What are the best written guides to the world of Northern Soul?

If an alien were sent to Earth to learn about the scene what would his ideal reading list look like?

Are there any books which really really renewed your faith in all of it, or which you read and thought "yes. That really nails it."

Looking forward to hearing everyone's nominations.

There are no wrong answers.

"casino" by dave shaw

^

Nice one. Keep 'em coming.

"casino" by dave shaw

Awesome book.

the rare soul story by mike ritson is a superb book,its volume one,wld love to read a volume 2

jason

are these all original Books ??

the rare soul story by mike ritson is a superb book,its volume one,wld love to read a volume 2

jason

Do you mean 'The In Crowd' by Mike Ritsion & Stuart Russell ?

Do you mean 'The In Crowd' by Mike Ritsion & Stuart Russell ?

yes thats the one,thanks dave

jason

Anyone read Neil Rushton's book?

Anyone read Ginger's one?

are these all original Books ??

Stuart Maconie-Pies And Prejudice.....has a brief section on northern (original first pressing)

Rock File 1-Charlie Gillett 1974 (reprinted 75) great articles on visiting the Casino etc

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life-Bill Brewster (the whole history of the dj.....I've only got the New Centenary edition repress. Wouldn't read it out on the train/tube but okay for home)

Jackie Wilson-Lonely Teardrops (Tony Douglas 1997)

Boss Sounds-Marc Griffiths( don't think this has been repressed.Skinhead reggae guide 1995)

The Sound Of Philadelphia-Tony Cummings( 1975,never repressed and still holds up to this day)I have a spare copy.

The Influential Factor-Graham Lentz....more about the mod scene but loads of early northern sounds mentioned

The Family Album-Chris Brown.....rare rare rare book about the southern jazz funk scene with some great pics.From 1980.

Searching For Soul-Reg Stickings (good read northern thru jazz funk)

Pete Mcenna-Nightshift (mines a STP pre release stamped copy number 01162.Beware of the represses)

Brummells Last Riff-Alan Fletcher (early mod scene autographed 14th march 97)

Rare Soul-(UK price guide came out in 1990)

Dave Shaw-Casino( first pressing 2000....believe it has been repressed)

Central 1179-Keith Rylatt( don't think this has been repressed)

That Beatin Rhythm-Paddy Grady......clubs/northern in the south of England pressed in 2001.Think this rare now on the rare book scene but a bit ploddy in parts.Not as good as an over read oldie like Dave Shaws Casino

Edited October 14, 201113 yr by wiggyflat

Anyone read Neil Rushton's book?

Yes - well enough packaged and good to look at, but it is no more than a sequence of anecdotes and recollections from a plethora of scene stalwarts including artists, dj's, punters etc

That is not a criticism as I really enjoyed it but it is not an in-depth analysis or time-line reference book for the scene. I suspect it was never meant to be, anyhow.

Anyone read Ginger's one?

Yes - not to be recommended if an in-depth analysis is sought.

It's an homage to a nice bloke by somebody who believes he deserves it.

Searching For Soul

One guys journey through the Soul scene from start to present day.

Best description I can think of "written from the heart."

Doc

too darn soulful David Nowell

Edited October 14, 201113 yr by Winnie :-)

The Sound Of Philadelphia-Tony Cummings( 1975,never repressed and still holds up to this day.top book,was chatting to Bobby Eli about this only the other day,theres a bit where Bobby was inducted into the black music hall of fame,the organisers didnt realise he was a white jewish guy

Just got the Tim Brown book which as expected is brilliant for record history, and overall is a great read.

I guess no one book covers everything, but as I'm only a 'young un' (50!) and only tagged along in 1975, I suppose the ideal book would be written by someone maybe on the scene around 1970 who watched and experienced the whole event.

Even then, they would have to appreciate the dress codes, dance styles, rare record scene, stimulents etc, and a whole host of other topics. Not sure if any one person has all that personal knowledge.

So I guess there no definitve guide in one book so far, but with 5 or 6 mentioned here, the whole story is there.

By the way, TSWONS DVD, is probably a better guide as several 'early birds' get the chance to describe how things were.

Ed

Wasn't there a book about a chart or something?

Anyone read Ginger's one?

for the record, i personally thought ginger's book was hilarious because when you meet him in the flesh he really is a bundle of laughs and some of the stories he has related, had us rolling in the aisles....evrytime i read "the skipton massacre" i am literally in tears of laughter because i can actually picture that happening...its like morcambe & wise, tommy cooper and norman wisdom all rolled into one!!

in essence, its about the man and his life involved in the scene, whereas neil's book is ABOUT the scene as he has grown up with it, very stylish, glossy great images, testimonials, recollections from an array of contributors and one tome that keeps me looking in admiration...of course i did get the chance to add some input myself so it has even more resonance for me.

i also think tim's book is excellent and about as close as you are going to come to perfection when trying to tell the story of wigan casino and as has been said here before, i dont believe anyone will be able to replicate such a book as a lot of years and research went into it.

the wilson & mackenzie offerings on motown and its stars, respectively, are great fact finders as well when you want to know about the music that originally influenced us.

i feel, that the book everyone would love to have and read has yet to appear and that will be from the pen of mr. searling....AM I NOT RIGHT?

Wasn't there a book about a chart or something?

Yep That one cant be ignored and if we are keeping to the original posters idea of presenting an Alien a few books to learn about the General Northern Soul Scene then its up right up there.The Books i would recommend and the ones that i really enjoyed reading are

Too Darn Soulful---David Nowell----Good overview of the scene and the Legendary venues

Casino--Dave Shaw---Brilliant emotional account of one mans casino experiences

Wigan Casino Years--Tim Brown---the ultimate casino book

Right Track--Rob Mckeever/Ginger Taylor---entertaining book from an entertaining DJ

Northern Soul Top 500--Kev Roberts---Nice well put together enjoyable book

Don't think you need to get any others really apart from as already mentioned the one Mr Searling needs to do,plus would really love to see Ian Dewhurst write all his great posts into one book.Also would love to see the record hunting book when it comes out

I enjoyed Neil Rushton's 'Northern Soul Stories', full of excellent little anecdotes & bits of interesting trivia.