of new records won't happen again like it did but there is no reason to ignore the many 100's of quality record outside the top 500.  Many forgotten records from all eras, tastes change and some deemed not good enough back then are just right for today.  It is as Byrney says, those who were on the scene and left when Wigan closed come back and only want to hear what they heard whilst they were briefly on the scene and ignore the 30 years since.

  • Helpful 3
Guest DaveSwift
Posted

i thought it was very good - pity Paul Mason wasn't able to do a full 12 part series on the Soul Scene

Guest James Trouble
Posted (edited)

The turn over of new records won't happen again like it did but there is no reason to ignore the many 100's of quality record outside the top 500.  Many forgotten records from all eras, tastes change and some deemed not good enough back then are just right for today.  It is as Byrney says, those who were on the scene and left when Wigan closed come back and only want to hear what they heard whilst they were briefly on the scene and ignore the 30 years since.

 

Turn over of new records (discoveries) won't happen as it did, for obvious reasons.

 

However, it's not so obvious why a rapid turn over of sounds doesn't happen now? We could assume that either the vast majority of people at nighters these days are low brow sheep and demand the same sounds and vote with their feet and/or DJs don't have the balls or influence over the sheep to turn over records quick enough to keep things interesting for the regulars who go out most weekends, who are probably in the minority. I'm not convinced that's the case, but it might be. Given that there is a much larger selection of tunes to choose from than ever before.

 

It seems oxymoronic to say in one sentence that turn over of sounds at Wigan was rapid but the next sentence say that people want to hear what they heard at Wigan. That doesn't make total sense and can't be right. Maybe some only want to hear the good stuff from the era they were on the scene in the 70s or 80s and even though there was a high turn over of tunes a lot of it wasn't up to standard? I'm not sure that's the case from the recordings I've heard from Wigan, Stafford et al. But it might be.

 

It could be as simple as the vast majority of folk don't go out every week, not even every month. Maybe only a couple of times a year and all they want to hear are some good sounds that they know and can dance to and that generates a feeling of nostalgia. People like nostalgia, it makes them feel good.

 

As people get older they usually stop being hungry for the new and want to be cuddled by what they know and love.

 

This is not unique to the soul scene, it's the same for most things humans get passionate about. It doesn't stop them being stranded sheep, it's just human nature.

Edited by James Trouble
Posted

Turn over of new records (discoveries) won't happen as it did, for obvious reasons.

 

However, it's not so obvious why a rapid turn over of sounds doesn't happen now? We could assume that either the vast majority of people at nighters these days are low brow sheep and demand the same sounds and vote with their feet and/or DJs don't have the balls or influence over the sheep to turn over records quick enough to keep things interesting for the regulars who go out most weekends, who are probably in the minority. I'm not convinced that's the case, but it might be. Given that there is a much larger selection of tunes to choose from than ever before.

 

It seems oxymoronic to say in one sentence that turn over of sounds at Wigan was rapid but the next sentence say that people want to hear what they heard at Wigan. That doesn't make total sense and can't be right. Maybe some only want to hear the good stuff from the era they were on the scene in the 70s or 80s and even though there was a high turn over of tunes a lot of it wasn't up to standard? I'm not sure that's the case from the recordings I've heard from Wigan, Stafford et al. But it might be.

 

It could be as simple as the vast majority of folk don't go out every week, not even every month. Maybe only a couple of times a year and all they want to hear are some good sounds that they know and can dance to and that generates a feeling of nostalgia. People like nostalgia, it makes them feel good.

 

As people get older they usually stop being hungry for the new and want to be cuddled by what they know and love.

 

This is not unique to the soul scene, it's the same for most things humans get passionate about. It doesn't stop them being stranded sheep, it's just human nature.

Where you been Jimmy?

 

Peter

 

:huh:

Posted (edited)

It doesn't take much these days fella..... :lol:

This may be a sad truth now I'm heading rapidly towards the 5-0 Phillip, however I'm not silly, I've traded in my bags for a pair of Zoots or Bowies and invested in bicycle clips - no leakage when I'm out spinning! :thumbup:

Edited by TheBigO
Posted

Where you been Jimmy?

 

Peter

 

:huh:

 

He,s spent the summer in a static caravan on the Fylde coast with Ian Levine  they had some issues to work out :thumbsup:

 

 

 

 

 

 

:P

  • Helpful 1
Guest Droylsdonian
Posted

Got in me pit with a brew last night, turned on teleh, which was already on BBC2 & within a minute they announced that there was an unscheduled repeat of the programme coming on (12:25am). Nice one, I thought.

 

Then I realised I was watching SignZone - for the deaf! 

 

I kid ye not.

Posted

Got in me pit with a brew last night, turned on teleh, which was already on BBC2 & within a minute they announced that there was an unscheduled repeat of the programme coming on (12:25am). Nice one, I thought.

 

Then I realised I was watching SignZone - for the deaf! 

 

I kid ye not.

 

I was channel hopping and caught the last 15 minutes.Didn't realise it was SignZone - I thought some enterprising person had put together a hand-jive dance tutorial for the new wave of soulies.

