Current State Of Northern Soul In Uk 2007

[Mike]

just a poll where can pass on whats your view on the current state of northern soul scene in the uk if you wish

idea behind this and similar polls is its just a chance to grab a quick, interesting , no fuss, sort of snapshot of members views at the current time

that may generate some interesting/enjoyable discusssion

will close in a week or so

[Soulsmith]

I'd be interested in hearing the views of the people who ticked the Who Cares box.

Not asking them to justify their views, just seems strange thing to vote.

[Sanquine]

Very mixed bag right now - so many people with different agenda's - taste's. Nowaday's people's health n circumstance's - sometime's dictate their need's from the scene. As an example some that used to spend most of nite on dance floor now spend more time listening - changing the tempo they like to hear played out.

One thing I don't understand - hear a few mention fed up of oldie's - yet don't frequent the more upfront venue's and never look to see what dj's are on before a night out - then feel the nite they attended hadn't been what they expect. Too many venue's, especially on the same nite, but that's obvious to anyone, say no more....

Imo seem's to be a bigger divide today on music taste's, but that I guess has been inevitable with the amount of year's that the scene has been part of our live's..

Don't feel the scene is in a relaxed and comfortable state with it's self right now...

Karen

[stomper45]

I'd be interested in hearing the views of the people who ticked the Who Cares box.

Not asking them to justify their views, just seems strange thing to vote.

hoping they might have meant; who cares about what others think, i'm enjoying it.

rather than they dont give a stuff if the scene went bossums skywards

be good to see results anyways

[Guest kevnewry]

hoping they might have meant; who cares about what others think, i'm enjoying it.

rather than they dont give a stuff if the scene went bossums skywards

be good to see results anyways

My sentiments too, cant understand why anyone wouldnt care, i'm lovin it second time around

[Jumpinjoan]

Having been sad enough to never really been 'off' the scene as it were... i can honestly say it's getting better music wise.

It was bloody terrible from the late 90s until about the last few years.

Still got a hell of a long way to go till it catches up with the level it was at in the mid 80s to early 90s imo.

Still love it just as much though... regardless

[Guest Bearsy]

My sentiments too, cant understand why anyone wouldnt care, i'm lovin it second time around

Im loving it first time round, i just cant imagine how much better it could of been although i guess it was but i was never fortunate enough to of been there seen it done it, but im loving every minute of it now and thats all that matters to me,

i thinks many a people were too spoilt in the first place and are forgetting the most important thing that just never changes, the music that you personally enjoy the most.

[Guest Baz]

Healthy dog for me (is there such thing as a healthy dog? most hot dogs have anus in them )

[Phil Shields]

Having been sad enough to never really been 'off' the scene as it were... i can honestly say it's getting better music wise.

It was bloody terrible from the late 90s until about the last few years.

Still got a hell of a long way to go till it catches up with the level it was at in the mid 80s to early 90s imo.

Still love it just as much though... regardless

missed most of the 9ts but agree that the mid 8ts was a high that will be hard to better

from my point of view in belfast things have never been as good

be interesting to see the result

[Guest Jamie]

Everyone will have a different take and a different opinion, each based on their own experiences.

On the venue side of things I'm personally bewildered at the number of 'new' events springing up on regular basis, especially in areas already saturated with existing local events.

I would think you'd have to be some kind of crazy, sadistic b@stard to even contemplate starting a night.

Maybe I'm looking at things through jaundiced eyes, but where I see new events being advertised in the same locality as established nights and others that have failed I shake my head. Then comes a big 'shock' when it doesn't take off.

Music wise, I think it's fantastic. My only problem is that I have to pick and choose these days as family comes first.

Places like Blackburn Hall Leeds, Thorne, Lifeline, Greatstone, 100 Club, Soul Revolution, Orwell, Soul Shakers Int. (and any other forward-thinking venue for that matter) indicate to me that the choice is there if you're prepared to travel.

Just stop it with the new venues already....

