Paul-s

The play was nothing to do with Dave Shaws book, other than it used the word Wigan . I only read it recently in fact . So it was a case of THEM (BE COOL) trying to control something that they thought they might earn a buck out of. If, as they suggested, we had plagiarised the book, we would have been in court and stopped. As it was, they had to run away, tail between legs. embarassed at their sick attempt to stop something that made a good contribution to the scene and its history. They were chancing their arm at the prospect of controlling what we were doing. Fortunately, we were and are, way to bright for that type of bullying! So, yes, of course that is a reflection on Manifesto. Why do i want to read a banal, superficial lad mag, run by bullying chancers? (some of them anyway). They were protecting nothing....why haven't they made Shaws book into a play or film? I'll tell you, its because they haven't got the love, committment or soul to embark on the job! It takes spirit, dedication and insight to pull it off....and i have a feeling the only thing they are able to pull off is each other (metaphorically speaking of course )... That aside, even without the attempt at stopping the play, the Mag is narrow and run by a soul clique who have nothing to do with the scene i support.........A book on Zoo's by Tim? is that an 'ooh, ooh, a human zoo, ooh?' Bit like the red eye page!

Very true Jayne...anyway, have a good weekend.

I could name lots of important soul venues (really influential in terms of feeding the big floors) that have never been attended by those running the mag and have certainly never had a mention....BECAUSE...of politics and commerce and the arrogant presumption that 'they 'know it all'. Thats the point. For a magazine to be truly representational of the scene, you would have to remove politics and commerce in terms of the personal involvements of the editorial staff. For Tim, the soul scene is a business. If he has no vested interest in a particular club, he doesn't give a f---k about it and the same with Mike. If they were into music, they would be out listening to it. I often think that they talk so much about music that they forget its a listening medium. How about listening to the music instead of listening to them talking about the music and telling us what to listen too.? I also think the fact that their are as many women on the scene as men, yet MANIFESTO seems to have no interest in their opinions, is a sad reflection of their 'lad' mentality....i know many women on the scene who have great knowledge of music and a far better grasp on the English language than these boys!

Thats coz u all go to the same do's! Im talking about trying the big and the small, the old and the new, the soul and the funk...ALL OF IT! Nice to see you promoting the strong 'female' editorial content of the mag Jayne...and i agree, they are NOT trained journo's...that would require an objective opinion based on experience of whats out there, investigation and an ability to write without predjudice. Manifesto is a bit like the Daily Star or Sunday Sport of soul mags....tacky photos of readers wives etc and a staunch belief that time doesn't move on....

Holy Disciples 45 Gospel Funk Northern Soul! VERY RARE! $55.00 - 55 mins been playing this out a while rare and there....bargain! grab it.

Capoeira...the Brazilian dance/fight! Just having a laugh mate! As, i get older, my memory fades, so no comment.ha! Although, i dont think the film you mention, if it does indeed exist, will be going ahead......

Bitter? No, but as i mentioned earlier, Mike Ritson and Be Cool issued me with a writ, trying to STOP the play and demanding ALL revenue, the script etc. Luckily we shoved it back right up their ----!They wanted to own the concept of Wigan Casino and wanted to stop anyone else 'contributing' Nice guys eh?

Of all those named above, i only ever see SAM out and about (djing) and of course Sean Chapman. If you were listing people who were 'ON' the scene, then i would take the magazine seriously. To run a mag about the scene, it makes logical sense that you need to get out and explore it...not just your mates do's? Tim? When is he ever at a local event or a nighter hes not djing at? These guys should be travelling North, South, East and West, before forming opinions. Opinions that often appear based on advertising their events or records. I have NO financial interests in the scene and i dont run anything...I would never attempt to 'run the scene', which is Manifestos basic aim and premise.

Cogito Ergo Sum.......and because of that, I feel its best to articulate when people talk nonsense or insult me (everything i say, i will say to the persons face. If only others reciprocated..keyboard warriors!). Just because someone challenges an unhealthy Monopoly, doesn't necessarily mean they 'hate' things or people. Also, if you dont like something, it isn't always the best course of action to ignore it. For instance, I didn't like Thatcher and decided that i would rather march against her, than ignore her. Your passive and i am active, its our free choice! Manifesto is not a reflection of the scene, in fact, its so far off its a joke! Armchair contributors mostly. Unless they are djing, of course! As, i said, i dont see alot of the major contributors out and about, CONTRIBUTING to the scene as punters, only as business men (no women allowed to excert influence at a lads mag!), at each others events being paid to dj. They DO NOT explore the scene as a whole (all the venues) and surely, if you are going too pontificate with such arrogance about the 'scene', it should be done after gaining a wide pespective and not one based on promoting your mates business ventures. Whether you agree with me or not is irrelevent, but at least you will see me out and about, checking out as many venues as i can, so that i can formulate an objective and informed opinion. Im not a sofa soul boy! peace!

