Hooker1951

You could go on forever with this list, far to many to mention, thousands not hundreds Mick

When I started this thread 6 weeks ago I never dreamed it would receive 20,000 views and cause more ripples than wrinkles on Syd James face, Every body is entitled to their view on where NS is heading in the future, because everybody is at different stages of their lives involving the music their personal lives there priorities in life at present , their ages , their health n fitness etc etc all come into play, Especially those who have been there, worn the badge, never been part timers always full on, For us it wasn’t just all niters it was all weekenders and sometimes all weekers so for us it is very hard to reach those heady heights, listening to the all time classics mixed with the best in new sixties, new discoveries in an atmosphere that was underground and with a mysterious edge to it that only those who did it could feel and know it was something very special and you belonged to that special thing. 60 years on now and it still sounds just as good but there is something missing , The Edge has gone, The magic is gone, The dark dingy sweaty clubs are gone, A lot of the characters that made the scene are gone forever, Instead and I don’t mean to disrespect anyone here because if they like what they are doing and it’s enough for them who am I to disagree, but I’m afraid it’s never going to be enough for me and I would imagine many more of the same ilk, So my take on the future of NS it will never die but be a watered down version of what we knew, it will be used as it is now as background music in bars and retro clubs even supermarkets etc etc, even on tv and film soundtracks, People who touched on it years ago will become gurus on the Subject, the young ones who carry it on in their way could go either way they don’t have to discover the music that’s already done for them what they do with it is another question, The future for me is having like minded friends round playing the best and what everybody likes the best with a few strong cocktails maybe a touch of ecstasy and remembering the good times through rose tinted glasses LOl. Whatever you decide to do I wish you all great times, memories, and happiness for the future of N S, Don’t forget and always remember if you like what your doing keep on doing it Best wishes ML

I went to the USA in the 1970,s but was in my mid 20 ,s, went again in 80 and 81 seen what was going on, Seen a few acts over there in California, ie, Coasters, Bo Didley, Chris Montez, Freddy Cannon etc etc, There were numerous house bands playing in Santa Monica and on Sunset strip live sets of 1960,s soul and RnB nearly every night you were never far away from Soul music ML Chris Montez

Great thread from Roburt there, Yes most Beat groups British and Irish included in their sets Soul and RnB that they had heard from the USA , and when the ones that recorded made it famous or semi famous a lot of their B sides or early LP tracks were cover versions of USA artists, I Seen a lot of British Artists perform live in the early and mid to late 60,s and most did versions of the originals and like Roburt says the American bands that toured headlining and backing bigger Artists always played their version of the Originals , Some did pretty good versions and put their own stamp on it when they were playing live, ML

Everybody Now Take a real deep breath and hope for the best! ML

Here we go again, Happy has can be All Good Friends And Jolly good Company When your Young you are selfish and expect the world to go around you. When your Old your just glad your still on this world. God Bless Mick L

Good luck with all your Events enjoy and embrace the music and have a Great time, that’s what it’s all about, Don’t ever let the politics interfere with a Good night out and remember if your in it for the long haul it’s a great journey, keep of the B roads and cul de sacs stay on the Motorways and everything will come thick fast and exhilarating Mick L

When I put this topic on a few weeks ago, I thought it would be a little controversial as regards people’s views, it was a open ended question depending of course in your own personal journey and thoughts about NS, I myself was pretty undecided on what the future holds for NS, Obviously In my mind would want it to play out the way I thought it should, Well I co promoted an event last Saturday, an all dayer 10 djs 10 hours of Soul, There were less than 100 attended and that was including Dj,s and guests, but in saying that it was a really decent event and everyone who did attend went home happy, However I had a lightbulb experience, the third one in the last couple of years telling me the Scene I loved has gone forever, the energy just isn’t there anymore, I wanted it to be there, probably me being selfish and being in denial, but the fact is like a lot of the replies on here that NS is completely exhausted, worn out and tired in the format that we experienced all those years ago, It will never go away it’s etched in our dna, It’s lost its mystique over the years thanks to the Internet People can access records today that were harder to find than diamonds 30 years ago, The underground feel that gave it that edge is gone forever, it is now just as mainstream as Country and Western, it’s been diluted for the masses over the years and commercialised to a point of absurdity, the blame for all this falls on too many factors to start naming them all ,IE, Last weekend In my set I played Tammy Lynn ( My Love) in Turkey 3 weeks ago I heard it at least half a dozen times in 3 different bars, NS has outlasted every other genre of music lasting now 60 years and has brought Happiness , Memories, partners friends together like no other Scene ever did except the dance scene late 80,s early 90,s but it’s outlasted them all , My thoughts are if you like what your doing keep on doing it, But it’s not a crime to realise sometimes that enough is enough. Best Wishes Mick

Beer Towels and vests with NS prints are already doing the rounds in Turkey M

That’s great to hear Devlam, I used to be a decent dancer myself well you should keep on dancing enjoying yourself and let the young ones get on with what their doing I’m sure they won’t be worrying about you, If they have their own events and it suits them Good luck to them, if they want to join with us in our events they are always welcome, they always have been I’ve always had time for the Young Soulies if there respectful I am too, God Bless Mick