[Guest miff]

I love it, but I dont get out much so for me every night I do go out is party night, No point in traveling acroos the country to find an half empty venue and let it put you on a downer. Also my attitude has changed as to the music, I now like some of most types of the sounds played out, I like modern, 70s, 60s but dont like to hear one type all night long, I like to move from room to room if the venues got differant rooms, or go to a place where the music styles are mixed. Love to hear new stuff too but can still enjoy an oldies night, you just have to go with the right frame of mind and enjoy it for what it is.

To much emphysis on what is northen soul IMO. time we got rid of the northen and just called it SOUL , and get back to enjoying the music, the way it was ment, by dancing to it, and not so much talking about it.

[Guest Byrney]

I jumped ship from around 94 till 2000, so wouldn't say I'm really back on the scene. I only attend a few nighters a year, do the odd Union night, flogged my collection etc etc. Not sure if qualified to comment but fuggit I'll give it a go.

If we're voting on the scene as a whole I'll be honest I ticked the Old Dog (tin hat on). Overall the scene is a very different place to when I was fully involved (80s, early 90s) when there was an excitement and hunger for new and underplayed sounds (and some availability) by DJs the majority of punters.

The largest segment of the scene now days at least in my neck of the woods (East Mids) is based around oldies / nostalgia, looking back etc which quite simply is not for me.

Not all doom a gloom and still love getting out to lifeline, soul revolution, union etc

[Madmandy]

I jumped ship from around 94 till 2000, so wouldn't say I'm really back on the scene. I only attend a few nighters a year, do the odd Union night, flogged my collection etc etc. Not sure if qualified to comment but fuggit I'll give it a go.

If we're voting on the scene as a whole I'll be honest I ticked the Old Dog (tin hat on). Overall the scene is a very different place to when I was fully involved (80s, early 90s) when there was an excitement and hunger for new and underplayed sounds (and some availability) by DJs the majority of punters.

The largest segment of the scene now days at least in my neck of the woods (East Mids) is based around oldies / nostalgia, looking back etc which quite simply is not for me.

Not all doom a gloom and still love getting out to lifeline, soul revolution, union etc

The only thing I miss this time around is the large ...ney huge venues we used to fill

now we're down to village halls welfare halls labour clubs

altho I visit smaller venues now I remember the atmosphere being electric in the big venues

Nearest to it would be Alfreton leisure centre

good atmosphere huge numbers ( for these days)

Mand

Must admit we have a break now and again when we get a bit bored

[Sanquine]

The only thing I miss this time around is the large ...ney huge venues we used to fill

now we're down to village halls welfare halls labour clubs

altho I visit smaller venues now I remember the atmosphere being electric in the big venues

Nearest to it would be Alfreton leisure centre

good atmosphere huge numbers ( for these days)

Mand

Must admit we have a break now and again when we get a bit bored

Hi Mand,

I believe you can't make it your entire life - it's always part of us - but need to have outside interest's - friends etc to keep it fresh.

Karen

[Ernie Andrews]

Its got to be better based on new tunes emerging- how can you say its not better when you have not heard new tunes- The old saying the proof of the pudding is in the tasting!

Edited May 11, 2007 by Ernie Andrews

[Guest kev such]

Having gotten into the scene in 80/81, then taken a sabatical to do me bit for queen and country. I am happy with the scene this time round. Older and wiser now ( ish). Think the best thing now for me as apposed to my first time around is that there is more numerous and diverse venues to attend and all the tunes i didnt hear first time round. Newies and oldies.

Regards

Kev.

Edited May 11, 2007 by kev such

[Daryl]

I love it, but I dont get out much so for me every night I do go out is party night, No point in traveling acroos the country to find an half empty venue and let it put you on a downer. Also my attitude has changed as to the music, I now like some of most types of the sounds played out, I like modern, 70s, 60s but dont like to hear one type all night long, I like to move from room to room if the venues got differant rooms, or go to a place where the music styles are mixed. Love to hear new stuff too but can still enjoy an oldies night, you just have to go with the right frame of mind and enjoy it for what it is.

