Am I A Dinosaur

[Guest]

wicked! i didnt know they did them at brid....ive been to the ones at whitby, and at cleethorpes. i think they do them at scarborough aswell, but i arent sure. whereabouts in brid do they hold them then? i know theres that big sports centre there and the theatre, ive only been to brid holiday wise

as far as good nights go, ive only been on the east coast you see, coz i just used to go over the humber bridge and bobs your uncle, its just a bus ride to grimsby and onto cleethorpes you see. and ive been to a couple in skeggy but they werent really renowned nights.

[Guest]

well yes it is a peter kay thing, and thats why it was even more funny. and yes, i always think wear what you want, but crikey, it really was bad at that particular one, because those particular chavs were the asbo type, starting fights and really making the vibe nasty.

plus, ive been to ns nights where the dj has been armed with a few cds, which i dont really care if its cd or vinyl so long as the tunes are good at the end of the day, but there are limits to how many times you can listen to frank wilsons do i love you indeed i do in one sitting if you catch my drift.

im all for spreading ns to the masses, but there are right and wrong ways to go about it. the one with the chavs that i went to is actually on youtube lol, but the place has been knocked down since. it was in a working mans club in a suburb locally where i lived,lol. and if you bear in mind what ive said about that particular do, i cant belive theyve posted it on youtube. plus the fact theres this bloke i know who is, bless him, lol, still trying to dance through the carnage and dancing quite well under the circumstances,lol.

[Zed1]

I for one believe the scene is losing its working class roots and values and is in danger of becoming a middle aged, middle class, golf club type scene, and woe betide anyone who doesnt like the emporers new clothes.

TBH Barney I think the scene lost it's working class roots many, many years ago - the arrival of middle age and a 'Disposable income' put pay to that...

Back in the day we all thought nothing of travelling hundreds of miles via shite public transport to all these far flung northern towns many of us had never even heard of....... these days most I know won't even get in their brand new cars and drive 10 miles to a venue because it means they won't be able to get pissed...

Also 'back in the day' the DJ's were a very select few who had the access and/or money to get hold of the music we all craved, hence the popularity of Boots with many - nowadays a disposable income and ebay allows pretty much anybody to become a DJ and, for some develop a conscience about those boots which helped drive the scene back then...

In many ways I miss those forays into the unknown via public transport - that element of exitement and a little danger of going to a new venue in a new town to attend what was still then a very underground scene - a scene that many were still unaware of, which made us feel different and 'superior to 'normal' people.....

Great days - but I'm not sure even I'd want to go back to standing around on freezing cold railway platforms at stupid O'clock at night with only 50p left in my pocket to last me all week......

[barney]

got to agree with what you say teapot. but what was adventurous and exciting is now the norm and people are trying to change the scene by playing what I consider music outside the wide spectrum of n/soul just to say they played it and try to justify it by telling us to move on. to what.. as been said there are 10000s of worthy n/soul discs , if djs did their h/work and delved into their collections . they could take a diffrent box to many events before repeating them. yes the s.o.s.o. does get a bit tiresome and as said I can appreciate the odd new sound (you can tell it almost straight away.think some djs have had this bypassed) so if the event is a n/soul event play northern not some wishy washy soft suthern funky discofied tripe in the hope that if they play it often enough we might like.

[Guest]

if you look in all about the soul on here at the thread, born to be alive,lol, its a perfect example if you read it, what people actually think of as northern soul! the dude who posted it up is wicked for finding the clip

[Chalky]

got to agree with what you say teapot. but what was adventurous and exciting is now the norm and people are trying to change the scene by playing what I consider music outside the wide spectrum of n/soul just to say they played it and try to justify it by telling us to move on. to what.. as been said there are 10000s of worthy n/soul discs , if djs did their h/work and delved into their collections . they could take a diffrent box to many events before repeating them. yes the s.o.s.o. does get a bit tiresome and as said I can appreciate the odd new sound (you can tell it almost straight away.think some djs have had this bypassed) so if the event is a n/soul event play northern not some wishy washy soft suthern funky discofied tripe in the hope that if they play it often enough we might like.

well if it ain't for you what some events play (or anyone else) go elsewhere and stop moaning, there are plenty of venues (too many IMHO) covering everything in the wide spectrum of northern soul. Again if a certain DJ you said you don't like is guesting go elsewhere, plenty of oldies venues in the Barnsley/South Yorkshire area that don't play soft southern funky discofied northern soul so personally I don't see what the problem is Its the same for everyone, go where you want, listen to what you want and leave the stuff you don't want to hear to those that do want to hear it

