I've come to expect very little from anything to do with Northern Soul on the idiot box and this program was no exception.
Ian Dewhirst made a solid contribution as did Cleggy who tells it like it is or was and doesn't bullshit. Even Levine made some very good points and nice to see some humility and regret from him. Richard always talks sense.
Lisa Stansfield, what was the point? Same with Marc Almond and what makes Norman J such an expert, he does talk some bollox.
But watching this program you would think it all ended in 81 with the closure of Wigan and everyone then went to raves and got off their tits, only for Kev to come and rescue the scene and make it what it is today.
The 80's and early 90's were conveniently erased probably because most of those involved were not there, had gone to pastures greener. They forget the 80's turned up an awful lot of records that feature prominently in most DJ's sets every week. The lost decades gave those who'd buggered off something to come back to and exploit as quite a few have and still do. The likes of Cleethorpes, Clifton Hall, Stafford and the 100 Club, and others every bit as important in the scenes history, conveniently ignored. Some of these made a bigger contribution to the scene than some of the clubs talked about.
Where was Ady Croasdell? His contribution is probably greater than any of those interviewed. He was there at the beginning, was there in the years that don't matter and still there today. The discoveries from his and others work with Ace/Kent have been a mainstay for collectors and dj's for over 25 years.
Where was Butch? His contribution out weighs all of those in the program with the exception of Richard. Arguably the two best Dj's the scene has given us.
Where was the likes of John Anderson, John Manship, Dave Raistrick and many others who actually found many of those classic records from the scenes golden days.
I gave the program two out of five simply because contributions were made from far too many who don't matter and none from many who do matter. The sooner a program is made about the scene from those who made the scene what it is and not from those who hold sway with telly execs the better.