The Brits

[Mike]

 

 

 

 

 

ok both had your say, can you now drop this exchange or if feel really must carry on then  take it to pms

thanks

mike

[Ian Dewhirst]

I've kept my mouth firmly shut til now but... There is absolutely zero common ground between 'happy' and 'move on up' Ian. Happy is not even a soul record, it's just another pop record with a motown-style beat if you like, just as Culture Club 'church of the poison mind' or Vanessa Paradis 'Be My Baby' were. I really can't see how it represents anything to do with soul music other than it's the most commercial end of it possible. It's become almost sacrilegious to not like this recording and you are deemed as some kind of killjoy if you don't want to jump up and down and sing it at the top of your voice. I'd rather listen to the many new releases over the last 10 years and more that shit all over it from a great height personally.

 

The NS connection is a marketing mans dream come true, I'm really not at all interested in that angle, the scene existed before it and the Brits and it will afterwards. Young people getting into soul music - fantastic, it's great music. Pop music masquerading as soul, no thanks

 

IMHO

 

Cheers Sutty

 

I take your point Sutty, but I kinda disagree. For sure, musically, we'll both agree that "Move On Up" is obviously the better record (after all, who could beat Curtis)?. My point was that "Move On Up" was an uptempo Soul tune with a falsetto lead which became a hit BECAUSE of the UK/European reaction, in exactly the same way that, 40 odd years later, "Happy", another uptempo Soul tune with a falsetto lead, has done exactly the same thing but to a much greater extent. Both records were essentially unknown in the U.S. at their time of release and both record's successes have come from the UK and European markets rather than the domestic U.S. market. This stuff interests me for the reason that there's a long history of similar things since the late 60's - Felice Taylor, Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon, The Elgins, Rodger Collins, even William Bell's "Happy" come to think of it.

 

For a record like "Happy" to sell a million in the UK alone is quite some achievement in my opinion. It was written as part of a soundtrack and not even intended as a single (and in fact it hasn't even been released in the U.S. to my knowledge). Any similarity to "Church Of The Poison Mind" is entirely within your mind IMO. It's a ridiculously commercial record which happened by accident and a million people in the UK will buy it and love it enough to hopefully dig deeper and find the real stuff, in the same way that when people heard "Band Of Gold" or "Tears Of A Clown" they eventually progressed to the Northern scene. Isn't that what pretty much happened with all of us?

 

Ian D

[Sutty]

I take your point Sutty, but I kinda disagree. For sure, musically, we'll both agree that "Move On Up" is obviously the better record (after all, who could beat Curtis)?. My point was that "Move On Up" was an uptempo Soul tune with a falsetto lead which became a hit BECAUSE of the UK/European reaction, in exactly the same way that, 40 odd years later, "Happy", another uptempo Soul tune with a falsetto lead, has done exactly the same thing but to a much greater extent. Both records were essentially unknown in the U.S. at their time of release and both record's successes have come from the UK and European markets rather than the domestic U.S. market. This stuff interests me for the reason that there's a long history of similar things since the late 60's - Felice Taylor, Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon, The Elgins, Rodger Collins, even William Bell's "Happy" come to think of it.

 

For a record like "Happy" to sell a million in the UK alone is quite some achievement in my opinion. It was written as part of a soundtrack and not even intended as a single (and in fact it hasn't even been released in the U.S. to my knowledge). Any similarity to "Church Of The Poison Mind" is entirely within your mind IMO. It's a ridiculously commercial record which happened by accident and a million people in the UK will buy it and love it enough to hopefully dig deeper and find the real stuff, in the same way that when people heard "Band Of Gold" or "Tears Of A Clown" they eventually progressed to the Northern scene. Isn't that what pretty much happened with all of us?

 

Ian D

I understand your viewpoint Ian but since when was the NS or soul scene about commerciality? It's about uncommerciality isn't it, the music that doesn't fit in with the mainstream and challenges the listener and gives more back, creates passion, offers more. So what if a tune sells a million, Phil Collins sells more than that on a bad day I expect. If it's a gateway to truly great soul music all good, but let's not be fooled into believing that its anything other than that as it is a pop record that will be about as memorable as all the rest of the pop shite that had its 5 minutes then disappeared thank god. It's not exactly Mel Britt is it, but it could lead to people hearing Mel Britt for the first time and going 'wtf is this'. Everyone starts somewhere and should be welcomed, but not at the expense of a watered down soul scene catering for pop music, when it loses what it is all about. It will survive.