[barney]

well if it ain't for you what some events play (or anyone else) go elsewhere and stop moaning, there are plenty of venues (too many IMHO) covering everything in the wide spectrum of northern soul. Again if a certain DJ you said you don't like is guesting go elsewhere, plenty of oldies venues in the Barnsley/South Yorkshire area that don't play soft southern funky discofied northern soul so personally I don't see what the problem is Its the same for everyone, go where you want, listen to what you want and leave the stuff you don't want to hear to those that do want to hear it

hey up chalkie

I am choosy as to where I go, and if an event is billed as rare or modern I give it a wide berth (personally would rather stay in ,an stick pins in mi eyes) trouble is all you progressive fookers keep attending events billed as northern and imho ruining it for us dinosars

[Guest]

well surely, this thread of barneys is proof alone that hes choosy where he goes to for ns night, surely?

[Guest Matt Male]

hey up chalkie

I am choosy as to where I go, and if an event is billed as rare or modern I give it a wide berth (personally would rather stay in ,an stick pins in mi eyes) trouble is all you progressive fookers keep attending events billed as northern and imho ruining it for us dinosars

I agree with you Barney the billing can be the problem. The last thing i want is somebody turning up at Move On! in January expecting to hear the same old same old from the top 500, then moaning to us on the night or moaning on here. It's not fair to them and it's not fair on us.

Everything our DJs play (i hope) will be recognisable as cracking northern soul from the last 45 years of the scene, but mostly underplayed sounds and forgotten oldies and some 60s newies even, but we don't call it a northern soul event. What we'll be spinning is still quality dancable northern soul in my opinion, but unfortunately unless you play Frank Wilson off a boot thesedays punters say you misled them, so we call it a Rare Soul Night to avoid argument.

I'd love to bill our night as a northern soul night but it's a shame that whereas 25 years ago (when i was a teenager) northern soul meant newly discovered, rarely heard and different, now it doesn't (thanks to Paul O'Grady, Russ Winstanley and others) so we have to use other terms to differentiate ourselves.

As to giving rare soul nights a wide birth, personally i think you are really missing out. But like everyone on here has said, each to his own.

[Zed1]

Everything our DJs play (i hope) will be recognisable as cracking northern soul from the last 45 years of the scene, but mostly underplayed sounds and forgotten oldies and some 60s newies even, but we don't call it a northern soul event. What we'll be spinning is still quality dancable northern soul in my opinion,

Sounds my sort of night Matt...

Might have dig out the sat-nav and head south for a change in the new-year.

[Guest Matt Male]

Sounds my sort of night Matt...

Might have dig out the sat-nav and head south for a change in the new-year.

It'll be a pleasure to meet you mate, from what i've read of you're posts on here we are on the same wavelength.

[Chalky]

well surely, this thread of barneys is proof alone that hes choosy where he goes to for ns night, surely?

then why complain about what others listens to? Like I said there's plenty on to cater for everyone.

beside's whats soft southern funky discofied northern soul any examples

[Zed1]

It'll be a pleasure to meet you mate, from what i've read of you're posts on here we are on the same wavelength.

What swings it for me Matt was this....

Everything our DJs play (i hope) will be recognisable as cracking northern soul from the last 45 years of the scene, but mostly underplayed sounds and forgotten oldies and some 60s newies even, but we don't call it a northern soul event. What we'll be spinning is still quality dancable northern soul in my opinion

........and not realy this

Move On! Rare Soul Club

Now I know that might seem a very stupid statement - but in your first post you've put a bit on meat on the bones as it were - I've done a fair few nites advertised as 'Rare and Underplayed' only to be met with a half empty room - a fully empty dance floor and little huddles of people around tables looking through record boxes, not to mention a playlist that you leaves you thinking "Fook me!, no wonder these tracks were 'Rare"

Look forward to meeting you.

Edited December 23, 2008 by Teapot

[Guest]

then why complain about what others listens to? Like I said there's plenty on to cater for everyone.

beside's whats soft southern funky discofied northern soul any examples

i dont think barney is actually complaining about what peeps listen to, i dont think he could give a f**k about that aspect; hes pointing out that the WAY places are BILLED, make it so peeps into the type of ns he is into, get to the venue n its a let down, thats all, because the majority of peeps nowadays arent into what he is.

[Chalky]

i dont think barney is actually complaining about what peeps listen to, i dont think he could give a f**k about that aspect; hes pointing out that the WAY places are BILLED, make it so peeps into the type of ns he is into, get to the venue n its a let down, thats all, because the majority of peeps nowadays arent into what he is.

I would have thought that anyone who gets about a bit knows what most events music policy are and what most djs play regardless of the billing.

