Mark S

Parkings bad in Matlock

A funky caterpillar that I found today

When I first started noticing the music it wasnt called anything other than soul . For me it was just a natural cultural progression fron Skinhead to Suedehead to soul music , stuff you could dance to . I love all different types of music but soul music is special and what we call northern soul is tied up with so many happy memories that it holds a special place for me , musically its not all that but even the most dire tunes in the right context and atmosphere can sound magnificent .

I,m suprised its lasted this long .

I just love the output of black America from Leadbelly to Erikah Badu and all points in between. I have a small vinyl collection with allsorts in it and a couple of hundred CDs . No particular genre the only criteria is if it floats my boat then its in

Everywhere that isnt Manchester is south of Manchester ( we have a ring road you know )

Whats South ? Furthest south I have ever travelled for soul was the Top Rank Hanley . Without the jabs I wouldnt recomend going any further down .

Well at least with his Fake Britain programme he will be able to spot a boot . The One Show can be trusted to get it right , last time the presenters dressed up oh how we laughed ffs .

Just go to Soul Undergruond press play on any of the podcasts and be treated to some of the most fantastic forgotten or underplayed tunes ever non of which I possess . The Web can be an amazing resource but I am sick of wading through the dross that people put up and the endless venue videos puts me right off .

That was the Royal Oak on commercial road , very slippy dance floor fell over a couple of times . Loved Southlands great room . Mark

Remember the Alex park the lad that djayed at Cellars played there .some good nights . Greg Lang still see him knocking about never looks any older . Think he is related to the lad that runs what was the three shires lots of northern played in there .

Could never understand Blazes a nightclub in the town on a Saturday night no booze and full of youths dancing to soul music . Never knew who ran it or who the djs were I used to leave early to avoid a kicking but as time passed got to know people and it got easier . Never got to the Parish but Remember Manchester rugby club . Soul music was everywhere we just went to places and expected it great days and a brilliant appenticeship before stepping into the murky world of allnighters

There you go Blazes , dodgy as you like non of my mates would go . Stockport was in the early 70s very territorial but if you were into the music and were known you could go anywhere in relative safety . You're right about the older lads at the clubs in 74 I was 18 and still attending one or two for a midweek fix . I lived in Heaton Chapel but knew a lot of the Brinny lads and have married 2 Brinny girls one of which I am still married to

Stockport late sixties early seventies you were spoilt for choice Cellars youth club heaton moor , Dialstone Offerton , Brinnington and Tiviot Dale . Being close to Manchester was definately a factor . Soundwise Funky street , I Feel love coming on ,Penguin breakdown , Sweet soul music ,STOP , the Tams Donnie Elbert ,Chairmen of the board ,Jackie Lee , Jackie Wilson and a shitload of Motown . Just great music no daft names to confuse the issue just Soul

Poor Tim barely 21 a gentle soul with great knowledge a cracking lad .

Very metal me and my gorgeous rock chick wife off to see Thor gods of rock in peak cavern for her birthday . I know I have strayed from the path of righteousness and not kept the faith , quite partial to a bit of metal though hope I can be forgiven

Any doo that doesnt end up on youtube is good for me . Does,nt leave me much to go on nowadays though .

Anyone asks me about music I just stare blankly tilt my head and dribble slightly . Pointless trying to explain it to Divs they will never get it .

Ever since the failed attempt of a soul weekender at the Norbreck Castle Blackpool in the early seventies never fancied a weekender . Cant speak about nighters not been to one since 1977 . Dont get out often work and family commitments the nights that I go to are predictable I enjoy myself but wonder is it worth the effort ? Every now and then I will hear a DJ that plays a load of new to my ears stuff and that restores my faith . DJs need to innovate and punters need to reciprocate make some effort to get up and dance to new stuff its not difficult we all know where a Northern tune is going cant be doing with all the nostalgia and reliveing our youth shite if you didnt do it at the time its too late now in your dotage . The music policy is not good enough or diverse enough to satisfy at most soul nights in my experience .

from one end of the spectrum to the other

Its a funny old arguement put simply you could stare at a print of the Mona Lisa and enjoy its visual impact but its just a print that lacks provenance or a tangible link to the artist that for me is the difference . Original vinyl reflects a point in history places people and events it means something to me . I take Joeys point early seventies I didnt care either .

Cobblers it was all a bit of fun added a bit of mistque all got sussed out in the end anyway what do you know you think boots are ok

Pay real money to get in a venue expect real records . Its not snobbery either do it right or dont bother .

Earlier this evening from the hills above Glossop Saddleworth Moor on fire probably contrbuting to a hazy sunset over Manchester

Saw these today in Buxton