 

Hard to get the point over without sounding patronising or elitist, which is not the intention at all, just the opposite.

 

IMHO again of course m8, hope to catch up soon for a beer!

Edited February 20, 2014 by Sutty

[Ian Dewhirst]

I'm not suggesting the Pharrell record was a premeditated attempt at commercialising Northern Soul. I realise that's not the case. I'm just pointing out that Northern Soul has developed and survived thanks in no small part to the fact that it is (was) very difficult to market. A million selling pop record is about as far from what I understand Northern Soul to be as it's possible to get.

 

Actually I get your point but I think it could very much be a generational thing. I'm 58 going on 59 in two weeks. As a kid of say, 12 years old in 1967, I started hearing songs like "I Can't Help Myself" - the Four Tops, "Love Is Like An Itching In My Hear" and "You Keep Me Hangin' On" - the Supremes and "This Old Heart Of Mine" - the Isley Brothers on UK mainstream radio. All were Motown and all were million-sellers I believe. So, for my generation, we eventually got into Northern Soul because we were hearing incredible records that were mainstream UK hits at the time and designed by Berry Gordy to be big hits. Round my way, every youth club at the time was hammering the Motown hits. We listened, we assimilated and eventually dug deeper and discovered Northern Soul. On our doorstep luckily. 

 

So million-selling pop records were exactly what Motown was pumping out and, as we all know, Motown was the template for Northern Soul. The UK audience has always been incredible at picking out the gems and it heartens me to see that, in 2014, we're still every bit as good at picking out the gems and expressing our individuality to the rest of the world as we ever were. Pharrell Williams can probably not believe his luck at making the right record at the right time for the perfect audience. Records can still sell a million in the UK in 2014???? Yep. 

 

How many 5-15 year olds in the UK right now will be reacting to the appeal of "Happy" and go on to become serious collectors and train-spotters in the future, like everyone currently on this forum? 

 

F*kin' LOADS! It's in our culture and long may it continue.

 

Ian D

[Guest john s]

'Happy' surely must be a single in the US, that's where the 45s that have been selling for silly money are from - they were $8 from CD Universe.

[Mark R]

What's all the fuss about because Darrell Banks, Jackie Wilson, Major Lance are still Gods and David Ruffin is still in charge so don't stress people.

Actually, I think you'll find that the likes of Anthony Hamilton and Calvin Richardson are in charge in the 21st century. .....life goes on!!

Cheers,

Mark R

[Sutty]

Anyway the trains left the station now, it's in the lap of the gods. I just hope it turns out that people who get into it are more like Tom (hello Sir!) on here and really get into it and not major record company marketing depts (unless they do it properly like you Ian) - shine your shoes sir? ))))

[Ian Dewhirst]

I understand your viewpoint Ian but since when was the NS or soul scene about commerciality? It's about uncommerciality isn't it, the music that doesn't fit in with the mainstream and challenges the listener and gives more back, creates passion, offers more. So what if a tune sells a million, Phil Collins sells more than that on a bad day I expect. If it's a gateway to truly great soul music all good, but let's not be fooled into believing that its anything other than that as it is a pop record that will be about as memorable as all the rest of the pop shite that had its 5 minutes then disappeared thank god. It's not exactly Mel Britt is it, but it could lead to people hearing Mel Britt for the first time and going 'wtf is this'. Everyone starts somewhere and should be welcomed, but not at the expense of a watered down soul scene catering for pop music, when it loses what it is all about. It will survive.

 

Hard to get the point over without sounding patronising or elitist, which is not the intention at all, just the opposite.

 

IMHO again of course m8, hope to catch up soon for a beer!

 

I refer the honourable gentleman to the previous reply above. BIG F*CKIN' HIT RECORDS as you're growing-up are very influential and create future collectors and committed musos, who all have to start somewhere.