To much emphysis on what is northen soul IMO. time we got rid of the northen and just called it SOUL , and get back to enjoying the music, the way it was ment, by dancing to it, and not so much talking about it.

Totally agree with this & don't like people saying don't like modern RnB only like oldies etc etc A good mix is good for the SOUL

[Guest Bogue]

I'm not really in the best position to comment but my thinking would be somewhere in between Healthy Dog & Old Dog. Couldn't bring myself to vote Old dog though so Healthy dog it had to be.

Edited May 11, 2007 by Bogue

[Glyn Williams]

Hi Mand,

I believe you can't make it your entire life - it's always part of us - but need to have outside interest's - friends etc to keep it fresh.

Karen

you mean Northern Soul isn't "a way of life" like the stickers say?

[Guest]

Things seem more fractured nowadays than they were say 5 years ago. Internet has a lot to answer for in both positive and negative ways. Very easy to be drawn into the same old nags about what / who / where is best etc etc rather than be happy following what makes you feel good. On the up side, awareness, ability to communicate (music, events, news etc) has never been easier. Its hard to imagine going back to promoting without mobiles, internet, easy access to graphics etc etc. Nightmare!

Still too many new events popping up which (in the main) serve only to dilute a scene which is seeing a gradual decline in regular attendees overall. Some new events offer the diversity that is needed, others just add more of the same to an already full melting pot.

Still, IMHO, love of the music and the friends shines through and weekends wouldn't be the same without it. I'm happy to make the very best of every chance to be part of it, enjoy it while I can and hopefully make the occasional contribution for the common good.

Vive la difference and enjoy your Soul.

Neil Jones.

[Guest dundeedavie]

i still reckon an orwellian panel is the answer , justify the opening of a new night before being allowed to do it ..... bollocks to free will , it's over rated

Edited May 11, 2007 by dundeedavie

[Modernsoulsucks]

I voted "Who cares" under the impression I was stating that I don't care what the perceived state of the scene is based on a poll of a few punters.

I was buying soul 45s before I even knew about rare/Northern or whatever it was called back in 1968 and I will continue buying should it ever completely collapse. Not that there's any sign of that at all thanks to a very dedicated hardcore.

I still hear new 45s to me and the fact that venues have shut or music policy has shifted or numbers have fallen or there are too many clubs does not deter me from still getting a buzz when I add to my collection or find something new.

ROD

[Guest 50box]

I voted healthy dog.

Don`t care if it gets down to one cellar, still not unhealthy.

How do you define healthy? Making profit? Keeping the faith? Filling the dancefloor?

You go or you don`t go it`s there or it isn`t.

Tom.

[Guest ZTSC]

I haven't voted. but I guess it's somewhere midway still for me.

I can honestly say. hand on heart, that it I can still get the same sort of buzz that I did in the mid 70's Wigan era (don't wish to be a boring auld fart) .

With the right people, right venue and right music (etc ... !) this scene can still do it for me. It can be in someone's flat , car, niter - whatever - it does not matter.

I have always , and still am intruiged by the conversations , escapades and enthusiam of certain people who are true devotees of this unique scene and who share a commom passion of soul music to the extreme.

I find it difficult to explain but I'm sure you know what I mean.

We are but humble servants, placed on this planet to give these gifted black people the recognition that they deserve.

Spiritual !

Oh by the way - I reckon healthy dog

Edited May 11, 2007 by ZTSC

[Guest]

just a poll where can pass on whats your view on the current state of northern soul scene in the uk if you wish

idea behind this and similar polls is its just a chance to grab a quick, interesting , no fuss, sort of snapshot of members views at the current time

that may generate some interesting/enjoyable discusssion

will close in a week or so

As with a lot of things that the U.K. has been subjected to in the last few years , I would like to think that the state of the scene at present was the fault of / due to Tony Blair .....

Hopefully it will improve when he goes next month .....

