BBC Radio Four Woman's Hour: Northern Soul feature

[Kesalocasoul]

Did anybody else hear this on Friday?  The NS feature starts 29 minutes in...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001v3w2

[Tlscapital]

NS = The Levana Connection

[Paul-s]

Questions:

I've been on the scene since 76 and have no recollection of Eve Arslett? Nor has anyone else when I have asked around. Northern Soul DJ? Where? 

The part about Bristol has never heard of northern soul demonstrates a severe lack of knowledge or an ignoring of.Ricky Brown organised Bristol nighters/dayers, Yate etc and can't recall her apparently? More interestingly, is the fact that she cannot recall him or other Bristol soulies.

A random guy took her 'up north' to an all-nighter in a sports hall 40 years ago that held 1000 or more people? Name that 'sports hall? 

I don't know about you, but i remember the name of my first all-nighter and those i went with. It feels like a made up history to me...

Is anyone fact-checking this stuff? The BBC are usually all about that 

[Jessie Pinkman]

44 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

Questions:

I've been on the scene since 76 and have no recollection of Eve Arslett? Nor has anyone else when I have asked around. Northern Soul DJ? Where? 

The part about Bristol has never heard of northern soul demonstrates a severe lack of knowledge or an ignoring of.Ricky Brown organised Bristol nighters/dayers, Yate etc and can't recall her apparently? More interestingly, is the fact that she cannot recall him or other Bristol soulies.

A random guy took her 'up north' to an all-nighter in a sports hall 40 years ago that held 1000 or more people? Name that 'sports hall? 

I don't know about you, but i remember the name of my first all-nighter and those i went with. It feels like a made up history to me...

Is anyone fact-checking this stuff? The BBC are usually all about that 

She says it was to see Edwin Starr at Hinckley Leisure Centre.

[Andy Cullup]

We are now an Algorithm according to the interview !!!

[Billy Jo Jim Bob]

49 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

Questions:

I've been on the scene since 76 and have no recollection of Eve Arslett? Nor has anyone else when I have asked around. Northern Soul DJ? Where? 

The part about Bristol has never heard of northern soul demonstrates a severe lack of knowledge or an ignoring of.Ricky Brown organised Bristol nighters/dayers, Yate etc and can't recall her apparently? More interestingly, is the fact that she cannot recall him or other Bristol soulies.

A random guy took her 'up north' to an all-nighter in a sports hall 40 years ago that held 1000 or more people? Name that 'sports hall? 

I don't know about you, but i remember the name of my first all-nighter and those i went with. It feels like a made up history to me...

Is anyone fact-checking this stuff? The BBC are usually all about that 

BBC 'Woman's Hour' has previous form I think. I recall some years ago there was a female NS DJ (cant remember her name) that was asked to go on the show to tell the women how hard it was to be a female in a mans world. When the producer spoke to her sometime before the planned show, she said that all of the male DJ's were very helpful and she had experienced no sexism at all. The show then said the segment was being dropped. Surprised...not. 

Somebody will know more detail than me but that was the gist of it as I recall.

[Bunderthollox]

Spoiler alert, it's La Lavanina. 

[Tlscapital]

34 minutes ago, Jessie Pinkman said:

She says it was to see Edwin Starr at Hinckley Leisure Centre.

A scooterist event then maybe ?

[Kenb]

1 hour ago, Paul-s said:

Questions:

I've been on the scene since 76 and have no recollection of Eve Arslett? Nor has anyone else when I have asked around. Northern Soul DJ? Where? 

The part about Bristol has never heard of northern soul demonstrates a severe lack of knowledge or an ignoring of.Ricky Brown organised Bristol nighters/dayers, Yate etc and can't recall her apparently? More interestingly, is the fact that she cannot recall him or other Bristol soulies.

A random guy took her 'up north' to an all-nighter in a sports hall 40 years ago that held 1000 or more people? Name that 'sports hall? 

I don't know about you, but i remember the name of my first all-nighter and those i went with. It feels like a made up history to me...

Is anyone fact-checking this stuff? The BBC are usually all about that 

You are right of course. But Cultural appropriation is everywhere, and NS is the newsest incarnation of it. Happy to hear you keep calling it out.