 

Many of us weren't all blessed with hearing "The Young Mods Forgotten Story" as we exited the womb Sutty.   Some of us had to put up with "My Guy" and "Baby Love" before we found the good stuff. It's a learning process. Hook a million kids up with "Happy" and 1000 future committed uptempo Soul lunatics will emerge believe me.

 

It's elementary maths innit?

 

Beer soon right?

 

Ian D X

[Ian Dewhirst]

'Happy' surely must be a single in the US, that's where the 45s that have been selling for silly money are from - they were $8 from CD Universe.

 

Nope. Wax Poetics magazine rang me a few weeks back to try and get a grip on this. According to Monk from Wax Poetics, as of late January, "Happy" was totally unknown in the U.S. and this led to a discussion as to how this could happen and then to a wider discussion about the cultural differences between the UK and the USA. I haven't seen the resulting article yet, but I talked with Monk for almost an hour about the differences between the countries and how "Happy" was the perfect record for UK audiences based on cultural history. At that point it had only hit No.1 once I believe. Since then........stratosphere.

 

I bet the U.S. release it soon. I think we were first on "Tears Of A Clown" weren't we?

 

Ian D

[Guest john s]

Sorry, so how come it's on a US 45 if it's not a single?

[Bagasulph]

Actually I get your point but I think it could very much be a generational thing. I'm 58 going on 59 in two weeks. As a kid of say, 12 years old in 1967, I started hearing songs like "I Can't Help Myself" - the Four Tops, "Love Is Like An Itching In My Hear" and "You Keep Me Hangin' On" - the Supremes and "This Old Heart Of Mine" - the Isley Brothers on UK mainstream radio. All were Motown and all were million-sellers I believe. So, for my generation, we eventually got into Northern Soul because we were hearing incredible records that were mainstream UK hits at the time and designed by Berry Gordy to be big hits. Round my way, every youth club at the time was hammering the Motown hits. We listened, we assimilated and eventually dug deeper and discovered Northern Soul. On our doorstep luckily.

So million-selling pop records were exactly what Motown was pumping out and, as we all know, Motown was the template for Northern Soul. The UK audience has always been incredible at picking out the gems and it heartens me to see that, in 2014, we're still every bit as good at picking out the gems and expressing our individuality to the rest of the world as we ever were. Pharrell Williams can probably not believe his luck at making the right record at the right time for the perfect audience. Records can still sell a million in the UK in 2014???? Yep.

How many 5-15 year olds in the UK right now will be reacting to the appeal of "Happy" and go on to become serious collectors and train-spotters in the future, like everyone currently on this forum?

F*kin' LOADS! It's in our culture and long may it continue.

Ian D

You can't seriously be comparing Holland Dozier, Smokey Robinson, Ashford & Simpson, Marvin Gaye et all to Pharrell?? come on!!

There's million selling pop records and there's million selling pop records.

[jocko]

Actually, I think you'll find that the likes of Anthony Hamilton and Calvin Richardson are in charge in the 21st century. .....life goes on!!

Cheers,

Mark R

Jahiem says you are getting some thug action for forgetting him, and Bashiri Asad says you must be dreaming if you don't count him!

[Guest Dave Ward]

It's a good song, well produced and sung well. We can all go back to WB, or PPM, or VH. If I'd tipped Pharrel Williams out of a Soul Pack in 1980 I'd have been as happy as a pig in shit.

[Mark R]

You can't seriously be comparing Holland Dozier, Smokey Robinson, Ashford & Simpson, Marvin Gaye et all to Pharrell?? come on!!

There's million selling pop records and there's million selling pop records.

And my 78 year old father-in-law thinks there is no good music after the 70's......

Cheers,,

Mark R

[Mark R]

Jahiem says you are getting some thug action for forgetting him, and Bashiri Asad says you must be dreaming if you don't count him!

Heads a shed Jocko lad.....knew someone would pick me up.......but yes, how could I forger Mr. Hoagland......especially on here! !

Cheers,

Mark R

[Ian Dewhirst]

You can't seriously be comparing Holland Dozier, Smokey Robinson, Ashford & Simpson, Marvin Gaye et all to Pharrell?? come on!!