[Guest Matt Male]

Now I know that might seem a very stupid statement - but in your first post you've put a bit on meat on the bones as it were - I've done a fair few nites advertised as 'Rare and Underplayed' only to be met with a half empty room - a fully empty dance floor and little huddles of people around tables looking through record boxes, not to mention a playlist that you leaves you thinking "Fook me!, no wonder these tracks were 'Rare"

Look forward to meeting you.

I agree the last thing we want to do is play a load of crap just because no one plays them and you're right there are plenty 'underplayed' because they are shite. Hopefully that won't happen...

Actually you got me thinking and i changed my signature.

Edited December 23, 2008 by Matt Male

[barney]

i dont think barney is actually complaining about what peeps listen to, i dont think he could give a f**k about that aspect; hes pointing out that the WAY places are BILLED, make it so peeps into the type of ns he is into, get to the venue n its a let down, thats all, because the majority of peeps nowadays arent into what he is.

your right with your post except for the bottom line ..

the bottom line is IMHO the majority of people are into oldies , have a look round at the scene (with the probable exception of nighters which I have stopped doing because of the music played )the most popular and best attended are oldies nights and the w/enders I attend the oldies rooms are always chocker and theres tumbleweed blowin across the floor in the modern/rare ,underplayed room. know some dont like it but thats the way it is

[Mark S]

like to go out every w/end to mainly local venues with loads of mates.listen,dance and have a laugh with our friends to all the old familiar sounds . can appreciate the odd newey but prefer the tunes I first heard as a gangly youth.and still love, as a soon to be paunchy 53 year old

You are the same age as me we are not dinosaurs we just have impeccable taste .

[Guest]

really, barney? at the end of the day, i am, in comparison to other people, a newie to northern, born in 75, i come on here more to, erm, learn more;

ive never claimed to be an expert on the scene/music etc, but, through my parents, ive ended up with their 'collection' of vinyl, and saved and bought with my dads help on who/what to look out for. all i know is i know what i like, and the few allnighters/weekenders ive been to i loved loads coz all my mates were into acid house and all that. my first ns nite i went to was in 1990, and without wanting to offend anyone, from reading threads the majority of peeps on here are, erm, maturer than me, and are more knowledgable by miles about ns (and life).

i dont really post that many replies to a lot of threads, i mainly sit and read them and then try to find a music clip to listen to 'new to me' tunes from what people have posted on here. i replied to this thread because i love the true ns (the oldies) and because ive had to try and find good nights locally, i replied on here.

i hope i havent come across as a big knowitall biatch??

[barney]

i hope i havent come across as a big knowitall biatch??

Edited December 25, 2008 by barney

[Guest]

yes, i had noticed that. i thought well, i may aswell just say that in some respects, on this site in particular, i am out of my league, but i will be coz im younger...and instead of pretending like some people do on other ns sites that im genned up to the max on every ns single/artist/label going and bullshitting, i would just be upfront and tell it how it is

im stuffed from christmas dinner, the kids and him indoors are napping, so i thought id have a gander on here. hope everybody is having a cracking christmas

[Guest Bernie p]

Merry Christmas to all you soulies: Well this one is a dinosaur. If I choose to pay good money to go to a Norhern Soul Venue then I expect to listen to Northern Soul. If any other music is played and is not advertised it is false misrepresentation. If people want to listen to Modern, Crossover whatever its called its not NORTHERN SOUL and should not be catagorised as such. I am all in favour of new records being discovered and played at these venues but they should have the sound and the beat that goes with Northern soul. Not funk - not disco - or some rare stuff that a DJ thinks is fantastic and the dance floor is empty. When a DJ is being paid to entertain then he should entertain if the dance floor is empty when a new sound is played he should have the balls to take it off and play something else. A good sound 0ld or new will fill the dance floor. Modern soul is Southern Soul which tried to compete with Northern in the earlie 70's and failed. Alot of these people and DJ's moved onto the Northern Soul scene. Yes I am a dinosaur I have listened and danced to this music for the last 37 years If people like me disappear then so will NORTHEN SOUL - Will Modern soul last as long - Don't think so///////////////////Bernie P

[Guest Leigh J]

When a DJ is being paid to entertain then he should entertain if the dance floor is empty when a new sound is played he should have the balls to take it off and play something else.

I went to a 'do' the other week where the 'DJ' played for the crowd , It was my mates Wedding.

This debate has raged on for 35 years since imports and not British releases were deemed as not proper soul,Ian levine playing his stuff that was deemed not proper Northern , the Stafford 60's newies not being proper Northern.

Thank F**k there were proper DJs around who had the balls and knowledge to discover and break new sounds or there would not be a Northern Soul scene at all.

Northern Soul was always fueled by new discoveries , the 'oldies' side of things is relatively new , what you are realy saying is that you dont want to listen to anything you dont know.