Edited January 15 by Kenb

[Timbo58]

Eve A is 'Levannas' mum & co hosts the Bristol NSC events.

AFAIAA she was connected with Stafford 'Top of the world', at some point -just what I've heard anyway.

The Edwin Starr story aside, it simply isn't credible to say Bristol was a NS black hole before the millennium - nothing about Yate, the ice rink all-nighters or even little events of which there were loads on a regular basis in the city throughout the 80's with a few even popping up since -including some which ran for years & were pretty well attended - stuff like go-go children allnighters etc.

It's pretty ironic to have such a seeming poor memory really, as she had 3 Bristol NS DJs at her own gig last weekend, at least 1 of who has been on the local scene for decades.

Oops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bunderthollox]

Edwin Starr used to regularly turn up at standard nightclubs in the Midlands such as zoots in Leicester for disco crowds, which is up the road from Hinckley. 

And that's a few  minutes of my life I cant get back!

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Paul-s said:

Questions:

I've been on the scene since 76 and have no recollection of Eve Arslett? Nor has anyone else when I have asked around. Northern Soul DJ? Where? 

The part about Bristol has never heard of northern soul demonstrates a severe lack of knowledge or an ignoring of.Ricky Brown organised Bristol nighters/dayers, Yate etc and can't recall her apparently? More interestingly, is the fact that she cannot recall him or other Bristol soulies.

A random guy took her 'up north' to an all-nighter in a sports hall 40 years ago that held 1000 or more people? Name that 'sports hall? 

I don't know about you, but i remember the name of my first all-nighter and those i went with. It feels like a made up history to me...

Is anyone fact-checking this stuff? The BBC are usually all about that 

Hinckley Leisure Centre went there several times  certainly held 1000 plus.

Ric-Tic Review all-nighter was held there inc Edwin Starr

Derek

Edited January 15 by Djack
addition

[Chalky]

1 hour ago, Bunderthollox said:

Edwin Starr used to regularly turn up at standard nightclubs in the Midlands such as zoots in Leicester for disco crowds, which is up the road from Hinckley. 

And that's a few  minutes of my life I cant get back!

Yep I remember seeing him at Moulin Rouge in Chesterfield 83 or 84

[Chalky]

3 hours ago, Paul-s said:

Questions:

I've been on the scene since 76 and have no recollection of Eve Arslett? Nor has anyone else when I have asked around. Northern Soul DJ? Where? 

The part about Bristol has never heard of northern soul demonstrates a severe lack of knowledge or an ignoring of.Ricky Brown organised Bristol nighters/dayers, Yate etc and can't recall her apparently? More interestingly, is the fact that she cannot recall him or other Bristol soulies.

A random guy took her 'up north' to an all-nighter in a sports hall 40 years ago that held 1000 or more people? Name that 'sports hall? 

I don't know about you, but i remember the name of my first all-nighter and those i went with. It feels like a made up history to me...

Is anyone fact-checking this stuff? The BBC are usually all about that 

Never heard of her either until recent years 

[Bunderthollox]

2 hours ago, Chalky said:

Never heard of her either until recent years 

Eve Arslett was talking to a mutual of ours about kicking the doors in at Wigan to get in. The person in question replied b*ll**ks,  you weren't even  there. You have to larf

[Jstarr]

4 hours ago, Timbo58 said:

Eve A is 'Levannas' mum & co hosts the Bristol NSC events.

AFAIAA she was connected with Stafford 'Top of the world', at some point -just what I've heard anyway.

The Edwin Starr story aside, it simply isn't credible to say Bristol was a NS black hole before the millennium - nothing about Yate, the ice rink all-nighters or even little events of which there were loads on a regular basis in the city throughout the 80's with a few even popping up since -including some which ran for years & were pretty well attended - stuff like go-go children allnighters etc.

It's pretty ironic to have such a seeming poor memory really, as she had 3 Bristol NS DJs at her own gig last weekend, at least 1 of who has been on the local scene for decades.