There's million selling pop records and there's million selling pop records.

 

Well, yeah, I am in a way. Pharrell Williams is merely the 2013/14 version of the above. Not only was he the featured vocalist of the two biggest-selling records of 2013 ("Get Lucky" and "Blurred Lines") but he kicks off 2014 with his self-penned (I think) and biggest-ever hit with "Happy".

 

It's not really about personal taste here. All of the above artists you mentioned are among my favourite artists musically, no question. And I wrote off Pharrell many years ago because I disliked his N.E.R.D. stuff. But he's finding his groove now in my opinion. So I'm beginning to come around. I like his records.

 

When they look back @ 2014, like it or not, "Happy" will be the biggest-selling record of the year.

 

Y'know, it could be much much worse..........

 

Ian D

[Sunnysoul]

Well, yeah, I am in a way. Pharrell Williams is merely the 2013/14 version of the above. Not only was he the featured vocalist of the two biggest-selling records of 2013 ("Get Lucky" and "Blurred Lines") but he kicks off 2014 with his self-penned (I think) and biggest-ever hit with "Happy".

 

It's not really about personal taste here. All of the above artists you mentioned are among my favourite artists musically, no question. And I wrote off Pharrell many years ago because I disliked his N.E.R.D. stuff. But he's finding his groove now in my opinion. So I'm beginning to come around. I like his records.

 

When they look back @ 2014, like it or not, "Happy" will be the biggest-selling record of the year.

 

Y'know, it could be much much worse..........

 

Ian D

 

Much like Raphael Saadiq (and Tony Toni Tone) from the 80s/90s whose work I never really cared for until he discovered where the good grooves really are in recent years...

Edited February 20, 2014 by sunnysoul

[Guest lofthope]

Wow, I was a guest at the Brits last night and was blown away when I saw the dancers, as I hadn't been expecting it. Fantastic, I've now had a chance to see the TV footage too, which looks great.  It was a strange night, during the pre event meal the DJ in the O2 was playing Aretha, Sam Cooke, etc and finished with The Moments.....not what I was expecting to hear at all! Sam Smith did a performance during the meal too, exceeded my expectations all round TBH

[Ian Dewhirst]

Wow, I was a guest at the Brits last night and was blown away when I saw the dancers, as I hadn't been expecting it. Fantastic, I've now had a chance to see the TV footage too, which looks great.

 

Echoed around the world mate. All the conversation at the office today was based around the impact of the Northern Soul dancers behind Pharrell.

 

We've been lamenting about the lack of young people coming through and we just got thrown a terrific bone in front of a huge international audience.

 

Another perfect example of Northern Soul's wide-reaching appeal and ability to organically evolve with the times.

 

Ian D

[Ric-tic]

Interesting fact: no one in the USA knows this record. It's not even available as a single over there. This is a purely European phenomenon.

 

really? sometimes ian i think you make it up as you go along its number 2 over there and number 1 r&b...

[Steve S 60]

really? sometimes ian i think you make it up as you go along its number 2 over there and number 1 r&b...

 

Just heard it on the car radio driving around Orlando.

[Ian Dewhirst]

really? sometimes ian i think you make it up as you go along its number 2 over there and number 1 r&b...

 

Honestly I don't mate. As of 4 weeks ago it was unknown over there when it already was No.1 over here. I know this because I was contacted by a U.S. journalist who was investigating how come. Luckily it's all on record, so I guess we'll read about it soon.

 

However, this is a U.S. record and it's been @ No.1 twice over here already and big since early December 2013, so it's taken 'em a while to catch up ay?

 

Ian D

[Ian Dewhirst]

Just heard it on the car radio driving around Orlando.

 

OK, looks like the U.S. finally smelt the coffee. Massive worldwide smash in every territory then. Berry Gordy couldn't even have planned it better!

 

In 2064 they'll all be file-digging for "Happy" sound-alikes then.......

 

Ian D

[Geeselad]

personally I cant see how anyone involved in an underground scene can think that the blatant commercial exploitation of a subculture that's taken generations to evolve, or dissolve for that matter, can be a positive thing. 'happy' says nothing to me about the qualities of northern soul i appreciate. 'happy' is highly commercial pop written with children in mind, am I missing a connection here to the bittersweet refrains of the salvadors or lou pride?  

