"What music are you into Liam?" asks a young 21 yr old who is playing radio 1 

 

"hmmm well i like more older stuff" I reply nervously not knowing what to say and how to say it

 

"like what? Don't just say everything like everyone else does as you must have a favourite genre"

 

"Hmm, well I am more into Soul"

 

"What? Soul? Like what?"

 

I get this question asked so many times, as I am younger people assume I should be into rap, drum n bass, Dubstep and other shit like that like other people my age. I just never know what to say as they would never know what it is.

 

Even when "normal" older people ask's what music are you into? I just do not know what to say, I never just say Northern Soul. It just does not seem right.

 

So What do you say when a "normal" person ask's you what music do you like?

I used to say 60's Tamla Motown type music etc.  Most people know what Tamla Motown sounds like. 

 

Now I say I am into Northern Soul, because I think it has become fashionable again with younger and older people. Even though they still don't know what it is!

Edited May 9, 201312 yr by Guest

As a 19 year old, I say rare soul. My likes have moved away from just the trad northern soul tag, so "rare soul" is more suited. But, tbh, alot of younger lads I know who are big into break beats and drum and bass (which I also like, despite never know what I am listening too lol) do really quite like a lot of the mecca/cleethorpes/Curtis Mayfield type tunes when ive played them o them.

As a 19 year old, I say rare soul. My likes have moved away from just the trad northern soul tag, so "rare soul" is more suited. But, tbh, alot of younger lads I know who are big into break beats and drum and bass (which I also like, despite never know what I am listening too lol) do really quite like a lot of the mecca/cleethorpes/Curtis Mayfield type tunes when ive played them o them.

 

What tracks have you played them?

 

The songs I have played to a few of my drum N bass/dubs step lovin mates hate my music and do not understand it. 

After that Paul O'Grady thing I now tell people I'm into Country & Western....

Expensive

What tracks have you played them?

The songs I have played to a few of my drum N bass/dubs step lovin mates hate my music and do not understand it.

I only play people the odd track every now and then, but what they've heard they quite liked. Some people get it, others dont. Simple as. The ones who get it are quite impressed with the record collecting thing and DJing.

Tracks that seem to go down well are;

East Coast Connection - Summer In the Parks

The Notions - Superpeople

Skull Snaps - I'm Your Pimp

Curtis Mayfield - Do Do Wap Is Strong In Here/Move On Up/Most of his stuff is great and seems to be liked.

Silvetti - Spring Rain

Sliced Tomatoes

Alot of these have quite a contemporary sound, and lyrics which I think appeals. Especially the Curtis stuff. To most on here they will be classics, but, if you've never listened to soul it's a different story.

I don't hang around normal people :)the local young uns have asked me to play a few at there soul food disco and im wondering what i could get away with playing

But these lads are massively into music (break beats/rave), not just your average clubbers. Maybe that has a bearing on why they like a few tracks?

"What music are you into Liam?" asks a young 21 yr old who is playing radio 1 

 

"hmmm well i like more older stuff" I reply nervously not knowing what to say and how to say it

 

"like what? Don't just say everything like everyone else does as you must have a favourite genre"

 

"Hmm, well I am more into Soul"

 

"What? Soul? Like what?"

 

I get this question asked so many times, as I am younger people assume I should be into rap, drum n bass, Dubstep and other shit like that like other people my age. I just never know what to say as they would never know what it is.

 

Even when "normal" older people ask's what music are you into? I just do not know what to say, I never just say Northern Soul. It just does not seem right.

 

So What do you say when a "normal" person ask's you what music do you like?

 

I always without exception say northern soul and most people say that's what they played at Wigan pier isn't it. Then when I say no it was the Casino its always oh yeah that's the place

 

Ste

Surely there can't be many people that don't know what Northern Soul is these days, can there?
With all the TV ads, and programmes, and radio 2 blasting it out ever few tunes, and records like 'mercy' and
the video that went with it etc etc.