Oops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've known Eve a fair number of years and as she isn't from Bristol originally I'm not surprised she doesn't know the history of soul in the city, she has promoted in Bristol for at least 2 decades on and off. She has a great knowledge and love of the  music which her children have aquired, I guess the current clubs they are promoting are aimed at a different clientelle, don't knock it there's room for all, soul is for everyone surely.

Don't remember ice rink nighters Tim, you're probably thinking of the Mayfair Suite above the ice rink which held regular soul nights and a few all-dayers, these were preceded by the Rockpile both promoted by Tony Clark and both had top quality guest DJ's - if you went you'd know who.

Ricky Brown promoted the all-nighters at Trinity Hall in the early to mid eighties, great venue, great times running around with Ricky too. 

There have been some good nights over the years on the more modern side of things too, Mike Shaw Ian Williams and Steve Harry doing the business at various venues.

[Timbo58]

Thanks Jase.

Your memory is much better than mine & I thank you for the detail. 

I went to the rock pile a few times & the Mayfair suite - although we definitely called it’ the ice rink’ to be fair, probably a throw back to school trips to go skating!
 

To be fair, I’m not knocking either Eve or Levanna personally or the events /clientele they attract - as a promoter I know very well that it’s easy to snipe from an armchair than actually lay down cash & put events on. 
 

Mike Shawe I know from BR - he’s still running events on the modern side too I believe. Nice bloke.
 

Perhaps the statement that seems to have gotten everyone talking was edited?

i can’t think why otherwise such a seemingly definitive statement about ‘nothing being on in Bristol in the past etc’ was made, if you weren’t actually there at the time?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Source Team]

post temporarily removed and topic locked whilst awaiting moderation decision

[Source Team]

3 hours ago, Source Team said:

post temporarily removed and topic locked whilst awaiting moderation decision

A post speculating on how a parent has brought up their child has been removed

Such posts are not welcome on here and members are requested to avoid posting such in the future

[Paul-s]

21 hours ago, Jessie Pinkman said:

She says it was to see Edwin Starr at Hinckley Leisure Centre.

That not 'Up North"?

[Paul-s]

16 hours ago, Bunderthollox said:

Eve Arslett was talking to a mutual of ours about kicking the doors in at Wigan to get in. The person in question replied b*ll**ks,  you weren't even  there. You have to larf

I believe she DJ'd as 'Jackie Brown', not Northern but, like Winstanley (before the Casino), a disc jockey (ette) type of thing playing a bit of everything.

Levanna's name is Abby, so it seems to be an identity created  at the time she began dancing for the Iphone online: in order to market/sell something or other. Definitely a production team (duo). Nowt wrong with that, but lets not pretend there is any Northern Soul history behind it, or any general participation in the Northern Soul scene. It's a kind of Northern Soul tribute act I think. Its all very neatly packaged middle class BBC (Proms, Woman's hour etc.). 

[Jessie Pinkman]

1 hour ago, Paul-s said:

That not 'Up North"?

You wanted to know the name of the sports hall that holds 1,000 people, Hinckley Leisure Centre is the answer. Yes it is 'Up North' from Bristol.

Edited January 16 by Jessie Pinkman

[Paul-s]

3 hours ago, Jessie Pinkman said:

You wanted to know the name of the sports hall that holds 1,000 people, Hinckley Leisure Centre is the answer. Yes it is 'Up North' from Bristol.

Yes, but its not 'up north'. If your from the North you will know.

If i live in Margate and go into London, its not referred to as 'Up North'.

[Catsprint]

On 15/01/2024 at 17:51, Andy Cullup said:

We are now an Algorithm according to the interview !!!

Being a Wigan lad I used algorithm’s when deciding whether to go to the Casino, Mr M’s or the Beachcomber after a bottle of Merrydown in the Bees Knees

[Jessie Pinkman]

11 hours ago, Paul-s said:

Yes, but its not 'up north'. If your from the North you will know.

If i live in Margate and go into London, its not referred to as 'Up North'.

What are you going on about.

You asked the question name the sports hall that holds 1,000 people however your question had already been answered by the lady on the woman's hour programme. She said she went to see Edwin Starr at Hinckley Leisure Centre. End of.

It's no big deal, you misheard her, so what.