The scene has always been split , people should respect other peoples tastes , the problem is today there are too many venues and far too many people jumping on the 'I want to be a DJ bandwagon' .

You knew were you stood in the 80's , if you went to a particular venue with particular DJs you knew what you were going to get , eg you didnt go to Stafford expecting to listen to oldies , although people did and they still complained about the music policy !

[Guest Byrney]

I'd love to bill our night as a northern soul night but it's a shame that whereas 25 years ago (when i was a teenager) northern soul meant newly discovered, rarely heard and different, now it doesn't (thanks to Paul O'Grady, Russ Winstanley and others) so we have to use other terms to differentiate ourselves.

It's a shame Matt that you cannot use the term Northern Soul for your night but understand the reasons why you don't. From when I joined the scene in 78 up to when I left it mids 90s it was as you describe, my understanding is that for the majority of the scene's timeline it has been like this from the Torch, Cats, Mecca, Casino, Stafford, 100 club etc.

I came back in the noughties and see that Northern has been reclaimed by those who (in the main - not all) have had a limited time on the scene; many of which left it for decades but insist that Northern Soul can only be truly defined by what the scene was on the handful of years they were on it.

[Guest Byrney]

When a DJ is being paid to entertain then he should entertain if the dance floor is empty when a new sound is played he should have the balls to take it off and play something else.

I went to a 'do' the other week where the 'DJ' played for the crowd , It was my mates Wedding.

This debate has raged on for 35 years since imports and not British releases were deemed as not proper soul,Ian levine playing his stuff that was deemed not proper Northern , the Stafford 60's newies not being proper Northern.

Thank F**k there were proper DJs around who had the balls and knowledge to discover and break new sounds or there would not be a Northern Soul scene at all.

Northern Soul was always fueled by new discoveries , the 'oldies' side of things is relatively new , what you are realy saying is that you dont want to listen to anything you dont know.

The scene has always been split , people should respect other peoples tastes , the problem is today there are too many venues and far too many people jumping on the 'I want to be a DJ bandwagon' .

You knew were you stood in the 80's , if you went to a particular venue with particular DJs you knew what you were going to get , eg you didnt go to Stafford expecting to listen to oldies , although people did and they still complained about the music policy !

100% bang on.

[Zed1]

When a DJ is being paid to entertain then he should entertain if the dance floor is empty when a new sound is played he should have the balls to take it off and play something else.

I went to a 'do' the other week where the 'DJ' played for the crowd , It was my mates Wedding.

This debate has raged on for 35 years since imports and not British releases were deemed as not proper soul,Ian levine playing his stuff that was deemed not proper Northern , the Stafford 60's newies not being proper Northern.

Thank F**k there were proper DJs around who had the balls and knowledge to discover and break new sounds or there would not be a Northern Soul scene at all.

Northern Soul was always fueled by new discoveries , the 'oldies' side of things is relatively new , what you are realy saying is that you dont want to listen to anything you dont know.

The scene has always been split , people should respect other peoples tastes , the problem is today there are too many venues and far too many people jumping on the 'I want to be a DJ bandwagon' .

You knew were you stood in the 80's , if you went to a particular venue with particular DJs you knew what you were going to get , eg you didnt go to Stafford expecting to listen to oldies , although people did and they still complained about the music policy !

I would also agree with that, but with a proviso that the 'Oldies' side of things is not realy 'that' new given that the Friday Oldies night at Wigan for Eg were - towards the end - better supported that the 'main' Saturday nights proving that even 30+ years ago people still prefered the safety of "What they Knew"..........

[Mak]

Merry Christmas to all you soulies: Well this one is a dinosaur. If I choose to pay good money to go to a Norhern Soul Venue then I expect to listen to Northern Soul. If any other music is played and is not advertised it is false misrepresentation. If people want to listen to Modern, Crossover whatever its called its not NORTHERN SOUL and should not be catagorised as such. I am all in favour of new records being discovered and played at these venues but they should have the sound and the beat that goes with Northern soul. Not funk - not disco - or some rare stuff that a DJ thinks is fantastic and the dance floor is empty. When a DJ is being paid to entertain then he should entertain if the dance floor is empty when a new sound is played he should have the balls to take it off and play something else. A good sound 0ld or new will fill the dance floor. Modern soul is Southern Soul which tried to compete with Northern in the earlie 70's and failed. Alot of these people and DJ's moved onto the Northern Soul scene. Yes I am a dinosaur I have listened and danced to this music for the last 37 years If people like me disappear then so will NORTHEN SOUL - Will Modern soul last as long - Don't think so///////////////////Bernie P

I thought I would take this chance to put up a ''OLDIES'' - ''NORTHERN '' - list for you , you know the ones us dinosaurs danced to back then.