I have always said Northern Soul, in the early days OK, they had an excuse for not knowing,
but now, no excuse whatsoever, and if they don't know what it is, then, just say, like Tamla Motown.

And I don't want them to know!

I live in the East Midlands. Therefore I change the subject rather quickly

I say....."Sh*t Motown that never made it, you wouldn't like it"

 

 

Len

Edited May 9, 201312 yr by LEN

'If I had to explain, you wouldn't understand'

 

Jim

Northern Soul. 'Cos that's exactly what I like.  

 

Stand Tall - Be Proud. The people who made the music did.

 

Regards,

 

Dave

Q: What are you into then?

A: Obscure, uptempo American Soul music roughly from the mid 60s to the mid 70s, stuff that never really made the charts.

Q: On i-tunes?

A: Yes, you can find stuff on there, but also on CD compilations from Ace/Kent though I prefer to collect the original vinyl, whether singles or albums, either through Ebay or through private record dealers.

Q: So you've got something to play them on then?

A: No, I just like to look at them and touch them (this usually signals the end of the chat).

Years ago i would say "northern soul" and get blank looks so i would change it to "60's motown" and get a nod, but now if i say "northern soul" i get the nod, how times have changed.

Jazz, Delta Blues, City Blues, Country/Folk Blues, Gospel/Spiritual, '40s/'50s R&B, '60s Soul, Afro-Latin/"Salsa", Keltic(bagpipe(Scots and Bulgarian)/Irish Folk, Ancient Chinese, Classic Japanese,  Bluegrass Folk, European Classical, movie and TV themes

Fed up with all the follow on questions if I said "Northern Soul", I changed to '60s Soul a long time ago. It does the job. If they know anything they talk about it, if they don't they just say "Oh!"

As Toad has stated in post #8 i dont knock about with anyone who aint into soul,

if i ever get asked etc by the normal(well to them anyway) i say ooohhh i like Polka music,shuts em up with immediate effect

i say 60s soul ..quickly followed by 'the rarer more underground stuff'

 

have you played this to your drum and bass mates?..not northern more funky edged but almost drum and bass!

 

https://youtu.be/jhFA-RPN3qA

 

dean

"Rare soul" nice and simple and no one in "Divvy Street" knows what it means, so they go "Oh" and move on down the bus 

I just say 'Soul Music'.

 

Only once has a person said 'what's that?' 

 

Conversation ended there 

 

 

Sean

I just say " I'm a Soul fan"

60's Soul, R&B, Reggae and Punk and as for the rest.... *it's complicated*!!!

I don't like the 'normal' people handle although I understand why people use it.

 

Although I'm sure you didn't mean it, It kind of implies that people into Northern are kind of above others when if you dig a little deeper with a lot of people they generally have a niche interest of some kind or other - apologies if some don't like me calling Northern a niche interest but I'm sure people into war-gaming have very similar conversations about 'normal' people' .

 

Plus I think that youngsters are given bad press.

 

I know many that are into Beat stuff, Funk, Rockabilly and other niche markets and many do turn out to hear 'new old' stuff - last week I had young lads taking pictures of the 7"s I was playing.

 

Also, I know I live in the North West where virtually every lad I know has some relation or friend of the family that is or has been into the Northern/nighter scene and I don't think I've come across a kid who has no idea what NS is.

 

I don't know about you but I see a plethora of kids wearing NS T's and bags and yes I know that it's a fashion thing but they are obviously aware of NS and find it a cool thing.

 

Young 'Normal people' are more clued up on music and it's cults than ever before.

Jazz, Delta Blues, City Blues, Country/Folk Blues, Gospel/Spiritual, '40s/'50s R&B, '60s Soul, Afro-Latin/"Salsa", Keltic(bagpipe(Scots and Bulgarian)/Irish Folk, Ancient Chinese, Classic Japanese,  Bluegrass Folk, European Classical, movie and TV themes

 

.....Not forgetting 'Prog Northern'.....I'm still waiting for that Concept Album  

 

All the best,

 

Len  

I don't like the 'normal' people handle although I understand why people use it.