I live in the North West so there's no need for the geography lesson.

[Merve]

On 15/01/2024 at 19:07, Djack said:

Hinckley Leisure Centre went there several times  certainly held 1000 plus.

Ric-Tic Review all-nighter was held there inc Edwin Starr

Derek

Yes, spot on Derek I remember seeing Edwin and the Ric Tic review at Hinkley all nighter....early 82 I think. Bearing in mind that it was a sports hall and is further  north than Bristol I guess that's what she was on about.

Doesn't explain why Hinkley wasnt mentioned by name though. I've yet to meet anyone who can't remember the name of their 1st nighter.

[Mike]

7 minutes ago, Merve said:

Yes, spot on Derek I remember seeing Edwin and the Ric Tic review at Hinkley all nighter....early 82 I think. Bearing in mind that it was a sports hall and is further  north than Bristol I guess that's what she was on about.

Doesn't explain why Hinkley wasnt mentioned by name though. I've yet to meet anyone who can't remember the name of their 1st nighter.

it was mentioned by name in the full programme, as been said earlier

The link to the show is up in the first post, you can catch a listen to it all via the link

At a guess I'd say some are basing their thoughts/views on a instagram flyer type video clip for the show rather than the actual show that was broadcast

 

[Paul-s]

15 hours ago, Mike said:

it was mentioned by name in the full programme, as been said earlier

The link to the show is up in the first post, you can catch a listen to it all via the link

At a guess I'd say some are basing their thoughts/views on a instagram flyer type video clip for the show rather than the actual show that was broadcast

 

Just listened to entire thing and as you say it was Edwin at Hinkley. Guess 'up north' is a term used by anyone who lives south nowadays.

More problematic for me was the (cod history) description of NS as just 'its from up north': Its being washed clean of its complexity: 'working class roots', its cultural politics, its reactionary beginnings, pharmaceutical liberation, the pioneering spirit of those who created it and basically its history. Its being cleaned up, like Brixton has been or soho.

Eve started in the 80's as a mod she says (original 80's soul girl as Abby describes her), but seems to have left very little trace in terms of people who know her as a regular on the NS scene, particularly Stafford.

She plugs a Stafford record as her favourite because they have "just brought it out on a single"

The final part when they say "NS has left the North to make Bristol its home" is astonishing and totally ridiculous. Its gaslighting. Perhaps all the other clubs and actual all nighters may find that a shock. Wigan Young Souls, Rugby, 100 club, etc.

Eve also says that they are taking NS into the 21st, as if the NS promoters have not done that through the  decades. Or as if we have not done that through the decades of dedication and knowledge. 2000 was 23 years ago and this outfit have started 7 years ago and don't run all-nighters or go to many despite the quotes about "going out at weekends to dance all night"

As for the 'their album'?! Its a compilation and obviously to us, as we know if we compile an album, its about celebrating the music and musicians: Not us! There is no mention of musicians in any of this interview.

Charly Records and others are trying to attach themselves to the manufactured celebrity (soulless some argue) to do what many have failed to do over the decades, to market a person or figure to sell their merchandise.They could not do it previously as it was about the vinyl and the original musicians and the incredible music, not celebrity.
Now, largely due to the ability to fabricate provenance and celebrity on social media, they are selling NS not as the music, but as a product endorsed by another product who has been created precisely for that purpose.

I have a lot of information and interviews about this, and as Ive said, I am writing a book about this souless co-optation of a soulful scene. I'm hoping to publish this year, we shall see. 

[Kathryn Magson]

1 hour ago, Paul-s said:

Just listened to entire thing and as you say it was Edwin at Hinkley. Guess 'up north' is a term used by anyone who lives south nowadays.

More problematic for me was the (cod history) description of NS as just 'its from up north': Its being washed clean of its complexity: 'working class roots', its cultural politics, its reactionary beginnings, pharmaceutical liberation, the pioneering spirit of those who created it and basically its history. Its being cleaned up, like Brixton has been or soho.

Eve started in the 80's as a mod she says (original 80's soul girl as Abby describes her), but seems to have left very little trace in terms of people who know her as a regular on the NS scene, particularly Stafford.

