BBC2 Northern Soul Prom on Saturday 26th August

[Frankie Crocker]

TV listings have the Northern Soul Prom to be screened at 7.45 - 9.15 pm. The programme is sure to provoke much commentary so here’s a plea in advance to stick to what you hear and what you see! By all means make critical comments, but let’s keep them objective. Having been at the Albert Hall for the concert and heard it twice on iPlayer, I’m still full of praise for the event. Anyway, let’s hear what your thoughts are.

[Frankie Crocker]

What a brilliant performance. The orchestra was spot on. The singers were excellent rotating from backing roles to read vocalists. The audience got more and more into the occasion as the evening progressed, especially after The Night. Some songs had been edited out - Bobby Paris, Eddie Holman, Just Brothers, Jimmy Beaumont, Luther Ingram, Carstairs, Edwin Starr all got the chop. All in all, a hugely enjoyable experience for everyone, lifelong soul fans and folk new to the music. Let’s hope the BBC repeat the format in years ahead such was the apparent success of the venture. 

[Owd Codger]

Yes Jimmy Beaumont was a highlight, sadly cut.

[Frankie Crocker]

2 hours ago, Owd Codger said:

Yes Jimmy Beaumont was a highlight, sadly cut.

Decent tune but one for the connoisseur. A lot were cut out to allow the panel to chat at the start and part way through. Little did we know the Beeb had booked a box for some back-stage preamble. The inclusion of a dance-class from Levanna surely must have raised a few eye-brows.

[Owd Codger]

The radio show had a similar break with chat, interviews etc.( Mr Maconie) I think it ran overtime, but sadly, some tunes were cut for TV.

 

[Twoshoes]

10 hours ago, Frankie Crocker said:

Let’s hope the BBC repeat the format in years ahead such was the apparent success of the venture. 

I haven't seen how the event was received by the wider public, maybe we will find out after last nights showing. I was hoping we might hear how the musicians and singers found the experience.Perhaps with the wealth of instrumentals to pick from we might get a future prom focusing on them. Without the subjective opinions on the quality of some of the vocals an instrumental prom would maybe be better received by the naysayers.

    Much as I enjoyed it there is no substitute for the real thing which had me thinking , if I was Joe public watching  would it make me want to go to an event, not sure it would but that's just me.

[Kenb]

5 minutes ago, Twoshoes said:

I haven't seen how the event was received by the wider public, maybe we will find out after last nights showing. I was hoping we might hear how the musicians and singers found the experience.Perhaps with the wealth of instrumentals to pick from we might get a future prom focusing on them. Without the subjective opinions on the quality of some of the vocals an instrumental prom would maybe be better received by the naysayers.

    Much as I enjoyed it there is no substitute for the real thing which had me thinking , if I was Joe public watching  would it make me want to go to an event, not sure it would but that's just me.

Much as I enjoyed it there is no substitute for the real thing which had me thinking , if I was Joe public watching  would it make me want to go to an event,....

Hope not

[Woodbutcher]

8 minutes ago, Kenb said:

Much as I enjoyed it there is no substitute for the real thing which had me thinking , if I was Joe public watching  would it make me want to go to an event,....

Hope not

Could be the basis for a good door policy first question ... "Did you watch and enjoy the Prom ?"

If answer be "Yes" then it's a resounding "best you bugger off somewhere else then" ... 

[Stephen Houghton]

We watched this event and what a top event it was .absolutely loved it a breath of fresh air played on a completely different format setting. Well done bbc

[Lucky One]

I must admit that I enjoyed it for the most part. The chap who sang the drifter did a good job, one of my all time favourite songs. Not as good as the going to a venue but certainly better than watching the usual dross that mainstream television is these days.

[davidwapples]

It was a great adaptation of classic northern tunes by the orchestra 

 

Well worth a watch,  I hope the other songs that were edited out are shown one day or even released on DVD 

[Roburt]

Really enjoyed the TV show. Seeing / watching the audience's reaction just added to the experience.

[Frankie Crocker]

7 hours ago, Twoshoes said:

I haven't seen how the event was received by the wider public, maybe we will find out after last nights showing. I was hoping we might hear how the musicians and singers found the experience.Perhaps with the wealth of instrumentals to pick from we might get a future prom focusing on them. Without the subjective opinions on the quality of some of the vocals an instrumental prom would maybe be better received by the naysayers.

    Much as I enjoyed it there is no substitute for the real thing which had me thinking , if I was Joe public watching  would it make me want to go to an event, not sure it would but that's just me.

Stuart Maconie’s reaction pretty much summed up the success. The conductor was actually dancing at one stage! Members of the orchestra were evidently enjoying themselves, possibly having a change from the classical dirge usually foisted upon them. The audience in their hundreds had a great time boogieing to the tunes - I saw the Gypsy Kings at the Albert Hall a few months ago and only a tiny number of fans stood up to dance. I hope Joe Public stays well away from all soul events but would encourage anyone interested to buy a CD or research the YouTube archive.

It was interesting to see the exclusion of the two instrumentals. Clearly the vocal tunes were favoured by the editors. Sure, Mike Post and Checkerboard Squares would make good listening along with the Mirwood output etc but I suspect the singers made for better entertainment for casual armchair viewers.