 

 

Chr*st why ever not?....have you ever met a 'normal' soul person? - I ain't for sure! ........meant in the nicest possible way of course   

 

All the best,

 

Len   "What's normal aye?"

Chr*st why ever not?....have you ever met a 'normal' soul person? - I ain't for sure! ........meant in the nicest possible way of course   

 

All the best,

 

Len   "What's normal aye?"

 

Exactly Len.

 

Exactly.

 

Although I'm sure you didn't mean it, It kind of implies that people into Northern are kind of above others

 

Sorry Barry....I thought we were  

 

Len  

 

Plus I think that youngsters are given bad press.

 

 

....Chr*st I really should read your whole post before replying.....

 

....I f*ckin' hate youngsters!

 

Len (again)  

....Chr*st I really should read your whole post before replying.....

 

I'm guilty of it too mate.

 

I don't know about you but I see a plethora of kids wearing NS T's and bags and yes I know that it's a fashion thing but they are obviously aware of NS and find it a cool thing.

 

 

 

.....and to 'round up'  

 

.......It 'used' to be a 'cool thing'...even I'm not 'cool' anymore  ......It's an enjoyable past time for middle aged people - Nowt wrong in that......I don't think.....  

 

All the best,

 

Len  

i say 60s soul ..quickly followed by 'the rarer more underground stuff'

 

have you played this to your drum and bass mates?..not northern more funky edged but almost drum and bass!

 

https://youtu.be/jhFA-RPN3qA

 

dean

 

Blimey Dean, what a revelation - that really does sound like drum and bass, 20 years before it was actually 'invented'!

60s Soul, 50s Rockabilly, 40s Swing.....i just say i like anything old lol....

"Rare soul" nice and simple and no one in "Divvy Street" knows what it means, so they go "Oh" and move on down the bus

 

thats just what i say ...   cuts them off straight away   but  the odd time the reply is  oh is that like that northern stuff i went to wigan once

60ts soul with a smattering of 70ts

usually just say soul but then occasionall say accapella dubstep if i am surrounded with sad ravey chavs down the local pub

 

One of them asked if i had a cd  of accapella dubstep he could listen to , had to stop myself from giving him a blank cd lol

Edited May 10, 201312 yr by davidwapples

I usually just say 'Soul music'.  Occasionally I'll say 'northern soul' but always further add: 'uptempo soul music that you can dance too'. 

 

To be honest I'm a bit embarrassed as to the general public's perception of northern soul at the moment.  Maybe because it's media flavour of the decade what with fast food, advertising and general mainstream recognition - when it's been around for 40 odd years.  Every Xmas I get "KTF logo" presents off the family; clocks, key rings, coasters...  Jesus.

I usually just say 'Soul music'.  Occasionally I'll say 'northern soul' but always further add: 'uptempo soul music that you can dance too'. 

 

To be honest I'm a bit embarrassed as to the general public's perception of northern soul at the moment.  Maybe because it's media flavour of the decade what with fast food, advertising and general mainstream recognition - when it's been around for 40 odd years.  Every Xmas I get "KTF logo" presents off the family; clocks, key rings, coasters...  Jesus.

Yeah, comes with a stigma attached if you ask me, in the NE we are up to our necks in the nostalgia thing, every weekend too many do,s on, If asked, just say "soul music, full stop" which is the truth, stigma I suggested is, Northern Soul=flying around in 40 inch bottoms with a vest covered in badges of places they,ve never f-----g been to and an Addidas bag in tow with change of vest after they've scorched the floor to Frank Wilson.We have all that going on up here in abundance. Hate it.

 

Kev

Edited May 10, 201312 yr by kev cane

I'm very tempted reply that "Today I am mostly liking Tittyshakers"

Every Xmas I get "KTF logo" presents off the family; clocks,...  Jesus.