ALL NORTHERN SOUL OF COURSE , NOT POP OR DISCO SHITE , JUST PLAIN GOOD OLD NORTHERN

THE TEMPREES - AT LAST

REPARATA + DELRONS - PANIC

TD VALENTINE - LOVE TRAP

ROBERT NIGHT - LOVE ON A MOUNTAIN TOP

GEORGE BENSON - SUPERSHIP

WAYNE GIBSON - UNDER MY THUMB

JOE 90 THEME - GOD FOOKIN KNOWS WHO

JARVELLS - GOODBYE NOTHING TO SAY

JIMMY CLIFF - WATERFALL

BARNABY BYE - CAN'T LIVE THIS WAY

PAUL HUMPHRIES - COCHISE

RAIN - OUT OF MY MIND

SILVETTI - SPRING RAIN

Thank fcuk I threw me tunnel vision glasses away

Edited December 26, 2008 by MAK

[Guest Leigh J]

I would also agree with that, but with a proviso that the 'Oldies' side of things is not realy 'that' new given that the Friday Oldies night at Wigan for Eg were - towards the end - better supported that the 'main' Saturday nights proving that even 30+ years ago people still prefered the safety of "What they Knew"..........

Yep I think what I was trying to say was Newies came first.

[Guest Leigh J]

BARNABY BYE - CAN'T LIVE THIS WAY

Nothing wrong with this great tune

[Algsoul]

Question...

How new or old is the newest/oldest modern soul record and how old does it have to be before its an oldie?

I,like yourself Barney am an unashamed oldies lover.

I have tried to listen in the car and at home to newer stuff and the leseer underplayed stuff but it just doesn't fit the sound of the original oldie that gives me the hairs on the back of the neck feel.

I don't like jazz or stuff that has spiralling sounds or too much sax (there is some great sax sounds in oldies but not spiralling)

I do like old RnB.

Listen to whatever makes you happy, I do.

Also get sick of folks being slagged off for what they wear ...its up to them ...no one else.

Once upon a time what you wore was a statement and was an apsect of the music we followed .....as we get older we no longer have to "prove " we love the music by wearing "a uniform".

All personal choice these days, so enjoy your oldies and the answer to your question Barney... No You aren't a dinosaur

Mand

get on the dance floor, give it a go to all types of our music.

feels good.

[Guest Bernie p]

just like to say northern soul is northern soul. Not modern soul, Not crossover soul. Not any other name if it'aint got that beat or sound it is not Northern soul and you can talk till hell freezes over. you can listen to your modern soul ( not northern soul ) or your crossover it still is not northern soul so if this is your kind of music ok listen to it but do not class it as northern soul. yes we want new sounds but with sound which you know is northern soul and there are plenty still out there to be found not so called sounds like neo who is in the charts now and is being classed as modern soul ( crap ) on the northern scene if I want to listen to this kind of music I can go to any club in town.KTF and the music Northern OK

[TOAD]

just like to say northern soul is northern soul. Not modern soul, Not crossover soul. Not any other name if it'aint got that beat or sound it is not Northern soul and you can talk till hell freezes over. you can listen to your modern soul ( not northern soul ) or your crossover it still is not northern soul so if this is your kind of music ok listen to it but do not class it as northern soul. yes we want new sounds but with sound which you know is northern soul and there are plenty still out there to be found not so called sounds like neo who is in the charts now and is being classed as modern soul ( crap ) on the northern scene if I want to listen to this kind of music I can go to any club in town.KTF and the music Northern OK

another laughable post what a lot of rubbish

[Mak]

just like to say northern soul is northern soul. Not modern soul, Not crossover soul. Not any other name if it'aint got that beat or sound it is not Northern soul and you can talk till hell freezes over. you can listen to your modern soul ( not northern soul ) or your crossover it still is not northern soul so if this is your kind of music ok listen to it but do not class it as northern soul. yes we want new sounds but with sound which you know is northern soul and there are plenty still out there to be found not so called sounds like neo who is in the charts now and is being classed as modern soul ( crap ) on the northern scene if I want to listen to this kind of music I can go to any club in town.KTF and the music Northern OK

Nor is fcukin Duffy or DJ geneshit or Angie Stone . And just for the facts Northern Soul is term used . I've got oldies ,crossover rare and R+B but to me its good old soul music , some people need to get out more and broaden there minds

[Algsoul]

Nor is fcukin Duffy or DJ geneshit or Angie Stone . And just for the facts Northern Soul is term used . I've got oldies ,crossover rare and R+B but to me its good old soul music , some people need to get out more and broaden there minds

hard work this thread. my bag is northern, but like anything with a soulfull grove.

its whats in the grove that counts.

