Paul Mason Article On Northern In Saturday's Observer

[Seano]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/11/northern-soul-rebellion-dance-floor-paul-mason?guni=Keyword:news-grid%20main-1%20Main%20trailblock:Editable%20trailblock%20-%20news:Position1

 

 

Observer

[Amsterdam Russ]

Great to read, but his story's getting a bit inconsistent now.

 

In this one, he comments about the attire worn on the scene thus:

 

 

 

So if the first line of northern soul’s credo was “we love the music of black America”, the second was “we love the fashions of Milan”.

 

In his blog post from a few days ago, he commented:

 

 

 

by the early 1980s, baggy trousers worn with leather brogues looked ludicrous.

 

 

Which is it?

[Ady Croasdell]

It's a good article with a few odd bits in it. My main disagreement with it and the now accepted view of Northern is that I got into it for the excitement of the music and scene, I didn't feel rebellious, just a bit naughty for necking caps.

I'm still fed up with the geographical location of it all, here its narrowed down to Lancashire, not even the old industrial North cliche

[Ady Croasdell]

I too became a punk and that felt more rebellious

[Modernsoulsucks]

Someone remind me how this guy got to be the "go-to" authority in the media.

 

Rebellion ? Punk ?

 

Never crossed my mind.

 

ROD

[Ady Croasdell]

Rod, it used to be Stuart Marconi because he lived in Wigan; at least this bloke had a dance.

[Geoff]

There was a bit about this on Broadcasting House on Radio 4 this morning. The 3 talking heads reviewing the Sunday papers (Arlene Philips, Paul Mason, Bryony Gordon) discuss Northern Soul and the forthcoming movie. Listen on iPlayer from 54.21 and come to your own conclusion.

[Modernsoulsucks]

I did.

 

A sad day when Paul discovered he looked better in bondage pants.

 

Just think where we'd be now with his insight and guidance.

 

I told Butch to unfurl the "Paul must stay" banner that night in '79 but professional jealousy got in the way.

 

ROD

[Louise]

It's a good job Mr Mason wasn't present during the period of 'Rob The Stick's' transition from a frumpy ole' fart to a frumpy ole' tart (transexual) that was one hell of a rebellion !!! 

Dave

Edited October 12, 2014 by Louise

[Neckender]

I did.

 

A sad day when Paul discovered he looked better in bondage pants.

 

Just think where we'd be now with his insight and guidance.

 

I told Butch to unfurl the "Paul must stay" banner that night in '79 but professional jealousy got in the way.

 

ROD

Hahahah, brilliant Rod. 

[Drewtg]

It's also a bit iffy. If a dj was playing Harold Melvin in 74, in a school gym! He must have had a few bob.

[richo991]

For me my introdution to northern soul was when my older mates had been to Wigan & came to the miners welfare wed's night bop1974 which where playing mainly motown & soul & top 20, they were dancing differently,I asked them about it and about the dancing,

the following weekend they said they were off to sammanth's at sheffield so off I went totaly blew my away next time it was wigan again loved it became hooked 

81/82 started courting strong married & sort of moved onto the new/wave stuff & fashion 

went to a few do's at Rotherham mid/back end 80s 

started to get back into northern late 90s. get a bit hacked off now & then with same old sameold but its far better than sitting in local at w/end's

P.S hated punk era

Edited October 14, 2014 by richo991

[Frankie Crocker]

Someone remind me how this guy got to be the "go-to" authority in the media.

 

Rebellion ? Punk ?

 

Never crossed my mind.

 

ROD

Err, he was already in the media industry. Fairly high up, big cheese guy on some economics programme BUT had actually been to the Casino in it's heyday so ticked two boxes. Knew some steps - tick. Erudite, articulate, not a coal miner - tick, tick, tick... I think Paul's a good spokesman who has upheld the scene's values, embellished the tales with just enough mystique to keep the young readers interested and the critics animated. As long as he doesn't go the Sharon Finch route and start flogging dance CD's, he's one of the MVP's.

[Amsterdam Russ]

BBC trainee journalist:

"How do you think the macroeconomic climate of 1960s America affected the income and job creation opportunities of the microeconomic music industry players that comprised independent record label owners, producers and promoters, especially when considering the rising spending power of pre-work experience teens and the backdrop of racial disharmony and Vietnam?"

 

Paul Masonic

"Against the backdrop of what? Forget that economics crap. Have you seen me doing a backdrop? I did it on telly, didn't I? Have I told you about that? You didn't see it? Oh, look. Let me show you…"

 

Trainee:

"Oh, that looks painful. Can I help you up?"

 

Paul Masonic

"Oh, yes please…. That hurts. Ooooh... I have to be honest; it took three weeks of training and six takes before I got it right on telly. And even then I had to have an ice pack and a massage afterwards."

 

Trainee:

"I didn't know you were a gambler…"

 

Paul Masonic:

"What…?"

 

Trainee:

"Well, since the TV show last year you're always telling everyone how you went to that casino."

 

Paul Masonic:

"No, you daft 'apeth! I went dancing! More than that; I was a rebel fighting against the system that would eventually land me the top job I've got today. I was part of the underground elite that would eventually reach its rebellious pinnacle by making it onto Top of the Pops - what a day that was!"

 

Trainee:

"Wasn't it all about drugs?"

 

Paul Masonic:

"No, pet. I was never drawn into the downwardly spinning cycle of debauchery, drugs, baggies and crap disco records. I was dressed in my best Italian clobber at all times."

 

Trainee:

"How do you do backdrops in tight Italian trousers?"

 

Paul Masonic:

"Very carefully! Listen love, how about I take you home and let you have a feel of me patches? If you're lucky, I might let you have play with me cover-ups!"

 

Trainee:

"Ooh, get you. Cheeky. Has anyone told you that you dance like me dad?"

 

Paul Masonic:

"Doh!"

Edited October 14, 2014 by Russell Gilbert