The Greatest Dancer

[Olivernorth]

Here we go again, someone from our scene cuttin rug, on prime time

[Frankie Crocker]

You beat me to starting the thread. The Greatest Dancer currently on BBC1 has just featured a hopeless ‘dancer’ showcasing Northern Soul dance moves. The acrobatic stunts were amateurish in their execution. The tippy-toes prancing style was excruciating to watch. I can only express total embarrassment with regard to this shameless exhibitionism. I will spare the old lad further shame by not naming him. As one of the comperes said, ‘if he wore different shoes, he would look like a clown’... well he did a fine job of looking a total kook and ridiculing the scene just a bit further and on prime time. Pass the sick bucket please...

[Okehsoul1952]

Wow.......just can't believe what i've just seen......didn't expect to see that on TGD! Another useless dancing prick ridiculing this exclusive scene of ours....Giovanni...suggest you DO get dancing lessons!!

[Topo1964]

5 minutes ago, Okehsoul1952 said:

Wow.......just can't believe what i've just seen......didn't expect to see that on TGD! Another useless dancing prick ridiculing this exclusive scene of ours....Giovanni...suggest you DO get dancing lessons!!

 

[Guest Shufflin]

don't really watch TV what sound did they abuse?

[Zed1]

41 minutes ago, Shufflin said:

don't really watch TV what sound did they abuse?

James Carr - That's what I want to Know.....

 

Edited January 4, 2020 by Zed1

[Frankie Crocker]

11 minutes ago, Shufflin said:

don't really watch TV what sound did they abuse?

That’s What I Want To Know... Mind you, some old biddy was dancing to Hawaii Five-O later on and doing a better job of it...once a Casino classic...

[Wayoutgirl]

Oh dear

Just seen it on BBC player but clicked off half way through his stint.

Seems a lovely man but another example of how the Northern scene is seen by the masses.

[Markw]

Showaddywaddy Northern. 

[Zed1]

Starts around 42 minutes in....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000d2lv/the-greatest-dancer-series-2-episode-1

 

[Speedlimit]

1 hour ago, Zed1 said:

James Carr - That's what I want to Know.....

 

Why do these people do this that's what I want to know

[Veedub]

Unbearable to watch  after a few seconds. I don't even tell anyone im into Northern anymore 

[Tomangoes]

To be fair it's a hard tune to look good dancing at.

Probably a born again norvun soulie who got some retro spencers for Xmas. 

Saw loads at skeggy butlins of the same ilk.

There is an industry built around them though, so many promoters will have loved it, and this fella could get promotional work! Ordinary Joe meets never learned to dance, springs to mind.

The splits might have been an error though...don't try this at home! The NHS can't cope with any more crisis at the moment.

Ed

[Ian Parker]

10 hours ago, Zed1 said:

Starts around 42 minutes in....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000d2lv/the-greatest-dancer-series-2-episode-1

 

Not sure if i dare watch.....

[Ian Parker]

i lasted 4 seconds. 

[John M]

Suppose we should admire his bravery in going on prime time TV, but sadly, a very poor NS dancer. 

[Shinehead]

Coming to a working men's club near you !  Oh fu*k it already has.

And why are polo shirts worn tucked in by old guys , strictly for the young and slim.

[Leicester Boy]

Never understand why people do this, for me when I'm on the floor I'm lost in the record and not worried about looking like a fecking show pony. Just ummm dont .

[Winsford Soul]

Why watch stuff like that when you know what is going to happen, then come on here moaning about it afterwards.  Simple answer.  Dont watch . 

[Greedy]

I watched it with my son Kevin as after reading what people had put we never dreamed it could be that bad.  But we were crying with laughter. It certainly made a grey Sunday morning a lot brighter.  We are now saying that we like rare soul music to people and have no idea what northern soul is. Never mind KTF this was more WTF

[Guest]

Crikey? I thought he was okay! More energy and movement than most geezers on the NS scene these days!  Slimmer, bouncier and actually looked like he was enjoying himself!  Cripes the guy even did the splits!!  These days it's just a load of beer bellies stepping from side to side looking miserable as sin and pulling faces to the music, trying a spin and almost falling over.  Okay, so his arms were a bit "tiptoe through the tulips" but everyone has a "style".  At least he wasn't boring and "wooden".

Ok so the outfit was ridiculous, but unfortunately those trousers are synonymous with the scene, because that's what you guys used to wear? You thought they were cool back then!?  Loads of you wear polo shirts, in and out!  

I'll tell you what, I'd give anything to have the energy to dance like that.  

Just sayin...... I'm leaving the country now....quickly!  

Dare I press send? Erm......too late......

