Barry

Haters, don't you love 'em!? You can spend your time knocking it, take a pop at youngsters who spent some time there, maybe some of them weren't as devout as yourself (make you feel more of a Soulie does it?)? At the end of the day, Wigan - forget what sh*t tracks (in your eyes) were played there, forget who wasn't good enough to be there, forget whose memories aren't worthy of your merit - because at the end of the day it was the best days of certain peoples lives - nowt to do with your venomous catty views. You're simply spitting on thousands of good Soul-Loving people that made this scene what it is today with your poorly thought out, insecure and at the end of the day, shallow, see through immatgure views. How's about that then? Rather than telling older Soulies to 'move on' for simply recounting their memories, I think it is obvious that the haters should 'move on', as it is obvious that you have very little else to say - shooting fish in a barrel for you innit mate? Does certain irrelevant others negativities cloud my views, my memories? I'll leave that obvious question open.

Did I say that? I can't be arsed looking but I'm sure I didn't. I, and many others like me, were All Nighter attendees for years (call me a Soulie at that time, as I was by your terms) but there are certainly a huge amount of people, like myself [a Northern/Modern fan] that grew with it, bought it, spent time on others dancefloors up and down the country, simply appreciating it. You know why? Because it was great music. How many tracks that were played on that scene in the early 80's were derided by the NS community at the time (slow learners??) that are now accepted on Nighter dancefloors? I'm no less of a Northern Soul devotee for enjoying other forms of soulful black music. There are also many others on here that have manged to juggle their musicality, keep abreast of it's beauty, and be true to their 60's roots; going to Nighters, buying Northern etc; alongside improving their love of the ever-evolving American based soul scene. 'Moving on' musically doesn't mean you lose any Brownie points (sorry - it does if loving your music means keeping your immediate peers happy, if those peers have very little knowledge of anything other than Northern) - in any way. If you think honestly think that no NS/Modern types bought that music you need to expand your circle mate.

Could I ask what you have to do to gain acceptance on here? Are posting reminiscences, giving views, asking thought provoking questions (that sounds a bit 'Barry White' I know), being positive etc not enough?: (Christ! I sound like I'm arsed here). At what point do my views drag the vitriole out of people? You silly nit-pickers surely must see that I have some kind of earnt view? I have no wish to be tarnished with the red wine 'midnight poster' mantle. From this day forth I will attempt, again, to be a valid (??) member to this board. ...errrr!!

Before I bore myself, the board, my dead family members, and yourself Tony - I'll just quote Agent 45's opener to this ultimatley pointless and awfully dreary thread. Jamaica, Baz & Babs etc....I honestly don't think he was looking for an answer that required such a display from yourself. Or maybe it was me, and not you, who was hi-jacking a thread with irrelevant information that displayed to the board how deeeeeeep my knowledge of the scene is - that is without actually giving the short and (wanted) succinct answer to what should have been a decent thread.

Did you think twice about your response Tony? Shame I had already quoted it. Don't dally son.

What has Parkers (and your irrelevant illness) got to do with owt? I simply gave a few relevant venues that played good soul music in the NW off the back of the Northern scene, and you lot horribly, and yet fantastically, spewed your errant dislike of Searling by jumping on his input and knocking it - Freudian as Feck. Without me having to spell it out for you, you've shown your true colours Tony - old, misconstrued and faded as it happens. I'll live my life knowing I'm right as I have first hand knowledge, with or without your nod. Love you.

Tony? Your view?

Without rattling on about my history gareth (which I could do, it is wide and varied as it happens). Who said Searling invented it, I certainly didn't - how can you invent a term? - and you should respect your elders and betters my friend, or it all stands for nothing - just reflect for a moment it'll do you good. I almost bit there but then I realised the majority of the above negative comments appear to be made from people that weren't truly involved in the black music scene, the same comments appear to be second hand borrowed scaredy cat white boy comments. I have no problems with that at heart but you're talking to a lad that has been involved on these scenes. It seems to me that you are white soul boys, borne of white soul boy venues. Tell me I'm wrong.

Your ace Tony, and I'm sh*t - obviously. Simply shown by the fact that it is very obvious by your jokey and unconcerned message board demenour that I have you running scared (don't take it too seriously mate, I don't) and you are having to rely on other misinformed Northern 'drones' that are similarly as insecure as yourself to give your poor drawlings creedence. No matter how much effort you and yours put into making me appear somewhat of a being not worthy of having a view (that is worth listening to), the PM's I receive from other board members tell me different. Good luck with your task, it will ultimately bear little fruit. I'll still talk intelligently about this music, which will enable you and your school-ground bullies to continue spouting their pointless drivel. I don't see a positive bone amongst you.

Actualy I feel like taking you to task on that, pm me with your views, you obviously have it in mind that I have just pissed about on dancefloors for a bit. I mean it, pm me, lets talk.

Are you lot real?

Still for sale/?

Stop playing the game Ian, and answer the question son. The very fact that I have spent a few moments putting together a relevant question, which has seen some really poor responses, proves a great deal to me. If you wish to prove your worth to other members by adopting a school-ground attitude, fair do's. I see it and I'm sure others do.