Edited December 27, 2008 by algsoul

[barney]

hard work this thread. my bag is northern, but like anything with a soulfull grove.

its whats in the grove that counts.

the term northern soul is not easily defined ,originally it was the term used by the media (southerners)to describe the mainly black american music which was being played further north of watford in clubs and other venues by mainly working class youths.

which lent itself to a stylised form of dance.in the late 60s early 70s.

since then the music has evolved but the mainstream is based around the songs and tunes which were played week after week at various events and the choicest records survived whilst many others fell by the wayside.

this form of natural selection is now being usurped by the growing number of events,promoters and djs who are of the opinion that to succeed they must seek out and play new material irrespective of its merit ,

at the end of the day it,s the punters that decide what is and whats not acceptable

[Zed1]

this form of natural selection is now being usurped by the growing number of events,promoters and djs who are of the opinion that to succeed they must seek out and play new material irrespective of its merit ,

at the end of the day it,s the punters that decide what is and whats not acceptable

Was going through an old box of my 'Wigan' Vinyl the other week and thought so many of the tracks just never get an airing these days - had to laugh looking at stuff like 'Stick Together' Prince and Princess, 'The Swim' Bobby Freeman, 'We got togetherness' The Jewells etc, etc.. all what you might term 'proper' 100mph northern tracks that kept me/us on the dancefloor for hours - yet if they were played at your average 'Accross the Board' venue today would have the dancefloor looking a deserted wild west town...... or at least the need for several paramedics in attendance

Now even though the above are not exactly 'Top 500' many on here would class the above as "Dinosaur" tunes because they arn't 'Soulful' (what-ever-the fook that means) but they are for many the reason we got into the music in the first place, ie Hard Core Dance music that was very 'different' to the shite TOTP was trying to force down our teenage throats back then......but did any of us realy pay that much interest in the lyrics from our 'Brothers from the Ghetto'? - did any of us even know where the fook Detroit and Chicago were for that matter?, it certainly had little interest for for me living in our over-crowded council house and going to work everyday doing a shitty job I hated - Fri/Sat nights for me were about dancing my rocks off with a load of like mined people, and generally trying to have a fooking good time before the realities of Monday morning started again...

Fast Forward 30 odd years and things are VERY different, I often ask myself would I have got into the Music in the first place if 30 years ago the scene was like it is today, ie for the most part 'Safe' and 'easy on the ear', the answer would be proberbly not, BUT it's not 1977 and I'm not 17 (sadly) however that wanting to be a little different and thus wanting to hear something 'different' is still there with me so when I go out I don't want to hear the 'same old-same old' stuff every week - I want to hear something new that leaves ME to decide if I think it's anygood or not, now I agree that some of the newer stuff is being played for no other reason than because it's 'New' (WTF is DJ Genitals all about for EG?) but some of it is fooking VERY good in having that 'different' feel which is the very reason I got into the music in the first place - combine that with some of the lesser known and 'new to me' oldies/60's stuff and IMHO you've got a dam good night out that covers most of the scene but still holds true to it's core values..

It's a very simple formula IMHO, but one that so many venues get wrong in just playing the percentages all the time and keeping it safe.

Edited December 27, 2008 by Teapot

[Guest gordon russell]

barnaby ..GOODBYE.........pooo

[Guest posstot]

im with you barney. brother in law had large oldies collection years back... he now likes newies, doesnt mean i dont respect him though... just dont like em myself.

Newies..just don't like em' .....????? So when you heard these "oldies" for the first time, Did you make your own mind up if you liked them...or did you like them because somebody else did ?? If you love soul music...from whatever slant 60's to 2000+++ If you hear something for the first time..do you wait for someone to tell you its an oldie before you let yourself like it.....???

Very Confusing??? imho

[Chris L]

But what really bug's me though is when a venue advertises "Across the Board Music Policy" only for us to travel to another night of Classic Oldies, so just the same as going to a Northern Soul night to hear Modern (Definition of Modern to an Oldies fan, anything produced/released after Midnight 31st December 1969), as for what to wear that's an individual thing surely? What looks ridiculous to some looks good to others, just look at Teddy Boy's.

You know if you look at the DJ line up that should give you a good idea of what will get played. If you don't know them then feel free to ask in advance what you can expect, you know it makes sense..........

[Pete Eccles]

You know if you look at the DJ line up that should give you a good idea of what will get played. If you don't know them then feel free to ask in advance what you can expect, you know it makes sense..........

