Winnie :-)

Was this Taylor a tailor

It's tat Dean, he says taking a sip of tea out of his much adored ''I love northern soul, it's not just a fad, it's a way of life and it'll never be over for me'' mug. Got to pop out now, I've run out of my 'Russ Winstanley sweeteners'

I've been to lots of 'underplayed' nights over the years, and I've also been to lots of oldies nights to counter balance the argument. The simple thing is that most people don't want educating, they want to go out and enjoy themselves. The other simple thing is that records remained underplayed in the old days because they weren't up to scratch, doesn't matter if they float one person's boat, it's whether or not they appeal to the masses. Play to your crowd, book DJs who follow the venue ethic and that will generate some success. If you've got vests and bags at the venue, then the music required pretty much chooses itself......doesn't it? Winnie

I may be wrong, but I thought Roburt's comment was tongue in cheek?

Yes that sums it up quite nicely Mikey You forgot the great smell of old person wee, or is that just me I expected you to come up with something much more moving and profound Lenneth, go to the back of the class

What is it? For me it's not just the records, it's the dancing. Does it all come to a climactic eastenders doof doof doof moment when we're all at a standstill? I know the records will still be there, but northern tea dances......not for me. What do my peers think, come on enlighten me, and let me know everything's going to be alright

Nighters are at their most successful when they cater for the crowd in attendance and that's what Nuneaton did on Saturday. One Wonderful Moment, Groovin with Mr Bloe, You don't love me etc etc just couldn't and wouldn't be played at certain other nighters and rightly so. It's about knowing your audience and what they want. The floor has always been 'King' in my own opinion and Nuneaton played to that strength.

And you used to call Rich Chorley wordy...... LOL Look forward to reading it Steve

Overall I think the ladies are the better dancers, still some good men dancers about, but we should bear in mind most of us are in our fifties and perhaps not as limber as we once were There are some shocking dancers but I think that's mainly because they haven't been bought up with it, so have borrowed a video or a pamphlet to learn the steps. Anyone can learn steps, not everyone can feel soul IMO

It was below a hotel Tobes, the rowing club (which did have a few nighters) was next to it mate The anglers across the road also played a bit of northern but it was a bit later on

I think I get it Barry, just not ready to go down that route yet

I'm visualising Stoke, then the dance floor full of fold-able chairs and an appreciative audience clapping politely and shouting bravo, then the last DJ of the night, taking the encore and slamming on the three before eight :)

How do you 'enjoy' a night more without a dance floor if you like dancing? Personally I don't think that particular sentiment is representative of the vast majority of people who are into northern, I certainly wouldn't bother going if the venue advertised 'No dance floor'

Having worked for them, I know how much of a pain in the arse they are :-( Haven't read the whole thread, so don't know if you put the value of the record on the front? Might be an idea to contact Eddie Hubbard on here as I believe he still currently works for RM, so may know the best way round it. If you get no joy, let me know, and I'll get in touch with one of my mates at Bedford P.O. to see the best way forward for you. Can't do it until Monday at the earliest though.

Just started it, then clicked through it to see what the questions were. As already said, no questions about soul music, so have you gone on rock sites etc and asked the same questions about soul fans? Have you differentiated the different genres of soul music or just lumped it all in together? Just as an aside, you'd probably get a better response if you interacted with your subjects (us) by posting follow up answers, otherwise it comes across a bit cold and clinical, and that's something in general fans of any music aren't.

Great post, Cha was one of the best dancers I've ever seen, and so is Kev when the mood takes him.

Is it not the promoter who should be responsible? Or maybe I'm not getting the gist of your post Chalks. The promoter should know his audience, if he then books a DJ who likes to play 'something different' to what said promoters regulars expect, then he's not following his own demographic. If said promoter speaks to the DJ and says my club likes oldies, can you deliver, and the DJ says yes, but still plays what he wants to, then I'd say the DJ had let the promoter and the audience down?

That's a good point Tezza, I remember asking something similar once ie; Did Butch have certain big sounds that he'd play over and over, which, by definition would then stop them being underplayed, can't remember the answer I got. Winnie

A multitude of venues, playing a multitude of genres for a multitude of different scene goers, it's not going to change now, as has been said many times, pick where you go, what you want to hear, the type of people you want to mix with...... And we all lived happily ever after Merry Christmas to one and all x

These old shoes definitely one of them, can always remember one of the skinhead lads crashing down the slope, getting a bollo*king off of Jo W and hopping out of the club LOL Another one was in Bedford at the soul cafe, just about room for one person on it, didn't go to many do's there consequently

Counted Tall Paul (Todmorden) one night, 20 rotations, and he also doesn't fall over

sad news, RIP Dave

A definite touch of the Usain's to this

yep that was a big floor, they also used the whole of the corn exchange in Bedford for one nighter, and that was vast. Biggest I've danced on recently, probably Trentham Gardens?

Bill is still out and about, I was surprised not to see him at St Ives to be honest. Always go to the railway club, in Peterborough, and yep, still spins like a top, lovely lad.