Barry

That track sits in my Ritz memory bank, when Tavares - 'Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel' used to get pasted, usually at which point I disappeared from the dancefloor cussing (as youngsters do). I still believe that that track was never one that should have had NS showcasing - but - now as an older bloke, what a feckin' magnificent production. It was the 'GAP' advert from a few years back that made me listen to it with new ears.

My shot - a five pound pick up, that was a whopper when Wigan bounced to 'TWBANTR' - Eddie Holman, 'Janice' - Skip Mahoney, 'Over The Top' - Roy Dawson, 'Ready For The Getdown' - ZZ & Co etc etc....and it is.....and I honestly still love it....'Keys To The City' - Omni. Lyrically heartfelt and quite beautiful (in the bands approach to the delivery of those words), with drops built for the Northern scene at the time. "I sit all alone, by the telephone, waiting for your call" "BA-DI-YAP-BA-DOO-WAH!" Love it.

Ha ha, in one mate. Will actually fell to sleep in the middle of one of Stu's more interesting stories - the funny thing being - Stu either didn't notice or didn't care - I'm picking Carl up at the airport tomorrow a.m., they should have a great Southport. How you?

YAAY!! Michael. Just packed Big Will and Barry B off (we did a good job on the NJ boys I think ) .

The laundry lass' views, as did Dave Withers', summed it all up - pure passion for a time and it's music, and a true love for the scene which was their lives at that moment. Which is why the words and images conveyed on that doc still stick with us types.

It strikes me that Dave is a very rare commodity on this scene from the loving heartfelt responses given above. I thank the board for them.

Can't believe I didn't get a decent response to the above!?

Worth a fiver all day to me, thanks for the history chaps.

Some belters in there, I'll leave it up to the straight-minded to pick out the relevant quotes. You know why that is Rachel, and the word 'strange' (??) don't enter into it? It seems to me that it is mainly because the younger element that are involved with this, (any), scene tend not to have the hierachial back up on this scene and also on this message board that, maybe say, you have, therefore it isn't as easy for them to pipe up as freely as you nad I can. The only things that the young things feel able to respond to, obviously, are topics that relate to or maybe involve themselves/topics that they are able to reply to - namely the ones you are castigating those same youngsters for responding to. After all we all have an opinion, don't we? This question wasn't about age, read between the lines, it was about the longevity of the scene and this music... you seem to be dividing the issue into an age thing, which is short sighted. Without youth and youngblood (Smith), surely the death-warrant has already been issued for the NS scene? Remember mine is only a view, my view alone, and not a truth. You were a baby at one time on this scene, and you're still here. Therefore, you shouldn't relegate certain relevant the views from others on this subject, simply for the fact that they are made from individuals that are younger than yourself.

I'm not sure who made it but either way, good response. Don't take me too seriously mate.

Very odd track for me (I wasn't aware of it prior to my purchase), with a bizarre bassline but I love it anyhow - any info gratefully received.

Obviously not, but, and this harks back to my 'Keb Darge' post - I do find it funny that pivotal figures are allowed a degree of movement in their musical tastes, whereas others aren't. Look at Sam and his left field musical fixations (not all Northern by any measure), Searling and his current R&B plays (the worst part of his show for me), Brian and his Doo Wop, Keb and his Funk etc etc. Does this not beg the question from you die hard 'Northern or Nowt' Soulies that you may have a certain degree of musical opening (some may say, growing) up to do? Ouch.

And Michael, he is worthy of them all. I do miss the 'tache though.

Fair do's mate. I must say that a major force in my memories when it comes to the Northern scene at that time was the gritty and beautiful reality that Northern town girls, from Wigan, Leigh, Bolton etc (and the surrounding areas) brought to the scene. The hair-do's, the look they brought, (back end of Wigan's era and the fashions that were on display thanks to said girls), the open book kinship they had - the great things about Nighter birds at that time was they tended not to work on the same hierachy levels that blokes did, they just accepted you. Who was the blonde Wigan lass that used to partner dance with Janice Thorpe (Leigh) at Wigan, they always danced together to the right of the stage, matching crimson leather kecks and pixie boots? I loved watching them. Janice was the only bird that I saw stomping at a nighter (Morecambe) whilst eight month pregnant. Anyone any sightings lately?

I couldn't have asked for a better set of props for a lovely man. Ergo - Dave IS God!

Thanks for the enlightening replies, I hope one day some of you may get to grips with my questioning technique, generally fashioned to drag a response from folk, and not as some of you seem to think, borne of ignorance. Some beltingly well thought out responses in there though, cheers.

Am I reading this right? Are they Spanish lads/girls? Are they white-ish? Are they not Belgian - female - Welsh? Will it not get Radio 1 airplay? I take it that it's obscure, maybe? It strikes me that your post used the 'Duffy' tag in the negative manner that you did, simply to attract positive reactions from other DF's (Duffy Haters) that possibly may have not responded to your post without being given the opportunity to prove themselves 'better Soulies' by joining in on your pointless (Welsh) white witch hunt. Anyway - is it any good?

May I add that I will be taking any negatives that you may have to task.

I've just spent 40 minutes banging out a post that I lost as someone sent me a PM (sorry Mike ), so on the back of that.... I'd like your views about a man who is a part of our/your history.

Next time I suggest you go with a brand along the lines of something like 'SOUL CITY' for example. You know, something that is that original, that other like-minded forward thinking people, like yourself obviously, whom have actually taken note of over-used stereo-typical poorly thought out, 'Nah we'll give it a miss' 'headlining', punter grabbing, promotional killers such as that a go. It may save you the odd post or two....maybe!?

...I mean after all, what is that meant to convey at all?

I'll respond to your post in a manner befitting an adult - a f*cking lovely track to me, holding good memories. I got battered by my elders and betters (you know who you are. How's life these days? Got new curtains lately?) for liking it as a lad, a bit girly for some it seemed. Just an observation but it's funny how many people are quick off the mark to show the board that they think that someone has over-priced a track isn't it? I'm sick of seeing thinly veiled prods covered as reasonable responses....but they keep me coming back don't they?

Mate I was, am, and will continue to be a nobody on this scene. I was the kid in my group, the whipping boy, no doubt there are a lot like me on here too. The only reason I feel the need to exert my opinions and wonderings are simply based on the fact that I haven't had a week, since 1978 (Maleady'll back that up), that my life hasn't revolved around going to venues and learning my trade. I may talk a good game, but I would hope that you never see me as a worthy recipient of a remark like the one you made above.

The majority of music-based youth movements tend to be borne of 100 mile an hour audio assaults (see rock n roll, punk, Northern etc). The longevity of the Northern scene and it's heroic devotees' have obviously took it way beyond those heady days. Nowadays tempo's in general have dropped, people have obviously learned to appreciate real quality, tastes have diversified etc. Has the scene got a hope in hell in attracting todays youth to it, given the way the scene has gone? Does it really matter? Will the scene just play itself out to the contented strains of our memories?