Edited February 21, 2014 by geeselad

[Sean Hampsey]

It's a 'Pop - Soul' kinda thing.

 

It's certainly not James Carr.

 

It's not even Sam Dees.

 

It's definitely not Lou Pride.

 

It's 'Baby Love' for a new generation.

 

It's happened before and it will happen again..when most of us are all dead and gone.

 

It's all only Rock N' Roll and I like it... a bit.

 

 

Sean

[Guest WheelCity45]

Greetings,

 

From a rare soul fan aimed at those who are negative 

 

From an 18 year old myself along with my top mate (nstomp97) who`s been stereotyped already on here

which is fair enough as the soul scene wouldn't be normal without politics or criticism too which we fought it was a great performance from our friends on stage as watching with an open mind considering BBC were involved but it`s great they had a chance to have an experience like that in public who are Genuine passionate Soulies who are out pretty much most weekends supporting the scene !

 

Pharrel Williams is a great pop record which will no doubt be big on the commercial scene (handbag soul nights) along with that Tribute 45 B*ll*cks ! We fresh blood have just as much right to be apart of the scene considering we`ve made sacrifices to own original records & reissue`s when first starting out & learning the history behind the records etc tho I do agree the dress code of the 70`s in this day & age is a piss take but hey if it make`s them "HAPPY" then let them carry on ! 

 

So in the words of Gia Mateo - If Ya Can`t Say Anything Nice Then Watch A Jim Davidson Show 

 

Kind Regards,

 

 

[Ric-tic]

Honestly I don't mate. As of 4 weeks ago it was unknown over there when it already was No.1 over here. I know this because I was contacted by a U.S. journalist who was investigating how come. Luckily it's all on record, so I guess we'll read about it soon.

 

However, this is a U.S. record and it's been @ No.1 twice over here already and big since early December 2013, so it's taken 'em a while to catch up ay?

 

Ian D

but its been on the u.s chart for seven weeks! i would have loved to hear your phone conversation with the journalist with you explaining our history of buying uptempo records over the last 40 years when it probibly would have been easier to just say its number 1 probibly because it is in a film soundtrack and was on one of the top selling christmas dvds  seriously how can you call this a phenomenon?

[Sunnysoul]

personally I cant see how anyone involved in an underground scene can think that the blatant commercial exploitation of a subculture that's taken generations to evolve, or dissolve for that matter, can be a positive thing. 'happy' says nothing to me about the qualities of northern soul i appreciate. 'happy' is highly commercial pop written with children in mind, am I missing a connection here to the bittersweet refrains of the salvadors or lou pride?  

 

" highly commercial pop written with children in mind "  ... you mean just like Johnny Caswell, Beverly Anne, Holly St James, Paul Anka ... ?

[Guest Krissii]

It's a 'Pop - Soul' kinda thing.

It's certainly not James Carr.

It's not even Sam Dees.

It's definitely not Lou Pride.

It's 'Baby Love' for a new generation.

It's happened before and it will happen again..when most of us are all dead and gone.

It's all only Rock N' Roll and I like it... a bit.

Sean

I don't think its as good as this was , 2008 ?

Kings Go Forth - One Day

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hR3TvMJQcUc

Edited February 21, 2014 by Krissii

[Guest Krissii]

Echoed around the world mate. All the conversation at the office today was based around the impact of the Northern Soul dancers behind Pharrell.

We've been lamenting about the lack of young people coming through and we just got thrown a terrific bone in front of a huge international audience.

Another perfect example of Northern Soul's wide-reaching appeal and ability to organically evolve with the times.

Ian D

But it wasn't "organic" . Pharrell Williams has been a huge star for a long time, in the States and here.

Everything gets so corporate and commercialised. When the This England thing was aired it was on national TV but it still had a kind of quirky eccentric homely anorak feel about it. But this is different , its choreographed and marketed. The young people are great , fantastic dancers, all of them ,but its not them in a natural dance hall setting.