 

:hatsoff2: - Kev

  • Helpful 3
Posted

Got in me pit with a brew last night, turned on teleh, which was already on BBC2 & within a minute they announced that there was an unscheduled repeat of the programme coming on (12:25am). Nice one, I thought.

 

Then I realised I was watching SignZone - for the deaf! 

 

I kid ye not.

:lol: :lol: :thumbup:

Guest in town Mikey
Posted

Got in me pit with a brew last night, turned on teleh, which was already on BBC2 & within a minute they announced that there was an unscheduled repeat of the programme coming on (12:25am). Nice one, I thought.

 

Then I realised I was watching SignZone - for the deaf! 

 

I kid ye not.

 

I bet they played the same old records as they did last time as well.

Posted

That scene is a nostalgia one because of many closed minds wanting the same 200 or so records mainly from their few years on the scene. Or perhaps that scene is open to the wealth of discovered, played, broke and now underplayed records that received plays between Dec 81 and now. I thought not, they struggle with Searlings post 78 playlist :)

As I've said before, Butch's mighty lovers C/U would clear most floors in my neck of the woods ( East Mids); one of the best Northern Soul records I've heard in decades - but it falls outside of that narrow comfort zone. This I cannot get my swede around.

That Mighty Lovers is probably the best record I have ever heard but you do it a disservice because it would only take a couple of plays at an oldies night for folks to get it. Unfortunately that aint gonna happen any time soon as it cant get played there.  

  • Helpful 1

Posted

That Mighty Lovers is probably the best record I have ever heard but you do it a disservice because it would only take a couple of plays at an oldies night for folks to get it. Unfortunately that aint gonna happen any time soon as it cant get played there.  

 

Praise indeed Ted, is there anywhere online to hear this, he says expecting the answer 'no'

Posted

Praise indeed Ted, is there anywhere online to hear this, he says expecting the answer 'no'

 

No Pete, the only way is to go where Butch is on.

I agree with Ted, it really is that good but disagree about it taking off on the oldies scene

Posted (edited)

That Mighty Lovers is probably the best record I have ever heard but you do it a disservice because it would only take a couple of plays at an oldies night for folks to get it. Unfortunately that aint gonna happen any time soon as it cant get played there.

It is utterly blinding but I wish I had your optimism. Although I hope there are oldies nights where this would go down well, but hardcore nostalgia scene nights... Well I don't hold out much hope and no disservice to the finest record played on the scene for decades. Edited by Byrney
Guest Droylsdonian
Posted (edited)

I bet they played the same old records as they did last time as well.

No idea, missed it 1st time round  :D

 

If I were a licence payer, though, I'd have expected them to have found a better midget to stand bottom-right  & sign the vocals. 

The only one I can think of off-hand always seems busy singing, not signing  :wink:

Edited by Droylsdonian
Posted

It is utterly blinding but I wish I had your optimism. Although I hope there are oldies nights where this would go down well, but hardcore nostalgia scene nights... Well I don't hold out much hope and no disservice to the finest record played on the scene for decades.

you would be surprised what goes down well at oldies night honest

  • Helpful 1
Guest in town Mikey
Posted

No idea, missed it 1st time round  :D

 

If I were a licence payer, though, I'd have expected them to have found a better midget to stand bottom-right  & sign the vocals. 

The only one I can think of off-hand always seems busy singing, not signing  :wink:

 

My stepson is 100% deaf. He caught me having a dance in the kitchen once. I didn't need sign language to know what he thought of it :ohmy:  :wicked:

Posted

you would be surprised what goes down well at oldies night honest

Reading the do you like to feel welcome thread and what's being requested at these nights you're not wrong on that score :)

Posted

That Mighty Lovers is probably the best record I have ever heard but you do it a disservice because it would only take a couple of plays at an oldies night for folks to get it. Unfortunately that aint gonna happen any time soon as it cant get played there.

To most DJ's but Butch has a better pull than any of us. If the rest of us played it you might be right..

  • Helpful 1
Posted (edited)

you would be surprised what goes down well at oldies night honest

 

...I was Ted....both times upon my 'return'!x My 'oldies' came from 100 tunes put on tape in 77/8. Perhaps mainly Wigan/Torch and 'old soul' tunes like Big Bird Eddie Floyd and stuff! It's all I knew....for 17 years listening in me car. When arriving on the scene proper in Xmas 1992....only about 10 of those 100 tunes were being played at doo's....be they Soul Nights or Nighters....Nationally. I found tunes were popular on a 'local' scale....ie a tune that was popular in Cambridge because of the St Ives influence back in the day...may never have been spun in at the same voracity as it was say in Manchester....and so to those.....it was 'newish'...or a little played 'oldie'....! That was my experience whilst on 'tour' for the next 8 years too 2000.