[Guest]

22 minutes ago, Flamingemeralds said:

Crikey? I thought he was okay! More energy and movement than most geezers on the NS scene these days!  Slimmer, bouncier and actually looked like he was enjoying himself!  Cripes the guy even did the splits!!  These days it's just a load of beer bellies stepping from side to side looking miserable as sin and pulling faces to the music, trying a spin and almost falling over.  Okay, so his arms were a bit "tiptoe through the tulips" but everyone has a "style".  At least he wasn't boring and "wooden".

Ok so the outfit was ridiculous, but unfortunately those trousers are synonymous with the scene, because that's what you guys used to wear? You thought they were cool back then!?  Loads of you wear polo shirts, in and out!  

I'll tell you what, I'd give anything to have the energy to dance like that.  

Just sayin...... I'm leaving the country now....quickly!  

Dare I press send? Erm......too late......

Those trousers were/are synonymous with the dickheads and the Sacred Holy Brotherhood of Clowns, Polo shirts came from the mod era, no-one ever wore those ridiculous patch-pocketed cinema curtains until TV arrived on the scene!

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Steve Lane said:

Those trousers were/are synonymous with the dickheads and the Sacred Holy Brotherhood of Clowns, Polo shirts came from the mod era, no-one ever wore those ridiculous patch-pocketed cinema curtains until TV arrived on the scene!

All the lads I knew on the scene did, back in the seventies. Soul bags!  They looked as daft then as they do now, but they were in style at the time. Fashion style comes and goes.   Yes, it's an outdated "look" for today but the guy was trying to be authentic surely?  You only have to look at the photos of the queues outside the Casino.  Flappy trousers were hip and had a loyal following of genuine soulboys, who I still know and who are still on the scene.  Anyway, I've said my bit.  Just my opinion. I thought he was ok and put on a far better performance than most male NS dancers do these days.

[Wayoutgirl]

2 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Why watch stuff like that when you know what is going to happen, then come on here moaning about it afterwards.  Simple answer.  Dont watch . 

Curiosity killed the cat

To be honest I was being nosey and  just had to see what everyone was talking about . 

[Veedub]

1 hour ago, Flamingemeralds said:

All the lads I knew on the scene did, back in the seventies. Soul bags!  They looked as daft then as they do now, but they were in style at the time. Fashion style comes and goes.   Yes, it's an outdated "look" for today but the guy was trying to be authentic surely?  You only have to look at the photos of the queues outside the Casino.  Flappy trousers were hip and had a loyal following of genuine soulboys, who I still know and who are still on the scene.  Anyway, I've said my bit.  Just my opinion. I thought he was ok and put on a far better performance than most male NS dancers do these days.

They used to look good on teenagers weighing 9 stone, anybody else, forget it !

Edited January 5, 2020 by Veedub
spelling

[Monny1916]

6 hours ago, Tomangoes said:

To be fair it's a hard tune to look good dancing at.

Probably a born again norvun soulie who got some retro spencers for Xmas. 

Saw loads at skeggy butlins of the same ilk.

There is an industry built around them though, so many promoters will have loved it, and this fella could get promotional work! Ordinary Joe meets never learned to dance, springs to mind.

The splits might have been an error though...don't try this at home! The NHS can't cope with any more crisis at the moment.

Ed

 

[Monny1916]

Just now, Monny1916 said:

 

In 1972/1973 if you were more than 9st you were getting ripped off for you're 10 a quid

[Hornet]

7 hours ago, Shinehead said:

Coming to a working men's club near you !  Oh fu*k it already has.

And why are polo shirts worn tucked in by old guys , strictly for the young and slim.

Would deffo tuck mine in my Spencer’s if I was 2 stone lighter , 

[Guest]

On 04/01/2020 at 20:32, Okehsoul1952 said:

Wow.......just can't believe what i've just seen......didn't expect to see that on TGD! Another useless dancing prick ridiculing this exclusive scene of ours....Giovanni...suggest you DO get dancing lessons!!

The guy seemed genuine mate.  Since many of the scene are now in their 60s and collecting years why all the distain?  Its only dancing after all and I like a person whose able to laugh at himself and be vulnerable. Go Giovanni  - you made your muissus happy by the looks of it.

[Blackpoolsoul]

I agree, nice bloke and a credit for a man of 60 (of course we have seen "better" dancers), too may folks to condemn and criticise, He's on telly though and his wife was very proud as we should be.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

I agree, nice bloke and a credit for a man of 60 (of course we have seen "better" dancers), too may folks to condemn and criticise, He's on telly though and his wife was very proud as we should be.

Well I suppose apart from ridiculing the scene you may be correct.