 

Jeese! I just cracked up - I read your post so fast, that it read 'Clogs' instead of 'Clocks'! ...... 'Northern Soul Clogs' can you imagine?........Sadly.....yes.........

 

I know what you mean.

 

All the best,

 

Len  

As I'm typing this I'm actually lying by the swimming pool in Tenerife with my missus my brother and his wife , listening to a cellar full of motown ,when my head phones fell out the iPad and the whole pool area could hear Brenda holloway trapped in a love affair. With this my brother and his wife said you ain't listening to that soul crap are you !!!!(they are to 55 years old and into stuff like this sex is on fire kings of Leon etc)i just tell em they are so blinkered in their music tastes and have never actually in the 35 years I've been into ns have they sat and listened to a record at all, they were actually in my house when tammi terrell all I do is think about you was playing on a cd and they actually called it shit which honestly winds me up so much, and after all this waffling I've done ,this is the reason I don't really tell anyone what kind of music I'm into I personally find it to much hassell

"Northern Soul"

 

......................some thought we were freaks in the 70's and some will associate NS with the much derided retro fashion set today

 

......................so what?

 

Sounds like a lot of people are ashamed of admitting it.............I'm not.

Since '74...whoever wherever when asked my answer is 'standard'..."Northern Soul get's me up to dance...but I'll listen to anything." That has remained true throughout and whatever new fandango genre has been invented or re-invented and pumped out!x

@@
~

 

 

LUV
SOOTY
X

 

Edit...erm...when thinking about it...I think I dance a Northern Soul dance to everythig else....that has a Norvern streak to it and danceable!x

Edited May 10, 201312 yr by SOOTY

i say 60s soul ..quickly followed by 'the rarer more underground stuff'

 

have you played this to your drum and bass mates?..not northern more funky edged but almost drum and bass!

 

https://youtu.be/jhFA-RPN3qA

 

dean

Nice track that.

 

Dave

hard headed woman was a john stapleton spin at gogo children probably four years back now...can still get it cheap,picked on up about 18 months back for £30...

 

there are a few funky edged tracks where the snare is doubled up and sounds a bit like drum and bass but none so much as this,every thing about it sounds like drum and bass to me...easier to dance ina d&b style than a soul one!

"Northern Soul"

 

......................some thought we were freaks in the 70's and some will associate NS with the much derided retro fashion set today

 

......................so what?

 

Sounds like a lot of people are ashamed of admitting it.............I'm not.

 

....and you shouldn't be mate! I don't think anyone is ashamed of how they used to be......Although what I'm talking about is before my time, I fully understand that back then no one knew what you were into except 'the others'. Walking down the street 'Soul Strangers' would recognise that 'Northern Soul Aura' in each other (Think of the old Porridge advert, and that warm glow around the person after they've had their breakfast).......I know what I mean.

 

....But know one else knew anything about it......How cool is that?

 

All the best,

 

Len  

Edited May 10, 201312 yr by LEN

I was asked what music I liked. I said " I like a wide variety from Led Zepp through to David Bowie. My real love is old Soul Music "

'Old Soul Music, such as who ?' he asked

" You probably don't know most of them. Along the lines of Jackie Wilson " I said

'Oh, Reet Petite, I love that too' he said

" Bye " I said ......

....and you shouldn't be mate! I don't think anyone is ashamed of how they used to be......Although what I'm talking about is before my time, I fully understand that back then no one knew what you were into except 'the others'. Walking down the street 'Soul Strangers' would recognise that 'Northern Soul Aura' in each other (Think of the old Porridge advert, and that warm glow around the person after they've had their breakfast).......I know what I mean.

 

....But know one else knew anything about it......How cool is that?

 

All the best,

 

Len  

 

It was elitist not just 'cos of the music.....the whole deal as a youth culture

 

There seems to be a three way split now and the elitist aspect is still there no doubt.........each to his own

 

Loud 'n proud is my preferred way so I don't mind what an outsider's take is they can like it or lump it.......but they won't see me personally in bags 'n vest either way

 

Know what you mean though