 

Last week-end.....20 years later.....I went to 2 functions....an Anniversary and a Dayer. Tunes from my tapes from the 70's were played at both! But....not the 10 that were being played 13 years ago when I left......but other ones......and......it was brilliant!x I think Chalky said it in another thread.....there are many of the 'top 500' that don;t get played......and....there are tunes that were 'regular' back in the day that didn't make the top 500.....that also have been missed/forgotten. We may talk about them.....but when was the last time you heard them at a doo...or dance to it? Familiarity breeds contempt...I figured that 20 years ago. Folk knew every tune I played generally......BUT.....they just hadn't heard them or danced to them for years! I was a 'punter' who had that experience last week-end at both functions. I was dancing to tunes that I never got round to playing in the 90's....but are having their day now.....35 years after I first heard them!x Bobby Diamonds 'Stop'....James Bounty 7 Day Lover......2 tunes I played 'locally' at me Soul Nights when DJing....but never heard them spun elsewhere in the 90's on the A/N scene or owt! Both were spun last week-end to much acclaim....and perhaps it was the first time i'd actually danced to them myself as a punter....since me bedroom in 1976/7...30+ years after those tunes were supposed to be 'classics'....!xThat's after being to over 400 functions in me time with a serious commitment for going...as a Promoter or DJ....which meant I was 'switched' on to what I was hearing...and dancing too!x I was pleasantly surprised last weekend at the amount of 'oldies' and what would be considered 'state of the heart' tunes being played....the quality....and indeed witnessed the enthusiasm they were received with by the dancers and punters!x Good times methinks are ahead!x 

 

During my spot....I played 15 records.....and 6 came from my 100 tunes on tape. Nobody played them all week-end....yet 'bread and butter' really!x What others were playing were tunes from the classic era that weren't played in the 90's with any vigour. I was one of the widest travelled DJ's back in the 90's to suss out the National picture. London/Blackburn quite often in the same week-end.....Birmingham/Leeds/Bristol for a change!x Winsford/Droylsden/Bretby/Manchester.....and all of East Anglia 'covered'...then yep....I do believe based on the forum comments and what I heard last week-end Ted...old and new......things are 'exciting' out there...I reckon!x 

 

LUV

SOOTY

X

 

....blimey....I dunno where this came from in me head......never ever ever played it........! But love it and have done for 35+ years every time it came around on me tapes driving around the UK in the 80's.....and tbf.....it's ripe....i'd say!x Bu**er........spent £3k in the past 4 weeks.....din't play 1 of them at the doo's.......and the reason???? With £3ers out there like this unplayed.......I can't be being respectful to what's gone before....can I???....!x I will be....I promise!x

@@

~

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO3LCtyty5M

Edited by SOOTY
Posted

Thing is , it seems to be what you know , If you don't know it , it's crap , until you know it , does that make sense ?

 

Being a listener of records I tend to like something straight away or I don't like it , there are very few records I didn't like and then did

 

 

Time for tea me thinks :hypo:

 

Swifty

  • Helpful 1
Guest soul elite
Posted

I think it's sad that some here are focusing on the clothes and taking the piff. Surely one of the reasons why NS evolved in the first place was to get away from the mainstream and do your own thing amongst people with the same spirit. I couldn't give a monkeys toff about what people look like when they go to a club - it's the music that's drawn me there. If I like something I see I make a mental note about it and do some searching. I don't wear that sort of "clown" gear but if they want to and enjoy it then so be it. Personally, I think people like them who go up and down the country taking in the venues are helping to keep it all going. Certainly, if a few people watching that programme take a look at their clothes and think "NS isn't for me" then that's no loss. However, if they go "Hmm, NS allows you to be yourself and have a fantastic time, free from prejudice" then I think that's great.

 

To be honest, I'm one of the few that can actually say they haven't been to Wigan Casino! I know, it's a scandal. It's mainly due to being born in 1972!!

 

Best part of the programme was Mason being interviewed straight after coming off the dance floor - all sweaty and boosted by the memories. Summed up the feeling when you miss a few weeks of it for me.


Posted

Dear Detective Constable Warmesley or " Cream " as you were known to your friends in Bolton K Division

 

Being one of those " little bleeders"   It Has Taken Many years to Find you ....

 

 I Have had a Mystery that i think you and your collegue Det Constable Turner may be able to shed a bit of light on......     

 

You May remember that you busted me in 1974 with 50  Phenmetrazine Theoclate tablets ( FILON ) .......     How come when i got to court 45 of them had gone Missing ?????     

 

Yours....... Still Puzzled   ....   B

Posted (edited)

Have only just been able to watch this and I can`t for the life of me remember the tune with `mashed potatoes` in it??  My memory `aint what it used to be...  :g:

Edited by Orotava
Posted

Have only just been able to watch this and I can`t for the life of me remember the tune with `mashed potatoes` in it??  My memory `aint what it used to be...  :g:

 

There was A Time - Gene Chandler??

Guest soul elite
Posted

Does it really matter what people flipping wear.... How shallow!

Guest soul elite
Posted

There lies the difference between then and now.... we were there for the music only not the blessed clothes.

Posted (edited)

post-14807-0-74436800-1382527442_thumb.j  Does,nt matter what you wear post-14807-0-35492200-1382527853_thumb.j I allways try to look my best certainly dont want folks getting the wrong impression

Edited by Mark S
  • Helpful 1
Guest soul elite
Posted

Hmm... You're the one in the circle outfit then yeah? haha

Guest
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