She plugs a Stafford record as her favourite because they have "just brought it out on a single"

The final part when they say "NS has left the North to make Bristol its home" is astonishing and totally ridiculous. Its gaslighting. Perhaps all the other clubs and actual all nighters may find that a shock. Wigan Young Souls, Rugby, 100 club, etc.

Eve also says that they are taking NS into the 21st, as if the NS promoters have not done that through the  decades. Or as if we have not done that through the decades of dedication and knowledge. 2000 was 23 years ago and this outfit have started 7 years ago and don't run all-nighters or go to many despite the quotes about "going out at weekends to dance all night"

As for the 'their album'?! Its a compilation and obviously to us, as we know if we compile an album, its about celebrating the music and musicians: Not us! There is no mention of musicians in any of this interview.

Charly Records and others are trying to attach themselves to the manufactured celebrity (soulless some argue) to do what many have failed to do over the decades, to market a person or figure to sell their merchandise.They could not do it previously as it was about the vinyl and the original musicians and the incredible music, not celebrity.
Now, largely due to the ability to fabricate provenance and celebrity on social media, they are selling NS not as the music, but as a product endorsed by another product who has been created precisely for that purpose.

I have a lot of information and interviews about this, and as Ive said, I am writing a book about this souless co-optation of a soulful scene. I'm hoping to publish this year, we shall see. 

Well said Paul - you've put all my rambling thoughts into a very succinct nutshell. Thank you! 

[Shinehead]

Look at the film clip to the new Chicken Run movie Levanna has uploaded to Tic Tok some nice spins and things at the end of the routine from the chicken.

It will have some spitting feathers and clucking.

Edited January 18 by Shinehead

[rodders]

On 16/01/2024 at 21:21, Paul-s said:

Yes, but its not 'up north'. If your from the North you will know.

If i live in Margate and go into London, its not referred to as 'Up North'.

I said to my wife,"I'm going up north".

She said "OKeh, love, be up soon, just watching the end of this film".

[Woodbutcher]

13 minutes ago, Shinehead said:

Look at the film clip to the new Chicken Run movie Levanna has uploaded to Tic Tok some nice spins and things at the end of the routine from the chicken.

It will have some spitting feathers and clucking.

 

 

[Shinehead]

That dance should go down a storm in Bristol.

[Mark S]

Not worth getting bent out of shape over. Everyone has thier own NS story and differing points of reference depending when they first got into it, for me early 70s Manchester very different culturally than the 90s and by the time Levanna got into it 2014 the genie was well and truly out of the bottle.                                                       The disinterest demonstrated by the presenter was evident when Levanna spoke about beat ballads and popcorn the presenter never asked what that was it's not normal parlance in everyday speech.                  The media have never understood or represented the scene propperly and never will this was evident with the Proms and various documentarys          Levanna and her Mum are doing no more damage than some of the big name DJs that feel the need to promote the scene and co-operate with the media. The scene has historically gathered its own momentum  in spite of interference will survive. 

[Tlscapital]

38 minutes ago, Mark S said:

Not worth getting bent out of shape over. Everyone has thier own NS story and differing points of reference depending when they first got into it, for me early 70s Manchester very different culturally than the 90s and by the time Levanna got into it 2014 the genie was well and truly out of the bottle.                                                       The disinterest demonstrated by the presenter was evident when Levanna spoke about beat ballads and popcorn the presenter never asked what that was it's not normal parlance in everyday speech.                  The media have never understood or represented the scene propperly and never will this was evident with the Proms and various documentarys          Levanna and her Mum are doing no more damage than some of the big name DJs that feel the need to promote the scene and co-operate with the media. The scene has historically gathered its own momentum  in spite of interference will survive. 