Years ago I think record companies, A&R and the Entertainment Industry still cared for the music, it did get commercialised , like punk, but now its all about putting a slick gloss on everything and smoothing off the edges, so its palatable and bland for the American and global mass market. Its the same with football and TV , where are the Play For Today dramas or Boys From The Black Stuff ? , its all marketing and brands now , its all about the money.

Northern Soul was never a slick city scene, it was a grimy mill towns and colliery towns affair, and NOT , as some keep saying, underground . Far from it . It is played everwhere in the north of England and always has been.

Some Dresser payed by a big record company based in NY can dress them up in tartan ? ! and what they THINK the scene is or what they think sells but its not real is it ? Its not a true representation.

Yes its great if music "echoes around the World" . Music is for everyone and this great dance music should be shared as much as possible but there was just something too stage managed about it . Its the Brits . Its industry , sell sell sell

Edited February 21, 2014 by Krissii

[Soulman58]

personally I cant see how anyone involved in an underground scene can think that the blatant commercial exploitation of a subculture that's taken generations to evolve, or dissolve for that matter, can be a positive thing. 'happy' says nothing to me about the qualities of northern soul i appreciate. 'happy' is highly commercial pop written with children in mind, am I missing a connection here to the bittersweet refrains of the salvadors or lou pride? Hi Geese possibl

Hi Geese, possibly the fact that the writers, performers were hoping for similar success, the obviously in a very different world

[pikeys dog]

"Jokey" Off topic post hidden and now removed.

 

Please remember this topic is in All about Soul, not Freebasing.

[dedji1955]

Some of the girls dancing can be seen out n about most weekends,although it didn't come across but they are very good dancers and commited soul lovers.

Some of the girls have no doubt been around Northern Soul all their lives and have parents and family members who have attended venues for many years

The Britts whernt for me, they had fun, it wont do any harm and they don't deserve the backlash they have received from some!

[Bagasulph]

Well, yeah, I am in a way. Pharrell Williams is merely the 2013/14 version of the above. Not only was he the featured vocalist of the two biggest-selling records of 2013 ("Get Lucky" and "Blurred Lines") but he kicks off 2014 with his self-penned (I think) and biggest-ever hit with "Happy".

 

It's not really about personal taste here. All of the above artists you mentioned are among my favourite artists musically, no question. And I wrote off Pharrell many years ago because I disliked his N.E.R.D. stuff. But he's finding his groove now in my opinion. So I'm beginning to come around. I like his records.

 

When they look back @ 2014, like it or not, "Happy" will be the biggest-selling record of the year.

 

Y'know, it could be much much worse..........

 

Ian D

 

We're talking about two different things here - I'm talking about music, you're talking about business.

 

"Get Lucky" is the most overhyped record of the last God knows how many years. It sold a lot, but it's not a good song. Far from it. "Blurred Lines" isn't even worth discussing. "Happy" is by an overhyped performer, whose hype is directly related to at least one other overhyped record and was produced as part of the soundtrack to an overhyped film. It doesn't read well, and if you can see comparisons to Motown, other than by measuring success, you need to get your ears cleaned out!

 

You really honestly think Pharrell fans are going to become serious collectors and train-spotters in the future? Obviously one or two will, but that's despite liking "Happy" not as a result of it. It'll be a load of people's ring tone for a couple of weeks before becoming the tune that gets your granny up on the floor at a wedding. 

[Ian Dewhirst]

But it wasn't "organic" . Pharrell Williams has been a huge star for a long time, in the States and here.

Everything gets so corporate and commercialised. When the This England thing was aired it was on national TV but it still had a kind of quirky eccentric homely anorak feel about it. But this is different , its choreographed and marketed. The young people are great , fantastic dancers, all of them ,but its not them in a natural dance hall setting.

Years ago I think record companies, A&R and the Entertainment Industry still cared for the music, it did get commercialised , like punk, but now its all about putting a slick gloss on everything and smoothing off the edges, so its palatable and bland for the American and global mass market. Its the same with football and TV , where are the Play For Today dramas or Boys From The Black Stuff ? , its all marketing and brands now , its all about the money.

Northern Soul was never a slick city scene, it was a grimy mill towns and colliery towns affair, and NOT , as some keep saying, underground . Far from it . It is played everwhere in the north of England and always has been.