I envy you Harry mate, I'm waiting up 'til the missus has to go to work. Sad innit?

Obviously there is a market for them Harry, as is todays society and the average age of a died in the wool Soulie, they can't give it the time they once did, hence my above post. It/it's long standing devotee's/it's lifeblood can only give of what they can. Fair enough there are certain events that give enough to warrant the 'it's healthier than it's ever been' comments but the reality is, the Northern scene has (had to) give itself over to it's roots. I know there are bigger events, held over a monthly span, that enable a more vigorous attendance than the norm - which is where the beautiful irony lies; although the NS scene as a whole appears to be diluting itself with the 'local venue' angle, it is the singular proof that it was always a true scene. It's commiting a beautiful suicide. Should I go to bed mate?

There is no other scene comparable to the NS scene in the history of peoples boots on dancefloors - end of. But, and it may be a one off observation, the NS scene has followed the only path it could, given it's own trail-blazing singularity. Young boys in the 70's got the bug from the earlier pioneers (luckily for us they were worth their salt), set up shop and kicked ass for years - then they grew up. It became a career, yes of course they loved it, but ultimatley if you are able to make a lot of money from your passion - do it (see The Premier League). Kids on the dancefloor danced, spent their bus fare home on pressings (walked home), grew to know better, believed, lived their life around that scene (see any scene, but the NS scene always had that tad more intensity). They grew up, as did their views, musical moralities and tastes - they felt more relevant, more involved, more the epitome of the creed they had been taught as they climbed the scale. Next minute, they are 20/30 years into a scene - a scene where 20 year old men had taught them their trade, maybe 25/30 years back - men who were true pioneers - and the followers have thought "I can do that!" Those same people who where always heading to that point; they were always going to deserve that moment and credit where credit is due - that is the life cycle of a scene - any scene. Everyone wants/deserves their Andy Warhol moment, after all you've given your life over to your fifteen minutes, haven't you? But you must remember that without the internet and it's latent beauty, no file sharing, no label scans, no e-mail - NO NOWT - those lads back in the 60's/70's & 80's were the f*cking real deal. No getting away from it.

Do you think that being the lucky born individual you are (a Soulie with a history that is), gives you a headstart? Given also, that you (as an owd c*nt) have made all your mistakes in the 60's/70's/80's (and fair do's, we've all been there), they are times gone now after all. After all, your earlier lowly standing in the NS hierachy at the time has all but been forgotten (You're the most old-looking at venues these days after all, and you know a lot about venues and tracks that 20/30 odd year old people involved recently don't, so what does it matter?). True? The only truthful answer to the above question, as regards what I read on here anyhow, is "Yes, of course it does." I, you, and every one else are guilty of it - it's a natural thing after all, you can't reminisce without falling foul of bigging yourself up in some small way - no real problem if that is all it is, simply reminiscing. But at what point do ''owd c*nts' stop responding to relevant questions, posted by interested others, and start responding with slightly askew answers that generally tend to twist away from the initial question, that then seem to dissolve into weird personal views/record loves/history moments etc. If you have a history, start a thread - tell us about it, about you, don't just dump your random memories into threads that may have had half a chance of solving something, you corrupt those same threads. I've re read this this and it isn't meant to be a negative post, although it could be misconstrued as such, it's just that I see so many random posts popped willy-nilly into cracking conversations, threads that would possibly have made interesting reading if people would have kept their eye on the ball. I think I may have wandered off a bit there, I'll make no apologies for it, as I'm sure the more the more intelligent amongst you will see both of the points that I am trying to make here, points that I can't be arsed deliniating between right now (It's been a long night and it's late). Love you all btw. Please discuss.

Ta Gasher! Simon??

....and I feel you should start showing a little of the knowledge you surely must have gained from being such a wide and varied collector (I wouldn't have known if you wouldn't have posted your musical conquests) on this message board. I may take you more seriously if you did. May!? that is.

Tony, do you honestly think that the fella who posted the initial thread opener was hoping to be told about Jamaican sound systems? If so, stick yer Baz & Babs record back on yer turntable mate. And you have the nerve to have denegrate Searlings input. Blinder!

I'm sure the majority of grounded 'listeners' think that way Mark, and as your response implies, you do too. But your response has little to do with my question. I buy ten bob records all day, so my question - if I would have wished to talk about myself that is - could have been "How good am I for buying ten bob records?". It wasn't. I would hope you would re read the question and possibly respond in a manner deserved of the question. I'm not being an arse, but this board should be re-named 'Chinese Whispers' as it's unbelievable how convoluted certain answers become the further down the board they are.

Giving Searling props for playing what is deemed by the majority to be Two Step has little to do with giving the NS/Modern scene credit for 'inventing' it Tony. Obviously you pigeon hole 'Prayin', as I would expect a mainly NS type to do, as simply an all nighter play - it wasn't. Try not to spill knowledge to relevant others....when your knowledge is gained only from the insular scene that you have evolved within. I would hope that my reply is along the lines of what you would have expected of me.

Ta Gasher, dinosaur that I am - how do I find him on here?

Just think about the term 'Two Step' lads.

Anyone remember reading the story of why 'Get It Baby' ended up on the flip of 'QTMA'?