Yes, i do know you...never taken you that seriously mate...Just another one of the illiterate SOPRANO gang who run the magazine. In fact this inarticulate response of yours highlights the point im making..Manifesto is a lads mag and you are certainly one of the 'lads'. You seem to forget that , unlike Levine, I have been 'ON' the scene for 34 years, so dont give me your big i am speech about dedication and contribution, because, like your attempts at literacy, it doesn't impress.... The contibutors dont make a Mag, its the editors, who manipulate and decide what goes and what stays in, who form its credibility. Really suprised, given your obvious intelligence..mmmmm, that you haven't realised that, especially as you regard yourself so highly in the world of publishing! (i have answered this in a personal way, given you sadly lacking attempts at insulting me!) Keep on Creeping on with 'Monopolifesto'

Whats Capawera...sounds like the ancient art of Cap wearing? Which makes sense because any film about Wigan would have to have actors and dancers who knew about wearing Caps in a 70s style.....the auditonee would have to be a CAPAWERA! It all makes sense....

I did film it....but, like a nighter, it was very much a live experience and the audience were very much a part of that atmosphere. I have a dvd for my own reference, but dont feel it would do justice to the play to show it...best paul

Probably the sort of tacky premiere where they will have NORTHERN SOUL DANCERS in the foyer giving away black bomber replica sweets!! ha!

Hi Billy, i actually wrote a letter of complaint to their funders a few years ago, after i had read the script and realised that they were just trying to squeeze a crap love story into the 'Northern Soul' genre! It seemed to me to be a cynical attempt at cashing in on the 60's revival thing! SO, they were never going to use me.ha! I haven't seen it, but, as i said, that original script was pants and worse. The description of the clip...pills falling out of pockets etc, just sounds like a joke, but i will wait and see. Although, i would imagine, if they believed in their product, it would be posted everywhere to generate an audience? best paul

Manifesto is a lads mag James, as ive said before. It has never, represented the scene, just the interests of those who dominate it in the pursuit of a dollar! Even , when the play toured, it got very little coverage, particularly on the second tour, because there was no way for them to make a fast buck out of it. In fact Be Cool they tried to stop the play (but thats another story!). These guys want to own a scene that can't be owned ...they employ each other in a desperate attemp at self perpetuation. Look at Red Eye.....jokers taking pictures of each other, at each others events, that are covered by each other, in this hackneyed magazine....dont take it seriously because they take themselves seriously enough to compensate for all of us! Paul-s

Rain should be about £10/£15 there other one 'Everybody Walking Together' is great aswell!

PMSL..true!

Bit narrow in your interpretation of Jazz there Pete? As Jordi says, its had a massive influence on soul and everything else. In fact Lou Prides - Im Coming Home has more than a touch of Jazz influence to it. Les McCann - Sad Little Girl (massive at one time on the scene), The Bottle - Gil Scott Heron , the list goes on ...

Hardly rocket science to change that mate.

I have one, but wouldnt sell it! Not even for £500...All these people saying £175 or £200...couldn't have been out for a while! Show me one for sale at that price?

£175...NO f--king way mate...the flip 'Give It Up' is the side and you will be lucky to get one for £400...!!

TRUE Wendy...another absolute deep, emotional tune!!

Why do you think that the film company took the thread off soul source and youtube??? Was it because they did not want any clips showing at all or because of the negative feedback yesterday??? Thats my question? surely if they are proud of it, they would post clips everywhere to generate interest. Im mean a film is 90mins minimum! Surely they can select a decent segment from that? If they are in the film business, they should be used to both positive and negative feedback. But if they are proud and pleased with the product, it shouldn't make any difference?

Without a doubt...thing is I'm not even looking at it from a Soul Lovers point of view but from a Film lovers point of view...you look at the great British films that have come out in the past few years and try to compare 'Soul Boy' against any of them and it comes up way short...ok you can say they were on a budget but i'm sure most British films are...Hold it up to something like 'This Is England' and it falls very short indeed in comparison...just because a film is on a shoestring does not mean you cannot get the best out of what you have...the subject matter is there...and i'm sure the film makers had good intentions...I just don't happen to think they pulled it off...perhaps others will see it differently. DEAD MANS SHOES was shot for around £800,000 and managed to get it right. If you have a good director, the budget becomes less important. If the Director hasn't got a clue, then no amount of money can help!

You'll be lucky..very rare. Mine sold on JMs for about £680 and that was cheap!