Chris, this is often the case, but in many cases a DJ can change tack to suit the event/night, agree that some jocks have a particular style and taste, but sometimes it might be better to research the event rather than the jocks,

[barney]

not claiming any braggin points on here, but just had a think back over the number of (northern) soul events I have attended this year and different venues ,including regular local events and venues .the total for this year is 28 different venues, including charity nights b/day do,s and anniversaries this does not include the 3 soul w/enders and soul in the sun fortnight, nor does it count the scootering do,s and 3 scootering w/enders I have been to. probably not as many as last year..

as I have said I avoid the rare and underplayed scene and stick to what I consider mainstream events and have in the main enjoyed most of my nights -w/ends but what concerns me and it is getting more noticeable is that dj,s are playing stuff which to me is not what I would consider worthy of being played at a northern soul night , and maybe where ever possible two rooms is the answer.

as you can see from the above over the past year I have attended an event at a different venue more than once a fortnight, from local events, to those further afield such as monaco, bury town hall, six hills derbys , okeh kiegthly .drax , central notts. pilsley derbys, east kirby notts, one of the best events for me music wise funnily enough was at the crown isle of wight all oldies but not the usual out on the floor/snake numbers normally played at a scooter do but just good oldies that dont often get played,

[Guest Soultown andy]

So basicaly you have just attended soul nites this year rather than niters,were there is a totally different approach to combineing some of the thousands of fantastic forgotten oldies and the very best of the new discoverys [that would not be available to the djs at most clubs you have visited this year].The 100 club lifeline and middleton might just change your opinion,all very busy full of atmosphere and the right combination of oldies and newer sounds deliverd by the scenes best djs.Obviously this is just my opinion but the amount of people that have visited these clubs and heard todays better newer discoverys played in the right context alongside good old fashioned soul records,who formerly frowned on what their perception of what they thought the more proggresive venues played is growing,thankfully.Im not knocking soul nites but it is a case of horses for courses when it comes to the quality of tunes played at soul nites and niters,not all of course before we start a riot.

Edited December 29, 2008 by Soultown andy

[barney]

So basicaly you have just attended soul nites this year rather than niters,were there is a totally different approach to combineing some of the thousands of fantastic forgotten oldies and the very best of the new discoverys [that would not be available to the djs at most clubs you have visited this year].Im not knocking soul nites but it is a case of horses for courses when it comes to the quality of tunes played at soul nites and niters,not all of course before we start a riot.

as previously stated stopped attending allniters a few years ago because of the music policy.yes I go to soul nights (oldies/motown and across the board ) no doubt some of the djs would argue about your assumption of the paucity and scope of their collections more a case of they know their punters and choose not to play some of the music heard at the events you mention.

I have not closed my mind about new music but the days of the dust covered demo found in a studio cupboard are long gone and as for recently released music imho it mostly aint and never will be northern, ok to listen to at home or car, as I have said not on a quest to find the holy grail happy with wots been done and theres enough out there already to entertain me ad infunitum.

so for the new year if its an oldies night ,keep off the progressive .leave that for the alternative venues and please djs if yer want ter indulge in yer collections stay at home and do it ,dont inflict them on me

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY

[Ian Parker]

get yersen to the Grosvenor rooms (sutton in ashfield) Barney. went last week, plenty of 'top 500' , the odd more recent biggie but a lot of long since heard quality oldies. the last DJ of the night actually made me take my jacket off and hit the dancefloor again, these were tunes that made me realise what fast rare dance music was all about

[Guest Soultown andy]

as previously stated stopped attending allniters a few years ago because of the music policy.yes I go to soul nights (oldies/motown and across the board ) no doubt some of the djs would argue about your assumption of the paucity and scope of their collections more a case of they know their punters and choose not to play some of the music heard at the events you mention.

I have not closed my mind about new music but the days of the dust covered demo found in a studio cupboard are long gone and as for recently released music imho it mostly aint and never will be northern, ok to listen to at home or car, as I have said not on a quest to find the holy grail happy with wots been done and theres enough out there already to entertain me ad infunitum.

so for the new year if its an oldies night ,keep off the progressive .leave that for the alternative venues and please djs if yer want ter indulge in yer collections stay at home and do it ,dont inflict them on me

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY

We will agree to disagree it really is your loss,as for the djs collections your view of it sums up the difference in the views and knowledge of the oldies only crowd and the more open minded on the soul scene.I have visited a good few of the clubs you listed and know a lot of the djs and you are mistaken belive me,not all of course but nearly all would be way out of there depth.That said each to there own and all the best for 2009.

[Guest kev.k]

Question...

How new or old is the newest/oldest modern soul record and how old does it have to be before its an oldie?

I,like yourself Barney am an unashamed oldies lover.

I have tried to listen in the car and at home to newer stuff and the leseer underplayed stuff but it just doesn't fit the sound of the original oldie that gives me the hairs on the back of the neck feel.