Malc Burton

Edited May 12, 2007 by Malc Burton

[Guest johnm]

Im loving it first time round, i just cant imagine how much better it could of been although i guess it was but i was never fortunate enough to of been there seen it done it, but im loving every minute of it now and thats all that matters to me,

i thinks many a people were too spoilt in the first place and are forgetting the most important thing that just never changes, the music that you personally enjoy the most.

my sentiments exactly. I'm in my forties and after 'discovering' the music now it's been great.

[Guest]

I love it, but I dont get out much so for me every night I do go out is party night, No point in traveling acroos the country to find an half empty venue and let it put you on a downer. Also my attitude has changed as to the music, I now like some of most types of the sounds played out, I like modern, 70s, 60s but dont like to hear one type all night long, I like to move from room to room if the venues got differant rooms, or go to a place where the music styles are mixed. Love to hear new stuff too but can still enjoy an oldies night, you just have to go with the right frame of mind and enjoy it for what it is.

To much emphysis on what is northen soul IMO. time we got rid of the northen and just called it SOUL , and get back to enjoying the music, the way it was ment, by dancing to it, and not so much talking about it.

Yep! - I'm in your gang!.. well put & I totally agree.

I think the number of new venue's in our area seems to have slowed down. A few years ago it was a weekly task to get around as many venue's as possible in one night with flyers. It doesn't feel like I have as much chasing around to do at the moment.

Jayne.x.

[Guest]

Things seem more fractured nowadays than they were say 5 years ago. Internet has a lot to answer for in both positive and negative ways. Very easy to be drawn into the same old nags about what / who / where is best etc etc rather than be happy following what makes you feel good. On the up side, awareness, ability to communicate (music, events, news etc) has never been easier. Its hard to imagine going back to promoting without mobiles, internet, easy access to graphics etc etc. Nightmare!

Still too many new events popping up which (in the main) serve only to dilute a scene which is seeing a gradual decline in regular attendees overall. Some new events offer the diversity that is needed, others just add more of the same to an already full melting pot.

Vive la difference and enjoy your Soul.

Neil Jones.

ooh spooky, I was just thinking that about the Internet!... totally agree.

too many new events popping up?, you reckon??.. Hmmm..

[Daved]

It's past its best imo. Not enough good music that I haven't heard before to keep me enthusiastic about it.

[Guest bill storey]

Hey, Don't get me wrong I am a late starter compared to some but older than others.

I think that everyone is allowed their opinion on the scene whether they were Wigan regulars or not, I got into the music through a collegue of mine, he is somewhat older than me and he told me tales from Wigan Casino, I thought it sounded great so I thought I would check out some of the doo's for my self. Today I think we are at one of the most crucial times for the Northern movement as most of the original crowd are still young enough to turn up and dance and youngsters are being guided in by the likes of 'Soul Source'. A lot of the influence is coming for people who were there at the begining and they have the experience to have seen what works and what doesn't, that's not to say new isn't good but many people and places have been and gone and gowing by that I think we can all look forward to a prosperous and growing underground Northern Soul movement. So I think we are currently in about the best position we have ever been in, not all doo's are great but the one's that are, are really great. Thanks to all the organisers, promoters, dj's and most of all artists. Keep the Faith..

[Jim G]

I think if had you asked me in 1974 would there be a Northern Scene 33 years later, I would have laughed. So that we have a scene should embraced and enjoyed. I fell in love with soul music in 1970 and the northern scene about a year later. Most have probably 'dipped in & out' of the scene from time to time, but still love the thing.

[Guest Mart B]

Nice post bill i think i have the respect to give my opinion of the state of Northern soul scene.Ive been on the scene since 1973 mostly on for me the late 70ts and all through the 80ts and early 90ts was a special time for me hearing good oldies, and djs at the time introducing new stuff at random to get people "educated" to what the scene is all about.The scene at present imo at most clubs is all about the social soulies play that tune one more time. I havent got a problem with "that "but if people love "northern soul"that much theres "alot" of sounds out there thats good on the ear..... which needs hearing!.