Hi Devlam Your not too old, Soul Music is for all ages Old souls and Young Souls if you mean that if you were on the dance floor maybe at the same time as they were and you felt a little clumsy and slow, and cramping their style I understand where your coming from that’s called growing old if it’s effecting you that way, just except that’s the circle of life it shouldn’t stop you enjoying something you love enjoy at your pace, your still listening LoL, just the same as the young ones to the same music Except you’ve had a head start on them, Ageism in NS can only be a negative thing either way Soul Music is timeless that’s why there are Still Good old Soulies still around after 60 years it’s too late in the day for them to give up now, and remember the young ones will be old one day, Enjoy when you can with the Old and the young the music you love and if they are genuine Soulies they will understand that as young as they are, Cheers Mick

Hi Devlam I spent over 40 years of my life refusing entry to people who didn’t fit into clubs pubs. Concerts etc etc etc and I was pretty good at that job in fact boss at it, nobody is decrying what the young ones do, but what you can’t do is teach a chicken to suck eggs, age is not relevant to music unless you make it so . Old and young can enjoy the same music trust me, I still DJ these days, in NS RnB, and I was a Mc at all illegal and legal raves till wellinto my 50,s. I’m 72 now and as long as I feel like I can still enjoy the music, help people enjoy the music share my knowledge I will keep on keeping on. old farts are not the problem , Disrespectful farts are the problem and they can be young and old in any shape or form , Music is one of the greatest Levellers know to mankind and should be used for happiness for the Old and the young,Just for example I never stopped anyone entering premises where I was in charge of Security for being to Old, I Stopped hundreds for being to young, and thousands for being obnoxious clowns, but always remember some old people can be very wise, very clever and very dangerous. Stay safe ML

Here we go again happy as can be all good friends and jolly good company ML

Well that’s certainly a mixed bag of responses, Option 1 on the topic is probably the last place most people on here want to be the future of NS, it’s been captured by the casuals, part timers who are quite happy listening to the same old dross which reminds them of a time where they felt safe but the fact is a lot of them never moved on from that scene and when some left and returned they were just happy for it to be the same, but if they are happy with that, what can you say except it’s not for me .Some of these nights sad to say have become places where the music has become secondary and become sad to say pick up places. Option 3 Posse are the nearest thing for me anyway to proper Soulies they’ve been around for over 50 years plus moved through the years embracing new discoveries and still cherishing the Good Oldies, they’ve left the scene due to life’s commitments and problems but come back fresh like they were never away, always travelled and looked for what they love, for me anyway they are the bread n butter of NS and they certainly know what they like Music wise and will tell you if asked. Option 2 Rare Soul gang, your always going to need some of these to find if there is anything left worth finding , they tend to play for one another rather than the dance floor if your happy with that go for it but don’t double down on the chemicals you might never get started. what has surprised me with the responses is how many have already give up the ghost and seem to think because they have everybody else should, I do understand most of their grievances and have felt them too, but do you give up or look for what suits you. Cheers Mick

Book a flight to North Korea keyboard killer because I certainly don’t give a flying Fk what you think but with your attitude it might cause me.to take offence, keyboard killer, Relax I can tell your not strong mentally being frightened of Old people is not a good sign

No Offence Lads but you two might be better of living in North Korea LoL, Tarring everyone with the same brush always brings problems, Needless to say thousands of Good Soul people on here who still have plenty life and Soul left in their Old Shoes Mick

My initial Topic was where is NS future heading? In your opinion? It seems that the way it’s gone backwards and become a watered down version in many respects of the way it was has disappointed many on here myself included, But there are still promotions who try to give you Good Soul music and a great night out, most people on here can spot the weak phoney Soul Events from a 1000 miles away or should be able too at this time in their lives, just avoid going and being disappointed and annoyed , just look for the Genuine ones where your welcome and you know that quality Music will be played etc. As regards being Old there,s nothing you can do about that, but if your still enjoying the music meeting old friends and new, keep doing it, Growing old disgracefully can be fun too, don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it. Cheers Mick

Hi Quinvy its worse than that it’s old people on Speed LoL, but you’ve got to keep on keeping on its later than you think, and when the music stops your heart stops soon after so keep listening ML

Hi Clees I understand what your saying, but the Soulies on here don’t need that explaining to them they’ve already done it been there and lived that life before no offence before most of you were born , I wish you luck with your venture but trust me there are a hell of a lot people on here who don’t shout from the rooftops but have a vast amount of knowledge about NS , The music, the promotions of the past and are not easily won over, Mick

Hi Mickey Im with you out of the 3 the third option is my favourite It still should make an exciting night out with a twist if one or two discoveries are thrown n the mix of a quality set, always playing for the dance floor and crowd and not to impress other Dj,s A soul session wether a dayer , nighter or soul night should always strive to be entertaining Mick

Your bang on there Solid Soul the Genie escaped from the bottle with the internet it opened a fast route sometimes too fast for a lot of people to skip the old ways of serving your Soul baptism to the music and huge chunks of the experience in finding tracks you love or were rare became to easy in a lot of cases spoiling the mysticism that was part of the fun, and of course when everyone was living it for real and learning on the job , you can never buy that unless you lived it the good experiences and the bad , It’s not their fault they were born to late LoL,and technology left us behind, Mick