Kevinkent

Salt Adds Traction ? Colin I said they had to be easy to sing with your teeth out! Put 'em back in. Was that mean't to be "Soul Self Satisfaction" ? -I'll get my Zimmer. -Kev

Yep, that ones already made me stop and think about what I'm doing! And I'm dreading the day I shuffle into a room and everyone starts singing "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" -Kev

Er...Toby.....You forgot to put up a suggestion . Never mind mate, but whichever way you go - "I'll See You When I Get There" -Kev.

"bored as the rest of us"? Who is "us"? Certainly not the Northampton crowd that I hung aroud with. Different story when I moved to Maidstone in '71 maybe. Yes those numbers you mentioned were from Motowns most creative period - they were trying harder than ever to achieve popularity. Hey, even I owned that album with "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" on it Anyways, not out to start a war on here. Taste, memories, views, -we've all got something different yet share a common bond. Each to their own. -Kev. -Kev

True Steve that Motown had gone well iffy by then - and that's probably what prompted many to look for alternative labels with a similar output to what was still then regarded as the original Motown Sound. Very successful in their endeavours too, thankfully. The Philly Sound was described as the new Motown Sound by a number of radio dj's at the time - so not an entirely original point I have made. And yes, I'm all for new generations getting in to the scene - through whatever route. No apologies though, right or wrong these are my views. I know how I felt at the time, and I certainly know what I like now. -Kevin Kent

I don't know any Modern soul anthems. I'm confused with the various pigeon holes of Modern/Crossover/70's, and will probably remain so because it's not a area which I'm inclined to further explore. This is not to denigrate it - it has it's place and some I enjoy listening to for a short while. Others seem to prefer it. Horses for courses I guess. To those who tell me to broaden my outlook.... I do. Having been away from the scene for so long, I am constantly hearing tunes which are new to me - it's sheer coincidence that most that make me want to dance and give me that tingle down the spine, are 60's tracks. Ones that I instantly recognise as "Northern" but haven't yet read the date on the label. To be honest, the majority of what I hear played as Alternative (for want of a better word) Soul, bear a great deal of resemblance to what would be heard along with general "disco" sounds at for instance the YMCA disco in Northampton circa 1970. A time when those who wanted to broaden their outlook ventured further afield and discovered what was to become accepted as "Northern". Personally I think things started to go seriously wrong on a large scale in about '71 when the O'Jays had UK hits with "Love Train" followed by "Backstabbers".That was the start of the much vaunted Philly Sound being sold as the successor to the established Motown Sound. Even I got carried away for a while - thought I had the first UK copy of "Backstabbers" when Contempo in Hanway St had to open up the mail package to serve me. All downhill from there IMO. Of course, i could have got it all wrong about a subject which I don't care for, but these are my views and the way I see it. -Kevin Kent.

There's so much talk on here of Northern Soul dying out with our generation, and much mention of it being "a way of life". So....what are we all gonna do when we get to the "OLD SOULS" Residential Care Home & Day Centre. The so called "Chin Strokers" will be dribbling in a comfy chair. The Scooter Boys will be creating havoc on those 4 wheeled jobbies. The really good dancers will have wheels on their Zimmer frames. We ain't gonna let it die! We won't be having sing alongs to "Daisy, Daisy" So what are we gonna be having communal sing-songs to? Give me your answer do. Just 2 rules: 1)They've got to be well known. 2) Easy to sing with your teeth out. Or, the suggestions can be humourous with an apt title. I'l kick it off with the rather obvious... "I'M ON MY WAY" or what about.... "I'M SLOWLY MOLDING" Hurry up 'cos I ain't got long before I'm there! -KevIn Kent

Do you usually pay more than that for your vinyl then? -Kev.