[Soulfool]

Some of the not so nice comments are a tad unnecessary.  This scene - as far as I am aware - has been of people expressing themselves regardless of dancing ability, as for drawing negative attention to the scene, nonsense, I thought the Dude did good and let the world know that Northern Soul dancing is alive and kicking - pardon the pun.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Steve Lane said:

Well I suppose apart from ridiculing the scene you may be correct.

Do you seriously think that guy went on that show for the sole purpose of ridiculing the scene?  Seriously?!?!  Do you think he bought "The Dummies Guide to Ridiculing the Northern Soul Scene" before the show?  Do you think it was deliberately contrived? A deliberate attempt to discredit the northern soul scene? I don't think so.....

Or is it that you just don't like his dancing or his trousers?

If you're such a superior dancer with much better taste in trousers....why don't you go on the show and show the great British public how it's done....."properly"?  I take it you can do the splits? 

Cruel thread indeed.

[Len]

Been keeping an eye on this thread - I’m sure the guy on the telly is well aware that if you put yaself ‘out there’ you’re gonna be open to both praise & criticism.

I recon he is of an age where he couldn’t care less - Good on him for that.

Len 

[Winsford Soul]

2 minutes ago, Len said:

 

I recon he is of an age where he couldn’t care less - Good on him for that.

Len 

Len my friend.  I've always been at a age that I couldn't care less.

I've not seen the programme or any of the footage so can't comment , not that I have ever commented about anyone's dancing.  Every single person dances to the best of their own ability to records they  choose.  I may not like the record that they're dancing around to  but thats my choice.  

[Bruv]

Nice bit of advertising for Stockport Soul Clothing Strides, just a shame they were man city blue colour! 

[Len]

Just now, Winsford Soul said:

Len my friend.  I've always been at a age that I couldn't care less.

I've not seen the programme or any of the footage so can't comment , not that I have ever commented about anyone's dancing.  Every single person dances to the best of their own ability to records they  choose.  I may not like the record that they're dancing around to  but thats my choice.  

Good for you mate  Alas my teenage angst is still with me at the age of 49 and a half - Hence 'power to him' for not giving a t*ss about what people think. 

There's a lot more important things happening in the world to be bothered about such goings on 

Len 

[Mssoulie]

Ffs. 

[Tomangoes]

I think 'vesty' does it better....

Ed

 

[Len]

Awful record btw 

Len 

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Tomangoes said:

I think 'vesty' does it better....

Ed

 

Those three are fab dancers.....oh look!! Those trousers and that skirt? And not a BBC camera in sight? How odd?  I don't think anyone would accuse these fab three of ridiculing the scene! 

[Tomangoes]

Back in the day it was 40 inch bottoms and 28 inch top.

Funny how life turns upside down:)

It is a terrible record to dance to .....and look good.

Ed

 

[Guest Shufflin]

let's celebrate wonderful dancing

 

Edited January 6, 2020 by Shufflin
and be thankful for what we have

[Algsoul]

more like it

 

[Headsy]

8 hours ago, Flamingemeralds said:

Those three are fab dancers.....oh look!! Those trousers and that skirt? And not a BBC camera in sight? How odd?  I don't think anyone would accuse these fab three of ridiculing the scene! 

I think they do ridicule the scene by dressing like that but it is a free country and they  CAN dress how they like..

[Blackpoolsoul]

Perhaps Giovanni can get his spins a little better for the next round

 

[Rhino]

I personally think people wanting to dance in old clothes is up to the individual but there seem to be scenes within the scene. Honestly never see to many in the venues I attend. If you don't like it stop going to oldies nights as from what I've seen they look like there enjoying themselves. Different strokes for different folks. Leave them to there memories I'm off to create new ones. Depends on your point of view.... 

[Bbrich]

Please correct me if i'm wrong but my memory of the baggies trousers (mid 70's) is that they were 'high waisted' i.e. 3 or even 4 buttons....  and the single belt loop style was really on jeans and came in a bit later.?   But I guess the 'high waisted' wouldn't work with the majority having larger beer bellies......  so they are not even true to the original style. It may have course just be my mixed up memory......

[Veedub]

30 minutes ago, Bbrich said:

Please correct me if i'm wrong but my memory of the baggies trousers (mid 70's) is that they were 'high waisted' i.e. 3 or even 4 buttons....  and the single belt loop style was really on jeans and came in a bit later.?   But I guess the 'high waisted' wouldn't work with the majority having larger beer bellies......  so they are not even true to the original style. It may have course just be my mixed up memory......

Some people have them specially made, they have them machined over a wok.

[Moxey25]

I the scene has been turned in to a joke sold my record collection after 40 years.  Im out