Not worth getting bent out of shape over. BUT FEW WORDS WORTH WE AGRE Everyone has thier own NS story and differing points of reference depending when they first got into it, for me early 70s Manchester very different culturally than the 90s and by the time Levanna got into it 2014 the genie was well and truly out of the bottle.                     YEAH OK                                  The disinterest demonstrated by the presenter was evident when Levanna spoke about beat ballads and popcorn the presenter never asked what that was it's not normal parlance in everyday speech.        THANK THE LORD FOR THAT AS IT WOULD HAVE PROVEN NOT ONLY UNINTERESTING AS IT WAS BUT ENDURING TOO          The media have never understood or represented the scene propperly and never will this was evident with the Proms and various documentarys    THAT'S WHAT UNDERGROUND SCENES ARE FOR     Levanna and her Mum are doing no more damage LANGUAGE USE HERE ! THEY ARE DOING SIMILAR DAMAGES... NOT WORSE I AGREE BUT STILL MORE JUST BY ADDING...  than some of the big name DJs that feel the need to promote the scene and OR THEMSELVES co-operate with the media. The scene has historically gathered its own momentum I AGREE VANITY FIGURES WERE THERE ALREADY WAY BACK in spite of interference will survive. 

Edited January 19 by Tlscapital

[Petesi]

Just my opinion, I went to Yate a couple of times around 77 and to be honest didn`t really like it, even then there seemed to be a different take on what I knew and  grew up with at the Torch, Top rank, Tiffs, Wigan etc, it seemed slower and not the 100mph sweat soaked grit n grime days I was used to. Having lived down south in Kent for the past 20 yrs I certainly see the difference in what`s played and popular at most of the southern clubs and only a few keep to the true spirit of a proper northern soul event. 

PS. Back up north now so can enjoy the real deal again, again there is even a "north/ south" divide in the northern soul scene too LoL.

[Mark B]

1 hour ago, Petesi said:

Just my opinion, I went to Yate a couple of times around 77 and to be honest didn`t really like it, even then there seemed to be a different take on what I knew and  grew up with at the Torch, Top rank, Tiffs, Wigan etc, it seemed slower and not the 100mph sweat soaked grit n grime days I was used to. Having lived down south in Kent for the past 20 yrs I certainly see the difference in what`s played and popular at most of the southern clubs and only a few keep to the true spirit of a proper northern soul event. 

PS. Back up north now so can enjoy the real deal again, again there is even a "north/ south" divide in the northern soul scene too LoL.

We all went to yate (long journey from Manchester) the once and hated it we spent most of the night in mates car listening to tape

[Paul-s]

On 17/01/2024 at 10:17, Jessie Pinkman said:

What are you going on about.

You asked the question name the sports hall that holds 1,000 people however your question had already been answered by the lady on the woman's hour programme. She said she went to see Edwin Starr at Hinckley Leisure Centre. End of.

It's no big deal, you misheard her, so what.

I live in the North West so there's no need for the geography lesson.

I failed my geography CSE....

[Peter99]

Just a couple of points;

Mr Thorley would know what was for what down in Bristol years ago; he has the accent to prove it.  How are you Dave? I made the coach trip to Yate back in the day - just the once. It's one mighty trek from deepest Lincolnshire (Mablethorpe), I was very ill on the journey home.   

I also saw a number of artists at Hinckley Leisure Centre - Eddie Holman and Edwin S included. 

Hinckley Leisure Centre was demolished some years ago. My friend is a Director at Hinckley and Bosworth District Council, she had the responsibility for overseeing that. I did have some discussions with her and the Chief Exec at the time regarding the significant Northern Soul cultural heritage of the venue, with a view to finding a way to acknowledge that in some way which didn't come to anything. I shared some memories, including the many USA soul artists who starred their. I'm not sure if Edwin Starr had relocated to England at the time. 

Edwin lived in Nottingham, until his death. I met him quite a few times, very nice man, amazing voice. He shares the same crematorium as my mum, which I've mentioned many times on SS over the years. Jules Holland, a man who knows his music, imo, once said that Edwin was the best live vocalist that he'd ever hosted on his show.

I hope I haven't gone off topic.

Peter

[Guest]

On 16/01/2024 at 21:21, Paul-s said:

Yes, but its not 'up north'. If your from the North you will know.

If i live in Margate and go into London, its not referred to as 'Up North'.

London is referred to being 'Up Town' or 'Up West' though. Just generic names that are now a bit old fashioned.