I recommend SLEEVE IT OUT UK. Call Loz on 01634-578251 , mobile 07818475371 or email lozdoyle17@hotmail.co.uk Based in Kent but does really good deals on all sorts of sleeves/mailers/boxes and vinyl storage solutions. Cheap delivery throughout UK, but may also be near you at a record fair sometime. Top guy too, and likes his Northern. -Kev

Hi Martyn. Not the one mate. The two I mentioned were running about '69 - '70 I reckon. -Kev

You're right Kimbo mate. PMing ya

Hi Brett, Nice to hear of a youngster cutting his teeth on the scene. Just a quick correction re the Duffy interview. Featured dancers are guys on the scene - Liam, Dave(?) Walker, Trickster, Keb Darge, who were auditioned following a shout on this site. Apparently there were some "pro" dancers used to fill the frame and the guys off the scene had to teach 'em how to dance Northern before the shoot. That could be where the confusion lies. -Kev.

Very timely post Dawn - I would have missed this too. Ray impressed me at the last DKoF (my first visit) and this was also an opportunity for me to confirm what that Betty Lavette track was (where was it I used to hear this loads in Northants 35+ years ago?). Only caught the first half so far but thought Ray came across really well and I'll listen to the rest later. Gave us a good laugh too 'cos my daughter tried to ridicule the scene when she came in and thought she heard Ian Grey say "In the studio I've got Ray, my homie" Well done Bro' -Kev.

Hi Kimbo, The Red House - that was the place! Can't remember if it was a regular niter or a one off though. From Moulton myself - when it was a village not a business park, then moved to Roade but it was to far to Wilby and the right side of Northampton, so left home at 16 and moved into the town, and later Corby for a short while. -Kev

Earls Barton (Greyhound Stadium) - nr Northampton. My first niter. ...and a little place in the middle of nowhere on the road between Northampton and Kettering, think it was called the Halfway House. Long, long time ago. Bisley Pavilion (Nightshift Club) already mentioned for the 70's but still doing niters. -Kev. Oops! Sorry Kimbo - see you've already acknowledged the Barton Blockers!

Hi Paul, I've read that Duffy was "influenced" by her Northern Soulie parents, and let's not forget how hugely instrumental Dusty Springfield was in getting USA soul artists to the UK in the 60's. I'm generally of the opinion that the only difference between a "Northern" sound and many "Pop" sounds, is success -or the lack of it. Our scene leans towards the lesser known underdog. But what if those artists had been succesful? Surely they were all striving for popularity and I don't think any artist should instantly be transferred to another genre of music once they have achieved this. It's always a tough one to call, and an emotive subject for so many of us. I do like your description of Northern Soul as not a type of music but as a scene. Considering all the variances of music played within the scene your description seems the most apt. Trouble is - how do I now describe "Northern Soul" to an inquisitive youngster? It was difficult enough trying to describe the music! I can see it now - "Well, is Duffy Northern Soul then?"... ."er..it sort of depends where it's being played" Respect Kev

Cheers Cliff! Nice tune. -Kev.

Did the Jimmy Ellis go - or have you still got it? If it's still there I'll take it no probs. Nice tune. -Kev "STOLEN HOURS" 8 'till 12. MARCH 8th @ Sir Stanley Grey, Pegwell, RAMSGATE

AFSC...nice site. If I ever get back on 2 wheels you'll have a new recruit. As it's almost impossible to view every thread on the site, why not give it a mention on the "Soulful Squaddies" thread in All Our Yesterdays? It might even link up a few old mates. -Kev. "STOLEN HOURS" 8 'till 12. MARCH 8th @ Sir Stanley Grey, Pegwell, RAMSGATE

The 7" must be better as it's crap disco that don't go on for so long. Did someone say this was a NORTHERN anthem? -Kev

POPPYCOCK. "not down to you or I that decides what is Northern" - What a load of twaddle. I don't care who has it listed. . I'm gonna play Scaffold - Lilly The Pink, and guess what - if one person dances to it, hey presto it's Northern! True Lovers, now there's a nice tune - Northern too. -Kev

Why do they call you "Mischief"?

Correct. And Trickster is there strutting his stuff too. -Kev.

No probs Alan. Strange that I only ever get wound up on Soul Source - must be an I.T. thing. Actually, that's not true 'cos Jo Wallace and Sean Chapman double decked a "Youth Club" set once and I walked out. I'll give it some thought while I'm devouring my fish supper and post some up later. -Kev.