Some Dresser payed by a big record company based in NY can dress them up in tartan ? ! and what they THINK the scene is or what they think sells but its not real is it ? Its not a true representation.

Yes its great if music "echoes around the World" . Music is for everyone and this great dance music should be shared as much as possible but there was just something too stage managed about it . Its the Brits . Its industry , sell sell sell

 

Actually I agree. The Brits is probably one of the most stage-managed events out there. This year's edition lost 2,000,000 live TV viewers but has also become the most-tweeted show of all time and is generating an incredible churn rate on You Tube (269,900 views for the Pharrell Williams performance in 24 hours). The face of modern media ay.......

 

Ian D 

[Ian Dewhirst]

but its been on the u.s chart for seven weeks! i would have loved to hear your phone conversation with the journalist with you explaining our history of buying uptempo records over the last 40 years when it probibly would have been easier to just say its number 1 probibly because it is in a film soundtrack and was on one of the top selling christmas dvds  seriously how can you call this a phenomenon?

 

I spoke to the journalist on the 29/01/14 - just over 3 weeks ago and, at that point, "Happy" wasn't really on the U.S. radar but remember by that date the record had been No.1 in the UK twice and was No.1 in every country in Europe, so it was a valid question at that point. The record has leapt spectacularly in the U.S. in the last 3 weeks probably as a result of it's European success. It should go No.1 over there next week which puts it 8 weeks later than the UK. 

 

It's a phenomenon when a record rebounds back to No.1 on it's first release run. You can probably count on one hand the records that have managed that feat. The UK sales patterns on this record are off the scale. The record will sail past a million copies in the UK next week which a real rarity these days outside of charity or X-Factor releases.

 

Ian D   

[tosspot]

Just saw the vid of this, & IMHO, no matter how popish the song was, the advertisement for our scene was priceless

[Steve G]

    

 

Hi Tom, blow a kiss to yer Dad from me! 

 

I understand your viewpoint Ian but since when was the NS or soul scene about commerciality? It's about uncommerciality isn't it, the music that doesn't fit in with the mainstream and challenges the listener and gives more back, creates passion, offers more. So what if a tune sells a million, Phil Collins sells more than that on a bad day I expect. If it's a gateway to truly great soul music all good, but let's not be fooled into believing that its anything other than that as it is a pop record that will be about as memorable as all the rest of the pop shite that had its 5 minutes then disappeared thank god. It's not exactly Mel Britt is it, but it could lead to people hearing Mel Britt for the first time and going 'wtf is this'. Everyone starts somewhere and should be welcomed, but not at the expense of a watered down soul scene catering for pop music, when it loses what it is all about. It will survive.

 

 

 

Spot on Paul….I remember when I tracked down Tom Tom in the early 80s…..I wanted to talk to him about Brothers & Sisters on Toddlin Town, Cheryl Berdell and a host of obscure Chicago acts…..He was over the moon and wanted to talk to me about the fact he'd just been flown to London to mix Phil Collins "You can't hurry love"…..I thought he was taking the pee (the record hadn't been issued at that point)….and I remember thinking "Phil Collins? Is he bonkers?". 

 

But…..we've always had commercialism tugging on the coat tails of the northern scene, it comes and goes again, and comes back….no doubt there will be more from Señor Levine before long too……You are right about "church of the poison mind", Boy George etc…..only difference is Pherrell is from the US and a person of colour….Pherrell is a good fun pop record, nothing more. Its never going to be "northern soul"….

Edited February 21, 2014 by Steve G

[Emily73]

I remember when Johnny Vaughan used to have the Northern Soul Patrol sketches on his show, people were winging because the dancers were Scooterists and not real "Soulies".

I think someone even sent a letter into Scootering to complain about the quality of the dancing and it gave the Soul scene a bad name!

 

As far as I'm aware I don't think the Soul scene suffered and I don't imagine the dancing at the Brits will have any sort of impact one way or another?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2_CSz3D-VM

[Jordirip]

….Pherrell is a good fun pop record, nothing more. Its never going to be "northern soul"….