I'm afraid Levanna's mum was rather unconvincing but I can't say she was being disrespectful talking about 'Up north'. It's how many people refer to the north of England. Possibly millions of southerners have never been past Watford. They might have been to Honolulu, New York and Tashkent but never Manchester or Sheffield.

Edited January 19 by Dukeofburgundy

[Kenb]

doesn't 'up north' depend on your geographical starting point...unless perhaps your starting point is the outer hebrides?,then maybe up north is the Artic.

I guess 'up north' to me (a woolly back Manc) is anywhere past Preston ( east & west).

[Peter99]

It's grim Up North.

Peter

[Thinksmart]

I've had the misfortune to be interviewed on R4 a couple of times and what you hear is a tiny edit. You speak with a researcher first who takes notes and feeds them on. The interviewer has seen that, but often has little knowledge or interest in the actual subject unless close to them (to be fair, they cover a lot of subjects doing a daily show), it's just filling 5 minutes and trying to find an angle. They also know in many situations their audience has passing interest at best, nobody ever checks back for detail accuracy normally. My most recent interview was ended when I wouldn't give them anything scandalous or confirm their line towards muck raking. They didn't want truth, just an angle that would perpetuate the subject and fill time - BBC is now like them all in needing social media clicks. All the other interviewees had ducked out based on the researcher questioning beforehand.  It's not worth scrutinising a segment too much.

Edited January 19 by Thinksmart

[Paul-s]

1 hour ago, Thinksmart said:

I've had the misfortune to be interviewed on R4 a couple of times and what you hear is a tiny edit. You speak with a researcher first who takes notes and feeds them on. The interviewer has seen that, but often has little knowledge or interest in the actual subject unless close to them (to be fair, they cover a lot of subjects doing a daily show), it's just filling 5 minutes and trying to find an angle. They also know in many situations their audience has passing interest at best, nobody ever checks back for detail accuracy normally. My most recent interview was ended when I wouldn't give them anything scandalous or confirm their line towards muck raking. They didn't want truth, just an angle that would perpetuate the subject and fill time - BBC is now like them all in needing social media clicks. All the other interviewees had ducked out based on the researcher questioning beforehand.  It's not worth scrutinising a segment too much.

Ive had many interviews too. I would disagree, and found that you can say what you need and not have words put into your mouth. For instance, you can  acknowledge that you are not taking NS into the 21st century, that its a 'scene' and already existed very strongly in Bristol, that the new release is to celebrate the musicians who were not celebrated at the time etc. BUT, if you are selling something, its just a marketing exercise devoid of ethics and care. As this demonstrates. 

[Quinvy]

Just another nail in the coffin of the rare soul scene.

Flogging a dead horse.

[Paul-s]

Another turn I didn't expect. At least its not all about narcissism and online curated soul.

'Pornthern Soul'

 

[Quinvy]

On 19/01/2024 at 20:26, Paul-s said:

Another turn I didn't expect. At least its not all about narcissism and online curated soul.

'Pornthern Soul'

That’s bizarre!!!

[Merve]

On 17/01/2024 at 18:35, Mike said:

it was mentioned by name in the full programme, as been said earlier

The link to the show is up in the first post, you can catch a listen to it all via the link

At a guess I'd say some are basing their thoughts/views on a instagram flyer type video clip for the show rather than the actual show that was broadcast

 

You are right. I have only heard the abridged version. I stand corrected. 

[Mike]

can we sack the posting of instagram screengrabs

best leave them on there

thanks

[Timbo58]

When this sort of social media 'look at me I'm doing Northern soul' dance routine was first seen on YouTube etc, it was felt by many, including me, to be 'ok in small doses' or 'Ok for the kids to be doing it'. 

Perhaps we all naively hoped they'd either move onto something else or be encouraged and encourage others into the scene proper, for some time that appeared to be the case.

I wish it had stayed that way as surely that's where the 'as long as they're having fun' statement was fair?

Unfortunately it's where the mainstream national media latched onto this 'new thing' and took those specific creators absolutely seriously, it has crossed the Rubicon.

 

The irony is, that if the genuine respect of the rest of the real rare soul scene were rewarded in hard currency, these people now declaring themselves as spokespeople for the rest of us wouldn't have enough to buy a cup of tea.