Keeping The Faith - New book out now

On leaving the Twisted Wheel Club, by coincidence we met Dave Godin and persuaded him to pose for a photograph In front of the original building. As I photographed Dave and other original soulies in front of this now legendary site I realised that although I could only have memories of the original soul scene, what I could do was compile photographs of the scene as it is now for posterity. The current soul scene was just as exciting and the re-emergence of soul venues needed to be recognized.

Initially my main objective was to record a year In the life of the British soul scene, but due to my full-time commitments at work and home I began to realise I might need to spend two years on the project. I decided to start the project on December 27th 2001 at the Ritz all-nlghter in Manchester. My main objective would be to visit as many soul venues as possible in order to provide an overview of the soul scene in the UK.

During these two years, Ive have met some amazing people. I have rekindled old friendships, been introduced to new friends and contacts. My photographs reveal that soul folk have an impeccable taste In music and sometImes a bizarre and eclectic dress code. They have an astonishingly detailed knowledge of soul music and an obsessive loyalty to the authenticity and pedigree of the music. It is difficult to define their clothes and fashion sense as it ranges from sharp, clean mohair suits (for mods) to extra wide Wigan baggies'. The choice partly depends on the particular strain of the music they favour. Age and social background appears to be Irrelevant and a strange etiquette exists as the appreciation of the music overrides differences of opinions. At a large soul weekender, such as Cleethorpes in June, you will find people from all over the world. The audience for the Velvelettes at their Cleethorpes concert consisted of visitors from Japan, Sweden, Germany, Spain, USA and so on. The full cross-section of society exists at a big soul event You have old, young, able, disabled, children white, black, asian... mods, suede heads, skin heads, northern soulers, rastas. modern soulers... tattooed builders, factory workers, lorry drivers, housewives students, teachers, doctors, lawyers, ex-prisoners...

Some of the 'soulies' have been going to soul venues, non-stop since the 1960s whilst others are young and completely new to the scene. Perhaps its the atmosphere which attracts both young and old. When you enter a venue, particularly at the large events such as the King Georges Hall in Stoke. the atmosphere is electric. With the quasi religious fever in the air you notice many dancers have intense, trance like expressions. Soul appears to be a religion and devotees express their beliefs out on the dance floor In an Infinite variety of ways. Music is the focal point of their faith.
I hope 'Keeping the Faith' makes a small contribution to showing how in 2004 thIs uniquely British Soul Scene continues to flourish.