HI Dave,
Hope you're keeping well. You've captured some valid points there mate. As you say there was some territorialism in those early days ,and it wasn't just locally, I think that was in evidence wherever you went .
I remember going to do's outside the area eg manchester and one was often viewed with a certain 'suspicion'. This can probably be attributed to 'headstrong youth' growing up and of course the terrace culture from football. There seemed to be a strong correalation between football and the soul scene in late 60's early 70's.
Secondly that naivety you mention underpinned the scene in those days. This fed the excitement and adrenaline rush that was experienced at the well known venues of the time.
Northern Soul was 'yoof' culture same as skinheads,hippies. greasers et al imo, Someone on a another thread mentioned the absence of cynicism in those days-----thats probably a result of being young (yer glass was always half full and Never half empty ) if yer know what I mean.
As the scene has evolved we have all got older and with age comes cynicism. I know another by product of the scenes evolution is knowledge and it wouldn't be half as healthy nowadays without that knowledge, but that tends to make one more averse to risk taking.
It was that risk taking, coupled with the ethos of 'yer don't know what yer don't know' that attracted us all to the scene back then imo.
Would be interesting to know what attracts newbies to the scene nowadays.
If I may be so bold as to put forward the views of, ChrisL from another thread when he emerged from the Torch and thought what the f*ck has just gone on in the last twelve hours
Anyway enough philosophising from me Dave. Keep well , hope you and yours have a great xmas and new year and prob see you in 2009!
Jez
Oh and I think my 'swords' fookin blunt nowadays mate