 

But Steve, when the unimaginative soul night DJ's play it every night next to Tribute to Betty, Drizzzzzzzzzzzabone and whatever that last one was that everyone was on about, and the punters fill the floor hoofing to it, then it will have become 'Northern soul'. Aren't those the rules when trying to explain why Paul Anka when we get there(pop), James Fountain (funk), Crow (psych rock) etc, etc are all classed as northern ....."if it gets plays on the Northern scene, then it's Northern."

 

 

[Soulman1953]

IMHO, as a young soulie of 16 myself, the scene I LOVE, and many others love, for it to have any chance of surviving needs new blood, a load of whiney soul snob bastards with comments like "Where did it all go so, so wrong?!!" are never going to take this scene anywhere.... fresh, enthusiastic, music-loving kids (similar to a bunch of kids who went to an old casino club in Wigan in the 70's) who have discovered this fantastic sound of black American soul music, with a heavy beat to die for, and fast tempo.... Remember that first record that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end? They're are kids out there now, finding a euphoria with Northern Soul, some 50 years after teenagers first had it... Now if that's not the magic that will keep this scene going, I don't what is....   

could not agree more young soulie,what will happen to the scene when 60year old farts like me,pop their clogs it    needs young guns like,yourself to keep it alive.if it was left to the soul snobs,and soul police we would still be watching black and white tv's betamax videos and the only records you could buy on the luddite lable'.lol sharp'y.

Edited February 21, 2014 by Soulman1953

[Steve G]

….Pherrell is a good fun pop record, nothing more. Its never going to be "northern soul"….

 

But Steve, when the unimaginative soul night DJ's play it every night next to Tribute to Betty, Drizzzzzzzzzzzabone and whatever that last one was that everyone was on about, and the punters fill the floor hoofing to it, then it will have become 'Northern soul'. Aren't those the rules when trying to explain why Paul Anka when we get there(pop), James Fountain (funk), Crow (psych rock) etc, etc are all classed as northern ....."if it gets plays on the Northern scene, then it's Northern."

 

I get it Jordi…..Unimaginative DJs, hand baggers etc…..let's not go down that route and divert the thread off course  , and just avoid such places   . I wonder who'll be playing Pherrell at a soul night then     ….and how long before it's a "massive dance floor filler"  …..PS Am not 100% sure the Crow doesn't have a black vocalist y'know…..Anyone ever seen a pic of 'em….?

Edited February 21, 2014 by Steve G

[Pete S]

popp thier glogs

 

Ar, they do that.

[Guest MrC]

Ar, they do that.

[Jordirip]

…..let's not go down that route and divert the thread off course

 

Yes, you're right, I think it was on topic but I know what you mean.

[Guest MrC]

Anone interested in the clothing worn can bid for Pharrells hat on a well known auction site

 

The description of the item says that it was designed by Vivienne Westwood and that "the hat comes with a letter of authenticity."

 

The song has been nominated as best song at the Oscars too, so this thread could run and run!

 

  

[Ian Stacey]

very rarely say anything on soul source but this time I will I it  thought it must brilliant for all the dancers that took part did the scene a favour he told the country twice thank you to his northern soul dancers hopefully the youth of this land will pick up on it and start attending soul nights & allnighters  we need more youth involved in the scene .One of the dancers maddy  we met at the dome  & was part of  the dancers I filmed for my own video's utube  great dancer a good person .

       SO HATS OF TO ALL YOU DANCERS THAT TOOK PART VERY PROUD OF YOU ALL    

[Mike]

the Bristol Post has a news item on it all

 

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Levanna-s-night-Brits-Pharrell-Nile/story-20673371-detail/story.html

[Pete S]

the Bristol Post has a news item on it all

 

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Levanna-s-night-Brits-Pharrell-Nile/story-20673371-detail/story.html

 

Nice 

[Maark]

Of course it was unrepresentitive of the Soul scene. When was the last time you saw a dance floor populated only by young fit females? 

 

Anyone who begrudges Levanna and the other young souls their moment in the sun is a curmudgeon in my opinion. We all have different experiences on our respective northern soul journeys. Who is to say what is the right or wrong way to enjoy northern soul?