I don't like jazz or stuff that has spiralling sounds or too much sax (there is some great sax sounds in oldies but not spiralling)

I do like old RnB.

Listen to whatever makes you happy, I do.

Also get sick of folks being slagged off for what they wear ...its up to them ...no one else.

Once upon a time what you wore was a statement and was an apsect of the music we followed .....as we get older we no longer have to "prove " we love the music by wearing "a uniform".

All personal choice these days, so enjoy your oldies and the answer to your question Barney... No You aren't a dinosaur

Mand

Hi Mand,I agree with you and Barney where would we be without the oldies, listened to some of the new stuff some of its ok then again it just doesnt do what oldies does for me....I went to a venue in Kings Lynn and the Dj said we dont play that shit (he was on about oldies) me been me dicided not to take that and gave him a ear bashing.....was just saying iam a oldies fan and proud of it.......keep the faith....

[Guest BrandySistaShirl]

Kid's slidding across floor on their knee's? Bloody hell I thought that was a Peter Kaye thing but I bet you never returned for seconds. I to remember Bunny Sigler, April Stevens, Barbara Lynn & Fuller brothers etc at the Youthie & the cool kid's who'd been to the Twisted Wheel etc that lead to Me & my two best mate's heading with Snowy in October 1972 to the Central Nighter in Leeds & then out & around the entire Country for the next 11/12 years before work basically stopped it but I remember vividly returning & the rush hearing new tunes I'd missed in my absence.

I get sick of the same 100 or so Oldies constantly being played as there's thousand's more that could be played but I also remember that to some people these Oldies are actually Newies to their ears & also that some people are more than happy with that & that's cool with me, also how refreshing it was to hear "The Brandy Sister's" play "Poppies" & "August & Deneen" plus other seldom played Oldies at the Manifesto, so take note people.

But what really bug's me though is when a venue advertises "Across the Board Music Policy" only for us to travel to another night of Classic Oldies, so just the same as going to a Northern Soul night to hear Modern (Definition of Modern to an Oldies fan, anything produced/released after Midnight 31st December 1969), as for what to wear that's an individual thing surely? What looks ridiculous to some looks good to others, just look at Teddy Boy's.

Take care,be safe & remember,"Have yourselves a Merry little Christmas, Let yourselves be light, From now on our troubles will be out of sight",

Spot.

thanks 4 your coments on our spot .

we love oldies

there are so many fantastic oldies

we shunt hev to listen to same ones

week in week out tho that wunt bother

me if i had to.

everyone is different n hev our own tastes.

wunt life be boring if we didnt.

nice to see you at empress.

happy new year to u and yours.

[Madmandy]

get yersen to the Grosvenor rooms (sutton in ashfield) Barney. went last week, plenty of 'top 500' , the odd more recent biggie but a lot of long since heard quality oldies. the last DJ of the night actually made me take my jacket off and hit the dancefloor again, these were tunes that made me realise what fast rare dance music was all about

Yep ...been here ..hits the spot alright!

Mand

[Madmandy]

Hi Mand,I agree with you and Barney where would we be without the oldies, listened to some of the new stuff some of its ok then again it just doesnt do what oldies does for me....I went to a venue in Kings Lynn and the Dj said we dont play that shit (he was on about oldies) me been me dicided not to take that and gave him a ear bashing.....was just saying iam a oldies fan and proud of it.......keep the faith....

Hiya Kev

Im beginning to think that us oldies lovers are a dying breed so when we do finally stop KTF what will the soul scene be listening to?

progressing on to something that sounds nothing like the purest N/S music? watered down till it no longer sounds like N/S?

When that happens I will be at home nursing my corns and bunions from dancing to my beloved oldies

I have heard some "new" oldies recently sent to me via the post on CD I m enjoying listening to 60's stuff that I can still hear the n/s sound there are definitely some great underplayed oldies out there

KTF and Happy new Year

Mand

[barney]

have read all your kind comments and would like to thank everyone concerned , its apparent that there are differing views about our scene ,what I would call the oldies(traditional) and the progressives I believe I would put myself in the former,the vast majority of the people that I have spoken to are also into oldies same for the events that I attend, this seems to be at odds with the number of responces and content on this forum, maybe there should be a dedicated northern(oldies) thread on here ,

no doubt this debate will continue.

would like to thank the people who have suggested (invited) me to there events and also thank you for recommending tracks to listen to,lastly thankyou spot for the cd, have listened to it several times and there are a few goodens on it. have spoken to angie and intend to go to some new never been to events in the new year and will bear some on here in mind (cheers adam)

at the end of the day each to his/her own .we are into this scene because of the music and its been going a long time, you couldnt find more friendley people.

happy and a prosperous new year to all KTF barney