[Geordiejohnson]

Hi Mike I ticked the who cares box...why,

well years ago i loved it coz i was young and it was all fresh and couldnt wait to get to a venue to hear something new, and at the time i was over zealous myself that there was nothing better than "Northern soul", and id only find what i was looking for at a Northern venue

Then over the years the music has, for me, become same ol same old on the "Northern Soul" scene.

When I opened my ears and actually listened to SOUL music i started to enjoy a different culture from the early 70s to date. if i go to a NORTHERN SOUL venue i wont hear what anything new and most of the time im left cold at the music policy of playing safe,

i hear better tunes at dave and bri pinches on a saturday afternoon, than ive heard at many a venue for years now.

Last time i really enjoyed nyself was about 3 years ago at sheridans at one of butches spots,

for me the question of what is the current state of northern soul in the UK 2007

Same as it was in 1984 but with some of the old youth club crowd getting back into it swelling the ranks wanting to hear what they loved about the scene 1974-79 not knocking them for coming back but the music policy of many venues needs to progress.

I ran the friendship for 4 years and we tried to be progressive with "Modern tunes" from 1971 onwards (mixing in 60s of course) and we were shafted for it, see malc burtons summary of the corner pocket closing in mexborough on this site, i think that outlines the state of the scene....in South Yorkshire anyway.

so who cares..is it better or is it worse, lets just enjoy the music i know a few folk die hard 60's fans who tap along and sing a few phrases to a 70's tune, then deny they like it...as if it matters,

The soul scene is healthy ... the Northern soul scene.

......lets loose the tag line for the dance style me thinks then the tunes may progress

Geeooooordie

[Guest gibber]

I seem to enjoy it more now then years ago . Great music old and new .

Got to know more people in the last 5 years then I did back 78 to 85 (my regular niter years). Missed most of the 90s

Kept with my gang most of the time,

I voted healthy . Getting worried about how much is on these days though .

5 years ago . Soul magazine events -1 page for 3 months , now 3 pages for 1 month.

Edited May 12, 2007 by gibber

[Guest barnsey]

Having been sad enough to never really been 'off' the scene as it were... i can honestly say it's getting better music wise.

It was bloody terrible from the late 90s until about the last few years.

Still got a hell of a long way to go till it catches up with the level it was at in the mid 80s to early 90s imo.

Still love it just as much though... regardless

echo that

[Little-stevie]

On the music side its better than ever for me with plenty differnt sounds out there due to the fact that its quality and not just cost that gets a tune on the decks....Got so many good freinds from this scene who will be there for life,can't ask for much more really...Still some pondlife but that can be said about life in general..

Yes its a pretty healthy scene and people go where they please more and don't just follow the crowd...The hardcore crowd who want something different will have to really come together in the next few years as numbers fall away,less events and more smaller club nights coming together....Pretty happy i would say...

[KevH]

CURRENT STATE....healthy.

Why, well if we only had 3 clubs or so to go to we'd be complaining about that!!.

When you go to buy bread,there are many varieties,one man's white sliced is another's ciabatta.Too many nites?,,,maybe.....(I blame Thatcher btw,,,letting everyone think you can be a business man,the very thought of it ).

Musically...healthy.Still plenty of sounds out there,forgotten,acetate one-offs,or otherwise.Crossover,modern,r'n'b,popcorn,ciabatta....the enthusiasm is still there but we're all a little older now,things ain't the same,but i'm still enjoying myself.

[Guest soul_hull]

not read full topic but....

should there not have been a...?

'like the scene just now. not as good as the heyday, but probably better than any time since'

[Mike]

ok think fair to say its run its course so will close it now (need to close it to get a final result)

interesting results with most split between healthy and downhill from now

though perhaps could say that if things were solid and vibrant the numbers for "better than ever was" may have been higher

something for anothe rthread perhaps ?

still just a bit of fun, a snapshot of views, and all that

thanks for all who took part and commented